Mazda MX-5 drag race - 1.5 vs 2.0

[zossy1]

Hmm... So the 2L is nearly a second quicker over the standing quarter, and to 100kmh.

On the evidence of the video, the 2L will also put 3-4 car lengths on a 1.5L out of every corner.

Give me torque over revs any day. 2L is the choice for me.

That's true up to a point, Zossy, but remember the 1.5 would be competing and often leading in the sub-1600cc classes while the 2.0 is running well back in the field against some very serious machinery in the 1600-2000cc classes in most competitions.

I can't argue with that, old friend

Mind you, it doesn't help my poor, asthmatic, 1929cc BP-engined slug against the 2.5L NC giants I routinely find myself wheel-to-wheel with

[Rocky]

Seriously, a second is of absolutely no consequence. You get more than that due to differences in driver ability/reflexes.
3 or 4 secs might be significant.

Seriously YOU cant be Serious

I'm totally serious. I can't believe that people really think 1 second matters in anything but professional motor sport.
In what sort of situations is this 1 second going to be a big issue in normal driving?

[project.r.racing]

If it was normal driving. They wouldn't have got the stop watch out. Looks like two very different train of thoughts going on.

The test in the opening post isn't normal driving. So others reading rocky misinterpreted your post. I know I did.

To find the best performer, you have to go past the limits of normal driving.

[Dan]

Whether they have the stop watch out or not the 2L accelerates nearly 20% faster which is probably more than people get with the usual bolt ons people do like exhausts, intakes and tunes which make it just that bit faster even when the stop watch isn't on.

Some people like their car to accelerate quite a bit faster on the street.

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[SE]

Seriously, a second is of absolutely no consequence. You get more than that due to differences in driver ability/reflexes.
3 or 4 secs might be significant.

Seriously YOU cant be Serious

I'm totally serious. I can't believe that people really think 1 second matters in anything but professional motor sport.
In what sort of situations is this 1 second going to be a big issue in normal driving?

Who drives a MX5 normally

[YanMa YatTai]

Does any drag race with an mx5 matter? This article is irrelevant.

[davekmoore]

Does any drag race with an mx5 matter? This article is irrelevant.

True. And the two motors merely create different characters in the cars. I happen to like both.

However, at Roadster GT level, many people are happy to pay only $1600 (3%) extra for the bigger motor (with 33% more torque), and with bigger brakes and tyres, sacrificing maybe 8% of the sweetness and revs of the 1.5 and maybe 2% of the chassis and steering balance of the 1.5.

Please note that despite being asked so often by so many customers, the above is still not a recommendation in favour of any model. The reality is you can't choose a bad ND and I still can't even choose for myself. For instance, a customer drove away in a 1.5 Roadster manual with MZD in Soul Red yesterday. Noice!

[Trackphotos]

Seriously, a second is of absolutely no consequence. You get more than that due to differences in driver ability/reflexes.
3 or 4 secs might be significant.

And given the same driver in either car, that difference suddenly becomes relevant again... I'm not sure what your point was?

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[Rocky]

Short memory? The point was that 1 second is insignificant in anything but professional motor sport.

[rjastra2]

It would be interesting to see the in-gear acceleration times of both cars. I can guarantee the 2L will run away and hide from the 1.5L in those real world situations. Why? Because the 2L motor is tuned for low rpm grunt.

And after being away on a high country road trip with Garry (Elise) and Robert (ND 2L) - my car 208 GTi - 147kw/270Nm 1180kg.

Acceleration - the ND has no issue chasing the 208. Overtaking was the equal of the 208. INstant response. Wheels road test of the 2L ND vs the '86 is the same.

Another point about that drag race. The gearing of both cars is the same - yet the 1.5L has a higher rev limit. Doesn't this mean the 2L has an extra gear change in the 0-100km/h or 0-400m? - whats that worth? 0.5 sec?

[rjastra2]

[youtube]http://youtu.be/1PlSA2DnTL8[/youtube]

[pcmx5]

We are not on about 1 sec differences in a drag,but that must surely translate to better passing power,less time on the wrong side and as others have pointed out a real bargain for anyone who wants the extra power.

My test drive of the 1.5 left me disapointed with power in anything over 3 rd gear.it has pretty miserable torque figures .

Peter.

[Trackphotos]

Short memory? The point was that 1 second is insignificant in anything but professional motor sport.

My memory is fine, you seem a bit confused though. The topic was, which car is faster. In the hands of the same driver, the 2L is faster. You don't have to be a professional to get a measurable increase in performance when they have just proven it's MEASURABLE. You know, since it was measured. So, no, one second is not insignificant in anything but professional motorsport. It's significant in literally every situation where you choose to measure it.

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[Rocky]

Not confused at all. Nobody has disputed the fact that the 2 litre is faster. The issue to my mind (and I would have thought to most rational people) is "does a second matter?"
I think it doesn't in any practical context. Not in a straight line, and not in a passing manoeuvre. If a second matters passing a truck, you shouldn't be passing it.
You would notice the difference if it was 3 or 4 seconds and that might change your purchasing decision, but in the main most people will not be influenced by 1 second but rather how the two different specs feel in whatever constitutes your "normal" use.

[taipan168]

Please note that despite being asked so often by so many customers, the above is still not a recommendation in favour of any model. The reality is you can't choose a bad ND and I still can't even choose for myself. For instance, a customer drove away in a 1.5 Roadster manual with MZD in Soul Red yesterday. Noice!

That would have been me, driving the car from Mornington to Sydney over the Easter weekend. Had a lot of fun driving through Gippsland and up through the NSW south coast - so this is the cleanest the car will ever be. Thanks Dave!

I haven't dríven the 2.0, however on the circa 1,100km drive back I never really had an issue with lack of power for overtaking, etc. If I needed more power I just changed down a gear or two and off I went. And my last car was a 3-litre twin turbo BMW with 225kW/400Nm.