In our parts shop you will find a variety of parts and modifications for your MX-5 ND. Since we are often asked what, in our opinion, makes the perfect conversion for road or racetrack, we sat down and put together this checklist for the perfect MX-5 ND. The bucket list for your MX-5 ND varies depending on the intended use, which is why you should first think about the area in which you want to use your ND later.
As with the other models, we start with the optimal conversions with the focus on fast road use:
Stage 1:
The first stage of conversions for the road cars focuses on the areas of the suspension and wheel-tire combination. With our Neomax-N coiovers for the MX-5 ND you improve the driving characteristics on the road enormously. In addition, a wheel-tire combination in the dimensions 16x7 Offset 25 with 195/50R16 Nankang NS-2R is planned for Stage 1. When it comes to the rim design, of course, it depends on your personal taste, everything that fits over the brakes of your MX-5 ND is desired. To round off the look, lugnuts can be installed here to give the look of your ND the final touch.
Stage 2:
After we have improved the handling of the MX-5 ND in the first stage, the braking system comes into play in the second stage. Here we use the StopTech brake discs left and right as well as HAWK HPS 5.0 brake pads on the front axle for road applications. This means that you can no longer get the brakes to the limit so easily on the road and you can enjoy your tours fully without hesitation.
Stage 3:
Now that, thanks to Stage 2, we can brake easily in front of a corner, in Stage 3 we mainly get the car to accelerate out of the corner more quickly and to bring it through the corner in a more controllable manner. To do this, we use our well tested differential revisions with a 3.4 gear ratio and the KAAZ DBZ2030 limited-slip differential, also known as the "short axle". Due to the shorter gear ratio of the differential, the MX-5 ND moves much faster and sportier out of the corner and the gear connection when shifting becomes much tighter, the rpm drop when shifting is thus reduced and the engine always works in its optimal rpm range. The KAAZ limited-slip differential ensures that the car distributes the power better to both wheels under load, so that the ND goes more smoothly through the corner under load and is more predictable in the limit area. As an additional service, your differential is completely cleaned, re-stored and sealed so that you can enjoy your new differential for a long time.
Stage 4:
In our fourth stage, we then fall back on our performance packages. By installing the natural aspirated performance package, the OEM manifold is converted into a manifold with a sports catalytic converter, so that the power delivery is cleaner and generally better. In addition to the development of power, the manifold naturally gives you that certain sound, as your hearing is of course always with you.
But what if I want to convert the MX-5 ND directly for the racetrack in order to use it primarily on track days and racing events? We have also put together a guide for you, which, in our opinion, are the perfect modifications to use the MX-5 ND on the racetrack. Let's start here with the first stage for the Trackday NDs:
Stage 1:
Our first stage for the track tools is also about improving driving behavior with a coilover kit and a new wheel-tire combination. For this we use Silver's Neomax-R coilover kit for the MX-5 ND as well as a rim measuring 16x7 ET25 with a Nankang AR-1 in 195/50R16. When choosing the rim, it depends again on your personal taste, but you should note that the brake system used in Stage 2 should fit under the rim so that you can upgrade to the second Stage at any time.
Stage 2:
As already mentioned, the brake system is converted in the second stage. Here we use the StopTech big brake system 280mm for MX-5 ND. This complete braking system shortens the braking distance of the MX-5 ND enormously, which means that harder braking maneuvers on the racetrack are no longer a problem.
Stage 3:
The third stage is about the interior and the safety of the passengers. For this we use our high-quality seat packages for MX-5 ND with Recaro Pole Position seats to upgrade the interior and so that you sit firmly in the seat on your next trackday instead of sliding around in the original seats. To optimize safety, we use our track rollbar for MX-5 ND, which we produce in-house. In the event of an accident, this rollbar offers you the rollover protection you need so that nothing happens to you.
Stage 4:
Stage 4 then deals again with locking the differential of the MX-5 ND and shortening the gear ratio. This is where our differential revision with KAAZ limited-slip differential and 3.58 gear ratio comes into play. This ensures the necessary agility on the racetrack that the MX-5 ND needs.
Stage 5:
In our fifth and final stage for the racetrack conversions of the MX-5 ND, we then fall back on our performance packages from the natural aspirated segment. These offer you the advantage that you have all the parts to permanently build the increase in performance on your MX-5 ND.
Have you already started converting your MX-5 ND? If so, which components did you start with? Let us know in the comments on this blog or via email!
Your SPS Motorsport Team