Mazda MX5 Mk1 1.8 Turbo Kit, GT28 with sports cat

This is a foundation kit containing all the parts you will need to fit a turbo to a Mazda MX5 Mk1 1.8

Please note we have deliberately omitted the actual turbo from the kit to give you full flexibility in choosing a turbo that’s right for your set-up.

The turbo kit is designed to run using a Garrett GT2860RS or GT2871R or any hybrid using the same dimensions. This enables the flexibility to choose to go for a cheap eBay version, a second-hand unit from a Nissan 200SX SR20DET with the compressor side adapters, a Garrett GT2860/GT2871 or the much loved Disco Potato.

Recommended Compatible Turbos:

What’s inside?

All the fittings are supplied to fit any of these turbos including the oil feed (plus adapter to the oil pressure switch) and return (with sump fitting) and the water feeds.

A 200 cell sports catatalytic converter is supplied.

Also, the intercooler supplied is rated to 400 BHP and comes with the brackets, silicone hoses and couplers with T-bolt clamps and aluminium pipework. This pipework has a flange for the 50mm Tial-type blow-off valves and a 3/8 NPT boss for an IAT sensor.

On the hot side, you’ll find the manifold supplied is a 3mm thick log type, this will flow enough for over 300 BHP. The downpipe has an M18 boss welded in for a wideband lambda sensor and connects to the standard exhaust just after the diff.

For the BOV there is a flange already welded into the intercooler pipework which accepts the 50mm Tial BOV, here you can choose to go for genuine Tial or have a look on eBay to see what is available.

This was never designed to use the Mazda MAF meter so you will need to run some form of standalone management or make your own adaptions. There is a 3/8NPT boss welded into the intercooler pipework ready to take the popular GM open element IAT sensor. We believe Megasquirt or the ME management is a good budget option or you can of course spend to your budget and go for AEM or Link etc.

The standard injectors do no flow enough so again it is recommended to go for the RX8 yellow or blue ones if on a budget or choose to go for a brand like DeatschWerks or Injector Dynamics if the budget will allow.

Finally, the OEM clutch cannot take the power once a turbo has been fitted, therefore a Competition Clutch stage 4 or similar is recommended.

Here is a list of the parts included in this kit:

1 x Turbo manifold
1 x Head to manifold gasket
1 x Manifold to turbo gasket
4 x Manifold to turbo studs and nuts
1 x Turbo to elbow gasket
5 x Turbo to downpipe studs and nuts
1 x 2.5″ Vband Clamp
1 x 2.5″ Stainless downpipe
1 x 2.5″ Stainless centrepipe with sports cat to suit the pre-97 catback
1 x 2.5″ Gasket bolts
1 x 1/8NPT T-Piece
1 x 1/8NPT to AN-3 adapter
1 x Turbo oil feed line
1 x AN-3 to banjo fitting
1 x Banjo bolt with washers
1 x T28 to AN-10 oil drain fitting
1 x AN-10 oil return braided hose, 40cm long, straight fitting at one end and 30 degree at the other
1 x AN-10 sump adapter, uses 1/2NPT thread to go into the sump
1 x AN-6 water feed braided hose, 50cm long, open at one end, AN-6 straight fitting at the other
1 x AN-6 water feed braided hose, 40cm long, open at one end, AN-6 straight fitting at the other
2 x AN-6 to M14 banjo fittings with bolts and washers
2 x AN-6 hose finishing clamps
2 x 19mm to 10mm T-pieces
4 x Jubilee clamps 25mm
1 x 2″ 90 degree turbo to intercooler pipe silicone elbow
1 x 2″ to 2.5″ 90 degree expanding silicone elbow from intercooler pipe to intercooler
1 x 2.5″ 90 degree silicone elbow from intercooler to intercooler pipe
1 x 2.5″ 90 degree intercooler pipe to throttle body silicone elbow
8 x T-Bolt clamps
1 x Intercooler
2 x Intercooler brackets
2 x Intercooler aluminium pipes
1 x Set of intercooler bolts

The below parts are required but not included:

1 x Turbo- ideally a GT2860RS
1 x BOV – 50mm Tial type required
1 x ECU – Will need a Megasquirt or similar with IAT sensor
4 x Injectors – Mazda RX8 Yellow or Blue work well in this car
1 x Clutch – Competition Clutch stage 4 or similar is recommended
1 x Air filter – measure the size of the turbo intake to find one that fits