2005 Mazdaspeed Miata
Estimated Price: $26,200
Engine
Engine Code: BP
Type: Inline four, iron block, aluminum head, turbocharged and intercooled
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Displacement: 1839 cc
Bore x Stroke: 83.1mm x 85.1 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Claimed Crank Hp: 178 @ 6000 rpm
Claimed Crank Torque: 166 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Measured Wheel Hp: 152 hp
Measured Wheel Torque: 143 lb-ft
Redline: 6500 rpm
Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Gear Ratios
1: 3.760:1
2: 2.269:1
3: 1.645:1
4: 1.257:1
5: 1.000:1
6: 0.843:1
Final Drive: 4.100:1
Differential: Torsen limited slip
Chassis
Chassis Code: NB
Exterior dimensions
Curb Weight as Tested: 2,551 lbs.
Weight Distribution F/R as Tested: 52/48
Overall Length: 155.7 in.
Wheelbase: 89.2 in.
Overall Width: 66.1 in.
Track F/R: 55.7 in./56.7 in.
Height: 48.0 in.
Suspension
Front: Upper and lower control arms, anti-roll bar
Rear: Upper and lower control arms, anti-roll bar
Brakes
Front: 10.6-in. vented discs, single-piston sliding calipers with ABS
Rear: 10.9-in. solid discs, single-piston sliding calipers with ABS
Wheels and Tires
Wheels: 17x7-in. Racing Hart aluminum
Tires: 205/40R-17 Toyo Proxes R28
Handling
Lateral Grip (200-ft. skidpad): .90g
Slalom Speed (700-ft. slalom): 69.1 mph
Project Miata Gen. 1 (1995)
Engine
Engine Code: BP
Type: Inline four, iron block, aluminum head, turbocharged and intercooled
Internal Modifications: Stock
External Modifications: Flyin' Miata II turbo kit, FM turbo exhaust, Vishnu fuel rail, FM aluminum radiator
Engine Management Modifications: AEM EMS with UEGO wideband controller
Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Drivetrain Modifications: Jackson Racing Stage I clutch, Jackson Racing aluminum flywheel
Suspension
Front: KW coil-overs, Racing Beat hollow anti-roll bar, Racing Beat anti-roll bar brace kit
Rear: KW coil-overs, Racing Beat solid anti-roll bar
Brakes
Front: 10.0-in. vented discs, single-piston sliding calipers, Hawk Blue pads
Rear: 9.9-in. solid discs, single-piston sliding calipers, Hawk Black pads
Wheels And Tires
Wheels: 16x7-in. Buddy Club SF
Tires: 225/40R-16 Toyo Proxes T1-R
Other: Hard Dog Hard Core roll bar, GAB and other custom chassis braces
Interior
Buddy Club Racing Spec seat
Handling
Slalom Speed (700-ft. slalom): 71.7 mph
Lateral Grip (200-ft. skidpad): .93g
Editor's Choice:
Project Miata
In this tough crowd, Project Miata is the champion of cheap. It's also the most powerful, quickest accelerating, most communicative car of the group.
Our boosted roadster is a picture of efficient performance. It's light, which makes it easy on brakes, tires and even its own powertrain. But it's the Miata's entertaining combination of sound, control feedback and speed that wins me over.
Duplicating Project Miata's handling, braking and acceleration isn't difficult. But doing it for this kind money with any other car is a tall order. Even so, that's only part of the boosted roadster's appeal. It's Project Miata's smile factor on the street and in this test (where it is, admittedly, a bit out of its element) that makes it uniquely desirable. - Josh Jacquot