Miata Mailing List: February 1999, Message #5

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Previously on Mudflaps + lots more, Karl Gunnarsson <karl@dominos.is>
said...
 
> On a different note I´d like to know how much HP is to be gained from
> advancing the timing and adding a K&N filtercharger, each. I´m thinking
> of adding ten or so HP to make acceleration a bit more authorotative but
> I don't want to change the character of the car. Does changing the
> timing require a mechanic with experience in Miatas? Is it a a difficult
> procedure?

I don't know exactly how much horsepower is gained by the combination you
mention, but I would guess it's probably closer to 5.

As to difficulty in advancing the timing, if you can change the tires you
can advance the timing, and it doesn't take as long.  Instructions are at:
http://miata.net/garage/ignition.html#timing
You /will/ notice the improvement.

> Speaking of horsepower,I think US 1.8L '94s are rated 128 BHP, but my
> (Icelandic) registration license says my (US imported) car is 133 HP...
> Is that just the difference between BHP and HP?

Horsepower has to be measured in some way, and Brake Horsepower is the
typical method.  There were two different BHp ratings for the 1.8 engine. 
Yours was the first 1.8 available and is rated at 128 BHp at the
crankshaft.  The next change came in 1996 with OBDII (a change in the
engine computer) which among other things increased the power to 133.  My
guess is that Iceland probably uses the higher power rating for their
registration purposes, but before 1996 they were 128 hp.

	-John

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John Freas (jfreas@earthlink.net)
Red '90 Base-ish #7690
Birmingham, AL
Team LS1,2, SP, the Gap...
Team dlralt, MRoadster, PBC, Roebuck, Voodoo...
"I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are for."
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