1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8 Turbo

CUSTOM build

I see my MX-5 as a mix between a trackday car and a show car. I’ve always loved the JDM scene, especially because I grew up in the ’90s when Japanese cars and Japanese car culture had such a big influence on me.

I’ve heavily modified the car with a custom JDM-inspired livery, built around the Jinba-ittai philosophy — the idea of creating a perfect connection between driver and machine. To complete the look, I fitted a set of original Japanese Work Equip 04 wheels.

Other modifications include an ME TD-04 turbo kit, producing 240 HP and 305 Nm of torque. With a weight of just 950 kg, this gives the car an impressive power-to-weight ratio, making it an absolute blast to drive on track.

The car is also fitted with coilovers, a roll cage, MOMO bucket seats, and a wide range of other customizations.

A red Mazda sports car with white decals parked on a residential street in front of a brick house. The car has black wheels and racing tires, and there is another car parked behind it. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow on the scene.

240 HP // 305 Nm // 950 kg

A line of race cars on a race track, with the car at the front being red and the others following behind, closely. The track has orange and white safety barriers on the right side and some tire marks are visible on the asphalt.

A blast to drive

Although I don’t compete in official races, I certainly don’t hold back on track days. I regularly push the car to its limits and often find myself among the fastest cars on track, even when lined up alongside proper sports cars.

Front view of a red car with the hood open, revealing the engine and engine bay. The car appears to be in a parking lot with other cars visible in the background.

TD-04 Turbo kit

I installed the Motorsports Electronics TD-04 turbo kit myself. It was a really cool experience and taught me a lot about working on cars, but it also showed me just how frustrating working on cars can be sometimes.

Red Mazda MX-5 convertible with open hood and Japanese and Chinese characters on the side, inside a soundproofed testing or repair garage with equipment and an open garage door showing trees outside.

tuned for track use

I had the car professionally tuned on a dyno by a motorsport company to get the most out of the setup while keeping the engine reliable.