We all know how easy it is to push a Subaru Rexie into the 12s - just add an exhaust, intake, intercooler, big boost and, maybe, a larger turbo - and voila! Relatively few people realise that the imported Mazda Familia GT-R has similar potential - it's all too easy to go fast.
For those unfamilia (ha-ha), the hottest of the Mazda hatches was built as a homologation rally special in the early 1990s. It's powered by a BP-series 1.8-litre DOHC, 16-valve intercooled turbo four driving through all four paws. Its factory rated output is 154kW at 6000 rpm and 250Nm at 4500.
Adelaide's Alexander Pickering bought this particular '92 BG8Z Familia GT-R from MotorCity Imports in early 2001 and - like many Japanese imports - it arrived packing a couple of aftermarket surprises. The previous owner had already installed a pod filter and an EL Sport lowered suspension system. Bonus.
But in its near-standard form, Alexander was a bit disappointed with the performance on offer from the 'gun' Familia - it was way too laggy. Still, it struck him as a car with big potential...
Not long after being purchased, Alexander threw a custom 3-inch exhaust at his GT-R. This made a tremendous improvement - not only was there more top-end haul, boost came in some 1000 rpm sooner. It absolutely transformed the way the car felt in day-to-day traffic.
With just the exhaust upgrade - in addition to the existing pod filter - the Mazda was now easing out 105kW at all four wheels of a Dyno Dynamics chassis dyno. Wastegate control went untouched, with boost peaking at 0.9 Bar.
With the GT-R's exhaust unplugged there was serious potential for some boost-induced power. Before working the standard ball-bearing turbo any harder, though, Alexander first sorted the intake system to suit.
First, that hot air sucking under bonnet pod filter was discarded for a new HKS item that's cleverly positioned in the factory driving light moulding. No one can accuse Alexander of not knowing the benefits of cold air or ram-air induction...
The standard GT-R air-to-air intercooler - which is already 70 percent larger than the basic Familia GTX's - was then given a good work-over to optimise charge-air flow and cooling. The standard end tanks were cut from the core and a 610mm long ex-truck tube-and-fin core was sectioned in the middle. It's an unusual approach, but Alexander says it works a treat - there's plenty of flow through the fat core tubes.
With the filter and 'cooler taken care of, the next move was, of course, more boost. A Turbosmart 2-stage pneumatic controller switches between 13.9 psi and a high of 19.2 psi - more than enough to the little BP 1800's heart pounding. Jaustech - a local Familia specialist - then adjusted the ignition timing "for reliability" and removed the factory 180 km/h speed cut.
Venting all that pressure on gearshifts and sharp throttle-offs is a GFB (Go Fast Bits) Bovus Maximus atmospheric blow-off valve - it sounds sorta like a sports shoe on a polished floor... Preventing blow-by oil re-entering the intake tract is a custom catch-can arrangement.
While all this was going on, Alexander decided to have the exhaust system redone - he wasn't happy with the sound or quality of the first product. The new pipe measures 4-inches off the back of the turbo, flowing into a 3-inch system with a polished Blast rear muffler and a 5-inch tip. Oh, and check out the dangling key ring...
With it's big belly full o'boost, the Familia cranked out some highly impressive numbers on Jaustech's Dyno Pack 'chassis' dyno - how about 187kW and 290Nm on low boost and 196kW and 328Nm at high boost?!
Not surprisingly, this amount of power equates to some spectacular quarter mile performance. Alexander's best run to date is a 12.85 at 110.19 mph. And that's with that standard turbo!
A key factor in maintaining decent gearbox life has been clutch selection. Alexander uses the standard clutch plate in order to protect the gearbox; not a bad idea considering sourcing genuine Familia GT-R gearboxes would be a massive headache. The GT-R-spec gearbox is strengthened, uses shot-peened gears and a different viscous centre coupling to the average Familia GTX. Also helping gearbox life is the use of quality oil and a healthy amount of driver respect; Alexander slips the clutch slightly on take-off rather than max rpm dumping it.
The car's impressive 12.85 ET hasn't come purely from additional power, however. Alexander - who uses the car mainly on weekends - has lightened the usual 1200-odd kilogram mass by stripping out the interior. Some of this gain is offset with the fitment of an A'PEXi Auto Timer, GReddy boost gauge, MazdaSpeed rear strut brace and, with clear intentions for competition work, a fire extinguisher and a Japanese Safety 21 6-point roll cage.
Following our photo shoot, Alexander dared to head out to Adelaide's Collingrove hill climb to test his car's - and his own - mettle. He came away with some impressive numbers for a first timer, but watch out - he'll be back bigger and badder. Alexander plans to stick some race rubber on those stockie 15-inch alloys and upgrade the brakes, which are presently standard other than wearing a set of Endless pads.
We already know this awesome little machine can match the best of 'em at the drags, and soon it'll be pushing 'em round the bends. It's time for a shake up!
Contacts:
MotorCity Imports
+61 8 8367 5775
Jaustech
+61 8 8266 7244
