The Mazda MX-5 (ND2, 2019+) is rated 181 hp (SAE net · US market) at 7,000 rpm and weighs 2,339 lb (US curb, federal spec, soft top manual (RF 2,453 lb; automatic 2,388 lb)), or 12.9 lb/hp. On enthusiast estimates its stock internals are taken to about ~320 hp, the fuel system to around ~240 hp, and its naturally aspirated setup is taken to about ~205 hp before forced induction. Below: the sourced spec sheet, the limit sheet carbuildcheck analyzes against, and the platform's community-documented weak points.
Units
01 Spec sheet sourced
EngineSkyactiv-G · 1,998 cc · I4
Engine codePE-VPR (Skyactiv-G 2.0)
Bore × stroke83.5 × 91.2 mm
Compression13:1
Inductionnaturally aspirated
Fuel systemdirect
Rated power181 hp · SAE net · US market @ 7,000 rpm
Torque151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Redline7,500 rpm
Transmission6MT · 6AT
DrivetrainRWD
Curb weight2,339 lb · US curb, federal spec, soft top manual (RF 2,453 lb; automatic 2,388 lb) · 12.9 lb/hp
GenerationND2 (2019+, the 181 hp engine update); ND1 2016–2018 rated 155 hp / 148 lb-ft, 6,800 rpm redline · 2019–
rotating assembly ceiling · fails first: pistons at 13:1 under boost · 91 AKI · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure ~320 hp; no named rod ceiling in this audit
Induction ceiling~205 hp
naturally aspirated ceiling (bolt-ons and cam) · fails first: NA ceiling: header, intake, tune · 91 AKI · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure ~205 hp
Fuel system~240 hp
stock fuel-system ceiling · fails first: stock injectors on boost · 91 AKI · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure; no named source in this audit
Clutch (manual)~220 hp
stock clutch torque capacity · fails first: stock clutch glazed at ~207 whp in DSPORT's turbo build (t2); Flyin' Miata's upgrade holds 340 lb-ft (t1) · source: DSPORT, D'GARAGE Mazda MX-5 ND with AVO turbo · site plans on ~220 hp
Transmission (automatic)~250 hp
gearbox / driveline rating · fails first: the 6AT; the ND2 6MT is stronger than the ND1 box (community consensus) but unrated on any fetched page · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure; no fetched page states the gearbox rating
Cooling (sustained)~280 hp
thermal ceiling for sustained load · fails first: oil temperature on track · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure; no named source in this audit
⚑The 6-speed is the fuse on boosted NDs (community consensus ~250 lb-ft for the ND1 box; the ND2 box is stronger but unrated on any fetched page). A soft launch habit is the cheapest insurance.
⚑The ND is superb stock on track; tires and pads first give more lap time than power here.
04 The typical path
Intake → headers → tune → cams or forced induction. NA gains are modest on most platforms; the big unlock is boost, and boost starts at the fuel system.
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