1990 rebuild

[Blackrose]

Ok so here it is.

I have a 1990 Miata.

A few weeks ago we had a very very hard rain in the area. My car was parked at work (with the top up). When i got in it to drive home there was 5 inches of water on the passanger side of the car. It fried the ECU and destroyed most of the interior.

So here is the thing... i am going to rebuild it in some way. I just have not decided how yet. I was thinking of trying a renesis swap.... but im a tourqe ***** and i think it would cost too much.

I was also thinking of making into a drag car but that just dont seem right to me in a miata.... they are known for there handling... so why take that away from her.

Here is what i think i want to do.

Make it into a Drift/autoX car. i love both sprorts and the miata is an excelent platform for both.

I am looking for advice/sugestions on what to do. 1.8 swap. Suspention, turbo, anything. Let me know what you fellow members think.

Thanks
Mike

 

[The Mad Swede]

Using parts from salvaged cars or cars that have been gutted and turned into track racers, it should not be too hard or expensive to replace the interior again. But what is the fun in that? I would probably cry for a full weekend and then rip out all the interior, sell what can be sold and turn the car into a wicked track/autocross racer. Miatas dont make very good drag cars, so I would not try that.

 

[kcbhiw]

Spec Miata(rockon)

If not SM and you have the cash flow, go with the turbo, 1.8L, '99 MY head, and suspension upgrade for starters. I suggest bits from Flyin' Miata.

Skip the rotary swap as it is a very complicated process. Many who have performed the swap say that it wasn't worth it and/or they'll never do it again.

 

[Blackrose]

Using parts from salvaged cars or cars that have been gutted and turned into track racers, it should not be too hard or expensive to replace the interior again. But what is the fun in that? I would probably cry for a full weekend and then rip out all the interior, sell what can be sold and turn the car into a wicked track/autocross racer. Miatas dont make very good drag cars, so I would not try that.

I work fast. The interior and dash has already been completely striped out. The drag thing was mostly out of the question cause i suck ass at dragracing. The interior will all be custom redone by me. Im not worried about that just seeing what i should do with the drivetrain.

 

[Blackrose]

Spec Miata(rockon)

If not SM and you have the cash flow, go with the turbo, 1.8L, '99 MY head, and suspension upgrade for starters. I suggest bits from Flyin' Miata.

Skip the rotary swap as it is a very complicated process. Many who have performed the swap say that it wasn't worth it and/or they'll never do it again.

Ive already got plans for the suspension. Is the 1.8 a good FI platform. (i got some nerve asking that like it matters... im building a thumpered protege right now). Your Head? Is that the one i PMed you about the other day or was that someone else? What size turbo? Or should i just buy three OZ of symtex and call it a day. Im also working on restoring a Subaru SVX so i got alot on my plate.

 

[The Mad Swede]

I second the recommendation of Flyin Miata! Great components, lots of competence and a great attitude. They are currenly developing a new turbo kit that we all hope so will be ready soon. The Miata 1.8L takes very well to boost and you will have much more after market stuff to choose from then if you stay with your 1.6. The heads from -99 and newer give more power then the older variant, but run solid lifter instead of hydraulic. Add a 6-speed gear box and a LSD and you will be a happy man.

 

[kcbhiw]

The heads from -99 and newer give more power then the older variant, but run solid lifter instead of hydraulic. Add a 6-speed gear box and a LSD and you will be a happy man.

99-00 to be exact. The 01+ heads employ VVT which can be a PITA when installing them into older Miatas. The solid lifters of the 99+ engines are a definate advantage.

The 6-speed is debatable as in it really comes down to the gearing preference of the driver (much detail aside between the two). A 5-speed with 13" wheels is a killer match on the auto-x course. However, the 6-speed seems to be a stronger box, overall. Install a 94+ torsen (with halfshafts), or better yet a Mazda competition clutch type diff, and you'll be on your way.

I'm omitting a lot of detail, but there is a lot to be read and researched. There are so many combinations to making the Miata better (as if it isn't good enough), it'll make your head spin.

 

[Blackrose]

99-00 to be exact. The 01+ heads employ VVT which can be a PITA when installing them into older Miatas. The solid lifters of the 99+ engines are a definate advantage.

The 6-speed is debatable as in it really comes down to the gearing preference of the driver (much detail aside between the two). A 5-speed with 13" wheels is a killer match on the auto-x course. However, the 6-speed seems to be a stronger box, overall. Install a 94+ torsen (with halfshafts), or better yet a Mazda competition clutch type diff, and you'll be on your way.

I'm omitting a lot of detail, but there is a lot to be read and researched. There are so many combinations to making the Miata better (as if it isn't good enough), it'll make your head spin.

Oh dont get me wrong. Ive had this miata for the better part of 6 years now. I know that there is a good world out there for her.. Im just seeing what everyones opinion is of.... THE BEST.

 

[The Mad Swede]

99-00 to be exact. The 01+ heads employ VVT which can be a PITA when installing them into older Miatas. The solid lifters of the 99+ engines are a definate advantage.

The 6-speed is debatable as in it really comes down to the gearing preference of the driver (much detail aside between the two).

True and True again. The -99 and -00 Heads are the most tuner friendly. Easy to work on and plenty of power. When I recommended the 6-speed, I did not concider Autocrossing. (I am a track ***** and the 6-speed is great there) I have heard several Autocross people say that the 5-speed, with its longer 2nd gear fits better for that sport. They are a stronger box then the 5 speed, but unless you plan to tune the crap out of the car, the gearbox will be fine. Performance aside, I think the 6-speed has a lot of coolness value to it...(cool)

When will we see some pics of the car? *hinthint*

 

[Pitlab77]

decide what you want before you start throwing money at it. Different purpose will require different parts, as will different rules and classes (like the differences between Cstock,CSP,SM2, EMod in SCCA). I never thought about stuff like that on my 92. The 99 I just bought is built for Cstock racing in AutoX. I really can not do much more besides what is already done.

Purpose drives the build up.

as to FM their parts a bit overpriced and can be had elsewere


92 (deturboed)
99 (sport package)

 

[Blackrose]

decide what you want before you start throwing money at it. Different purpose will require different parts, as will different rules and classes (like the differences between Cstock,CSP,SM2, EMod in SCCA). I never thought about stuff like that on my 92. The 99 I just bought is built for Cstock racing in AutoX. I really can not do much more besides what is already done.

Purpose drives the build up.

as to FM their parts a bit overpriced and can be had elsewere


92 (deturboed)
99 (sport package)

Yes i agree FM is very overpriced. I probably would use much of there stuff. Yeah i am still breaking it down so i will not be sinking any money into it for a few months proabbaly.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Mike let me know if you need anything I have access to alot of that kind of stuff

 

[kcbhiw]

decide what you want before you start throwing money at it. Different purpose will require different parts, as will different rules and classes (like the differences between Cstock,CSP,SM2, EMod in SCCA). I never thought about stuff like that on my 92. The 99 I just bought is built for Cstock racing in AutoX. I really can not do much more besides what is already done.

Purpose drives the build up.

+1 This is a very good point.

as to FM their parts a bit overpriced and can be had elsewere

Overpriced? Maybe.
Properly engineered? Most definately.

 

[Blackrose]

Mike let me know if you need anything I have access to alot of that kind of stuff

Yes you can definately expect a call from me in a few months in reguards to this.

 

[Blackrose]

Overpriced? Maybe.
Properly engineered? Most definately.

Dont get me wrong.... FM is top notch. I would never tell anyone there parts are not worth it. I will probably get some things from them like there 1.8 swap kit. But things like there turbo kit and there built motors....... well those are very pricey.

 

[Pitlab77]

+1 This is a very good point.



Overpriced? Maybe.
Properly engineered? Most definately.

yes but they outsource they are the middle man for the most part. So why buy it from them.

I have had fm stuff on my car. For example i had a FM link from them, but even then the Link is purchased from new zealand you are only paying extra for the miata specific coding. Is it worth it, for an ECU yes, for shocks, springs, braces, wheels, etc no. Even the turbo componets were less expensive and just as well engineered else were.

 

[SlowPro98]

I am looking for advice/sugestions on what to do. 1.8 swap. Suspention, turbo, anything. Let me know what you fellow members think

how about a KLZE v6 swap? http://majica.net/JNR/jnr.htm

 

[MiaTurbo]

if you do want to go with a spec racer, or auto-x car, read the rules first for whatever class you want to be in. Usually doing something like FI or a bigger motor swap will bump you all the way to the 'unlimited' classes where (speaking from experiance) you will be way outclassed unless you have a healthy budget...

How do you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a big one.

 

[ALIEN3T]

from what i hear the 1.6 does well on boost. Probably can run soem 1.8 gtr rods, or b6t rods ot handle the boost.