Best miata year to get?
- Thread starter BlackMSP
- Start date
This thread may provide a bit of insight... http://www.protege5.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32020
what are your plans with the car? Leaving it stock? Turbo? I've seen 94 Flyin Miata Turbo II -equipped miatas for $7-10K...complete w/ torsen rear end, etc. That's the route I'd go.
There is a V8 Miata for sale in California, if you have $20K...
If you are looking for a little pep, find a 1.6L miata, and opt for the ultra-frugal GReddy turbo system. It'd be a good way to have a high 14 second power Miata...could probably do it for less than $5000 total (including the price of the car).
I guess we'd need to know your budget to answer.
There is a V8 Miata for sale in California, if you have $20K...
If you are looking for a little pep, find a 1.6L miata, and opt for the ultra-frugal GReddy turbo system. It'd be a good way to have a high 14 second power Miata...could probably do it for less than $5000 total (including the price of the car).
I guess we'd need to know your budget to answer.
1.6 is the way to go if you want cheap/reliable. The 1.6 came from a 323 turbo, and thus is easy to turbocharge. A GReddy kit can be done for under 2K. They're also lighter, but it's a good idea to throw on 1.8 brakes. the '90's and early '91's had a problem with the crankshafts. Try to find a late '91 or 92-93. Good luck
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
Flyin Miata says;
Q: I'm thinking of buying a Miata and modifying it. What year would be best?
We recommend looking for a 1994 or 1995. They have the larger 1.8 engine but no OBD-II. This makes the ECU installation easy. The 1.8 cars also have a stronger rear end. The 1994 has a proper oil pressure gauge, so it's probably the pick of the lot.
Q: I'm thinking of buying a Miata and modifying it. What year would be best?
We recommend looking for a 1994 or 1995. They have the larger 1.8 engine but no OBD-II. This makes the ECU installation easy. The 1.8 cars also have a stronger rear end. The 1994 has a proper oil pressure gauge, so it's probably the pick of the lot.
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
they also have slightly unkind words about the GReddy kit;
Q: Why is your cheapest kit so much more expensive than the GReddy?
A: Our kits are designed to be both complete and safe. We include ignition controls, high-quality piping, fuel controls and absolutely everything you need to make safe power. By the time a GReddy has been upgraded to make decent safe power, the price is often more than an FM kit. We won't sell a kit that isn't intercooled or that doesn't include acceptable engine management.
they sell numerous upgrades for the GReddy kit on thier website.
Q: Why is your cheapest kit so much more expensive than the GReddy?
A: Our kits are designed to be both complete and safe. We include ignition controls, high-quality piping, fuel controls and absolutely everything you need to make safe power. By the time a GReddy has been upgraded to make decent safe power, the price is often more than an FM kit. We won't sell a kit that isn't intercooled or that doesn't include acceptable engine management.
they sell numerous upgrades for the GReddy kit on thier website.
K
Keith@FP
The 1.8 is no more difficult to turbocharge than the 1.6. This is a persistent rumour 
The 1.8 was also used in the turbo 323s outside the US. There's no GReddy for the 1.8 but HKS does make a similar kit - basically just a manifold, turbo, downpipe and an FMU.
Keith
The 1.8 was also used in the turbo 323s outside the US. There's no GReddy for the 1.8 but HKS does make a similar kit - basically just a manifold, turbo, downpipe and an FMU.Keith
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- 2001 Mazda MP3
Darin said:
V8?!?!?! HOW THE HELL did they fit that in there!?
K
Keith@FP
The most common is the Ford 302, usually known as a "Monster Miata". There are a few Rover-based ones. The LT-1 appears to be the latest holy grail. Miataforum.com has an entire forum devoted to engine swaps.
Keith
Keith
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
I'm confused - are you saying that the Q&A from FM is erroneous or something else? Ken's miata, the yellow one, that is a 1.6 right?
I am going to start a turbo Miata fund. Currently at whatever I have in my center console. Looks like 82 cents and a bag of Fritos. Hey, Christmas is coming up if you want to wrap Track Dog for me with a bow and send it to Chicago
yeah, okay, santa could never be so kind.
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
whats your take on these swaps? wouldn't they destroy the power to weight ratio of the car?
K
Keith@FP
I WROTE the Q&A on the FM site Nowhere does it say that the 1.6 is easier to turbocharge. It does say that the OBD-II computer used in the 1996-97 cars is a problem, but that's unrelated. You'll note the recommendation for 1994-95 cars - those are 1.8s.
Ken's Miata is a 1.6. So is Bill's car. Elvis is a 1.8 (or a 2.0, depending on what we popped in last) and our 1995 is a 1.8 as well.
The swaps have less of an effect on the handling than you might think. Their biggest problem is reliability. We raced against one in the 2002 OTC. Car made a great noise and needed constant work. Since the car takes so well to turbocharging, it almost seems foolish to hack in a V8 for more money.
Keith
Nowhere does it say that the 1.6 is easier to turbocharge. It does say that the OBD-II computer used in the 1996-97 cars is a problem, but that's unrelated. You'll note the recommendation for 1994-95 cars - those are 1.8s.Ken's Miata is a 1.6. So is Bill's car. Elvis is a 1.8 (or a 2.0, depending on what we popped in last) and our 1995 is a 1.8 as well.
The swaps have less of an effect on the handling than you might think. Their biggest problem is reliability. We raced against one in the 2002 OTC. Car made a great noise and needed constant work. Since the car takes so well to turbocharging, it almost seems foolish to hack in a V8 for more money.
Keith
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
lol, no no, thats not quite what I meant. I had from the earlier post that you were debunking the myth the that the 1.6 was HARDER to turbo, but that in the Q&A I thought you were recommending the 1.8 over it. sorry about that!
K
Keith@FP
I'll simplify. There's no difference in difficulty between the 1.6 and the 1.8. The engines are almost identical internally although the block for the 1.8 is longer. In 1999, the head was redesigned and the ECU and fuel systems changed a fair bit.
Actually, we've got a new ECU for the 1996-97 cars that makes them much easier to turbo than before. Since many states are now testing for OBD-II codes, you would have to reinstall the OEM ECU and injectors for this check.
Keith
Actually, we've got a new ECU for the 1996-97 cars that makes them much easier to turbo than before. Since many states are now testing for OBD-II codes, you would have to reinstall the OEM ECU and injectors for this check.
Keith
I'll add my 2 pennies... I have had a '99 and an '01 Miata up until recently... The '99 was my favorite for styling, reliability, etc. If body style doesn't matter, 1994 or 95 cars are best.... Expect to spend about 5,k on a turbo system.
If you want over 200 rwhp, I'd opt for the 94 over the 99. The compression ratio on the 94 is about 8.9:1 whereas the 99 is 9.5 IIRC. The 01+ Miata's have even higher compression, VVT, and are equal in power to the 99. The seats are more comfy, though.
Depends on your power goals, budget, and styling requirements as to which to recommend. I personally wouldn't own an M1 (pre '99 version) because I don't like the looks. I'm an M2 guy, hence my screen name.
If you want over 200 rwhp, I'd opt for the 94 over the 99. The compression ratio on the 94 is about 8.9:1 whereas the 99 is 9.5 IIRC. The 01+ Miata's have even higher compression, VVT, and are equal in power to the 99. The seats are more comfy, though.
Depends on your power goals, budget, and styling requirements as to which to recommend. I personally wouldn't own an M1 (pre '99 version) because I don't like the looks. I'm an M2 guy, hence my screen name.
7
70
Ok, here's another question.
Are the earlier 91-93 1.6 cars lighter? Do they weigh the same if you put in the 1.8?
I was thinking of getting 91-93 no optioned (except for power steering and LSD) and building up a 1.8 with the FM stroker kit and tossing it in.
Or is it just easier to start with the 94-95 1.8 liter variety?
Or, am I day dreaming to much again?
Are the earlier 91-93 1.6 cars lighter? Do they weigh the same if you put in the 1.8?
I was thinking of getting 91-93 no optioned (except for power steering and LSD) and building up a 1.8 with the FM stroker kit and tossing it in.
Or is it just easier to start with the 94-95 1.8 liter variety?
Or, am I day dreaming to much again?
StuttersC said:
1994 R Package Miata...
fwiw, no 93 and older came w/ a 'good' LSD...the Torsens were 94+, IIRCMore info on a swap
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/oneeight.html
K
Keith@FP
The 1990-97 cars all weigh pretty much the same. No major changes. The 1.8 is not really any heavier than the 1.6, as it's only slightly larger externally. Given the weaker rear end (6" vs 7") on the 1.6, it's best to start with the 1.8 cars. If you want PS, don't bother with an R. Opinions are divided at FM about the desireability of the PS and of the competence of the R suspension.
Keith
Keith
