My Miata Brethren,
The Kids are finally gone; now it is time for Daddy to play. And my dream car is a flying Miata.
Can anyone out there help me sort through the hype by recommending the absolute BEST way to build my car. Answer to questions like: what is the best year to buy, what is the best engine, how much HP can I expect to achieve, how fast can I expect to go in the 1/4 mile, what are the necessary upgrades I need to consider when building a high performance car, etc..........
Any info will help. Recommend further reading, websites for me to visit, anything please
Ready to get started.
McDDam
McDDam,
First & foremost, welcome to the forums.
Unfortunately we have a few people who don't consider the M24/7 website a good place for info vs other sites.
Well, I'll try and answer your questions in order to the best of my ability.
1- I have a 1991 Miata that has been turbocharged using a GReddy setup and some other DIY parts. Kevin aka KCBHIW, is the master however when it comes to Miatadom FAQs. He actually did the genius rebuild on my Miata (and in record time before I had to leave the country with the car a few years back).
I (along with a lot of the die hard believers) tend to think the 1st gen Miatas are the most "go kart" like skipping out on all the creature comforts of the later generations. Parts etc. are hella cheap.
2- I have the B-package 1.8L (power windows/cruise/headrest speakers). Definitely get one with a 5spd!

Of course, to make some speed, you have to lose some weight. I pretty much gutted most of the unused stuff. Added a rollbar etc.
3- Stock 1.6 - 1.8 in the area of 90-120hp IIRC.
4- 1/4 is pretty slow. Most people go for handling in the curves rather than a straight line. However, Kevin built his Grassroots Motorsport Challenge car to perform, autocross & drags...so I'm sure he'll pipe in about that.
I'd actually like to go back to the 1/4 and see how I do.
5- Upgrades...that's pretty broad. For handling, springs/shocks/coilovers maybe. Poly U bushings, motor mounts, roll bar etc. Performance, all motor (Monster miata 5.0L swaps maybe?), turbo'd, supercharged.
6- A fun place to start is Maximum Boost by Corky Bell...we love him haha.
check out:
http://www.bellengineering.net/
and
http://www.bellengineering.net/articles.php?tPath=1
Plenty of info there....
7- Just get the car if you don't already have it. After Kevin gave me my first ride in his Miata, I was hooked. Take it to the track/autocross and have fun. The modifying bug will bite soon there after!
Best of luck...and see you around the forums.
(bump)
ENGINE///PERFORMANCE MODS:
Custom Painted (Fire Engine Red) Bignose Motor (Rebuilt by KCBHIW Design Solutions)
Greddy Stage II Turbo Kit (10 pounds of boost)
Greddy Fuel Pressure Regulator
Mazda RX-7 Fuel Pump
NISMO 240SX Front Mount Intercooler
Custom-made Intercooler Pipes
TurboXS BOV
Polished TurboXS BOV Flange Pipe
Pontiac Fiero Radiator
Flexlite Slimfit Fan
HKS Mushroom Air Intake Filter
Turkish-Design Custom Oil - Turbo Lines
Exedy Clutch
Magnecor 8.5 MM Spark Plug Wires
NGK Extended Reach Spark Plugs
440cc Fuel Injectors
Flyin' Miata Competiton Mounts
Custom Exhaust (Dumps after Cat)
SUSPENSION///BRAKE MODS:
Dropzone Coilovers
Lower Strut Bar
Upper Strut Bar
Kirk Racing Products 4-Point Roll Bar
Stock Daisy Wheels (DIY black paint)
Kumho Victoracer Rubber (Track rubber)
Upgraded Stock 1.6L To 1.8L Brakes
88Rotors Slotted & Cross Drilled Front Rotors
PBR XBG Performance Pads Front
88Rotors Slotted & Cross Drilled Rear Rotors
PBR XBG Performance Pads Rear
Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
Viscous Limited Slip Differential
Air Conditioning Uninstalled
Power Steering Uninstalled
MISC. ITEMS MODS:
MazdaSpeed Steering Wheel (Knockoff)
Relocated Horn
PROSPORT Boost Gauge
PROSPORT Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge
PROSPORT Voltometer Gauge
PROSPORT EGT Gaugel
HKS Turbo Timer
2005 MazdaSpeed Convertible Top
VS Billet Camera Mount
MazdaSpeed Race Harnesses
Carbon Fiber Shift Boot
Carbon Fiber E-brake Handle
Custom Plexiglass ECU Cover
Mazda 'Zoom-Zoom' Dashboard Decal
ICE MODS:
JVC KD-G320 MP3/WMA Headunit
Pioneer 6.5" Component Door Speakers
8" Kicker Sub
MSP 250W Kenwood Amp
MSP Subwoofer & Amp Rack
EXTERIOR MODS:
Custom Look-a-like Spicy MSP Paint
Moss Motors Dual Headlight Kit
HIDs
Shaved Antenna
Windshield Squirters Delete
JDM Rear Finish Panel
USDM Emblems Delete
JDM Emblems Installed & Painted Black
Porsche Cayenne 'Turbo' Badge Installed & Painted Black
What it USED to look like:
NOW:
Including...being in a Turkish Magazine:
Oh yeah...the car is still up for sale...
The Turboyata is International!