Questions from a future miata owner

[Newports]

Well I have a few questions for you guys. But here is a short intro to my questions..I've driven a NB model miata year '03 which was my friend's uncles. I love it and I am definitely am going to buy one for myself soon. But one thing I noticed is that I wanted more power, other then that it truly is fun to drive it, but I still want more power to be added. I am pretty new to modding and tuning cars so I do have many questions. Im fine with upgrading the clutch, lowered suspension, strut bars..etc..but the engine is where I am lost.

I am thinking of purchasing an AVO turbo kit over the Flyin Miata turbo kit because I read somewhere that the AVO turbo kit is more reliable and produces more power than FM's with the same or close amount of boost.
AVO turbo link: http://www.avoturboworld.com/avosho...products_id=216

Now I know I will have to buy a new clutch to reinforce for the added power but all the electronic management units and gauges are very confusing.

1. Does anyone go against my idea of going with the AVO Turbo kit? If so why?

2.Can someone tell me what ECU/Piggy back unit and gauges I'll need for the AVO turbo kit?

3.What exactly does an ECU and Piggy back units do?

4.What is an wideband gauge?

5.What is an boost timer?

6. Is something like the DashHawk what I need as well? http://www.dashhawk.com

I think I am done with questions so far, its been a long day and my brain is very tired so Im sorry if something is vague or the whole thing is just messy.

I'd appreciate if someone helped me out, thanks a lot!

 

[R2s99zoom]

hmm... well looking at the avo unit's page, and install... I'd really like to see the dyno chart on it. I seriously doubt their claims of 230HP at 9psi, esp w/out engine management... unless they're talking crank HP, which is kind of useless... knowing crank torque is good for knowing what your clutch/drivetrain can handle, but actual wheel HP is the only number that seems important when comparing cars.

Also, having to add an extra injector worries me. Especially since its added before the intercooler when the charge temperature is at its worst, waaaay before the blowoff (bypass) valve or throttle body. I see a possibility for a lot of extra fuel being left in the intake/intercooler tubing, and w/that setup, even passing thru the turbo. Really reminds me of some of the older N2O systems I've read about that exploded spectacularly, giving N2O its bad reputation.

As far as the FM kits, they come with at least a form of engine management, instead of just boosting fuel pressure and adding an extra injector in an (IMHO) extremely unsafe place.

You should also look into the BEGi kits, and see if your local library has a copy of corky bell's Maximum Boost. Its a great read on learning what all the different things do, and how to maximise their effect safely.

I haven't chosen a setup yet, and I'm torn between FM's voodooII and Begi's stage1, and a small part of me wants to just design/build my own...

Tho my recommendation is to steer clear of the avo.... it just looks like its itching to destroy a motor.

 

[dmitrik4]

i've never heard of AVO, but FM has been doing this for a long time. not to discount whatever message board you read that on, but there must be a reason for their success. if i was planning to go FI on my miata, FM would be of of my top choices, esp since my level of experience w/ FI sounds to be similar to yours (i.e., not a lot). just my $0.02.

 

[fatti03msp]

well this is a completely alt. route for you but when and hopefully i do get a maita im going this route with it. Check out this link

www.racingconcepts.net

Its a kit to drop a LS1 engine in the Miata, thats 385hp, im not a big fan of V-8's cause they are usually slow compared the turboed cars anymore but could you imagine a maita with a LS1 in it.

Here a link to a local forums im on and a guy is just about done with the conversion.

http://www.pittspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33622


Here is a pic too.

 

[MS3ICA]

id go with a speed3 faster, more room , better handling smae price or less and comes with a anvigetion system

 

[dmitrik4]

i'm pretty sure a new MS3 is not going to be cheaper than pretty much any turbo'd miata. probably doesn't handle better, either. although you're probably right on the "faster," and definitely right on the nav system.

why are V8s slower than "turbo'd cars?" the LS1 isn't a whole lot heavier than the stock miata engine.

 

[fatti03msp]

i'm pretty sure a new MS3 is not going to be cheaper than pretty much any turbo'd miata. probably doesn't handle better, either. although you're probably right on the "faster," and definitely right on the nav system.

why are V8s slower than "turbo'd cars?" the LS1 isn't a whole lot heavier than the stock miata engine.

The reason i think that they are slow is mainly do to the fact of the cars they are in. Big heavy cars with big motors, but turboed cars are usually 4 bangers, So the engine and car are uasually light and a turbo adds alot of power. So it all come down to the power to wieght ratio. Thats y i think a LS1 miata would be faster then a turboed 4 clylinder. Cause they have either more or as much NA power as a turboed car and it takes just just a lil work and the LS1 can make alot of power. But that is what i think and a LS1 miata would be a kick ass drift car too.

 

[Leshok]

AVO and Flyin Miata are good kits.

Have you considered BEGi for a kit? Not in any way affiliated just had a good experience with them?


V-8's are great for low torque and HP, but as fun as all that sounds I dont want to give up the revs.

Your car your choice.

 

[controlo]

i gave up the revs too...

2.3T ftw?

might as well be driving a V8... 280ft/lbs.

 

[Leshok]

i gave up the revs too...

2.3T ftw?

might as well be driving a V8... 280ft/lbs.

This is true.

For revs...MZR FTL!

For devistating TQ at 3k+rpms MZR FTW!

 

[controlo]

oh thats real.

 

[nderwater]

i have an older avo turbo on my '99 miata which makes a bit less than 200whp. it's a fifth injector setup with piggyback ecu, not much different than the kit they're selling today - a setup which really isn't state of the art anymore. if i was to spend the money today on another miata, i'd get one of the plug-in ECU turbo kits from fm or begi.

edit: and forget the engine swap madness, unless you're just really into wrenching on your car. you can have a turbo install completed in a weekend (a day, with good help) - a motor swap can easily take up months of your spare time to get right.

 

[jmsj578]

If I may jump into this discussion. I'm not a gearhead; but, I just looked at doing the V8 conversions. After the dust settled, I went with a V8 RX-7. Even though a V8 will fit nicely in a Miata, it does suffer some in handling. It does sound nice, though. On the other hand, the heavier RX-7 handles the swap a bit better because the rotary isn't much lighter than the engine that's replacing it. There was also a large difference in prices for kits, finished cars, etc. The conversion on the RX-7 is also easier to do with many more engine options. The RX-7s are more plentiful; so, the prices are better. I got my RX-7 for about half of what it would have cost me for a comparable Miata conversion.

My little '06 MX-5 Sport will do for the Miata experience. Our RX-8 will do for the rotary experience. For raw power, I love my newly purchased RX-7. It has been dynoed at 365whp and 355ft/lbs torque. I've never owned anything like it.

 

[MiaTurbo]

A rotary engine isn't much lighter than a V-8?

 

[JDM-P5]

lols.
I think he means AFTER the swap the gross weight is actually less.
Yes.
I didn't believe it at first.
But it really is LESS.

 

[jaydrouin]

Well I have a few questions for you guys. But here is a short intro to my questions..I've driven a NB model miata year '03 which was my friend's uncles. I love it and I am definitely am going to buy one for myself soon. But one thing I noticed is that I wanted more power, other then that it truly is fun to drive it, but I still want more power to be added. I am pretty new to modding and tuning cars so I do have many questions. Im fine with upgrading the clutch, lowered suspension, strut bars..etc..but the engine is where I am lost.

I am thinking of purchasing an AVO turbo kit over the Flyin Miata turbo kit because I read somewhere that the AVO turbo kit is more reliable and produces more power than FM's with the same or close amount of boost.
AVO turbo link: http://www.avoturboworld.com/avosho...products_id=216

Now I know I will have to buy a new clutch to reinforce for the added power but all the electronic management units and gauges are very confusing.

1. Does anyone go against my idea of going with the AVO Turbo kit? If so why?

2.Can someone tell me what ECU/Piggy back unit and gauges I'll need for the AVO turbo kit?

3.What exactly does an ECU and Piggy back units do?

4.What is an wideband gauge?

5.What is an boost timer?

6. Is something like the DashHawk what I need as well? http://www.dashhawk.com

I think I am done with questions so far, its been a long day and my brain is very tired so Im sorry if something is vague or the whole thing is just messy.

I'd appreciate if someone helped me out, thanks a lot!

Why don't you look at the 04/05 speed mx5/ may be enough for you/ if not look for a '99/ it is the only year that you can mess with the processer and get up to 70bhp more without turbo/ alot for a car just over 2300lbs.

 

[thels1miata]

just put the ls1 in it and you will have all the power you need