turboing my '90 - opinions please

[SilverBulletES]

OK, so a brief overview.

I paid $2000 for a 1990 (very low VIN #) about 8 months ago. It is basically stock. It seems to run great (although it seems to lack a lot of power immediately after a cold start). No oil leaks or any noticable problems. I've put about 2500 miles on it and drive it 3-4 times a week without incident. (Well, I replaced a bad thermostat myself.)

The car: 196K miles (engine rebuilt at 160K)
My skills: basic, but I think I could get a helping hand and I follow instructions well
My tools: adequate
My time: valuable and limited. I honestly don't have the patience to do this project over 6 months or enough time and knowledge to dig through junkyards.
My budget: I could drop 3 grand on this. But also want to put money into suspension fairly soon. It gets to be a lot for an old ride. Cheap is good. I have a mortgage that's a little more important.

Purpose: I would autocross (or take it to the track) when I can. But-- don't care about being competitive in my class. I prefer streetable fun and reliability over absolute performance.

I'm thinking: The new Flyin' Miata Voodoo II for $2995. Or a Greddy kit and gradually upgrading it. I'm leaning towards the completeness of the FM Kit. If the car holds us well I could eventually trade the Voodoo box in and get a Link for a lot more power. Same turbo and piping.

Limitations: It's hot as hell here in the summer. And only 91 octane gas. Boo.

 

[MiaTurbo]

The greddy is a decent kit for the money. Figure about 1200, plus a few things like a Bipes, and an intercooler (or water/meth injection). Depending on what options you go with this route, figure about $1800. Then that'll leave you plenty of money for suspension upgrades as well. Then later as money and time allow, you can upgrade to a full ECU like you want as well.

This route will also allow you a few extra bucks to upgrade the brakes so the 'whoa' will keep up with the 'go'

 

[kcbhiw]

The greddy is a decent kit for the money. Figure about 1200, plus a few things like a Bipes, and an intercooler (or water/meth injection). Depending on what options you go with this route, figure about $1800. Then that'll leave you plenty of money for suspension upgrades as well. Then later as money and time allow, you can upgrade to a full ECU like you want as well.

This route will also allow you a few extra bucks to upgrade the brakes so the 'whoa' will keep up with the 'go'

^^Pretty much my thoughts as far as budget FI power goes.

 

[SilverBulletES]

Thanks -- maybe I will go Greddy. Easier to go baby steps on what's essentially a beater car (love it though I do).

1800 vs 3000 is a lot when you're working on a base of 2000.

Gotta do brakes too definitely. Mine pretty much suck and scare me sometimes.

 

[aMaff]

Rotors: $12-15 each @ NAPA
Good pads: ~$150
Brake lines: $100

done

 

[SilverBulletES]

Can't go wrong with the price

http://www.sportcompactonly.com/cart.aspx?st=14&s_kwcid=miata greddy turbo
subtotal: $1,185.97
shipping: $6.99
total: $1,192.96

I saw that FM raised the price of their non-intercooled Voodoo to $2770 unshipped. Whoa.

I'm sure it's a beautiful product, but seems excessive for my old boy with 196K miles. If I had a newer '99 or later, sure.

 

[R2s99zoom]

I've a '99... and I want boost bad... but i've already upgraded the suspension...

And I must say... do suspension/proper alignment, and lightweight wheels/tires first.

The excitement of boost is major... (i've felt it in other cars)... but the excitement of how my car handles... nearly equal with the excitement boost... except, i can turn all over the place under power... I'm excited to see how my car will handle under boost... I'm thinking once I get it all together... my brain will explode with fun

 

[Trent]

Greddy kit.

That little turbo has a lot of potential. Intercool it and run a good management system like an Emanage or a Megasquirt, and you could see 250whp on a greddy.

Check out www.miataturbo.net if you haven't already.

 

[SilverBulletES]

Thanks - I'm on there.

You guys have sold me on the Greddy. The goal is non-intercooled Greddy, suspension and brakes done over the next several months. Then intercooler. And then.... start upping power with good management.

 

[JDM-P5]

Thanks - I'm on there.

You guys have sold me on the Greddy. The goal is non-intercooled Greddy, suspension and brakes done over the next several months. Then intercooler. And then.... start upping power with good management.

I have a 91 turboyata. I must say, I've seen the ups & downs of owning a turbo'd miata. Up being when I first got her off the auto carrier and drove her. Down when she went zoom zoom BOOM. But aside from that, she's back now and stronger than ever. I also have the GReddy kit. I have a FMIC sitting in the garage & I will be buying GReddy E-Manage within the next month.

Here's an idea of what I'm talking about:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650860
Here's Kev's stuff...this is from the $2005 Challenge though...lol:
http://www13.brinkster.com/kcbhiw/grm2005/

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

good thing this thread was created. i want a miata as my next project car. i dunno where to look for informative links or even performance/styling links...kinda sucks.. of course i wanna get a good car, and i dunno which body style i like best..any thoughts? and help?

also, i've got a turbo/built protege..i wanna go a different route w/ this..like a supercharger..any thoughts/opinions ideas?

 

[JDM-P5]

good thing this thread was created. i want a miata as my next project car. i dunno where to look for informative links or even performance/styling links...kinda sucks.. of course i wanna get a good car, and i dunno which body style i like best..any thoughts? and help?

also, i've got a turbo/built protege..i wanna go a different route w/ this..like a supercharger..any thoughts/opinions ideas?

Ask ANYONE...the FIRST gen Miatas are the ones that own up to the name...price and parts are readily available too. Ummm...miata.net is a great place to check.
I bought my car off the Grassroots Motorsports website and I'm now a diehard fan.
Styling varies...but moss motors & racing beat lead the way.
www.miatamania.com
www.racingbeat.com
I've just been integrated into the Miata society...so there's much more for me to learn...but hey...even THIS site has some Miata-heads....

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

Ask ANYONE...the FIRST gen Miatas are the ones that own up to the name...price and parts are readily available too. Ummm...miata.net is a great place to check.
I bought my car off the Grassroots Motorsports website and I'm now a diehard fan.
Styling varies...but moss motors & racing beat lead the way.
www.miatamania.com
www.racingbeat.com
I've just been integrated into the Miata society...so there's much more for me to learn...but hey...even THIS site has some Miata-heads....

well thank you for the help. anymore is welcomed.

 

[MiaTurbo]

as far as brakes, you can upgrade to the NA8 brakes. It's all bolt on When I bought my 91 it had 2 bad calipers. So I did the upgrade since I had to do a complete brake job anyways...

 

[MiaTurbo]

good thing this thread was created. i want a miata as my next project car. i dunno where to look for informative links or even performance/styling links...kinda sucks.. of course i wanna get a good car, and i dunno which body style i like best..any thoughts? and help?

also, i've got a turbo/built protege..i wanna go a different route w/ this..like a supercharger..any thoughts/opinions ideas?

there are only a couple of different SuperCharger kits for the Miadas, depending on your year. The Jackson Racing kits are made for 1990-2004 cars. Begi Engineering (who also make turbo kits in many flavors) also has a coldside supercharger kit for 1.8l cars (1994-2004), and are developing a kit for the 2005+. The superchargers aren't as popular because Miatas are more of a top end motored car, and superchargers are more efficient at lower ends (generally speaking)

 

[JDM-P5]

OH yeah....the 1.8L brakes upgrade...I have that too.

 

[SilverBulletES]

Good luck with your new build JDM. We met once before I headed out west... GACC meeting at the park in Alabama. Good times.

 

[JDM-P5]

Good luck with your new build JDM. We met once before I headed out west... GACC meeting at the park in Alabama. Good times.

Thx man...I remember.

 

[miatamania]

I'd avoid greddy like the plague...

check out miataturbo.net if your interested in DIY...theres a ton of info on upgrading greddy, diy, and other forums.

I'm building a t25 based kit using begi mani/dp.

Supercharging is def not an option on the 1.6 because you can drop tons of money and NEVER break 200 rwhp.

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

there are only a couple of different SuperCharger kits for the Miadas, depending on your year. The Jackson Racing kits are made for 1990-2004 cars. Begi Engineering (who also make turbo kits in many flavors) also has a coldside supercharger kit for 1.8l cars (1994-2004), and are developing a kit for the 2005+. The superchargers aren't as popular because Miatas are more of a top end motored car, and superchargers are more efficient at lower ends (generally speaking)

awesome man. thanks for the information.