Can I put a turbo on miata without intercooler?
#2
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Outside Portland Maine
Posts: 2,023
Total Cats: 19
You can do it without an intercooler. You will be limited to very low boost but it's absolutely possible. Do a search and read the stickies, there is a ton of info on here about that. Welcome to the forum, and put your car info in your signature.
#3
For what it costs to do an intercooler (and the ease of a DIY setup), the benefits and potential make it well worth it to run one.
Otherwise you're stuck at about 5-6psi, and have to be extra cautious with ignition timing.
Now go read the whole wiki three times newb:
Miata Turbo FAQ: Welcome to the Miata Turbo FAQ
Otherwise you're stuck at about 5-6psi, and have to be extra cautious with ignition timing.
Now go read the whole wiki three times newb:
Miata Turbo FAQ: Welcome to the Miata Turbo FAQ
#4
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,046
Total Cats: 6,607
Here's your best bet for an entry-level turbo system: BEGI-S Turbo System
What's nice about the Bell S is that it uses mostly the same parts as the rest of their turbo kits. The downpipe isn't as nice (I'd sugest upgrading that) but the turbo and manifold are their standard pieces, as is the AFPR. With this kit, you can do 5 or 6 PSI out of the box with just a little static timing retard. When the power bug bites (and it will) you have a very easy upgrade path, since you can just add a good exhaust (Enthuza 2.5"), an intercooler, a boost controller, and either a fuel pump and a Bipes, or a Megasquirt and some injectors (and sell the AFPR) and be good for as much as 12-15 PSI, which will put you over the 200 WHP mark.
What's nice about the Bell S is that it uses mostly the same parts as the rest of their turbo kits. The downpipe isn't as nice (I'd sugest upgrading that) but the turbo and manifold are their standard pieces, as is the AFPR. With this kit, you can do 5 or 6 PSI out of the box with just a little static timing retard. When the power bug bites (and it will) you have a very easy upgrade path, since you can just add a good exhaust (Enthuza 2.5"), an intercooler, a boost controller, and either a fuel pump and a Bipes, or a Megasquirt and some injectors (and sell the AFPR) and be good for as much as 12-15 PSI, which will put you over the 200 WHP mark.
#6
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t17032/
this will show you how to route some elbows to a cheap ebay intercooler.
this will show you how to route some elbows to a cheap ebay intercooler.
#7
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,046
Total Cats: 6,607
Here's my DIY intercooler thread: https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t4904/
I could have gone cheaper in places, like using castoff steel pipes rather than shiny aluminum ones, but this gives you a general idea of what's involved.
I could have gone cheaper in places, like using castoff steel pipes rather than shiny aluminum ones, but this gives you a general idea of what's involved.
#8
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Outside Portland Maine
Posts: 2,023
Total Cats: 19
Adding an intercooler is cheap enough so that I wouldn't run a turbo without it. I got mine for a grand total (including pipes and couplers) of $140. I'm sure you could get it cheaper if you didn't want shiny piping. (even though I'm considering painting mine black anyway)
#12
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,369
Total Cats: -1
It's true, they have been very nice. Decide how much power you want and then read this forum for a few weeks. Any time you have a question, use the search function. That's what it's there for. Then when you have searched on here and searched google, if you still dont have the answer, consider making a thread.
#13
I can't believe how nice everyone is being. What's going on in here?
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
#14
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,046
Total Cats: 6,607
The kind with a turbine on one end and a compressor on the other.
Srsly, follow the link I posted above. Check out Bell's offerings. Their standard unit is the GT2554, which is a nice, fast-spooling turbo which flows enough air for > 200 WHP. The 2560 is another very popular choice that's a bit more efficient if you plan to be getting into the > 12 PSI range in the future, while still retaining good low-end behavior.
Srsly, follow the link I posted above. Check out Bell's offerings. Their standard unit is the GT2554, which is a nice, fast-spooling turbo which flows enough air for > 200 WHP. The 2560 is another very popular choice that's a bit more efficient if you plan to be getting into the > 12 PSI range in the future, while still retaining good low-end behavior.
#15
Elite Member
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: St. Augustine FL
Posts: 2,299
Total Cats: 2
well there was a recent thread stating the current "bashing of noobs" and rick along with others agreed that it needs to be toned down to create a better environment for the "new people". Ie be more helpfl instead of hurtful
#16
No one wants to get banned for being an *******. Just a waste of time now, I guess.
To the OP: Like Joe said, the BegiS is a great entry level setup. But you really need to think about what it is that you want to do with your car once it's completed.
If your goals are for a low boost, high response turbo setup: I would recomend the gt2554.
If you want more punch, with a great path for making power: The gt2650 is an excellent turbo: used by many forum members, some of which have made over 300whp with this turbo.
my .02
To the OP: Like Joe said, the BegiS is a great entry level setup. But you really need to think about what it is that you want to do with your car once it's completed.
If your goals are for a low boost, high response turbo setup: I would recomend the gt2554.
If you want more punch, with a great path for making power: The gt2650 is an excellent turbo: used by many forum members, some of which have made over 300whp with this turbo.
my .02
#18
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,662
Total Cats: 3,012
Get the Ebay turbo for $159. It's a great deal and you can save lots of money. I think you can get your whole system running 300hp for $600 if you get it all on Ebay.
But don't take my word for it, search here through all of the old threads and see what others are saying.
But don't take my word for it, search here through all of the old threads and see what others are saying.
#20
What a great idea
Water injection works, but it should be used as a supplemental system at most. I really like it myself, but no way would I NOT use an intercooler when turboing something.
Can it be done? Of course! If you're on a budget and not going for much power, you can definitely skip the BOV and IC. You'll want more power eventually though, so you'll have to replace the piping with an intercooler. After, you could try a WI setup, but have to understand how risky it is.
Water injection works, but it should be used as a supplemental system at most. I really like it myself, but no way would I NOT use an intercooler when turboing something.
Can it be done? Of course! If you're on a budget and not going for much power, you can definitely skip the BOV and IC. You'll want more power eventually though, so you'll have to replace the piping with an intercooler. After, you could try a WI setup, but have to understand how risky it is.