cueball1

iTrader: (13)

I just bought a bone stock 94 with 75K. Will be upgrading suspension and then looking at power. I've searched this forum and have been lurking for a while and haven't seen what I'm looking for.

For an economy DIY set up, what is an exact parts list to produce a reliable 180 to 200 hp? I don't want to build a monster but a car that will be a lot of fun on track days and pull hard on the occasional on-ramp. Something that will run a sub 6 second O to 60 and a 14 sec. quarter. Are these reasonable expectations for this HP?

I'm not looking for theory, just a good list of "these parts and you're there". I know there is going to be a lot of ways to accomplish this. While I can wrench a little, I dont have the capacity or desire to machine parts. Pricing is an issue or I'd just buy an FM or Begi kit.

Parts that can be found fairly readily are also important. I don't want to have to source some part only found in the hills of outer Mongolia. Maybe I'm not the right candidate for a DIY set up, small business owner working 7 days, but I thought I'd see if it's do-able before I start saving my pennies to go the prefab kit route.

If you've built a nice set up you like from fairly easy parts to source, what does a guy need to duplicate it?

Anyone care to share?

If there is a string I missed with this please let me know. I'm not looking to tie up board space if this is an old issue. I just haven't seen anything specific enough to help us guys with the desire but not the time.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Nobody can or will give you an exact parts list. That's what makes it DIY. There is an incredible amount of information on this forum. Start here
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/showthread.php?t=776

Then use the seach button. There have been several threads relating to build parts and costs. Also look through the vbgarage section.

You can also check out the various vendor websites to see what is included with their kits and compare it to the setups you find here.

Do your homework and learn yourself. That is the only way to understand what you are installing, why you are installing it, and how it will effect the other items in the system. 94 is a good car to boost and you'll find that it won't be hard to hit your power goals.

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

braineack pretty much covered everything in his faq https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4288

basically it comes down to 2 things
hard parts
engine management

lost of ways to get to the same place on both, you'll have to decide what's more important to you and what your budget really is, then you can start to plan it out.

kyle242gt

Don't attempt a DIY turbo build on your only car if you have to be at work seven days a week

Then decide if you're going to go EMS or Bandaid. EMS is more cost up front, more difficult initial installation, but more flexible and ultimately yeilds better HP/$$. Bandaid gets you boosting sooner, but will reveal its shortcomings and limitations sooner. ...and it's not necessarily that much cheaper either.

The easy stuff is manifold, DP, turbo, intercooler. At least, in my book it is.

Jefe

iTrader: (7)

Keep your eyes open for a used kit...

Also if your just considering FI and not sure, JRSC/MP62's used are pretty cheap--Although with the JRSC- you'll have to spend a little extra to get to over, and maybe to 180HP.

Also, 'I think' my 96 DIY car is running similar to your needs, IIRC it was ~1200.00 three years ago? Alot was gone up since then.. even the manifold sells for 100 more{HKS}

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

I realized there are many options and directions to go in. I was afraid that the responses might be along these lines. I also realize part of the fun of DIY is DIY. I simply don't have the time available but also don't have the cash to buy a prefab kit outright. If I had a more specific parts list... Brand x or y manifold, size a or b turbo, talk to so and so for intercooler piping, the bipes (or whatever system) will get you by (or not)at these levels, etc.

It would be a huge help in getting this done. Not just for me but also for the other people who desire FI who don't have the time to do the amount of research needed for pure DIY. I know shortcuts run against the grain of this forum. No one wants to say "here's what you need," but it would be a huge help for enthusiasts with little time on their hands to see something that say's "with these parts you should end up here. With these different parts you should end up over here".

If this is simply inappropriate for this forum, so be it. Thought it was worth asking.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

Jefe,

Thank you. I've been prowling the for sale here and at miata.net for used. It's likely the best way to go for me I just wanted to try this tack first.

You've got the HKS manifold. Can you share the rest of your build? Is that info posted somewhere else?

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

Ben,

The link you listed is very helpful. Thank you.

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Samnavy had a pretty good writeup going with his build, he has another for his IC setup which is easily found by looking through, "Members others posts"

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/sh...hlight=samnavy

white90na

I am doing my own DIY kit. I can't tell where to buy some of the stuff, but my site explains a bit....

This is it.

HTH.

neogenesis2004

iTrader: (12)

Buy a T2 or T3 flanged turbo that you can afford and will fit your driving style($300???used in good condition). Buy a BEGI manifold and DP that fits the turbo you bought($500-600new). Buy rx7 460cc injectors($80ish used on rx7club.com). Buy Megasquirt and stuff(~$220 if you assemble it yourself). Buy an innovative lc1 on ebay($170new). Intercooler or WI($200-400 depending on setup complexity). And then youll end up spending like $400 on other **** like an fittings (the cost is rape) and misc tools and other little things that you never budgeted for. So for like $1900-2200 you could have a setup that is completely fuel and spark tunable with a wideband. You could put down over 200whp pretty easily. Of course you would also need a new clutch then and if you want the full advantage of your turbo kit a new exhaust (about $700-800 for both). I personally would be dissappointed if I were not making 250whp after all those mods.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

Now we're talking. Specific info. Thank you folks. The links to existing threads and builds are all terrific. I knew what I needed must be out there, I just wasn't finding it.

Neogenesis. Clutch will be coming shortly anyway. This one hasn't bit the dust yet but does have one foot in the grave.

I've got another car that needs to go away before I start on all the fun stuff. My wife says 4 is too many for a guy with no time to drive them. Bought the Miata to have a daily driver that's more fun than what I had and more versatile for track days and an autocross or two.

From my research on the board I'm happy I lucked into the 94. Wasn't intentional it's just what happened to fall in my lap at the right price for the low miles and great condition. Even has the hardtop for our 8 months of rain here in Oregon.

Won't be able to do a complete build all at once unless I luck into a good used set up, but want to start with a basic FI system that will be upgradeable.

neogenesis2004

iTrader: (12)

I understand your position there. I personaly bought my parts over that last 3 months or so that way I could begin with almost what I wanted to end with. All that really remains for me to buy is an upgraded exhaust, and in the future I see a GT2871R being bolted on, and of course an intercooler to go along with my WI. I have already spent about $2800 but I already had alot of that saved up. Just know that youll en up spending more in the long run probably if you compromise now and get what you want later. You'll have fun either way no doubt!

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

Fun's what it's all about. You don't buy a Miata because they are cool (My friends call me Tiffany now that I own one). You don't pump them up because anyone else will care (unless you go extremes they still aren't that fast). You don't spend the money because it's an investment (it's like a boat, a hole in the water to throw money into). It's about having fun and enjoying driving again.

Atlanta93LE

iTrader: (5)

Granted my build isn't complete yet, but if you can make it work, DSM cast-offs seem to make great budget turbos on Miatas.

adbradley

iTrader: (2)

megan manifold, megan downpipe, dsm 14b turbo, 100$ ebay intercooler, dsm 1st gen BOV, learn how to make your own intercooler piping, wait for a bipes to come around 190$ a few more odds and ends, and thats about as cheap as it gets!

retro

I think you are smart for wanting the list of parts. That's the best way to get a good understanding of what it's all going to cost.

Get your hands on the install instructions from FM or BEGI. They are detailed enough for you to get a decent parts list. Put it in a spreadsheet and start price shopping to come to some reasonable budget. Don't buy anything until you have a good plan for how everything is going to fit together.

Good luck!

Atlanta93LE

iTrader: (5)

Good point about a spreadsheet. I haven't closed Excel in a month.

kyle242gt

I'd say hang out here and on Mnet and do some lurking... read up on MSnS-E (Megasquirt and Spark Enahnced) which can do spark, fuel, boost, water injection, and just about anything else you can come up with.

If you decide that's your route (IOW, 180HP would be the starting point, and then you'd lose your mind and start aiming for serious power!) then install MS and get to know it before installing the turbo and what all.

Give SERIOUS thought to buying a welder and learning to fab your own manifold and DP. It's a lot of work, and a decent MIG will run you $400+. But, if you're looking at buying a mani and DP (buwahahah is all I say to those guys) it makes good sense. Plus it's fun and you gain a lof of knowledge about your car. Takes some time, but then the spending goes easier.

Here's my benchracing thread, to avoid dredging it up again.
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5440

As far as goes, let's think about this for a minute. At 100whp and 2300#, 23#/HP, the car is "fun" to drive. At 180HP, you're at 13#/hp.

Do your buildup right, 180 is the tip of the iceberg. Upgrade injectors and clutch, you can get to 250 easily. Tune the last bit of horsepower, run WI and be prepared to kaboom something, you're near 300. These cars are light as hell and really don't take much power to go down the road.

What I'm saying here, I guess, is that you don't want (or shouldn't want) a parts list. If you do, here's my list: 1) Subaru STI 2) Debt. If you want to dig, learn, invent, fabricate, tune, then you are in exactly the right place.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

I did that when we bought our house because it needed a moderate amount of rehab. We came in a little over budget, but we got some serious upgrades.

For the mx-5, I intentionally do NOT keep such a spreadsheet. I don't want to see it, and it'll be all over if SHE sees it.