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Is a turbo miata worth it???

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Old 04-08-2012, 11:23 AM
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For the record, my car is very reliable and cheap to race these days.
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Old 04-08-2012, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Oskinosmee
Thirdgen thanks! Is it hard to achieve that power level? Maybe with the use of a little water/meth? I have a kit I could use!
250whp is very easily achievable and can be had on stock internals.
Cost...I'm sticking to easily under $4000 to achieve 250whp.
Do you know what turbo is on that car now?
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Old 04-08-2012, 11:27 AM
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I live in Baltimore Maryland
T25 turbo
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Old 04-08-2012, 11:37 AM
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A turbo miata is a great car if you want a miata that's fast. Be prepared to do a lot of work if you want to track it, because that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.

If you want a very fast track car that needs very little work, nothing beats a $15k 2001 Corvette Z05 for the money.

If you want a fast, comfy backroads convertible, a 2003 Boxster S is the best car for the money.

If you want a fast drag car, I'm not the right person to offer an opinion.

I'm of the opinion that well below 10 lbs/hp you really need AWD to put the power down effectively coming out of corners. An EVO, STi, or an S4 would be my choice.

A TME EVO was the fastest car on bumpy backroads that I've driven. Faster than an F430.
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Old 04-08-2012, 11:42 AM
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I was able to hit just over 250WHP reliably on my miata for about the $8000 investment mark. I did do drag racing with it, but if I was going to do autox or circuit racing with the car I would've had to invest several thousands more. To be perfectly honest, it sounds like you should buy a Honda s2000. Drop top, wicked handling, and you can make the big horsepower numbers to brag about if you want.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:10 PM
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Hustly your turbie just died. Again.

While that "failure" would fall into the category of "general maintainence", it is still a failure and expensive. Pay to play
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Oskinosmee
I live in Baltimore Maryland
T25 turbo
Which T25? SR20 journal bearing? 2554? 2560? There are so many turbos that fit the T25 footprint it's ridiculous.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Faeflora
Hustly your turbie just died. Again.

While that "failure" would fall into the category of "general maintainence", it is still a failure and expensive. Pay to play
After ~150 hours of seat time, I can't say I'm upset. I don't expect these things to last forever.

I suppose you're right, but i drove this car to the track, drove the ---- out of it for two days, then drove it home time after time after time.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:40 PM
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With the right tire and some decent weight reduction I think you could get in the 11's on a stock motor and still be reliable.

If that '92 you're looking at still has the 6" rearend you're probably better off just buying a 94+ car and putting the turbo together yourself.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
but i drove this car to the track, drove the ---- out of it for two days, then drove it home time after time after time.
This is WIN all over the place. No trailer queens here.
This just might be Hustler's track steps:
1) Wake up next to somebody's mom.
2) Start car and exit home garage.
3) Enter track and **** everybody off with unheard of lap times.
4) Laugh at broken Porsche being loaded onto trailer.
5) Drive home with bikini wearing trophy girl in passengers seat.
6) Post on MT.net
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
It's more about the journey than the product. However, the product is a 10:1 lb:WHP, double wishbone, 50/50 RWD chariot of death.

Well said.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by thirdgen
This is WIN all over the place. No trailer queens here.
This just might be Hustler's track steps:
1) Wake up next to somebody's dad.
2) Start car and exit home garage.
3) Enter track and **** everybody off with unheard of lap times.
4) Laugh at broken Porsche being loaded onto trailer.
5) Drive home with assless chaps wearing trophy boy in passengers seat.
6) Post on MT.net

I fixed it.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:54 PM
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I'm not really that fast, just a mid-pack driver in my class...a class which is all S2k with aero, E46 with extreme mods, E90 with tires and shocks, or C5Zs.

Also, all chaps are assless.

Yes, I frequently chuckle for rich people with broken, expensive cars; I weep for budget guys like myself with broken Euro cars.

All chaps are ***-less, or they'd be pants.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by flounder
Well said.
Thanks. The product for me was insanely cool/fast/rewarding...what does that tell you about the journey?
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:04 PM
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Did we run OP off?


Hey, OP. Buy 94+ miata, do a ---- ton of research. Build a good turbo system with stock internals and find out that you're amazingly happy with 250whp. On a car that is lighter than all, shorter wheel base than all, and topless even.

Or just be reminded every time you get in it that people around you are silently thinking you're gay.
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:11 PM
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I'm sorry gt 2554 ball bearing

Nah you guys cant run me away!
So is the 1.6 capable of 250?

Last edited by Oskinosmee; 04-08-2012 at 01:26 PM.
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:49 PM
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That turbo is great for fast spool, but 250whp is pushing it on that turbo. I'd get a MSPNP2 and run RX8 injectors, run like 15 psi, and you'd be feeling very close to the 250whp goal.
Oh wait...1.6? Hmmm, not sure what 15psi on a gt2554 puts out on a 1.6...
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:50 PM
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Correction its a GT2854!
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:03 PM
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The rear end is going to explode just above stock power.
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Old 04-08-2012, 04:38 PM
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The 1.6 differential is a surprise box. I've seen them survive 220whp+ and I've seen them grenade with stock power. Read the FAQ so you can get a better insight into the cars. If you want an all around car that you can put on the track you're in the right place. As said above if you live life a quarter of a mile at a time there are better platforms out there. All in all good luck and I'm glad you got rid of the SRT4
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