petrolmed

iTrader: (8)

Hi everyone, my name is Matt and I bought my well used '91 about three years ago with 150k miles (175k mi now). I'm from Hershey, PA but go to college/live most of the year in Blacksburg, VA at Virginia Tech. Been lurking a while now and thought it was time for a first post!

Last summer I finally found the money and motivation to upgrade the car a bit. It was very stock and I wanted to learn some mechanics along the way (and save money). I bought and installed Koni yellows with FM springs, a Hard Dog M2 Sport DD, 15x7 6ULs, and a 1.8 brake conversion. I ended up doing a rust repair with a professional's help too. Now that my car can handle, the next step is what it really needs.... POWER!

I'm shooting for 200 hp or so (very likely to increase I'm sure) and want to do it right the first time. Plans are to buy a Megasquirt while still N/A and move on to moderately turbocharging when time and money allow it. This will probably happen over the next year or so, maybe less if I end up getting a ride in a FI car.

I'll get some pics posted soon! On that note, I documented the rust repair I mentioned pretty well because I couldn't find pics I wanted when researching the process. Would it be well received to post it somewhere on this site? There's not as much of a focus on body related info here but I figured it would be a good contribution for the many who end up having rust problems.

If there's anyone in SW Virginia, lets meet up!

palmtree

iTrader: (4)

Welcome! For that power goal, it seems like all the noobs including myself are getting the same basic budget recipe:
- Cast mani
- Chinacharger or Garrett T25 from an SR20
- Megasquirt from Reverant or Braineak
- I would highly recommend all exhaust parts from ARTech (DP and exhaust)

I was able to get my build done including ARTech 3" turboback, 550cc RX7 injectors, and a megasquirt from around $3500.

Also, it is good measure to upgrade your dif to a 7" torsen, but if you drive with mechanical empathy, your stock rear end can last seems to be the general concensus.

Quality Control Bot

iTrader: (3)

Hi petrolmed, enjoy your stay :)

petrolmed

iTrader: (8)

Thanks guys! Palmtree that is along the lines of what I'm going for, probably a Garrett 2560. Are Reverant or Braineak still selling the MS? That thread sounds like there are lots of unanswered PMs. Maybe they're just overloaded. Regarding the LSD, I'm definitely going to grab a Torsen in 4.10 or maybe a 3.9.

Here's a pic from the summer

palmtree

iTrader: (4)

The car looks great bro! Is that original paint? A 2560 is for sure the way to go if you have the budget for your first build. I'm almost positive both Braineak and Reverant are both still making MS's, but I'm sure lead times are pretty lengthy seeing as they are one man teams, and everyone wants one, but the product is well worth the wait. I would try to find a 3.9 dif. That's the perfect dif IMO for ~200whp and a 5 speed.

petrolmed

iTrader: (8)

Some is original, but not all. The hood and front bumper have been repainted after a Jeep's spare tire scrubbed the paint off of them when it backed up. Old paint was very faded so it was all good! This is right after I detailed and waxed the car too. I'm in no rush for the MS so I'll just put in an order some time near when I'll be buying a kit. The 4.3 is wayyy to little gear for me so 4.10 at least. Could the 3.9 be too much- have you compared them before?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Welcome, petrolmed. Check out the Miata Gallery and post up some pics!