Total Noob-Turboless-White NA-San Diego
#1
Total Noob-Turboless-White NA-San Diego
Hello to all Miata freaks!
I'm a 25 year old graphic designer with a newly bought white 1990 Miata. I was in need of a car and searching around, when my girlfriend's mom told me she was selling her Miata. Never really got into cars, but driving this car around for a couple days sparked my interest to say the least. Then I started reading like mad and seeing all the cool things people have done to these cars, now im hooked!
Things done to the car so far:
*professionally installed*
-new ball joints
-timing belt (and everything that usually goes along with one)
*done myself*
-Tein coilovers
-NGK plugs and wires
-pads and rotors
-Konig wheels with Kumho ast tires
-new thermostat (broke head off a seized bolt on the thermostat housing pipe neck, decided
to completely replace it so I basically learned how to do a timing belt.
*things to do in no particular order*
-upgrade diff (need to read up on this more)
-upgrade clutch
-replace all bushings
-roll bar
-sway bars
-eventually turbo
My goal for the car is too expand on what the Miata already does best and focus on handling. Eventually adding some speed while still keeping it as a DD. 180-200whp sounds good for how little the car weighs I think. Im having fun learning and taking my time as money and experience is limited. Looks like the Miata has a good community behind it, which makes it even more exciting to work on this fun little car.
(sorry for the filtered looking pic. Just bought a new fancy camera and
i'm a noob at that as well..)
-Thanks for reading!
I'm a 25 year old graphic designer with a newly bought white 1990 Miata. I was in need of a car and searching around, when my girlfriend's mom told me she was selling her Miata. Never really got into cars, but driving this car around for a couple days sparked my interest to say the least. Then I started reading like mad and seeing all the cool things people have done to these cars, now im hooked!
Things done to the car so far:
*professionally installed*
-new ball joints
-timing belt (and everything that usually goes along with one)
*done myself*
-Tein coilovers
-NGK plugs and wires
-pads and rotors
-Konig wheels with Kumho ast tires
-new thermostat (broke head off a seized bolt on the thermostat housing pipe neck, decided
to completely replace it so I basically learned how to do a timing belt.
*things to do in no particular order*
-upgrade diff (need to read up on this more)
-upgrade clutch
-replace all bushings
-roll bar
-sway bars
-eventually turbo
My goal for the car is too expand on what the Miata already does best and focus on handling. Eventually adding some speed while still keeping it as a DD. 180-200whp sounds good for how little the car weighs I think. Im having fun learning and taking my time as money and experience is limited. Looks like the Miata has a good community behind it, which makes it even more exciting to work on this fun little car.
(sorry for the filtered looking pic. Just bought a new fancy camera and
i'm a noob at that as well..)
-Thanks for reading!
#2
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Huntington, Indiana
Posts: 2,885
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Looks like you're off to a good start, other than starting with a 1.6 car.
What neighborhood in San Diego?
I wish I had been into miatas when I lived in San Diego.
I could have gone back to the Midwest with a clean car for the same price I paid for my basket case.
What neighborhood in San Diego?
I wish I had been into miatas when I lived in San Diego.
I could have gone back to the Midwest with a clean car for the same price I paid for my basket case.
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Posts: 1,218
Total Cats: 175
Yes. Turbocharging the car will cost in the $4-5000 range, and swapping to a 1.8 will cost $6-800 or so. It's definitely worth the small investment first so that you don't have to replace any parts you already purchased when you later realize that 1.8 is the way to go. A 1.8 will spool a given turbo about 1000 rpm sooner than a 1.6.
#8
Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Posts: 1,218
Total Cats: 175
Not a turbo Miata specifically, but a vehicle that's been entirely changed from it's production state. Turbo Miatas can be made extremely reliable, but the sad truth is it takes experience to get that far. Which may take a blown motor or a turbo rebuild to achieve. Not doubting your skills individually, but it's just the nature of tacking such a large project. Especially if your goals are anywhere over 200 whp (which they should be), your tune will be essential to reliability.
#9
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,177
Total Cats: 1,681
I had my miata as my DD from 2005-2008 while I was in college. It was nerve racking knowing that whatever I did Friday night had to be finished by Sunday night so I could get to work and school. I finally broke down and bought a DD and it made life so much better.
Yes you can make a turbo miata reliable, it just takes time and effort or a large pocket book. For example if you wanted to turbo in a weekend and have the car running Monday morning the only vendor I would recommend would be FM. They are the only ones where you will get every little piece you need guaranteed in the first shipment. You pay a bit of a premium for that though.
Yes you can make a turbo miata reliable, it just takes time and effort or a large pocket book. For example if you wanted to turbo in a weekend and have the car running Monday morning the only vendor I would recommend would be FM. They are the only ones where you will get every little piece you need guaranteed in the first shipment. You pay a bit of a premium for that though.
#10
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,026
Total Cats: 6,592
Best place in the universe to own a Miata. I lived in Carlsbad (Aviara) for 8 years, and worked in Vista right behind the Target off San Marcos Blvd.
While there, I turbocharged my '92, which was my only car. I bought a motorcycle to use as a DD during the process, but never wound up really needing it. And in later years, I wound up bicycling most days. Pretty much the mark of a true Californian.
While there, I turbocharged my '92, which was my only car. I bought a motorcycle to use as a DD during the process, but never wound up really needing it. And in later years, I wound up bicycling most days. Pretty much the mark of a true Californian.
#11
Best place in the universe to own a Miata. I lived in Carlsbad (Aviara) for 8 years, and worked in Vista right behind the Target off San Marcos Blvd.
And thanks for the advice guys, I'll probably end up getting another DD so I can take my time with this build. Maybe even another miata haha
#12
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,026
Total Cats: 6,592
I presume that the Taco Train is still in business and doing well?
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