"You're a jerk, Dent."
12-25-2013, 05:55 PM
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 38
Total Cats: 1
"You're a jerk, Dent."
Hello all,
I am rarely as insulting as my moniker suggests, but as a big fan of Douglas Adams's five book trilogy, it's too good of a name to pass up.
About myself:
I'm a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Clemson University who just obtained a lovely 1990 Silver Stone 1.6L packing a FMII kit. I have limited automotive experience aside from absorbing copious amounts of information on the internet, but I have learned quite a bit from working on my 2005 Yamaha YZ125. I'm excited to learn, and I'm confident that the Miata is the perfect start. Whether or not a turbo was the most rational entry point is still up for debate...but the power isn't!
Despite enjoying the boosted engine, I generally drive like a grandma - being as fuel efficient as possible is my favorite driving game.
About my car:
I've owned the car since Saturday, the 21st of December. I actually bought it from a member here, Dustin. He accomplished the bulk of the turbo installation work, so all that remains is a little tuning and refining.
My modification goals are simple; a roll bar, some 6UL's, and some mud flaps are on the shopping list, and a foamectomy is certainly due (6' 1" here). Eventually, I'd like to swap in a 3.9 torsen, but for now I'm just going to be gentle to the stock 1.6 rear.
I aim to participate in some Clemson autocrosses, but certainly not competitively - my only goal is to learn car control in a safe and fun environment.
I don't have any good pictures yet, but here's a shot I snapped this evening. I'm working on sorting out the fan wiring at the moment.
I am rarely as insulting as my moniker suggests, but as a big fan of Douglas Adams's five book trilogy, it's too good of a name to pass up.
About myself:
I'm a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Clemson University who just obtained a lovely 1990 Silver Stone 1.6L packing a FMII kit. I have limited automotive experience aside from absorbing copious amounts of information on the internet, but I have learned quite a bit from working on my 2005 Yamaha YZ125. I'm excited to learn, and I'm confident that the Miata is the perfect start. Whether or not a turbo was the most rational entry point is still up for debate...but the power isn't!
Despite enjoying the boosted engine, I generally drive like a grandma - being as fuel efficient as possible is my favorite driving game.
About my car:
I've owned the car since Saturday, the 21st of December. I actually bought it from a member here, Dustin. He accomplished the bulk of the turbo installation work, so all that remains is a little tuning and refining.
My modification goals are simple; a roll bar, some 6UL's, and some mud flaps are on the shopping list, and a foamectomy is certainly due (6' 1" here). Eventually, I'd like to swap in a 3.9 torsen, but for now I'm just going to be gentle to the stock 1.6 rear.
I aim to participate in some Clemson autocrosses, but certainly not competitively - my only goal is to learn car control in a safe and fun environment.
I don't have any good pictures yet, but here's a shot I snapped this evening. I'm working on sorting out the fan wiring at the moment.
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12-26-2013, 09:29 AM
#7
Nice car. Some recommendations:
1. Megasquirt. Much better control and, as an ME, you'll really enjoy learning the engine control algorithms and tuning. I've gone so far as to write custom software on mine (an early Gen 1 MSPNP that does a really great job on a '90).
2. Miata responds really well to suspension upgrades.
3. I was able to make my 1.6 rear end hold up just fine (I had a VLSD prior to swapping). Just never use power in 1st gear.
4. Looks like you have an aftermarket steel hood. You'd be surprised how much lighter the OEM aluminum hoods are.
Good luck with Statics and Dynamics. LOL.
1. Megasquirt. Much better control and, as an ME, you'll really enjoy learning the engine control algorithms and tuning. I've gone so far as to write custom software on mine (an early Gen 1 MSPNP that does a really great job on a '90).
2. Miata responds really well to suspension upgrades.
3. I was able to make my 1.6 rear end hold up just fine (I had a VLSD prior to swapping). Just never use power in 1st gear.
4. Looks like you have an aftermarket steel hood. You'd be surprised how much lighter the OEM aluminum hoods are.
Good luck with Statics and Dynamics. LOL.
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12-26-2013, 10:59 AM
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 38
Total Cats: 1
I've been meaning to get involved, but other organizations and projects kept pulling my time away. This coming semester I'm going to make time for it.
Thanks for the recommendations. There are so many different paths to take with a Miata and it's helpful to have some guidance.
1) Cool. I'm trying to prioritize my spending at the moment, and new wheels/tires are #1 followed by a roll bar. However, I definitely want to look into a megasquirt system down the road.
2) The PO installed MSM Bilsteins with aftermarket springs and sleeves, but I'd like to add some structural bracing, too - the roll bar will do a lot in that area, actually.
3) I'm glad to hear that the 1.8 rear end isn't an urgent swap. I'm really easy on cars, so I don't think it'll be a problem.
4) I just ran outside with a magnet and it doesn't seem to be steel. It's the lightest hood I've ever lifted, too.
Thankfully, Statics and Dynamics clicked for me and it wasn't much of an issue.
Hey, I enjoy being frugal. One of my main motivations for getting a turbo is so that I could pull lower gears (3.9). That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the power occasionally. Besides, mechanical empathy is the name of the sports-car-on-a-budget game. Also, tickets are expensive - I've never gotten one and I aim to keep it that way.
Nice car. Some recommendations:
1. Megasquirt. Much better control and, as an ME, you'll really enjoy learning the engine control algorithms and tuning. I've gone so far as to write custom software on mine (an early Gen 1 MSPNP that does a really great job on a '90).
2. Miata responds really well to suspension upgrades.
3. I was able to make my 1.6 rear end hold up just fine (I had a VLSD prior to swapping). Just never use power in 1st gear.
4. Looks like you have an aftermarket steel hood. You'd be surprised how much lighter the OEM aluminum hoods are.
Good luck with Statics and Dynamics. LOL.
1. Megasquirt. Much better control and, as an ME, you'll really enjoy learning the engine control algorithms and tuning. I've gone so far as to write custom software on mine (an early Gen 1 MSPNP that does a really great job on a '90).
2. Miata responds really well to suspension upgrades.
3. I was able to make my 1.6 rear end hold up just fine (I had a VLSD prior to swapping). Just never use power in 1st gear.
4. Looks like you have an aftermarket steel hood. You'd be surprised how much lighter the OEM aluminum hoods are.
Good luck with Statics and Dynamics. LOL.
1) Cool. I'm trying to prioritize my spending at the moment, and new wheels/tires are #1 followed by a roll bar. However, I definitely want to look into a megasquirt system down the road.
2) The PO installed MSM Bilsteins with aftermarket springs and sleeves, but I'd like to add some structural bracing, too - the roll bar will do a lot in that area, actually.
3) I'm glad to hear that the 1.8 rear end isn't an urgent swap. I'm really easy on cars, so I don't think it'll be a problem.
4) I just ran outside with a magnet and it doesn't seem to be steel. It's the lightest hood I've ever lifted, too.
Thankfully, Statics and Dynamics clicked for me and it wasn't much of an issue.
Hey, I enjoy being frugal. One of my main motivations for getting a turbo is so that I could pull lower gears (3.9). That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the power occasionally. Besides, mechanical empathy is the name of the sports-car-on-a-budget game. Also, tickets are expensive - I've never gotten one and I aim to keep it that way.
Last edited by Wowbagger the I.P.; 12-26-2013 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Additional response seen
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12-26-2013, 11:08 AM
#11
Adding a turbocharger actually results in a more efficient thermodynamic cycle too!
The lack of emissions stickers on the hood threw me off. A steel hood found it's way onto my car sometime over the years . . . I have an OEM aluminum waiting to go on. Shocking difference in weight.
The lack of emissions stickers on the hood threw me off. A steel hood found it's way onto my car sometime over the years . . . I have an OEM aluminum waiting to go on. Shocking difference in weight.
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