Wingman703

'Elllo, Wingman, blah blah need boost blah blah *insert general miatas are slow as **** and this is why I need boost story here*

So here's the thing. I'm on a budget. Yeah yeah, you hear that every day, some n00b comes though
"guiz I needs to turbo i haz $400 how high cen i run bost b4 my engine blows ma m8 sed he run 25PSI for a year so i wana run aleast 30 n beat him any tips or triks thnx"

Fine, I'm not that guy. But I'm still on a budget. Credit goes out to Greg (thecarpassionchannel) for starting me on my journey with with the broke 'n boosted series.
$2k gentlemen. Full works, ECU, choo choo bit, intercooly bits, squirty bits, and oily bobs(car is a lowish mileage 2000BTW) Yup. Pretty tight, eh? Can't be done, eh?
Goals:
~200-220WHP
10PSI or less(as long as I'm still hitting that 200WHP)
Reliable, streetable, and fun.
Did I mention its my daily? Yup, its my daily. Go ahead, tell me I'm nuts and apeshit stupid. Oh, and I have zero prior automotive experience. That's right boys, break out the spoons, I'll bring the bib, its spoonfeeding time.

So here is how I'm spending that 2K(the 2K does not include clutch(FM1) and cooling(alum rad) upgrades, as I need both anyway and would have been dropped in regardless).
Stock exhaust(aside from downpipe).
Stock engine.
Ebay Intercooler/intercooler pipeing.
MSM Turbo
MSM Manifold
MSM injectors
MSM Downpipe
Reverant's MS2 "enhanced version"
UEGO AFR
Oil lines/fittings from shuiend

I still have to pick up a BOV, Boost gauge(yes yes yes I realise this is not 100% ESSENTIAL but I would rather have one to keep an eye on for when the laptop is not plugged in, plus we all know the chicks dig boost gauges) water lines, JDM zipties, and other misc stuff.

So far I have spent $1818 of my 2K budget.

This thread is now open for everyone to tell me that my setup sucks, I'm a terrible person, and that I should boost a 1.6 for more power.

Wingman703

Contemplating dropping the MSM setup, in favor of TacoTaco+China charger. While doing research on another matter today, I found several threads where people found that the MSM chargers interfere with the WP in the NA/NB's. Fitting them requires swapping for an MSM water pump as well, or taking a sawzall/tig welder to the water pump to modify the outlet.
If I was due for the WP/TB/gaskets job at around 100K, I might have done the swap anyway. But I'm still ~30K short of that maintenance. Instead of modifying it to fit with an ehh used charger that's going to top out around 220WHP, I might go for a T25, leaving the door for "MOAR POWER!" open to me down the road. I could sell off the manifold/turbo/upper downpipe and hopefully recoup enough for TacoTaco+T25+Custom downpipe.

Girz0r

iTrader: (1)

See what ARTech would charge for a log manifold & downpipe for the t25. Skip the china charger, there are other t25 turbos to be had for a good price Check gpop shop for turbo rebuild kits in case you want to adventure down that route and have a much cheaper than new-ish flawless working turbo in worse case senario.

You'll have a much higher flow setup allowing that turbo to spooool vs taco+churbo.

Wingman703

I'll shoot him an email, but honestly unless it beats/matches the TacoTaco prices I doubt its in the budget. Thanks for the suggestion though.

90civichhb

iTrader: (5)

Honestly I don't think you are going to be able to stay in that budget. I did this about as cheaply as one could while staying somewhat reliable and giving myself overhead for transmission breaking torque. I just capped the $2000 mark and that was not including the DIYPNP (add $400 to total).

I keep a very tight spreadsheet and only skip over minor consumables like fuel/motor oil in my total costs. It sometimes makes me sick how much money I have in a $200 shell. lol

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Do you have a second car? Can you tow the car to the exhaust shop? The custom down pipe would require the car to be brought to the exhaust shop and they would have to build it on the car. I would guess it would take them 2-5 business days to get it done, assuming they actually have the parts in stock that they need. Also skip the eBay T25, go find an SR20 t25 and use that. They go for $75-200 depending on condition and what all they come with.

I believe abe charges around $750 for a manifold and downpipe for a T25. I also suggest the SR20 t25.

Wingman703

This is the... like... 5th? 6th? Time I've been told I can't do it for 2K? But I did actually manage to assemble everything I would have needed for the MSM setup for under 2K, including the MS2. For abandoning the MSM setup, I could get rid of the MSM turbo+manifold, and possibly the downpipe, although the downpipes's design is quite close to the FM style, so it might be beneficial for me to hang on to that one a bit longer.

Anyway, I have also kept a tight check on all the turbo bits I have built and what I paid for them, albeit not in such a clean and organized manner.
SSQV Blowoff Valve (BOUGHT $38.11)
SQV Blow Off Valve BOV IV 4 2 5" Flange Pipe Clamps Kit Black Silicone Hose | eBay
Oil Lines. -$135
Intercooler-(BOUGHT $92)
Universal Front Mount Bar Plate 18x12x3 Intercooler | eBay
Intercooler piping- (BOUGHT $95)
Universal High Quality 2 5" Black Intercooler 8PC U Piping Kit Aluminum Black | eBay
MS2 PnP used (BOUGHT $668)
AFR- AEM UEGO(BOUGHT $160)
MSM Injectors, Turbo, Manifold, Downpipe(BOUGHT MSM $640)
Gauge pod $40 (BOUGHT $20)
Boost Guage- (BOUGHT Autometer -$50.30)
Total comes out to $1906. I hope to get at least $400 back from selling off the turbo/manifold(and possibly downpipe, unsure on that atm), giving me plenty of room for TacoTaco+Churgo+some extra.
2-5 days to build a 3ft section of pipe? What? I don't think the shops in my area that busy... I'll have to make some inquiries.
Yeaahhhh that's out of the budget
I'll go find me a used T25 then... back to Zilva.net...

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Yes, custom work takes time. They will most likely not have the flange needed at the turbo exit. So they will need to order that, doubtful they will let you bring it. Then there will be a ton of test fitting each small section they do. This also assumes they have the correct mandrel bends in stock, the sizes needed, and type of material you want. 95% of exhaust shops do not have a mandrel bender on site, as they are extremely expensive. So if they need any custom bends then it is waiting for those to get in.

Wingman703

Which is why I was thinking of hanging on to the MSM downpipe. The jump from it to the cat is only 1-2 ft and shouldn't be to much of an angle, 45degrees or so. Only issue might be clearance on the shelf/firewall, but I don't know that for sure till I have the setup roughly in place(although I'm curious for your results with the TacoTaco/FM downpipes).

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

The MSM downpipe won't fit the exit of the t25 turbo. I would guess an exhaust shop would probably charge between $300-500 for a custom downpipe also.

Wingman703

****, I had thought they were the same bolt pattern, but digging it out of storage shows it is indeed a 4bolt vs the T25 5bolt. Welp, guess I can sell it as well then, and see how much I have to work with, and what option is going to go the least over budget.

LOL I just found a T25/28 90degree downpipe for $50 on Zilvia. Not going to buy it atm, just gives me another option

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I don't think any of the downpipes from Zilvia's will fit on a miata. Flange orientation is different then what you need on a miata.

Wingman703

Looks pretty close to me.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Except when you put that on a miata, it will shoot out the drive side fender or go into the engine. Look at the FM cast piece.

Girz0r

iTrader: (1)

I know this guy who sells kitty trubo kits rdy2go for those who just want somehh teh boostz @ a reasonable price FWIW

Wingman703

Drivers side fender? Perfect, we all need more JDM side exhausts!
Like I said, not buying it, just gives me a rough price point.

Oh yeah, by far a reasonable price, but more then I need/want atm.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

It is a rough price point of a cheap chinese made knock off. No US exhaust shop will match that price. Materials alone will be nearly that much not including the actual labor costs of building it.

mmmjesse

spend $100 at harbor freight for a flux core welder. Is it the best? Hell no but it will allow you fabricate a functional downpipe. I would just practice on some scrap exhaust pipe so that it will come out as clean as it can.

90civichhb

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, I pieced everything together for under $2000 as well. It's once you start installing things that you realize what you need or what doesn't quite work. I would love to see someone do it reliably under 2k. I follow Greg as well and I have my doubts that he will be able to keep within his budget on B&B, unless free stuff is given.

deezums

iTrader: (3)

There was less than 2K in my original turbo kit. $1700 with all new stuff, DIYPNP and rx8 injectors. Being able to weld makes a massive difference. I bought a used FM1 and ebay flywheel, that put me at 2K. My ****'s reliable as **** and pretty on the limit of stock rods.

Can be done. Read my thread.