Mattman

Hello everyone this is my build thread, I wanted to start early because I've heard that people regret not starting early (and I'm sick and bored).

So at first I bought a red 94 miata that was auto and had 85,000 miles. it was great but it was auto and me being 16, dumb, and having next to no mechanical experience I decided to sell it and get a manual miata later on.
I ended up with 3000gt that taught me stick. I destroyed that clutch and sold it. missing a miata I bought 1997 manual miata in black with 230,000 miles. It maybe wasn't the best option but other Miatas are going for 10k now so I took what I could get. I lowered it on some cheap coilovers temporally. Then I installed a short shifter. But then I got an itch for power and decided to take my automotive desires seriously and take to the forums (and YouTube). I started to build a list of parts I would need to get my car boosted. I jumped ahead. I should have focused on getting my car in a reliable state first. So here I am with knowledge on turbos but not on engines (a weird predicament) so I'm here annoying the crap outa you smart people and trying to figure out a good plan for my car.




Here are my current plans for the car.


Na miata upgrade path

kensei k1 wheels and extensa hp II tires- 1,065$
tien coilovers -854$
EBC brake pads -95$
Cobalt exhaust -500$
AWR motor mounts-240$
Flyin miata clutch level 1- 429$
Destroy roll bar-561
Ms3 pro- 1300$
ebay radiator- 100$
Walbro 255 fuel pump-112$
Flow force injectors 640cc-

Im not sure what order I'm gonna do these in. but this is what I got so far.
There is not a list for the turbo yet because I gotta decide between MK turbo kit, Kraken's kit, and FM's kit.
I would love to hear your input!

Panici

Hey Matt,

Glad to have you aboard!
Remember it's not always the smartest people who prevail, but those who are most persistent.

Looks like you found a nice car as a base.
I'm having a little trouble deciphering your phone screenshots. Are those parts you wish to buy, or information you wish to share with us?
We obviously can't click the links from the screenshots you posted.

Mattman

yeah in hindsight that was pretty dumb to post and I will be taking them down. They were my links for most of the stuff I needed for a turbo build. I just got a computer and I'm in the middle of transferring all of it over. I will post my notes in a sec.

Panici

Also, don't fret too much about doing things in the "right" order.

I slammed an ebay turbo kit on my 100% stock miata and figured out the supporting mods afterwards.
Well, some things I'm still figuring out like a catch can, LSD, suspension, etc.

Mattman

I just updated it if you wanna take a look

Alejo_NIN

iTrader: (2)

lol, i thought this was you....then i saw your car.

you ain't the REAL Mattman!

Mattman

SHOOT I FORGOT THERE IS ANOTHER CRAZY MATTMAN TIME TO CHANGE MY NAME

Panici

May want to add a suspension bushing set to that list, depending on the condition of yours of course.

Will you be tuning the car yourself?
If so I definitely recommend installing the standalone ECU while the car is naturally aspirated. You can learn to tune without the added risk of boost.
Not sure specifically on the MS3PRO, but you will probably need a vTPS and IAT sensor.

You will want to either resurface your original flywheel or buy a lightweight one when changing out the clutch.

Mattman

I will be tuning myself which will be just wonderful. I heard manny good things about ms3pro is there something else i look at? Also im getting flyin miata's clutch happy meal that comes with a lightweight flywheel

Z_WAAAAAZ

I’m not gonna claim to be the smartest guy on here either (or anywhere for that matter), but you will be much happier having taken care of your supporting mods before boosting.

There’s lots of good information on this site. As far as stages of boosting go, you want to adhere to this path: Install standalone ECU and get comfortable with tuning it, install bigger injectors while still. N/A and retune, install turbo and retune again. Somewhere in there, you’ll have to upgrade your clutch as well.

Side note, the MKTurbo and Kraken kits come with a complete exhaust. I’d keep your stock exhaust as long as you’re N/A. Very little power to be gained from upgrading and you’ll have no use for it once your boosted anyway.

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

My stage 1 FM clutch would not hold 200-230 WHP. I suggest ACT or SM. Plus the pedal travel adjustment alone would drive me away from the FM.

Roda

Welcome!

Like others have posted, I would spend the time/money to baseline all of your maintenance first, then start on the supporting mods. Your car is 26 years old and has high miles... there are a lot of components that will be in poor shape simply due to age if they haven't been replaced... hoses, bushings, brake pads/calipers, timing belt/water pump if not replaced on schedule. How's the radiator look? Miatas are very reliable cars, but due to that very fact, maintenance is often deferred and hard use by a new owner can find the weak spots.

Take your time to get the car good and reliable first... you can have a lot of fun with a stock Miata on decent rubber. Then you can start getting the suspension/clutch/brakes up to the task of dealing with more power.

K1 wheels are a decent choice for a Miata. I have a 15x7 ET25 set in black that are barely used in my storage unit... shoot me a PM if you're interested.

BTW, we'll be out at Arizona Motorsports Park on Saturday with ProAutosports. Feel free to stop by and chat.

irollgen4s

I can not say enough bad things about FM's happy meal clutch. go supermiata or ACT and save yourself the headache.