Ryan's build thread - Clean and Mean
 

Hello everyone,

I am finally starting to modify my 05' MSM that I purchased back in September 2011. I'll start off with a few pictures of how the car sits now. The only current mod is the MR SS tall kit that I just installed last week Friday.

My hp goals are for roughly 320 rwhp and 300 ft-lb of torque. I plan to split my build into 4 phases. The first 2 phases are entirely engine related. The 3rd phase will address suspension, tires, rollcage, etc. The 4th phase will be aero and asthetics.

Next week on the 28th I am having a local shop (LHT Performance) build me a custom 3" exhaust and dp. Will be back in town to pick up the car on the 31st and I will be sure to post pics. I have already picked up some 650cc injectors, an LC-1, and will be getting an MS3 from reverant soon when his build is updated. I plan on getting a mishimoto intercooler and am still not sure how I want to handle the intake.

I looked at the speedy 1 kit from BEGI to replace the throttle body inlet pipe, intake, and bypass valve all at the same time but I wasn't sure if anyone had any better suggestions.

car looks nice man.

Thanks!

I just ordered a MS2 enhanced from reverant and also have my mishimoto intercooler on the way. My exhaust will be getting installed this week with many pictures to come. I think for the intake I will be getting a BEGI speedy 1 kit as I have no fabrication skills and honestly just want something top quality that won't give me a headache since this is my DD.

I have a dilemma though. I have an LC-1 but no guage and still do not have a boost gauge. I know I should have these but I wanted to not clutter my interior with gauges as I don't like the look. I wanted to do a maxiguage setup but am pretty unclear, after reading the thread, as to how hard that will be to setup for me. I have no electrical experience but want to do it myself. Is it fairly straightforward or would I be in over my head?

Should I just break down and get the two gauges and put them in my glovebox or something?

My plan is to replace my double din factory head unit with a factory single din bose heat unit to keep the OEM look and get a triple gauge pod to fill the other single din. Haven't had time to complete it, but it looks a lot cleaner than an A-piller gauge pod IMO.

I agree. I have thought about this but I was considering the maxigauge unit because of its relatively cheap price point with a total of 8 outputs making monitoring other areas easier without more gauges. Not sure which route I want to go yet.

Do I need gauges before I starting tuning or can I monitor that stuff with a laptop in the car while tuning and then just use warning lights to make sure I don't run the engine if anything is going critically wrong?

I feel like I know the answer to this already but I am not sure if anyone else has tuned without gauges. If I keep it conservative until I have the necessary outputs would it be doable without being too risky? The car is an msm so most of the mods are just replacing working parts so I feel like the car will have less problems as long as I take my time and do it right.

Just the laptop will give you all the readouts you need and you can configure the warning thresholds to your preference. All you really need is the wideband. You can even configure TS to readout boost.

I looked into the maxi gauge too, but it looks a little too complex for my liking. I will be running a wideband, boost gauge, and water temp/oil pressure combo gauge.

what kind of gauges are you gonna run (i.e. brands) I don't want to dish out an insane amount for gauges because honestly I am not sure how much I will actually look at them unless a warning light goes off. This is another reason I like maxigauge. All the warning lights make it more useful but I am with you. It seems complicated to setup unless you know how to wire and I don't know anyone who will wire it without charging an insane amount. The shop that is doing my dp and exhaust for a good price charges $75 a gauge. I can't imagine what they would charge for a maxigauge install.

I run an AEM UEGO, Prosport mechnical ultra lite boost gauge, and I am about to order one of these guys:
http://www.veisystems.com/d1-instruments.html

Wow I like those gauges. The ones you linked. I might just grab some of those. Six outputs for the same price as the maxigauge and way easier to install. Very nice thanks a lot. Looks like they will be very easy to read too.

Glad to help! I was told about them by hustler. I have seen them in person, and their build quality is badass.

I am trying to figure out what to do for my intake and have come to a dilemma. I wanted to get the speedy 1 kit from Begi since it is high quality and replaces parts I need to replace anyway but i just realized that when I upgrade my exhaust manifold to one of Abe's top mount ramhorn units the Begi intake won't fit right. It can probably be modified but will that be worth it or is there something else I can do for the intake that won't be as hard to modify.

For a stealth boost gauge installation you could replace the useless oilpressure gauge with a 52 mm Prosport gauge.
http://www.mazdaspeedy.com/2012/02/p...nside.html?m=1
Its the best location for any gauge imho.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1333008918

I just picked up my car from LHT Performance with the new custom 3" exhaust and downpipe. The car sounds and performs amazing. It spools noticeably sooner and has a bit more power. It looks like a stock pipe to the untrained eye, John does incredible work.

https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2322

https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2323

I also have these goodies waiting to be installed. The intercooler will probably go in soon but the rest most likely won't go in until I receive my MS2 from Rev.

Mishimoto z-line intercooler
https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2326

650cc injectors
https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2325

VEI Systems dual monitor boost/wideband O2 gauge with a ATI epod steering column gauge pod.
https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2324

I also have a LC-1 wideband controller and sensor waiting to be installed.

Tall kit?

Also those injectors are probably small for your hp goals.

"Tall" refers to the height of the shifter as there is a stock height and tall height which is closer to the steering wheel. Yes the 650cc injectors will only take me to about 290 whp and I will need to get some 750cc injectors later. However, I won't get to the second phase of the engine part of my build because I will probably tackle the suspension, wheels, and safety concerns first before I build the engine with forged internals to reach my end goal numbers

Do it once do it right

Buy ID2000s or at least 1000s :)

I think those are a little large for my application lol

What turbo are you going with?

Within a certain range, you can not have too much fueling headroom!