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So i wanted to get a cheap project car just for fun. i looked into bunch of different options but miata seemed like the best option cost wise.
Miata had a stage 2 ACT clutch on it but was mostly stock 1.8l with torsen. cost $1000
i found some used parts which include.
MSPNP2 (facebook market) $500
a stage 1 suspension kit by FM ( junkyard) $60
Storm S1 rims by Advanti (junkyard) $150 with tires
Hardcore M2 Bars by Hard Dog (junkyard) yet to install this. $40
Ebay, amazon and other parts purchased
Flowforce 640 injectors $320
AEM wideband $160
Ebay Turbo Kit T3/T4 with Cast manifold BOV 38mm external waste gate, intercooler with piping, Manual boost controller, Boost gauge ebay $500)
FM elbow and down pipe 2.5" (used ebay $200)
4" JDM muffler (ebay $26)
universal short ram intake (ebay $28)
miata duck wing ebay ($180)
bunch of 2.5" exhaust pipe parts (Amazon $120)
Total Cost $3284
So long story short took me about 3 weeks mostly weekend work. ebay kit nothing fits well had to cut big chunk out of side of engine bay to fit the T3T4. needed longer Manifold studs. welded a T3 flange onto the Fm cast elbow holding boost for now. ended up cutting a big hole in the wheel well for inter cooler piping and zip tied to bumper so it wont rub the tire. welded some 2' sections of 2.5" Pipe and a braided bendy pipe + a 90% turn and i now have straight 2.5" exhaust with 1 hanger holding it up and a 4" JDM muffler, sounds great. Ebay kit came with a BOV and 38mm wastegate (used the 8 PSI spring removed the other). main problems i have is starting car is rough at first ( some times stalls when i first turn it on) but after about 10 seconds idle is perfect runs strong. Tuner studio temp gauge is stuck at 180 probably need to get new temp gauge. I really dont know anything about tuning etc. and have yet to buy full version of tuner studio and megalog. i have not had it tuned professorially but currently running 11 PSI fuel cut and the thing is FAST AF and handles like a dream around corners. the T3/T4 does kinda spool slow i get to full boost in 3rd gear at like 4.5k-5k rpm. if i could change anything i would not have purchased the ebay turbo kit was more trouble than its worth turbo is too big.
I will try get it tuned some time soon im just super happy i got it running and i didn't blow it up (yet)
i added a data log of me driving around town if any one with knowledge on this can take a look at it and tell me if anything jumps out that i need to change let me know thanks
josh
junk yard haul off 1 car got lucky tires are almost new
Fix your coolant temp sensor and get the car tuned. That log shows some alarming things.
Ok thanks for the input so not a good idea to drive this thing as is. ill have a pro tune it when i can find the time. and look into that temp problem.
been in Japan for a bit but finally fixed temp sensor. Had a bad wire connection on coolant temp sensor. now shows accurate temps in MS2. I did a cheap coolant reroute using Part number #71989 and swapped the front housing with back. deleted thermostat (not great idea I know) but temps are steady on stock radiator I live in Hawaii so don't need to worry about freezing. ill attach another test drive log. if I go to high rpm I'm still hitting max boost causing fuel cut so I raised boost limit to 220 hopefully that still safe. Still runs rich using stock air temp sensor going to swap it out for gm one this may be the cause. will get tuned after that.
Here in Florida, I get an email from lkq that a miata is arriving tomorrow,
I look at pics and see roll bar and other goodies.
Arrive at 10am, and every single aftermarket bit is already gone. As are the nb2 seats that I wanted.
Moral of the story, arrive 6am the day they open with the new miata and rum fast to get the stuff.
Plus don't get me started on the ******** that rip up a perfect nb2 door panel to get to the pioneer speakers. Like unscrewing 2 screws is too much to properly take it off. And other nonsense of ruining good parts to save 30 secs in removing parts.
Fierce junk yard diving competition in florida.
Here in Florida, I get an email from lkq that a miata is arriving tomorrow,
I look at pics and see roll bar and other goodies.
Arrive at 10am, and every single aftermarket bit is already gone. As are the nb2 seats that I wanted.
Moral of the story, arrive 6am the day they open with the new miata and rum fast to get the stuff.
Plus don't get me started on the ******** that rip up a perfect nb2 door panel to get to the pioneer speakers. Like unscrewing 2 screws is too much to properly take it off. And other nonsense of ruining good parts to save 30 secs in removing parts.
Fierce junk yard diving competition in florida.
I got lucky i was getting a door and as i was leaving they brought in a miata with lots of goodies and i took everything i could. Next day they shredded it. I wanted the motor lol
Finally running strong good afr good sensors. Starts nice idle is good boost is good. Did some testing on a mountain run and noticed some smoke if i hold in gear for more than about 5 seconds on decel. Only happens when downshifting. Looks like could be oil burning. From "seach" looks like probably valve stem seals. Hopefully dont need to do head gasket or rebuild the motor just yet lol.
These tires are not gonna cut it lol. Still no pro tune but it's running good I think.
Here's a more experienced friend doing a fun run in the ebay turbo miata. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...&id=1253015443
I am a strong advocate of learning on crappy tires. If this was your first time at this sort of driving, I would hang on to the tires you have for as long as possible. The lack of grip will help you learn better car control so when you do switch over to sticky tires you won't be as prone to mistakes made by bad driving habits. My 2 cents.
I am a strong advocate of learning on crappy tires. If this was your first time at this sort of driving, I would hang on to the tires you have for as long as possible. The lack of grip will help you learn better car control so when you do switch over to sticky tires you won't be as prone to mistakes made by bad driving habits. My 2 cents.
My wife wont let me buy new tires until I sell some of the tires and car parts I have laying around my house lol so it looks like im gonna be practicing on these a couple more times. Car is lots of fun as is but it has too much power when the boost kicks in it just spins tires. I could turn down the boost a bit 12 psi is a bit much. My other watsegate spring is only like 5psi I'm guessing.
07-20-2019, 09:55 PM
Ghetto rigged 99 Miata turbo
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