Help out the New Guy - Please
 

Hey guys,

I have been lurking for a while and finally decided to post and get some info.
This winter I will have enough saved up to finally buy a Miata (1.8), I am thinking it will probably be a 97 those are in my price range and buy all the parts for my turbo.

Now reading these forums I can not get a good strong opinion about which set up would work be the most cost effective in terms of power and reliability. I am not looking for anything crazy, I would love something that has 220~HP.

I considered a kit, but I feel I can get more bang for my buck if I go with the DIY option.

I am not sure on the turbo I want to go with, but I have seen alot of good reviews on the T3 50 trim. If you can recommend a better turbo please do so, keep in mind I do have a budget to work with, I am hoping to do everything around 2k.

My main concern is with the engine manag. My friend got emanage, and it pretty much has been a PIA. Car runs, but consistent idle problems and etc, its still being tuned. Now I saw Braineack offering to build MS for you, I am just not sure on how it works. Once I get the MS and plug it in, do I still need to tune it, if so, is it hard?

I have always been around cars, but mostly simple mods, talking, watching and helping out, never doing it myself, so I want to get this right. I hope to collect all the parts and stuff over winter and build up the whole thing at my friends shop over a weekend or 2.

I did do alot of reasearch and reading, but there is just too much mixed opinions and old posts. So help would be appreciated.

As far as a little about me, I am from suburban Chicago. In the past I had a 20th anniversary VW GTI, Lexus SC400, Honda S2000, Audi A6 2.7TT, and currently have an E36 M3.

I work at Wolf Camera, so if anyone needs any camera/photo advice feel free.

Here is my current ride:

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...68591_5349.jpg
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...68592_5636.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...68587_3592.jpg

The S2k was probably my favorite:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...39602_6779.jpg
Screw Fenders!
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...62733_4765.jpg

goldyuk; first of all, welcome to the forum and please post your location below your Avatar (it will make it much easier to give you advice; it's not the same if you live in California than most other States when it comes to emissions).

I think you're on the right track. If your intent is to have 220 whp a .50 trim T3 will get you there with plenty to spare. I myself have a 96 with a T3 .52 trim and I really enjoy it.

About engine management; if you have indeed been lurking here you know there's plenty of knowledge about everything related to MS as engine management. You can't go wrong there.

With regards to the turbo kit; you can buy the Begi S (which in my book is the best starting option for a cheap, pre-assembled turbo kit) or you can start buying the different parts of the kit from different places.

I hope that helps.