Reliable turbo Miata setup?
 

So to break everything down. I’m 20yrs old and planning on buying a 97 Miata and turbo charging it so I joined this forum. I’m a complete noob when it comes to this and just looking for some advice on how to reliably boost it on a 10-12k budget and I’m just looking for anywhere from 200-300 hp to have some fun. Any advice on things all need helps. Also I live in San Diego, California so if you know anyone who specializes in building/tuning turbo miatas near that area lmk. Thanks.

Start by searching this site, as there are countless builds. IMO you would do well with components from Flying Miata, MKTurbo has a very reasonable kit for a turbo install. Avoid the cheap Ebay turbo bits, as most will be shit.

Do you have a plan on how to pass CA inspection every year on a modified car?

$4500 will get you to the limits of the stock motor at about 225whp reliably.
$10k+ to get to 300whp reliably.

No way to do either of those in Cali and stay emissions complaint.

Spend a few months doing proper research and finding out what works, and what doesnt specifically for miatas. You have the cash to spend to do it right the first time, so do it right the first time and save yourself a lot of aggravation and time.

First part, MEGASQUIRT or a standalone ECU.

Second, look into MKturbo, Kraken, Trackspeed. They are several of the trusted, reliable and overall very complete kits that will get you where you want to go. The budgets vary between them as do the results and much of the cost of install varies on how much you can do by yourself. Its all VERY easy to learn and do yourself, but it will take time and effort on your part and this forum certainly will not give you any handouts when all of the information is readily available already posted here in sticky and FAQ's on this forum. Some may be years or decades old but the information holds true.

Thirdly, don't skimp on injectors. Go right for Flow force 640's at the minimum but preferably go for ID1000's for when you wanna build the engine and push some serious power.


As for cali emissions, good luck! You'll likely have to switch the car back and forth to stock for inspections/Ref tickets but otherwise will be able to drive it around modified as long as your careful from what i hear. If you use high quality connectors and some planning, it's really only a day of work to go from fully modified, back to a fully stock ECU/emissions miata.

Also if you follow THESE 6 steps you will know what to do.

As has been said, research is your friend. I am also in SD, ref tickets and smog are your new nemesis. To avoid those, stay with a quieter exhaust and purchase the Flyin Miata Stage 1 kit. I recommend spending the rest of your money on safety and suspension. Do some searches to find the recommendations. Plenty of those threads available.

If you are ok with risking the ref ticket and swapping back and forth every two years for a smog, there a lot of options to go with. It's up to you.