The stock 1.6L map looks something like this at WOT:

Didn't realise it ran so much timing stock.
So he's basically not retarding spark AT ALL in teh midrange at 12psi according to that post and his map? shittt

I took the car out last night and made it! lol

I left here when it was already dark out, and with the tint on the windows its hard to see if I was smoking, but I didnt see anything.

The car acted halfway decent last night, but now I have another issue. :facepalm:

There is some more than normal clatter from the transmission. I know its been a long time since I even drove the miata, so getting used to all the noises and the general loudness of the car took awhile for sure. But this is definitely making me worry.

As I was typing this just now, I remembered that I had a dream last night that I lost 3rd gear and had to drive it around like that. Or maybe that really happened.....? I better go check the car.

I'm going to assume the worst and start planning on re-building the motor, or swapping in another one. The car has seemed pretty strong up until this point, but I guess all good things must come to an end. :cry:

And when I get a second I'm going to run out and pull the plugs and see what I find.

I'll report back later.

inspecting the plugs thoroughly should REALLY help you figure out how the engine is behaving

I just took it down to the gas station quick and its still smoking, pretty bad actually. :cry:

Looks like I'll be going back to borrowing a car, getting rides, or longboarding to get around. Perfect, just in time for the nice weather.

So now I have 2 questions. lol

Why would it start to smoke this much more after a oil change? And is it ok to drive it like this for the time being (not anything more than just normal driving around town)?

me personally i wouldnt drive it!

do a compression and leak down test for good measure! if that comes back good then i would say its has somthing to do with your oil feed, drain or its your turbo!

does it smoke all the time, or just when in positive pressure?

I think today when I pull the plugs I'll check out the feed and drain lines on the turbo.

When I first started it up, it didnt seem as if it was smoking. I got to the bottom of the road and I sat in the car and waited. It almost seemed like as it was getting warmer, it was smoking more. Sometimes at idle it would barely smoke, other times it was a lot. I would give it gas and it was the same deal. On my way back up the hill I was watching in the mirror and it wasn't billowing out or anything, but I definitely left a little smoke behind me. Nothing major, but I could see it in the distance.

I hate to tell you, but sounds like what mine was doing.

Oh man that shit sucks! Hope it's something stupid but for the sound of it I don't think it is. Hopefully you get it sorted out by the Uconn meet.

Unhook your pcv lines completely and drive around to see if it still smokes. I still think its the turbo.

i say turbo as well!

Ok, spark plugs are out. I attached pictures of them below.

Now I just want to clarify before I go ahead and do this. Shall I pull the turbo oil feed line, stick it in a cup, start the car and turn it off right away, then check the cup for oil? Repeat and do the same thing for the oil drain line?

I also found my compression tester while I was out in the garage. Brand new in the box still, which also means I have no idea how to use it. :noob: I plan on looking that up tonight and maybe doing the test tomorrow.

This car takes entirely too much time out of too many of my days. :vash:

That looks like a fair bit of flecking on #4. #1 isn't looking super hot either.

Well, at least 1.6 motors are dirt cheap!

I pulled the air filter off just to peak at the turbo and I now have a considerable amount of shaft play. You can see in the picture where the blades have been rubbing. :vash:

I want to see if I can check and verify oil to and from the turbo. Is what I wrote above sound like a plan? I'm just assuming that's the best way to do it, but want to make sure before I do.

BTW, thanks for all the feedback guys. :bigtu: .......even if it is bad news..... :cry:

Time for that Ebay turbo you've always wanted :P.

lol

I was just thinking of pulling it and sending it out for a re-build, but I wouldn't mind switching to a ebay turbo if that's the better path. I'm not much for "brand names" if I don't have to be.

I'm at the point now where I just want to figure out what needs fixed, make a plan to fix whats fucked that I can afford, and move on.

At first I was in a rush to have things sorted out by next weekend for the car show, but I have too many other priorities right now that need taken care of. The only reason it sucks about the car is really cause its my only mode of transportation. And there's no way I can longboard everywhere I have to go in a days time.

is your turbo ball bearing out journal?

i thought ball bearing turbos couldnt be rebuilt?