Turbo setup for reliability and low maintenance
 

Hello all, I searched the DIY Turbo Discussion forum for “Low Maintenance Reliable” and didn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to go directly to the source of All Things Miata Turbo, you guys. First of all the car/engine:

2002 in good condition
6 speed trans
3.636 Torsen Diff
Frame rail braces
Cowl braces

Engine
VVT
Cylinders bored to 84mm
8.5/1 Compression
Forged pistons
Manley connecting rods
Boundary oil pump
Supertech valves and double springs
LS coil packs
ATI damper
TDR clutch
MS3 ECU
Stock exhaust
Coolant re-rout
Oil cooler
Flat top intake
Rev limiter set at 7000 rpm
TDR Rotrex kit making 14.5 psi at 7000 rpm
Only 93 pump gas available no E85

This is a weekend cruiser no track time just spirited driving. I’m currently making 230RWHP with the Rotrex but I would like a little more power under the curve, i.e. more low end torque. My goals are 275 – 300 RWHP, with a quick spool turbo, but what is very important to me is low maintenance and good reliability. I’ve done some reading and think a cast iron manifold is the way to go but I’m not sure if there is any real difference in reliability between the major turbo manufactures. So, my questions to you are 1) does one of the turbo manufactures stand out as being more reliable than the rest, and 2) what steps can I take up front to improve reliability and minimize routine maintenance?



Thanks

From what I have read, your best bet is to look into the BorgWarner EFR series turbos. They are the best on the market for very good reasons: https://www.full-race.com/articles/b...ner-efr-turbos will explain what i cant

Kraken, 6258, 20psi, done

20psi On 93 octane?

That stock exhaust is hurting you big time, will only get worse with trubo.

Possible, but 17-18 is 270whp+ with your setup, so...

Most reliable, set it and forget it kit in the market is still the Flyin' Miata kit, that is if it's in stock. They are having severe stocking issues for the last year or so.
For 300whp you're on the verge of a maxed out 2560, or a gtx2860 right where it's most happy and unstressed.

Jerry - that rwhp number is from 1-2 years ago; you got responses the tune is ultra-conservative and you agreed. There’s a dude on here with a 1.6, lower octane, making more power. TDR piggybacks are making similar power on stock engines.

if you really want a turbo, go for it. But it really sounds like you’re trying all this bolt-on stuff and avoiding the elephant in the room. if you don’t trust your tuner to find your power, FIND A NEW ONE. If you can’t trust this person with a simple, very predictable power delivery, what do you expect from a turbo kit with more even more factors to tune and +70rwhp? Otherwise you’ll be back here asking the same question, an overbuilt $12k turbo setup for Uber reliability, and 231rwhp.

Don’t be that sad ass Hallmark movie Jerry… don’t be the socially awkward hot girl with glasses that’s scared to go to prom. Find your Jonathan Van Ness of tuning first and send it.

Yep, kraken manifold efr6258; but the most important thing for reliability is going to be your tune.