I am interested in purchasing a turbo for cheap and was unsure if this would be good for a Miata. I’m having a hard time idetifying it specifically. Hoping for some help

 

Probably a really old Airesearch T3. I would start by reading a ton on this site, figure out exactly what you want out of your turbo setup, then find a turbo that matches that and has been used before in a Miata, with off the shelf parts to fit it. If you really really want to use this junkyard turbo, then at least figure out inducer/exducer measurements on the hot and cold side, try to find specific info on it, etc. With just a picture of a compressor housing, my advice would be to pass on this random turbo, and find a used SR20 turbo and a cast manifold to match it.

 

Generally the best path is to base an entire turbo set up off an obsolete 80's turbo when $150 ebay turbos work better. Then spend countless hours welding and fabricating to make said 80's turbo work, then make 180whp. After alot of time or money, you will proudly be able to tell your buddies that you sucessfully grafted a volvo turbo on a miata.

But yes, it is a decent size (probably a standard .48 t3) and will probably bolt up to a t3 manifold. I think some volvos had an odd bolt pattern. If you want to weld and do the work, cool. If not, shuiend has a better option.

 

 

Depends on which Volvo turbo. Most make great power and spool stupid fast.
They do run hot though, to the point of glowing red hot, and high egt's.

 

SR20 turbo or Subaru TD04 are probably the best 'junkyard' turbo's.