Why the f*** did I install a M45?
 

Well I started with a 1990 red, piece of shit Miata that I bought for 1500 bucks. I had never been happier about a car purchase. I bought one cause my Dad had one when I was growing up and it was awesome. I bought it because I always liked them, didn't really know about their performance, the following, blah blah blah etc.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

I started with M.net and the local tampa club. Got involved with CR and so on. The car got painted, wheels, etc, shit that doesn't matter.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

It would eventually get to this point.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

Cute, right? Well around this time I had bought a M45 supercharger and some band aids. I started doing maintenance on the car so it would be ready for all this crazy amount of boost I was gonna throw at it. :rofl:

I eventually got it on and running. The first day I ran it without any management. It was a bad situation and I was forced to do it. I watched my wideband and it never went too lean....:facepalm:

I installed a voodoo box and thought it was awesome. A week and a half later I realized it sucked and ordered a MS3X. I installed that and a FMIC when I saw my stupid high intake temps. 210 degrees brah! This was the set up
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

Then I decided to get rid of all this extra crap on the car. I needed money to pay for the MS3 and I didn't care for most of it anymore. This is how the car sits now.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

I hope to get rid of these stupid wheels soon. Damn things are too full of swag and they are holding me down.

My plans after were to buy a bigger crank, TDR tensioner and run a dual throttle body system or BOV system..... then it hit me... why the f*** did I want to spend another $500-$700 on this SC system and hit 170WHP... maybe... I spoke to a friend around 10pm, drove a day, then took it off the morning after. I don't think I have ever made a better decision about this car.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

Now its turbo time. My DIY set up isn't gonna be the greatest, but it will be a shit ton better than the M45 SC. Fun fact, I installed, did all the different set ups, and took the supercharger off inside of two months. Seriously, the thing didn't even last two months in the car. Here is the plan

MS3X
Wideband boost gauge
RX8 injectors (prolly the yellow ones)
Ilovetacotaco manifold
Brains eBay turbo
custom downpiepe
BOV, oil lines, etc, etc

Fun thing is this, I just replaced my clutch with a stock 1.8 set up. I thought I was gonna have a supercharger forever and that would last me. Well, I'm sort of stuck with that because I really don't want to replace another clutch. So this will limit the amount of boost I should run, unfortunately. :facepalm:

Anyway, those are the plans. Is it the best plan in the world? No, not at all. But it will be a budget set up that should redeem me for being a total dumbass and installing a SC on my car. :party:

Good for you man.

I literally did the same thing. Well, I actually never was going to stay supercharged, but decided to throw on a MP62 coldside blower til I got it turbo'd a few months later. Drove it for 1 or 2 days, then took it off a day later.

Turbo FTW

Solid post, and good ideas. I honestly don't understand why anyone would install a supercharger over a turbo unless it was for a very specific class of racing.

Well here is was my reasoning
1. I wanted just 150WHP
2. I didn't want to tap my oil pan
3. Turbos are unreliable
4. I wanted bolt on

I found out all of my reasoning was dumb. 150WHP on a SC isn't all it cracked up to be, I'm sure tapping my oil pan can't be that scary, turbos are way more reliable than a SC (stupid belts), and a turbo is bolt on.

Just got off the phone with a guy who is buying my old supercharger. It sold inside of a hour after posting it. Got a solid $825 to buy turbo parts.

Just make an offer to buy Brain's stuff, he's grumbling like he is going to put his car back to stock and sell off the parts anyway.

Good choice on ditching the M45, you are going to love the turbo :party:

Sounds like the same logic I was using when I first started looking into forced induction. I'm glad I did much more research before I pulled the trigger on any parts.

Except the MS. Best purchase I ever made for the Miata.

I also fooled myself into thinking "I just want to run 5-6 psi." :party:

What!? I was looking for the same turbo and found one. But it is oil cooled only and I thought that was strange.


Ya, I need more than that crap. Gonna run enough boost till the clutch slips!!!

Nothing wrong with oil cooled only. Plenty around that last forever. It's tried and true technology.

What clutch are you running now? If it's stock you're gonna slip at about ANY meaningful boost pressure.

Make it rain for him and watch as damp turbo parts start hitting the floor :rofl:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383886159

I have to ask...why the tacotaco manifold?

I can't multiquote because I suck, so I'll try and answer everything.

Is oil cooled ok? I'll pick it up then. I mean, its just $160 bucks.

It is a brand new stock 1.8 clutch and flywheel. I put in my large post that I thought I wouldn't go past a SC. Its now kicking me in the ass. I'm hoping to see a decent amount of power. If not, I'll bite the bullet and swap the clutch.

I don't think I can make it rain with a mere $800 bucks.

I'm going with the tacotaco because it is stupid cheap and tested to stay around. The thing that pushed me over the edge to do this was that I could do it all for the sale of the SC. I have to install this turbo for $800 bucks. Shouldn't be too hard to do.

$300 for turbo and manifold
$250~ for downpipe (I have no way to weld myself nor any knowledge. Gonna have to pay someone)
$250 for oil lines, fittings, BOV, etc.

Then I'll sell my fancy JDMtyte header and TDR heatshield for a little bit of extra cash.

Get singles. You don't know Brain very well :rofl:

http://static.fjcdn.com/large/pictur...df_1014865.jpg

Going to the bank to get my $800 dollars in singles...

Misread ignore.

I don't mean to be a dick... but did you read?

I know that my reasoning was false. That is why I put was

Also, my plan is posted in the OP.

I misunderstood the meaning of was since you did buy it after all. Anyways good luck to your journey to real power :D

For the jdm tyte manifold, check miatanet. They go nuts for shiny "upgrades" that dont make any power lol.

hahaha we're so used to n00bs being retarded that I bet every other person is going to haze you then realize you're actually doing the opposite and praise you

:giggle:

lol 18psi is right here, i admit i straight up screwed up when reading. Man its time for me to go to sleep.

Its ok, I deserve a bit of hazing for installing a supercharger. At least I made money off it. If I didn't sell my voodoo box and MSD box separately, I could have made more money. Oh well.

I bought my whole exhaust from a local guy. It is some JDm header with a flex pipe, has a JASMA stamp. Looks like a HKS something. Should go for a decent amount.

Turbo shopping spree goes down sunday!

Its ok, I understand that you guys go through a lot of noobs. :giggle:

Personally i'd look for a good manifold and downpipe though. The last thing you want is your local exhaust shop butcher making you a pipe that will rattle on every corner of the firewall.

I would definitely talk to Brain like he said though.

I talked with him recently and he's definitely going to part out that car. He's just super lazy, and the only way you can motivate him is with cash ;)

Getting his set up would be a lot easier than making a downpipe.


And a local guy is gonna make me a downpipe. He does REALLY good work.

There was an autotragic NA6 with a blown trans on CL out this way the other day for $500. I seriously considered buying it and waving cash at Brain for the churbo setup

I sent him a pm. If the price is right (which it probably will be) I will jump on it. Man, if this works out, it will be so much better than Ilovetacotaco build :P

Welcome to the other side of the tracks
:makeout:

I knew you would figure it out eventually.

I bought a functionally complete turbo kit with BEGI manifold, BEGI downpipe, 2.5" flyin' Miata midpipe and racing beat duals for $900 with engine hoist and an xede, tuning laptop, and two extra (questionable turbos) thown in for free. First choice, buy Brain's stuff. If you can't find that be patient and check craigslist and online forums for deals. Learn the difference between good stuff and crap and buy the good stuff for pennies when it hits.

Maybe I am just lucky but I bought several full turbo kits (to tailpipe) for less than a grand with injectors on craigslist and on this forum.

Don't get discouraged if he does not respond immediately, it usually takes 3-4 to get through :giggle:

I still can't explain why, goddamnit. But this rules.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1383882796

Anybody else notice this guy's story reads like every movie mad in the last 20 years?

They meet,
Car gets all gayed out ('cause he's hanging with the wrong crowd)
Reality sets in (and there was probably a big argument with lots of yelling he didn't mention)
Shit gets real (BS comes off car, it looks dirty etc.)
Now we're at the montage part where zee turbo goes in...

Nice little project man. The only problem I forsee is that stock 1.8 clutch, it's going to limit you to like 5psi. I know on my oem clutch it started slipping with wastegate pressure on my stock greddy setup. El terrible

It honestly makes me miss my NA. I always wanted one of those lips

I have one of those lips on my NA. I like it well enough, but we're going a bit more aggressive with that car.

I think i just really like this color green, and it's one of the few cars that doesn't look awful with a stripe.

Also:

Manly cheap clutch setup?

Planet-Miata.com - Your #1 source for Mazda Miata new and used parts and accessories.

The friend who bought my 95 pushed the stock MSM clutch I installed to 200hp with a GT2554R BEGI kit before it started slipping. Might check with the mazda-speed forum guys and see if someone has a solid used one for uber-cheap.

Or save your sheckles and buy an FM1 clutch. I <3 mine. That used one will also work, if you don't mind an unsprung puck job

The stock MSM clutch setup will hold a bit more than that, my guess is that his was already weak.

I think I literally learned to drive stick on that clutch, so I would tend to agree. :rofl:

Sounds like a good plan overall!

When I sold him the flywheel he is using I offered him my MSM clutch too for $50. Just satin. I still have it btw. I just need to check it to see if it's still in spec.

greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeen.

Welcome sir. Good luck with your trubo goals.

Welcome man! I knew I recognized your name from somewhere.... I joined up on Mazdaroadster.net yesterday and saw you post a bit over there lol

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I really liked my car, but it was just a bit too much. I'm gonna put a R lip on it and call it a day.

As for the clutch, ya, hind sight is 20 20. But It held the supercharger just fine, hoping it can hold a bit more. (At least till i want to upgrade it) If it can't, then it will go out when I get the funds.


I spoke to Brain and he doesn't plan on parting the car for another few months so operation Tactaco is a go! Spoke to the welder I want to use and he told me what I need to buy before we can get started.

He wants to do a 3 inch DP, but I don't think that would be the smartest move because it would be tough to fit. Must research....

inbefore3"exhaustmasterraceriot

Well I can do a 3 inch DP, but my exhaust isn't 3 inches. This is what I have so far for supplies

V-band adapter, T3 5 bolt (ford style) : atpturbo.com
2.5" Flex SS, 6" Long : atpturbo.com

My DP is going to be more expensive than the manifold and turbo :giggle:

3" exhaust> all

You can fix the rest of it later.

I have a 2554 that needs a rebuild kit in my garage.

Should I do a 3 inch DP? Wouldn't it be really tough to fit?

Isn't a 2554 a different type of flange? Already set on a T3 turbo for the taco manifold and custom DP.

How long have you been cruising the classifieds? Used quality manifolds come up every once in a while, although for a 1.6 they are more rare. Did you call FM to see if they have any NOS or used log manifolds left over? FM/BEGI quality can be had for ebay prices if you're patient.

And yes, a 2554 is a T2 flange. Same as the SR20 journal bearing turbo that I an many others run. <$100 for a genuine Garrett on zilvia.net all the time.

Maybe I missed it but I don't think you've outlined your current power goals. That suggests you haven't made one, or if you did, it's not very high. A 2.5" dp would be fine.

I forgot the manifold you had mentioned only comes in T3. I have a couple or three old T3s I'd be happy to lend you if you wanted to put something together. Or get the ~$150 Ebay T3/T4 that made DVCN famous.

DVCN is his user name on here. Here is my favorite video of his:

Taco - don't do it - put the cash to a real manifold

Would you rather have this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...823_165942-jpg

Or this? (Abe's handy work, only cost you $150 more)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...r-109_0694-jpg

Do Artech if you have time! I waited a while for my set-up but it was well worth it!!!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1384006512

This thread! I love it!

I think you are just a few miles from where I live. We should get together and :makeout:

I'm very active on the local TBM forum. I go out to most of the meets wednesday nights, lets meet up :giggle:

Also, I heard the taco manifold cracks if you don't put some relief cuts in it. Did you do that? Otherwise they are solid.

My SC sold today, $825 bucks! Also sold some daisies for $80. That gives me $900 DOLLARS FOR TURBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :party:

Hmm that an upwards manifold? Unless the wastegate exit points to the front.

Its a side mount. Getting the itch to get it installed lol should have it together late winter or early spring.




https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1384128572

well yeah sidemount but high mount. Either way pic explained what i was curious about.

Ahh I see what you were getting at now lol

If you are considering a 2554 size I may have a spare terboo and mannerfold for you to consider here locally. Cheap.

Man, I need to blow up this 1.6 and buy a 1.8....

Sell it to brain, put a pony on the box and he'll give you tons of sexual favors in return.