Thanks for all of the input guys. I Will check everything you guys mentioned this weekend.
Regarding the TB shaft pivot points, I did spray them down with some brake cleaner but it I didn't have this issue the first time I got the car running although I still had a relatively high idle (1300 rpm).

I blocked off both Egr holes on the intake manifold.

If I don't have a leak down tester can I just use a boost leak tester to pressurize the system?

 

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If I don't have a leak down tester can I just use a boost leak tester to pressurize the system?

Booster hose fitting or manifold side of PCV would both work. Just make sure the air line pressure regular is turned to 10 or 20 psi or less. You just need to listen for air flow and really don't need much pressure.

 

If you have access to a smoke machine, that would be your best bet. Maybe they rent them?

 

Just wanted to add, 99 00 idle valve all the way open I saw high 4000s, close to 5k idle. Would rule that out if you haven't already.

 

I dont know how I missed this. SMH BUT I am sooo relieved to have figured out the cause. Turns out I ordered the wrong year gasket.

 

Same issue I had.

Thank god I am no longer the only retard on this forum.

 

Heh.

Glad you finally found the culprit.

 

I was really hoping it wasnt the IM gasket but taking the manifold off wasnt as bad as I thought. I started the boost leak tester and there was absolutely no pressure building up. The other test I did was closing the throttle body and idle screw and the car still started and revved up to 4k. That's when I knew.

 

post of the week.

 

Why idle at 5000rpm?

Because racecar!!!!!!!

 

x2

 

hey, at least it was an error by the mechanic

 

Car started fine today and idled at ~1500rpm for about 10 seconds. Thank you miataturbo folks. Still need to set the base timing and fix a coolant leak coming from the metal pipe coming from the heater core into the water pump outlet.

The real problem now is that Tunerstudio wont connect to the ECU all of a sudden. wth!