The beginning of a turbo project..
 

So I picked up this '96 Miata for $800. I really didnt need another car, but I could definitely use the drivetrain and whatever other various bits on it and part the rest of it out.

It really needs new tires, but other than that, an oil change, valve cover gasket, and crappy body is all that keeps it from being complete. A/C blows frigid, has working power windows, ABS, cruise control, some stereo stuff, and whatever else. I gave it a quick wash and cleaned the wheels up as best as I could after pics too.

My friend is going to DD it for a bit, then when he finishes his 2JZ/S14 swap, I'm going to take the drivetrain. I'd like to just put low compression pistons, a metal head gasket, and ARP studs on it and leave the rest of the engine alone. I'll be swapping the rest of the drivetrain except for the differential (its not a Torsen) over to my 93. I'd like to find just a 6 speed Torsen, since I can use the rest off the car for the conversion.

As for a turbo setup...same friend wont be using the stock 2JZ twins, so I'd like do use both, even though I might end up using just one or just getting a conventional setup like a T28 or T3 like I should.

Attachment 204098
Attachment 204099
Attachment 204100
Attachment 204101
Attachment 204102
Attachment 204103
Attachment 204104
Attachment 204105
Attachment 204106

looks like a good deal.

Why change the pistons when the rods are the weak point? How much power are you going for, and what sort of condition is that engine in? I'm assuming it will need a rebuild either way.

car needs lots of work but for 800 its a great deal and a good project.

For more boost friendly compression, and I dont plan on boosting enough to necessitate aftermarket rods.

Engine has 150k on it, and I'd turbo my 1.6 over the 1.8 as far as condition of each engine goes. Long story short, the 1.6 has a short nose crank and I'd prefer the minute torque advantage of the 1.8 anyways.

I dont have a power goal for it, just "whatever these parts gets me" goal really. All of my friends are yelling at me about using the CT-12b turbos instead of a conventional setup, so I may just get a Begi manifold, T25/T28, and keep it simple after all. However, I do love my Magnaflow catback and would love to keep it, so I do plan on doing a dual 2.25" exhaust setup instead of a full 3". It might actually have more room that way anyways in some places.

If you change the pistons, change the rods. Might get a good package price, you'll do it while you have the engine apart anyway, and chanses are good that you will reach a point when they are needed. Turbo projects always do :)

Thats a good deal but the car does need alot of work

Ugh, I hope I dont get that far, especially on a DD. That would make the diff the next weak point I think.

No use in doing pistons if you aren't also going to do rods. A completely stock motor with a good tune could probably go forever at about 200whp. That is more than enough to blow up your 1.6 diff. I would also swap over that 1.8 diff even if it is open, because you wont blow it up easily like the 1.6.

Yeah, I really should. I thought the NA's 1.8 had stronger rods, but even still, it'd be dumb to replace pistons and not rods.

The 1.6 diff goes under stock power, and I dont trust it at all. I meant the next weak link would be the 1.8 diff.

Yeah the 96's is open (as I checked the first time I saw it in a parking lot), plus the passenger tire has far more wear than the driver side. I'm not going to swap an open diff into my car though...IMO that's just dumb. I wanted a 6 speed's 3.9 ratio anyways, so I'll just get the Torsen and use everything else from the 96.

On a side note, who wants to buy a 4.1 1.8 open diff? lol.