im new
my name is shawn
i turn 21 on november 8th.
i drive a 2002 chevy cavalier, only an intake.

i do not own a miata yet, HOWEVER, im picking one up when i get a job....

been doing some research and within the first month i have it, i want to boost it. i want to keep everything factory except for fuel pump, injectors, intake, exhaust, header, and MAYBE an ecu, idk yet. the internals are going to stay factory.

now

after this research i see that the miata can boost around 12psi-18psi [depending on turbo] pushing it up and around 250 horses 240 to be on the safe side....

correct me if i am wrong...

if i am correct, how long should i expect the motor to last if i just maintain it at that amount of power?

also, does anybody have vids of a 250hp boosted miata?
and what it is capable of trapping at the track?


btw, here are come pics of the cavy in case anybody is wondering.



















thanks for your replies in advance.

-shawn

 

Smart people do the ecu FIRST. If you get a car with a strong motor to start with, and then get it tuned by a professional that really knows tuning, it should last a long long time at about 12 psi. So when you're checking out cars, get at least a compression test donw before you buy. 250 whp could get you into the 12's with a good driver and set up. And nobody here cares about the cavalier.

 

so not all at the same time when its up on jackstands.....

and will 12psi get me to 240?...... thats my goal til i get out of college.

 

If you go with a standalone ecu (megasquirt, aem, adaptronic, etc...), which is a great idea, then you should get comfortable working with that and tuning it by yourself while in NA form, so you dont really mess anything up. You dont need jackstands to install that. Oh, and read some more threads, and you'll realize that installing an ecu includes setting up a wideband AFR.

Most likely, 12 psi will not get you 240 whp, but 15 should.

 

Tired as **** 1.6 @ 12psi and a 2.5" crush bent exhaust.



For the record though, while this is tons of fun out on the back roads, and might be fun on a track, I would have liked a broader powerband for a DD.

 

Go big or go home.

 

SHHHH both of you are newbs running in a damn circle jerk.

OK Shawn yes you can push mid 200 whp. And it can be done on moderate boost you just need to size the turbo appropriatly, and tune it to make power and be safe since you want this car to last you more than 4-5 mins. This being said, have you ever driven a car other than your cavalier or somebuddys mustang? If you drive it well a 200 whp miata will trap you in the 13's in the 1/4 mile and a 250 whp one will get you close to 12's if you are perfect with it. It will also breack loose when full accelerating from 60 mph in the rain in top gear at times on straight aways etc. So what i would do and, most any other person who has lived with a miata for a while or fast cars should tell you to do is begin a little bit slower.

Build the system to be 250 whp capable out of the box and dial back the boost until you can get used to the doubeling of power you just inflicted on it.

For the love of god do not expect the stock tires or even any tire in the stock size range to hold up to the abuse of a 250 whp miata unless it is a drag radial, slick, or you drive like a grandma. Good sticky rubber is a pretty critical safety feature when all the sudden you come up on a corner that you used to hit at 40 mph and you are now doing 80 or when you press the loud pedal and the *** end begins to move of its own accord you will wish you had more grip.

To build your system you need a budget, some mechanical know how and the cash to buy **** or pay some one to put it all together. It is not that hard and once you get past the basic math etc it can be applied to any other car out there. So take it as a good life lesson and learn as much as possible before you buy anything and, in the end you will be alot happier with your car and the size of your wallet.

 

<--------- has no clue how to tune :/

would 15psi be safe?

i already planned on lowering it and giving it new rims and tires.....

i have driven my brothers, now my room mates sr20det 240, that thing was fun on 8 lbs
i think it had **** tires though because that thing would go around in a heartbeat

 

trust me run it low and get used to it turning up the boost takes friggin 20 seconds to do on a turbo. The sr20 is a pretty apt comparison to what you want to do depending on your tune/build you can be comperable to him with the same psi to a point. If he ever turns the **** up and has a decent turbo and you are on stock motor his better head etc will pwn your power numbers but his car is also heavier than yours. By a couple hundred lbs atleast so it is a fair fight.

At 200 whp you will keep up with most unmodded lt1 camaros and unmodded foxbody mustangs you wont beat them but they wont leave you until 130 or so.

 

15psi can be safe on the right tune with the right size injectors sure

But you're not listening...start slowly and build your way up...look into getting your ecu sorted out first, then your clutch...

Then get your stuff together and get this going.

MOST OF ALL...research a bit more, this has all been answered maybe 15-20 million times

 

okie dokie, when the miata rolls into the garage, ill make a build thread and get opinions.
thanks for the advice everyone

 

If i was going for longevity, 10lbs on a 2560

Megasquirt
Wideband
Boost gauge
FMIC
Used manifold/downpipe or weld your own
Stronger clutch
rx7 460cc injectors cleaned a flow tested
MBC
Oil/water lines and fittings

So expect to spend around 2 grand if your finding sweet deals on used gear (which is still good).

 

2 grand sounds reasonable, however there are exceptions like me, lol but in all seriousness I went: Ecu and Wideband, Clutch, Injectors, then Turbo

Like most mentioned above take your time hunt around for good deals there everywhere.

 

wtf fine i wont help anyone else

 

Don't get so butthurt

 

Welcome to the forum - sell your cavalier asap.

 

Having a cavalier as a DD will mean you can do things right the first time on your Miata.

OP, I don't what you've done to the gods that you haven't been run off out of here yet. I suggest you read and comply with the newb sticky and read the DIY sticky.

 

Thanks for letting me borrow your car babe...but honestly I'd rather walk my happy *** to school.

 

Dammit, as soon as I saw that white Cavalier I was so hoping that I'd beat Damon into this thread....

 

Chevy Cavalier...the wannabe Corolla.