fresh meat >:]
10-29-2010, 10:05 AM
#21
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,660
Total Cats: 3,011
Trees > Cavaliers
My prediction: The OP is going to blow his engine up pretty quickly.
He is fixated on a horsepower number and a gauge pressure number and doesn't know enough. People have blown their engines up on less than 200whp with a poor setup and/or poor tune. He doesn't know that 8psi on a large turbo can yield as much power output as 15psi on a small turbo and he is hung up on numbers he doesn't yet understand.
As a kid, he has a "right now" impatience and is brimming with uncontrolled enthusiasm, which is normal and good. If he focuses his attention on learning about how things work before starting to buy parts or modify things he will do well. But doing things well involves more than just bolting a few parts together and hoping it works. He should invest some energy in reading the stickied FAQ thread and studying some of the build threads to see what trial and error has wrought. He should also be cautioned about the weak rear differentials in certain models and the need for periphery upgrades to certain drivetrain components.
OP, please make a habit of using capitalization and punctuation in your quest to compose your thoughts for others as it aids in comprehension by your intended audience. We are happy that you have joined us and would like to see you develop a mastery of the subject. Please put your location in your profile so that is shows up under your screen name so that others who may be local to you might offer you some assistance or parts.
Good luck.
My prediction: The OP is going to blow his engine up pretty quickly.
He is fixated on a horsepower number and a gauge pressure number and doesn't know enough. People have blown their engines up on less than 200whp with a poor setup and/or poor tune. He doesn't know that 8psi on a large turbo can yield as much power output as 15psi on a small turbo and he is hung up on numbers he doesn't yet understand.
As a kid, he has a "right now" impatience and is brimming with uncontrolled enthusiasm, which is normal and good. If he focuses his attention on learning about how things work before starting to buy parts or modify things he will do well. But doing things well involves more than just bolting a few parts together and hoping it works. He should invest some energy in reading the stickied FAQ thread and studying some of the build threads to see what trial and error has wrought. He should also be cautioned about the weak rear differentials in certain models and the need for periphery upgrades to certain drivetrain components.
OP, please make a habit of using capitalization and punctuation in your quest to compose your thoughts for others as it aids in comprehension by your intended audience. We are happy that you have joined us and would like to see you develop a mastery of the subject. Please put your location in your profile so that is shows up under your screen name so that others who may be local to you might offer you some assistance or parts.
Good luck.
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0
0
10-29-2010, 04:29 PM
#28
Shawn, read up on this site. The advice your getting from those telling you to pace yourself and go at it in steps are doing you a favor.
In one regard, it's the safe and smart way to do things. You'll learn alot, which will help you exponentially as you continue building. It's not hard to build and maintain a reliable 250whp Miata, it's just easier to build a pile of **** and more likely if you ignore good solid advice from those that have been there done that, then done it better.
In addition, you'll get to 1st hand experience your car's transformation as it progresses from mild to wild. And you'll be able to realize how your particular mod enhanced/degraded the performance of it, and thsu the vbalue of it and furthermore the direction it'll move you in.
The wisest thing has been posted. First things first, GET one. 1.6's (90-93) are plentiful and owner's have really been pushing them hard, they also typically carry a lower entry fee into the Miata world. However 1.8's (94+)have many advantages that you'll find yourself upgrading to. Big things like brakes, differentials, and of course displacement (yes .2L makes a diff).
I think a wise starting point would be a 94-95 year. Has the advantages of a 1.8, while maintaining things like oil feed port on the exhaust side of the block, and a real oil pressure gauge. But read up on it, miata.net has a pretty good buyer's guide.
Then as mentioned, work your way in. Start with performing tests to gauge the health of the car overall, routine maint items, etc.. Then get a Megasquirt (ecu). It'll allow you to extract a tad more power out of it, but more importantly its one of if not the most important aspects of reaching your goal of maintaining 250whp. Once thats done, tires. Then clutch, etc... And keep in mind, whatever your budget is, you will likely go over. DOing it this way will also allow you to find killer deals on needed parts.
This HP goal--let it be for a minute, or move it way down on the priority list. It's very likely that you'll be quite surprised with how hard this car can run at 200hp. Then again at 225, 250, etc. I promise, you will not get into a 200whp Miata for your first time and be left disenchanted. The reason you see alot of higher hp builds is because people have already hit the lower goals, and after a good bit of enjoyment and mastering--are now looking for more. Their cars are up to it, the driver is up to it. Chances are stepping straight into a 250+whp Miata would either leave you with dirty draws, a totalled car, or both.
In short, take it easy. We're all pumped, and ready to build THE best car we can think of. Our to-do lists are all never ending, our questions or theories are compunded, and our adrenaline is pumping. But all that is useless if you don't do your homework. Homework means more than asking for advice, sending a paypal and torquing down a few bolts.
This is coming from someone who was EXACTLY in your shoes. And did exactly the opposite of what's be advised to you, and is now, starting over with 2nd build and doing it right. Luckily I didn't blow anything up. but I nearly sold everything out of frustration as I tried to combine way too many things, with way too lofty goals, with way too little knowledge/experience.
I'm currently converting my car back to NA with a good solid platform, sold all my turbo stuff, and used the money in brakes/suspension/and all other supporting mods. And I'm more excited DEpowering it, as I was powering it. I bit off more than I could chew, and barely got to enjoy the car at all after all the money and time. I was chasing problems, and becoming very frustrated as one thing after another prevented me from really getting into it. Same will be of your case (or worse) if you just take the instant gratification approach. Regardless of what you think, or what your buddy says/knows, etc..
Now that I'm going NA, I'll put all effort into getting to know my ECU, and my car, any my ability--then set a good solid goal, and once I acheive it and feel I'm ready to move forward, I'll increase the goal. Making power is really not hard, doing it the right way is the skill.
I've now officially killed enough time at work to go on break, thank ya much
LISTEN / LEARN / DO
In one regard, it's the safe and smart way to do things. You'll learn alot, which will help you exponentially as you continue building. It's not hard to build and maintain a reliable 250whp Miata, it's just easier to build a pile of **** and more likely if you ignore good solid advice from those that have been there done that, then done it better.
In addition, you'll get to 1st hand experience your car's transformation as it progresses from mild to wild. And you'll be able to realize how your particular mod enhanced/degraded the performance of it, and thsu the vbalue of it and furthermore the direction it'll move you in.
The wisest thing has been posted. First things first, GET one. 1.6's (90-93) are plentiful and owner's have really been pushing them hard, they also typically carry a lower entry fee into the Miata world. However 1.8's (94+)have many advantages that you'll find yourself upgrading to. Big things like brakes, differentials, and of course displacement (yes .2L makes a diff).
I think a wise starting point would be a 94-95 year. Has the advantages of a 1.8, while maintaining things like oil feed port on the exhaust side of the block, and a real oil pressure gauge. But read up on it, miata.net has a pretty good buyer's guide.
Then as mentioned, work your way in. Start with performing tests to gauge the health of the car overall, routine maint items, etc.. Then get a Megasquirt (ecu). It'll allow you to extract a tad more power out of it, but more importantly its one of if not the most important aspects of reaching your goal of maintaining 250whp. Once thats done, tires. Then clutch, etc... And keep in mind, whatever your budget is, you will likely go over. DOing it this way will also allow you to find killer deals on needed parts.
This HP goal--let it be for a minute, or move it way down on the priority list. It's very likely that you'll be quite surprised with how hard this car can run at 200hp. Then again at 225, 250, etc. I promise, you will not get into a 200whp Miata for your first time and be left disenchanted. The reason you see alot of higher hp builds is because people have already hit the lower goals, and after a good bit of enjoyment and mastering--are now looking for more. Their cars are up to it, the driver is up to it. Chances are stepping straight into a 250+whp Miata would either leave you with dirty draws, a totalled car, or both.
In short, take it easy. We're all pumped, and ready to build THE best car we can think of. Our to-do lists are all never ending, our questions or theories are compunded, and our adrenaline is pumping. But all that is useless if you don't do your homework. Homework means more than asking for advice, sending a paypal and torquing down a few bolts.
This is coming from someone who was EXACTLY in your shoes. And did exactly the opposite of what's be advised to you, and is now, starting over with 2nd build and doing it right. Luckily I didn't blow anything up. but I nearly sold everything out of frustration as I tried to combine way too many things, with way too lofty goals, with way too little knowledge/experience.
I'm currently converting my car back to NA with a good solid platform, sold all my turbo stuff, and used the money in brakes/suspension/and all other supporting mods. And I'm more excited DEpowering it, as I was powering it. I bit off more than I could chew, and barely got to enjoy the car at all after all the money and time. I was chasing problems, and becoming very frustrated as one thing after another prevented me from really getting into it. Same will be of your case (or worse) if you just take the instant gratification approach. Regardless of what you think, or what your buddy says/knows, etc..
Now that I'm going NA, I'll put all effort into getting to know my ECU, and my car, any my ability--then set a good solid goal, and once I acheive it and feel I'm ready to move forward, I'll increase the goal. Making power is really not hard, doing it the right way is the skill.
I've now officially killed enough time at work to go on break, thank ya much
LISTEN / LEARN / DO
Reply
0
0
10-29-2010, 04:38 PM
#29
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 67
Total Cats: 0
wow, good reply :]
made me really think to myself.
i know i will **** things up
i know i will do things wrong, therefore i should take advice and get help that is needed.
hmm
do you know if anybody stays in vegas?
thats where im at.
made me really think to myself.
i know i will **** things up
i know i will do things wrong, therefore i should take advice and get help that is needed.
hmm
do you know if anybody stays in vegas?
thats where im at.
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0
0
10-29-2010, 05:10 PM
#30
You should do things in this order:
-ECU (MegaSquirt) and WBO2
TUNE
-Bigger injectors
TUNE
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6L car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
TUNE
-Turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
TUNE
TUNE
and TUNE AGAIN
Regap plugs or build a COPS setup
-open 3" exhaust
TUNE
-Turn up boost in increments
TUNE
LAUGH LIKE A MAD MAN
Repeat
I hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...I did it this way, and it was nice because when I got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
-ECU (MegaSquirt) and WBO2
TUNE
-Bigger injectors
TUNE
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6L car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
TUNE
-Turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
TUNE
TUNE
and TUNE AGAIN
Regap plugs or build a COPS setup
-open 3" exhaust
TUNE
-Turn up boost in increments
TUNE
LAUGH LIKE A MAD MAN
Repeat
I hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...I did it this way, and it was nice because when I got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
Reply
0
0
10-29-2010, 05:35 PM
#31
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,660
Total Cats: 3,011
you should do things in this order:
put your location in your profile so it shows under your screen name!
-ecu (megasquirt) and wbo2
tune
-bigger injectors
tune
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6l car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
tune
-turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
tune
tune
and tune again
regap plugs or build a cops setup
-open 3" exhaust
tune
-turn up boost in increments
tune
laugh like a mad man
repeat
i hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...i did it this way, and it was nice because when i got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
put your location in your profile so it shows under your screen name!
-ecu (megasquirt) and wbo2
tune
-bigger injectors
tune
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6l car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
tune
-turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
tune
tune
and tune again
regap plugs or build a cops setup
-open 3" exhaust
tune
-turn up boost in increments
tune
laugh like a mad man
repeat
i hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...i did it this way, and it was nice because when i got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
Reply
0
0
10-29-2010, 06:50 PM
#32
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 67
Total Cats: 0
You should do things in this order:
-ECU (MegaSquirt) and WBO2
TUNE
-Bigger injectors
TUNE
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6L car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
TUNE
-Turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
TUNE
TUNE
and TUNE AGAIN
Regap plugs or build a COPS setup
-open 3" exhaust
TUNE
-Turn up boost in increments
TUNE
LAUGH LIKE A MAD MAN
Repeat
I hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...I did it this way, and it was nice because when I got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
-ECU (MegaSquirt) and WBO2
TUNE
-Bigger injectors
TUNE
-real clutch
-7" diff if you bought a 1.6L car to start with
-interfooler (this is a mounted intercooler with an air filter, not a compressor outlet, at the far end)
TUNE
-Turbo hardware set at wastegate boost (~5-7psi)
TUNE
TUNE
and TUNE AGAIN
Regap plugs or build a COPS setup
-open 3" exhaust
TUNE
-Turn up boost in increments
TUNE
LAUGH LIKE A MAD MAN
Repeat
I hope you notice the pattern there.
Seriously though...I did it this way, and it was nice because when I got to boostin' there was nothing holding me back. It's all about supporting hardware (and a good tune).
laugh like a mad man, bahahah
when i get into all of this will you guys help me and walk me through what my maps should look like and stuff?
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0
0
10-30-2010, 10:03 AM
#33
It's scary how this community helps each other. Earn respect and seperate yourself from the typical wannabe spoon fed newb, and you'll have gained personal knowledge as well as a HUGE resource of members here that will get you through anything you can think of.
Get yourself stuck or in a bind because you were hard headed and ignored all this good advice, and people will literally laugh their asses off at your agony
Get yourself stuck or in a bind because you were hard headed and ignored all this good advice, and people will literally laugh their asses off at your agony
Reply
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0
10-30-2010, 10:15 AM
#34
I'm a terrible person
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
This thread surprised me... OP you are lucky.
It seems you understand that you need to do more research, and seem to be open to advice, which is what probably saved you from securing your fate as this weeks entertainment.
I will tell you from experience, I 100% agree with taking things in steps like the suggestions above. Most people will agree a healthy 94' is a great place to start.
First thing to go should be the stock ECU. Replace that with a Megasquirt as you can find the answers to just about any question by browsing the MS section of this forum.
Good luck (oh and sell all that aftermarket waste of money on your cavalier to fund you miata project.)
It seems you understand that you need to do more research, and seem to be open to advice, which is what probably saved you from securing your fate as this weeks entertainment.
I will tell you from experience, I 100% agree with taking things in steps like the suggestions above. Most people will agree a healthy 94' is a great place to start.
First thing to go should be the stock ECU. Replace that with a Megasquirt as you can find the answers to just about any question by browsing the MS section of this forum.
Good luck (oh and sell all that aftermarket waste of money on your cavalier to fund you miata project.)
Reply
0
0
10-30-2010, 02:04 PM
#35
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 67
Total Cats: 0
This thread surprised me... OP you are lucky.
It seems you understand that you need to do more research, and seem to be open to advice, which is what probably saved you from securing your fate as this weeks entertainment.
I will tell you from experience, I 100% agree with taking things in steps like the suggestions above. Most people will agree a healthy 94' is a great place to start.
First thing to go should be the stock ECU. Replace that with a Megasquirt as you can find the answers to just about any question by browsing the MS section of this forum.
Good luck (oh and sell all that aftermarket waste of money on your cavalier to fund you miata project.)
It seems you understand that you need to do more research, and seem to be open to advice, which is what probably saved you from securing your fate as this weeks entertainment.
I will tell you from experience, I 100% agree with taking things in steps like the suggestions above. Most people will agree a healthy 94' is a great place to start.
First thing to go should be the stock ECU. Replace that with a Megasquirt as you can find the answers to just about any question by browsing the MS section of this forum.
Good luck (oh and sell all that aftermarket waste of money on your cavalier to fund you miata project.)
ill get the megasquirt first but i am just afraid that i will mess something up when i start to tweak with it.....
the only thing really tune is
a] pocket bikes/lownmowers ..... 2 stroke stuff
b] my 350z on nfsu2
lol
so ill need help until i can trust myself andlearn what i am doing and get the hang of it.
as for the aftermarket on the cavy, i have a good $500 on exterior that i could sell, not much but hey, it will do its job
but i learned something while adding looks to the cavy, i don't get peoples attention as they don't care what the car looks like.... only people with cavy's really dig the look.
so
with that being said, the miata is going to stay factory except for rims and lowering.
thats another thing...... i had an all out rice stage with the cavy. NEVER AGAIN. i cut the springs, had a fat *** body kit, primered it all out..... **** was bad. let me try to pull a few pics.
i will NEVER treat a car like that again..... thats when i was a stupid little teenager thinking i could do everything to a car lol.
anyways
yeah, the miata is going to stay stock, MAYBE just a hardtop, dunno yet.
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0
11-18-2010, 03:22 PM
#37
95 doesn't have a real oil pressure gauge it's stupid dummy gauge.
Shawn, read up on this site. The advice your getting from those telling you to pace yourself and go at it in steps are doing you a favor.
In one regard, it's the safe and smart way to do things. You'll learn alot, which will help you exponentially as you continue building. It's not hard to build and maintain a reliable 250whp Miata, it's just easier to build a pile of **** and more likely if you ignore good solid advice from those that have been there done that, then done it better.
In addition, you'll get to 1st hand experience your car's transformation as it progresses from mild to wild. And you'll be able to realize how your particular mod enhanced/degraded the performance of it, and thsu the vbalue of it and furthermore the direction it'll move you in.
The wisest thing has been posted. First things first, GET one. 1.6's (90-93) are plentiful and owner's have really been pushing them hard, they also typically carry a lower entry fee into the Miata world. However 1.8's (94+)have many advantages that you'll find yourself upgrading to. Big things like brakes, differentials, and of course displacement (yes .2L makes a diff).
I think a wise starting point would be a 94-95 year. Has the advantages of a 1.8, while maintaining things like oil feed port on the exhaust side of the block, and a real oil pressure gauge. But read up on it, miata.net has a pretty good buyer's guide.
Then as mentioned, work your way in. Start with performing tests to gauge the health of the car overall, routine maint items, etc.. Then get a Megasquirt (ecu). It'll allow you to extract a tad more power out of it, but more importantly its one of if not the most important aspects of reaching your goal of maintaining 250whp. Once thats done, tires. Then clutch, etc... And keep in mind, whatever your budget is, you will likely go over. DOing it this way will also allow you to find killer deals on needed parts.
This HP goal--let it be for a minute, or move it way down on the priority list. It's very likely that you'll be quite surprised with how hard this car can run at 200hp. Then again at 225, 250, etc. I promise, you will not get into a 200whp Miata for your first time and be left disenchanted. The reason you see alot of higher hp builds is because people have already hit the lower goals, and after a good bit of enjoyment and mastering--are now looking for more. Their cars are up to it, the driver is up to it. Chances are stepping straight into a 250+whp Miata would either leave you with dirty draws, a totalled car, or both.
In short, take it easy. We're all pumped, and ready to build THE best car we can think of. Our to-do lists are all never ending, our questions or theories are compunded, and our adrenaline is pumping. But all that is useless if you don't do your homework. Homework means more than asking for advice, sending a paypal and torquing down a few bolts.
This is coming from someone who was EXACTLY in your shoes. And did exactly the opposite of what's be advised to you, and is now, starting over with 2nd build and doing it right. Luckily I didn't blow anything up. but I nearly sold everything out of frustration as I tried to combine way too many things, with way too lofty goals, with way too little knowledge/experience.
I'm currently converting my car back to NA with a good solid platform, sold all my turbo stuff, and used the money in brakes/suspension/and all other supporting mods. And I'm more excited DEpowering it, as I was powering it. I bit off more than I could chew, and barely got to enjoy the car at all after all the money and time. I was chasing problems, and becoming very frustrated as one thing after another prevented me from really getting into it. Same will be of your case (or worse) if you just take the instant gratification approach. Regardless of what you think, or what your buddy says/knows, etc..
Now that I'm going NA, I'll put all effort into getting to know my ECU, and my car, any my ability--then set a good solid goal, and once I acheive it and feel I'm ready to move forward, I'll increase the goal. Making power is really not hard, doing it the right way is the skill.
I've now officially killed enough time at work to go on break, thank ya much
LISTEN / LEARN / DO
In one regard, it's the safe and smart way to do things. You'll learn alot, which will help you exponentially as you continue building. It's not hard to build and maintain a reliable 250whp Miata, it's just easier to build a pile of **** and more likely if you ignore good solid advice from those that have been there done that, then done it better.
In addition, you'll get to 1st hand experience your car's transformation as it progresses from mild to wild. And you'll be able to realize how your particular mod enhanced/degraded the performance of it, and thsu the vbalue of it and furthermore the direction it'll move you in.
The wisest thing has been posted. First things first, GET one. 1.6's (90-93) are plentiful and owner's have really been pushing them hard, they also typically carry a lower entry fee into the Miata world. However 1.8's (94+)have many advantages that you'll find yourself upgrading to. Big things like brakes, differentials, and of course displacement (yes .2L makes a diff).
I think a wise starting point would be a 94-95 year. Has the advantages of a 1.8, while maintaining things like oil feed port on the exhaust side of the block, and a real oil pressure gauge. But read up on it, miata.net has a pretty good buyer's guide.
Then as mentioned, work your way in. Start with performing tests to gauge the health of the car overall, routine maint items, etc.. Then get a Megasquirt (ecu). It'll allow you to extract a tad more power out of it, but more importantly its one of if not the most important aspects of reaching your goal of maintaining 250whp. Once thats done, tires. Then clutch, etc... And keep in mind, whatever your budget is, you will likely go over. DOing it this way will also allow you to find killer deals on needed parts.
This HP goal--let it be for a minute, or move it way down on the priority list. It's very likely that you'll be quite surprised with how hard this car can run at 200hp. Then again at 225, 250, etc. I promise, you will not get into a 200whp Miata for your first time and be left disenchanted. The reason you see alot of higher hp builds is because people have already hit the lower goals, and after a good bit of enjoyment and mastering--are now looking for more. Their cars are up to it, the driver is up to it. Chances are stepping straight into a 250+whp Miata would either leave you with dirty draws, a totalled car, or both.
In short, take it easy. We're all pumped, and ready to build THE best car we can think of. Our to-do lists are all never ending, our questions or theories are compunded, and our adrenaline is pumping. But all that is useless if you don't do your homework. Homework means more than asking for advice, sending a paypal and torquing down a few bolts.
This is coming from someone who was EXACTLY in your shoes. And did exactly the opposite of what's be advised to you, and is now, starting over with 2nd build and doing it right. Luckily I didn't blow anything up. but I nearly sold everything out of frustration as I tried to combine way too many things, with way too lofty goals, with way too little knowledge/experience.
I'm currently converting my car back to NA with a good solid platform, sold all my turbo stuff, and used the money in brakes/suspension/and all other supporting mods. And I'm more excited DEpowering it, as I was powering it. I bit off more than I could chew, and barely got to enjoy the car at all after all the money and time. I was chasing problems, and becoming very frustrated as one thing after another prevented me from really getting into it. Same will be of your case (or worse) if you just take the instant gratification approach. Regardless of what you think, or what your buddy says/knows, etc..
Now that I'm going NA, I'll put all effort into getting to know my ECU, and my car, any my ability--then set a good solid goal, and once I acheive it and feel I'm ready to move forward, I'll increase the goal. Making power is really not hard, doing it the right way is the skill.
I've now officially killed enough time at work to go on break, thank ya much
LISTEN / LEARN / DO
Reply
0
0
