Looking to build a street monster.
#1
Looking to build a street monster.
I bought my first Miata about 3 months ago (92 Nardi edition Black/Tan) and I'm very interested in turning it into a street monster. I'm new to forums and I'm not really all that informed when it comes to cars. I'll try to post some pics of her shortly.
She's got some minor mods to her already, things like exhaust and aftermarket shocks with some camber to them, lighter flywheel, better wheels and tires than stock.she just hit 90k. some things I've noticed is that when it's cold out she sequels very loudly for a second or two on acceleration and that the shifter shakes sometimes when I'm changing gears.
My goal with her is to turn heads and impress. Whether it just be cruising town or seeing if I can keep up with/pass a corvette or mustang on the highway.
I've come across this site:http://miata.turbomirage.com/turbo_miata_mods.html
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
any advice or input would be greatly appreciated and I'm trying my best to learn all I can.
She's got some minor mods to her already, things like exhaust and aftermarket shocks with some camber to them, lighter flywheel, better wheels and tires than stock.she just hit 90k. some things I've noticed is that when it's cold out she sequels very loudly for a second or two on acceleration and that the shifter shakes sometimes when I'm changing gears.
My goal with her is to turn heads and impress. Whether it just be cruising town or seeing if I can keep up with/pass a corvette or mustang on the highway.
I've come across this site:http://miata.turbomirage.com/turbo_miata_mods.html
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
any advice or input would be greatly appreciated and I'm trying my best to learn all I can.
#2
I bought my first Miata about 3 months ago (92 Nardi edition Black/Tan) and I'm very interested in turning it into a street monster. I'm new to forums and I'm not really all that informed when it comes to cars. I'll try to post some pics of her shortly.
She's got some minor mods to her already, things like exhaust and aftermarket shocks with some camber to them, lighter flywheel, better wheels and tires than stock.she just hit 90k. some things I've noticed is that when it's cold out she sequels very loudly for a second or two on acceleration and that the shifter shakes sometimes when I'm changing gears.
My goal with her is to turn heads and impress. Whether it just be cruising town or seeing if I can keep up with/pass a corvette or mustang on the highway.
I've come across this site:http://miata.turbomirage.com/turbo_miata_mods.html
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
any advice or input would be greatly appreciated and I'm trying my best to learn all I can.
She's got some minor mods to her already, things like exhaust and aftermarket shocks with some camber to them, lighter flywheel, better wheels and tires than stock.she just hit 90k. some things I've noticed is that when it's cold out she sequels very loudly for a second or two on acceleration and that the shifter shakes sometimes when I'm changing gears.
My goal with her is to turn heads and impress. Whether it just be cruising town or seeing if I can keep up with/pass a corvette or mustang on the highway.
I've come across this site:http://miata.turbomirage.com/turbo_miata_mods.html
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
any advice or input would be greatly appreciated and I'm trying my best to learn all I can.
You want to go turbo but not that good with cars? Drop your NA off at Flyin Miata, have them put a turbo on it and install a 94+ torsen diff. Write a check and call it a day.
The squeal is probably your serpintine belt. Drop it off at goodyear, write a check, and call it a day. The shifter shake is probably just drivetrain vibration.
If it were MY money, I'd learn how to work on cars, and make my own turbo setup, replace my timing belt/waterpump/serpintine belt, and make a better car for less money.
#4
Boost Pope
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aftermarket shocks with some camber to them,
I just hope that by "some camber" you're not looking for hellaflush.
I've come across this site:http://miata.turbomirage.com/turbo_miata_mods.html
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
that's pretty much how i want my Miata. Is that what I should shoot for or should I go a different route? My budget is going to be about 10k for the whole project.
So much to say here... Most of it is covered in stickys and whatnot. If you're interested in serious power, you will need to replace the diff (and axles and propshaft) with those from a '94 or later car. The ring & pinion gears in the '90-'93 Miatas are made out of soft cheese.
#5
My advise: Use this forum, miata.net, and howstuffworks.com to figure out basic car mechanics. Do the work yourself.
Piece a turbo setup together from the for sale section and forum sponsors. If you want to compete with corvettes, it's probably not gonna happen. Mustangs are within reach though. If you want to get serious, prepare to have to change your 5speed to a 6speed, and change the rear end ratio.
#6
First, Welcome to the forum! Glad to see some excited members. There is a couple of guys down in Las Cruces (stock and 99mx5), so see if you can get in touch with them for some wrenching assistance.
read a lot. I mean a lot. Shuiend had some book he suggested turbo newbs read by Corky Bell, but I can't remember the name. So hopefully he will chime in.
Other than that, you will get the hang of things, just start out small and move on to biggger/more difficult things. Lastly, I would suggest you get your ECU up and running before you put the turbo on.
read a lot. I mean a lot. Shuiend had some book he suggested turbo newbs read by Corky Bell, but I can't remember the name. So hopefully he will chime in.
Other than that, you will get the hang of things, just start out small and move on to biggger/more difficult things. Lastly, I would suggest you get your ECU up and running before you put the turbo on.
#7
Thanks for that info, Joe. the rear wheels are slightly like /---\ and one of my friends said that was camber. the front tires are regular. I'm reading sticky threads right now.
would it just be more cost effective to purchase a 94 instead of working on the 92?
Also, I'm not a big fan of driving to Colorado, Scott lol
I'll google those books, Track.
would it just be more cost effective to purchase a 94 instead of working on the 92?
Also, I'm not a big fan of driving to Colorado, Scott lol
I'll google those books, Track.
#8
Thanks for that info, Joe. the rear wheels are slightly like /---\ and one of my friends said that was camber. the front tires are regular. I'm reading sticky threads right now.
would it just be more cost effective to purchase a 94 instead of working on the 92?
Also, I'm not a big fan of driving to Colorado, Scott lol
I'll google those books, Track.
would it just be more cost effective to purchase a 94 instead of working on the 92?
Also, I'm not a big fan of driving to Colorado, Scott lol
I'll google those books, Track.
#10
Boost Pope
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Lastly, I would suggest you get your ECU up and running before you put the turbo on.
Just wanted to make sure you weren't aiming for something like this:
would it just be more cost effective to purchase a 94 instead of working on the 92?
Last edited by shuiend; 01-05-2012 at 10:21 PM.
#11
Lastly, I would suggest you get your ECU up and running before you put the turbo on.
and as for that pic, hell no I dont want that. i've probably got the -2°
also, if I've got a bit of help from a mechanically inclined friend and a "Can do!" attitude about how much do you estimate it would cost to hit the 200-250 max recommended rwhp?
Last edited by curly; 01-06-2012 at 09:09 AM.
#12
-Begi S4 kit: $3,680
-3" exhaust
-Megasquirt MS3X ECU (>$475 from diyautotune.com)
-6 speed
-Clutch that will take the power (Flyin' Miata level one is good for 318ft/lb, but you'll also need a flywheel from a 1.8 to make it work)
-94+ Torsen diff
-Other miscalculation junk
-3" exhaust
-Megasquirt MS3X ECU (>$475 from diyautotune.com)
-6 speed
-Clutch that will take the power (Flyin' Miata level one is good for 318ft/lb, but you'll also need a flywheel from a 1.8 to make it work)
-94+ Torsen diff
-Other miscalculation junk
#13
Boost Pope
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Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
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If you want to break 200HP then it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that an aftermarket ECU is going to be in the cards. It's not impossible to do this with the stock ECU and bandaids, but it'll be far more work, and probably more money by the time all is said and done.
Spend some time reading up on the various ECUs available for this car- we have a whole subforum just for that. There are numerous units available, but the Megasquirt is my personal favorite. It's cheap, it's simple, and it works.
Another option would be to buy a complete turbo-and-ECU package. Flyin' Miata's FMII system basically comes with everything in one box, along with an ECU that's pre-configured to plug right in and run on your car. It's a bit pricier than some other options, but for a first-timer, it's a pretty foolproof way to go. For someone just starting out in this world, buying cheap parts often costs more.
Ideally, your order of operations will go as follows:
1: Do any and all mechanical mods that you have planned (differential, suspension, cooling system, clutch, etc.)
2: Install wideband 02 sensor.
3: Install ECU and injectors, and tune.
4: (time passes)
5: Install turbo and related bits.
$5,295.
Spend some time reading up on the various ECUs available for this car- we have a whole subforum just for that. There are numerous units available, but the Megasquirt is my personal favorite. It's cheap, it's simple, and it works.
Another option would be to buy a complete turbo-and-ECU package. Flyin' Miata's FMII system basically comes with everything in one box, along with an ECU that's pre-configured to plug right in and run on your car. It's a bit pricier than some other options, but for a first-timer, it's a pretty foolproof way to go. For someone just starting out in this world, buying cheap parts often costs more.
Ideally, your order of operations will go as follows:
1: Do any and all mechanical mods that you have planned (differential, suspension, cooling system, clutch, etc.)
2: Install wideband 02 sensor.
3: Install ECU and injectors, and tune.
4: (time passes)
5: Install turbo and related bits.
how much do you estimate it would cost to hit the 200-250 max recommended rwhp?
Last edited by Joe Perez; 01-05-2012 at 11:23 PM.
#17
Tour de Franzia
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Buy MS first, then go from there. Nice car btw. I clicked on the "cars and coffee" link and was surprised to see something other than a bunch of "res-rides" in NM.
A few years ago I worked in NM for about nine months and about 4-months went by where a teal green Tempo as on the side of the road, finally one day we saw someone working on it, then on the way home we found that it was gone. That's my awesome story for the day.
A few years ago I worked in NM for about nine months and about 4-months went by where a teal green Tempo as on the side of the road, finally one day we saw someone working on it, then on the way home we found that it was gone. That's my awesome story for the day.