bnag0

Hello everyone,

This looks to be the site I will be reading through for what will most likely take me months...

The plan...
Sell my 2004 S2k with 60k miles and mods

Buy a 90-97 miata (Not sure what is best year for what I want yet)
also try to find a reliable winter beater (NY blows)

Before I dive neck deep into turbo DIY building I was curious if some of you could tell me how much reliable WHP i could obtain with what I have to spend.
I am thinking I want to use 8-10k total on the Miata
Would like to see the mileage around 30-40k for a mostly stock car or would i be good with higher miles?

Miata $5000?
Hardtop $800?
Cheap Wheels and Tires $800
Cheap Drop $300?
Motor $3000 to spend roughly

Sorry for the newb question everyone just rather not jump into it if I am going to come out over budget.

This car might get on the track once a year.. mainly just for fun.

Would I be better off buying a built car?

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

Always always cheaper to buy a car already built. Always.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Says Ben, the wiring King.

I would agree, but if you have high standards you might find yourself redoing a lot of stuff anyway. Try to find one that has parts you like with an OCD PO.

My recommendation for a start would be a Torsen'd 94-95 because they are OBD-I 1.8s and are substantially beefed up compared to a 90-93.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

True story, but i think it cost me about.... $10 to re-do all that wiring. At most.


Which confuses me all the more why you wouldn't just do it right in the first place, but that's a philosophic discussion for another day.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Yes, you could be better off buying a built car if you can find the right one. Don't just jump head first in and buy any POS that pops up on craigslist though. If you want a well sorted car, you will have to buy it off a member of this forum (pretty much).

Some really nice well built turbo miatas sell for cheap around these parts if you wait for the right deal.

However, if you want to build it yourself, that's a fine way to go as well. Just get a 94+ car with a torsen/1.8 already, and make sure its a clean rust-free shell for a starting point.

Edit: also, your budget looks realistic, so that's a good start Welcome to the phorum.

bnag0

Guys I really appreciate the help so far... So I know the 94+ 1.8L have a stronger rear end... thats a good start!

The only reason I am afraid of buying a built car is well... i didn't build it :P and I know very little about turbos as of now. I have been a bolt on guy all my life. I see you guys have a nice DIY turbo thread though. will have to read that a few times over and start making a parts list i guess.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

here's a honest tip: don't buy cheap wheels. quality wheels and tires for a miata are already cheap, there's no need to get crap. also DEFINITELY do not get a "cheap drop". that's money wasted.

Get quality wheels and suspension, do all the maint, get the car up to snuff, and realize how much fun it is. learn to drive it. upgrade suspension/chassis, then figure out what your build/turbo goals should be.

you'll be really happy you followed that path vs just diving in and chucking parts at a car/platform you know nothing about. you're coming from a very solid platform, if you cheap out on miata parts you'll hate it cause it won't be half as nice as your s2k was

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Very true and well said vlad. You need to go with quality lightweight 15x8's, a higher end good riding suspension, and you will want to add a roll bar as well as frame rails and other bracing ASAP to stiffen up the chassis.

This, and then look into adding a clutch, getting a MS and learn how to tune.

Once your car is solid ad at this point, just add boost and you are all set. Shoot for ~240whp and you will be outclassing the s2k (in power to weight ratio) by quite a bit.

bnag0

I understand. Although I have never pushed my S2k at all. I am no track master. I love how the s2k handles just from a little track experience and messing around.... I heard the miatas handle very well also. How much money do you think I should spend to get a decent suspension setup. Do people buy lower springs and regret it?

bnag0

Wow 15x8s are cheap

18psi

iTrader: (76)

The only lowering springs even remotely worth anything are the FM ones.
Everything else is junk.

Most here use coilovers

bnag0

Are you opposed to 14x7? would i need the extra rubber when boosting?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

look for sticky tires for 14x7 lol

then you'll realize why everyone here runs 15x8 and 15x9

bnag0

Ill take your word for it lol

The research continues....

bnag0

I like the 6uls in 15x9 and it looks like selecting a tire will be easy being there is next to none lol

the BFG G force 225/45-15 will work well enough

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Good choice on the wheels, there are tons of other options out there too

I like my federal 595 rs-r's for the price they cost. They really blew my mind coming from all seasons

bnag0

RB Tubular Front Sway with no Rear Sway from what I read

I can fabricate frame rails at work

Roll Bar/Cage... Have some friends that are on a honda pit crew and build cages all the time not sure what they would charge me....

bnag0

Man a fastback hardtop would be the **** but for 2200 unpainted most likely not doable.

Ryan_G

iTrader: (8)

If you are not planning to turn this into dedicated track car I would do a budget bilstein suspension. You can put together a pretty great setup for <$600. See this thread for more info https://www.miataturbo.net/suspensio...-thread-78451/

You are on the right track with the 6UL's. Listen to what everyone else has said so far and sort the chassis/suspension first before you add any kind of power mods. Once you get to the engine you should start with the clutch/injectors/megasquirt and get a solid base tune going before you jump to the turbo goodies. By that time you will have learned a lot more about the platform, what works and what doesn't, and where you want to be.

With your budget you could easily throw together a reliable 250rwhp street miata that will be an absolute blast to drive.

bnag0

Ryan,
Is there another option around the $600 mark that doesn't involve that much messing around?

You say 250 rwhp what would my torque be at roughly?


FYI
Still convincing my better half I can sell my s2k buy a tricked out miata and a grown up car