Should I buy this car?
08-24-2017, 03:08 AM
#1
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Should I buy this car?
Hi guys - im about do do a deal on this car.
It won't be my daily, but i would like to run it whenever the weather is nice.
I know its build right, and the seller seems like a prope - but i dont know much about turbo setups and tlike, but maybe someone can tell me if this car sounds solid?
So it's a 1990, the car has 174.000 km on the clock, but the engine has only 35.000 km, and the car has had this setup since 2004.
It has a 1,8 engine from a US Miata,
1,8NB,
LSD from a NB,
Koni damper HR-springs
Racingbeat stiffener
Pistons from a 323-GTR
Exhaust manifold from a 323-GTR
It has a Garrett t-4 turbo
Its fitted with a intercooler and standard radiator
Standard ECU with extra nozzles? (fuel injectors i guess??)
ONETWO exhaust all the way with a racing Cat.
It has never been out in the winter, and has 0 rust. It has been taken apart, and underseal, and put back together and undersealed again.
It has been mapped and dynode to around 200-240HP, it rides with 16 inch BBS rims. It has a remote control central locking and boot opener!
What do you guys think?
It won't be my daily, but i would like to run it whenever the weather is nice.
I know its build right, and the seller seems like a prope - but i dont know much about turbo setups and tlike, but maybe someone can tell me if this car sounds solid?
So it's a 1990, the car has 174.000 km on the clock, but the engine has only 35.000 km, and the car has had this setup since 2004.
It has a 1,8 engine from a US Miata,
1,8NB,
LSD from a NB,
Koni damper HR-springs
Racingbeat stiffener
Pistons from a 323-GTR
Exhaust manifold from a 323-GTR
It has a Garrett t-4 turbo
Its fitted with a intercooler and standard radiator
Standard ECU with extra nozzles? (fuel injectors i guess??)
ONETWO exhaust all the way with a racing Cat.
It has never been out in the winter, and has 0 rust. It has been taken apart, and underseal, and put back together and undersealed again.
It has been mapped and dynode to around 200-240HP, it rides with 16 inch BBS rims. It has a remote control central locking and boot opener!
What do you guys think?
Last edited by Jimbo191; 08-25-2017 at 03:26 AM.
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-2
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08-24-2017, 07:02 AM
#3
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Location: Tampa, Florida
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We generally don't use 16in wheels on our cars because they are heavier and therefore do not stop or accelerate as well. They also contribute to a significantly worse ride over uneven pavement. Performance tire choices are fewer and they don't allow the car to get down to a good performance height.
We don't use additional injectors because there are better options. that was the technology that was being used in the aftermarket in the late 80s and early 90s. Nothing was mentioned about a way to adjust the timing to prevent detonation when going into boost. The car really needs a standalone ECU. Does it even have a wideband oxygen sensor? Or even the old school exhaust gas temperature gauge?
The 323 pistons were a waste of time. Things like that were done before there was an aftermarket for Miata parts. Anyone reasonable these days would have spent that money on connecting rods or forged pistons or both.
You didn't mention brakes. The early cars came with smaller brakes.
You said it didn't have a larger radiator and didn't mention a stronger clutch. Those are two things that are often considered essential with a turbo and there are ways to do it wrong that would require you spending money there.
If it really has a Garrett T4 Turbo then it is probably miserable to drive.
Koni shocks are great except for the ones built for Miatas. They're often regarded as improperly valved for our cars and give a very harsh ride and poor control over uneven pavement.
You asked if the car sounded reliable. It may be reliable or it may not be. What I can say is that your modification list seems unusual for a modern Miata build.
I would not buy it because of the thousands of dollars that would be necessary to get the car up to modern standards. Certainly there are better choices out there.
We don't use additional injectors because there are better options. that was the technology that was being used in the aftermarket in the late 80s and early 90s. Nothing was mentioned about a way to adjust the timing to prevent detonation when going into boost. The car really needs a standalone ECU. Does it even have a wideband oxygen sensor? Or even the old school exhaust gas temperature gauge?
The 323 pistons were a waste of time. Things like that were done before there was an aftermarket for Miata parts. Anyone reasonable these days would have spent that money on connecting rods or forged pistons or both.
You didn't mention brakes. The early cars came with smaller brakes.
You said it didn't have a larger radiator and didn't mention a stronger clutch. Those are two things that are often considered essential with a turbo and there are ways to do it wrong that would require you spending money there.
If it really has a Garrett T4 Turbo then it is probably miserable to drive.
Koni shocks are great except for the ones built for Miatas. They're often regarded as improperly valved for our cars and give a very harsh ride and poor control over uneven pavement.
You asked if the car sounded reliable. It may be reliable or it may not be. What I can say is that your modification list seems unusual for a modern Miata build.
I would not buy it because of the thousands of dollars that would be necessary to get the car up to modern standards. Certainly there are better choices out there.
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1
1
08-24-2017, 11:05 AM
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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We generally don't use 16in wheels on our cars because they are heavier and therefore do not stop or accelerate as well. They also contribute to a significantly worse ride over uneven pavement. Performance tire choices are fewer and they don't allow the car to get down to a good performance height.
We don't use additional injectors because there are better options. that was the technology that was being used in the aftermarket in the late 80s and early 90s. Nothing was mentioned about a way to adjust the timing to prevent detonation when going into boost. The car really needs a standalone ECU. Does it even have a wideband oxygen sensor? Or even the old school exhaust gas temperature gauge?
The 323 pistons were a waste of time. Things like that were done before there was an aftermarket for Miata parts. Anyone reasonable these days would have spent that money on connecting rods or forged pistons or both.
You didn't mention brakes. The early cars came with smaller brakes.
You said it didn't have a larger radiator and didn't mention a stronger clutch. Those are two things that are often considered essential with a turbo and there are ways to do it wrong that would require you spending money there.
If it really has a Garrett T4 Turbo then it is probably miserable to drive.
Koni shocks are great except for the ones built for Miatas. They're often regarded as improperly valved for our cars and give a very harsh ride and poor control over uneven pavement.
You asked if the car sounded reliable. It may be reliable or it may not be. What I can say is that your modification list seems unusual for a modern Miata build.
I would not buy it because of the thousands of dollars that would be necessary to get the car up to modern standards. Certainly there are better choices out there.
We don't use additional injectors because there are better options. that was the technology that was being used in the aftermarket in the late 80s and early 90s. Nothing was mentioned about a way to adjust the timing to prevent detonation when going into boost. The car really needs a standalone ECU. Does it even have a wideband oxygen sensor? Or even the old school exhaust gas temperature gauge?
The 323 pistons were a waste of time. Things like that were done before there was an aftermarket for Miata parts. Anyone reasonable these days would have spent that money on connecting rods or forged pistons or both.
You didn't mention brakes. The early cars came with smaller brakes.
You said it didn't have a larger radiator and didn't mention a stronger clutch. Those are two things that are often considered essential with a turbo and there are ways to do it wrong that would require you spending money there.
If it really has a Garrett T4 Turbo then it is probably miserable to drive.
Koni shocks are great except for the ones built for Miatas. They're often regarded as improperly valved for our cars and give a very harsh ride and poor control over uneven pavement.
You asked if the car sounded reliable. It may be reliable or it may not be. What I can say is that your modification list seems unusual for a modern Miata build.
I would not buy it because of the thousands of dollars that would be necessary to get the car up to modern standards. Certainly there are better choices out there.
It has the larger brakes from the 1,8 model as well and the clutch from the 1,8.
The car have been running like this for quite a while, so when it was build i guess, some of the choices made sense then?
Why should the Garrett make it miserable?
I test-drove it, and i didn't think the ride was to harsh or anything like it, it actually ran pretty well imo..
I think the 16inch wheels are mostly for looks, and with the power it produces it gets up to speed very fast anyways?
Im not sure about the ECU, oxygen sensors, or the other things you mention.. But my guess is that its build right? It wouldn't have been running like this for 13 years? Wouldn't any troubles already have been here if they would arrive?
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08-24-2017, 11:15 AM
#7
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It has the larger brakes from the 1,8 model as well and the clutch from the 1,8.
The car have been running like this for quite a while, so when it was build i guess, some of the choices made sense then?
Why should the Garrett make it miserable?
I test-drove it, and i didn't think the ride was to harsh or anything like it, it actually ran pretty well imo..
I think the 16inch wheels are mostly for looks, and with the power it produces it gets up to speed very fast anyways?
Im not sure about the ECU, oxygen sensors, or the other things you mention.. But my guess is that its build right? It wouldn't have been running like this for 13 years? Wouldn't any troubles already have been here if they would arrive?
The car have been running like this for quite a while, so when it was build i guess, some of the choices made sense then?
Why should the Garrett make it miserable?
I test-drove it, and i didn't think the ride was to harsh or anything like it, it actually ran pretty well imo..
I think the 16inch wheels are mostly for looks, and with the power it produces it gets up to speed very fast anyways?
Im not sure about the ECU, oxygen sensors, or the other things you mention.. But my guess is that its build right? It wouldn't have been running like this for 13 years? Wouldn't any troubles already have been here if they would arrive?
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0
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08-24-2017, 11:33 AM
#8
FWIW: 323/Familia GTR pistons are not the droid you guys think they are. Whether it actually has 323/Familia GTR internals or not, would maybe be another matter.
I'm also interested as to how a FWD manifold/turbo orientation is working on the Miata.
Either way, sounds dumb. Pass.
I'm also interested as to how a FWD manifold/turbo orientation is working on the Miata.
Either way, sounds dumb. Pass.
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08-24-2017, 11:48 AM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 20
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I haven't made up my mind, which is why im asking for advice?
Its either gonna be this one or a regular NA6??
But i dont know enough, and people always expect people to know everything on these kinds of forums.. maybe just be nice and help me out??
Its either gonna be this one or a regular NA6??
But i dont know enough, and people always expect people to know everything on these kinds of forums.. maybe just be nice and help me out??
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08-24-2017, 12:02 PM
#12
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Helpful post is written regarding ancient parts and significant cost required to bring it up to date.
OP rejects helpful post
OP receives backlash
OP says we should just be nice
Ban?
To OP: Yes absolutely, cars are the most reliable when the parts were installed 13 years ago. Don't you know 13 year old cars are more reliable than new ones?
OP rejects helpful post
OP receives backlash
OP says we should just be nice
Ban?
To OP: Yes absolutely, cars are the most reliable when the parts were installed 13 years ago. Don't you know 13 year old cars are more reliable than new ones?
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08-24-2017, 12:03 PM
#13
OP thinks he's special, and not just like the million other clueless entitled n00bs that expects us to hold their hand and "be nice" and encourage their laziness when they can't even be bothered to learn the basics.
Don't know Miata's? Start reading/learning. When you know, then you buy.
Or go on a forum full of old wine and cheezers or stancetard vapebroz who will give you terrible advice, but do it NICELY lol
Don't know Miata's? Start reading/learning. When you know, then you buy.
Or go on a forum full of old wine and cheezers or stancetard vapebroz who will give you terrible advice, but do it NICELY lol
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08-24-2017, 12:06 PM
#14
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Also: buying someone else's build when you don't know what you're doing is a really bad idea. It will break, and nobody will know how to fix it because they didn't build it and it isn't stock.
If you don't know anything about turbo miatas, and you aren't willing to put the time into researching and learning, you should not buy ANY turbo Miata, let alone one full of obsolete parts.
If you don't know anything about turbo miatas, and you aren't willing to put the time into researching and learning, you should not buy ANY turbo Miata, let alone one full of obsolete parts.
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08-24-2017, 12:38 PM
#17
YOU ARE NOT EDUCATED WELL ENOUGH TO BE BUYING A TURBO MIATA.
You mention that if you dont buy this one, you will buy an na6. This speaks volumes for your Miata knowledge.
Time to learn up bro. Learn up. Expect to spend about a year, maybe two learning about the turbo miata lyfe before you can buy something like this with some confidence.
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