MrConfident

Hey guys, I new on here and looking into getting a used miata and fixing it up. Just had a quick questions since everyone here has one.
1. What year miatas are the best to get. I see greddy only makes a turbo for the 89-93.
2. What turbo is the best to get?
Money is not an issue just want to know the best way to go.
Let me know. Thanks.

92yella

Well if it was me, and it is not.

I would get a MazdaSpeed factory Turbo.

Do you want a miata Or a turbo?
A miata really does not need Boost, But it is more fun to add boost after you get bored with the stock power. No matter how much $$ you throw at a miata it is still not going to be fast. I have a fast miata, But it is still a slow car

magnamx-5

iTrader: (7)

my miata is a fast car what are you talkin about if money is no object have corky or FM one off a full performance system with a 3071 some ecu with antilag, a built whatever motor and 400-500whp through a 6 speed and kaaz lsd. that sounds about right. Also if you want a reasonable and still fast miata hustlers setup is nice as well. 92 yella think about this a 220 whp miata is as bad as a 320 whp z28 both of these are low 13 second cars but the miata if equiped right will pull on the track given the right driver. At 270 or so whp you hit the 12 second range idealy. How does that not make a fast miata/car.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I recommend installing the stuff though, rather than just leaving it in the hotel living room.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

at least it's pretty to look at. Those of us that bought used stuff.... well

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I like the idea of the 94:

bigger brakes
bigger diff
bigger clutch
bigger displacement
ODB-I
Prettier/lighter OEM wheels

It may not save a clutch replacement & may weight a tad more, but sure save a lot in other upgrades needed to support power on a 1.6 platform.

brgracer

iTrader: (14)

You forgot extra chassis bracing (compared to 90-93) and a real oil pressure gauge.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

If money really isn't an issue I woudn't turbo the 4-banger, no sir. I'd be looking at a 450 horse LS6 powered second gen NB (2001+).

MrConfident

Well I kind of like the older ones with the flip lights. money is not an issue however, i want work on it myself and have fun with it. (well at least the easy stuff. I have my dealers license and there is this 95 miata that i can get for $500. The engine still works but its not running. not sure what the problem is. Do you think I should just get it anyways? Oh the engine has 163k on it. Worth it? or should I just wait and buy one with less than 100k for about 3-4k?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

engines are cheap, parts are cheaper.

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

if the body is in good shape that's a deal even if there is no motor at all. motors can be had in good condition for at or under $500... swapping them is fairly easy.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

The best thing you can do for yourself is go here:
http://www.miata.net/faq/
and here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/

Then you need to set a price. "money is no object" is pretty lame. Do you really have $50k dollars to spend? Guys have spent that much on a turbo Miata so why don't you give us some more information.
How about narrowing it down to within a couple thousand... $5k... $10k... $15k... Then to get your feet wet with the most popular turbo kits out there, go here:
www.bellengineering.net
and here:
www.flyinmiata.net

Research all their products and decide if that's what you're looking at.
Don't forget as well that an otherwise stock Miata is not a good candidate for turbo'ing. You need to do some homework into suspension, brakes, safety, chassis, clutch, driveline. Dropping 250whp into a bone-stock NA with 14" rims and 175tires is a BAD IDEA!

To learn what it takes to assemble and install your own kit, go here:
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4288

Now... what are you going to do with this car. Daily driver, drag, drift, autocross, pimp, HPDE, SCCA? What kids of performance cars do you have experience with in the past. What mechanical skills do you have, tools, garage, friends with knowledge??? Have you ever driven a Miata before? Have you ever driven a turbo Miata before? Also, please fill out the rest of your profile with where you live... maybe somebody is local.

Overall, I tell guys who've got the money that they don't want to **** with buying and building a turbo car. THEY WANT TO BUY ONE ALREADY TURBO'd... with all the supporting mods, a solid history, and an enthusiast owner.

Fill in the blanks for us on your plans, and welcome.

MrConfident

Thanks for the info Sammy.
Well since this will just a car to play around with and possibly some drifting, I dont want to spend over 10k on it. I have a daily driver and I owned a turboed rsx-s. I do understand that im gonna have to do alot of mods to the car other than just turboing the car. To be honest, Ive just been looking around for a car that will be fun to drive that I wont be scared of breaking too much. Im looking for a rwd drive car thats also conv. Ive looked at s2000 but thats way too much just to be a beater as well as a z4 or what not.

I new with the miata and havent driven one yet and dont know anyone that has one though there are tons on the street. Ive looked into the parts cost and its not soo bad plus I have a friend that has a car shop so wholesale prices.

I plan to replace the suspension and all that is needed to make this a fast and fun car to drive. Now all I need is some info on which parts/makes are best for doing so...

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

I gave you everything you need to get started with your education. Go visit all the links I posted and get your learn on. Then fill out the rest of your profile... particularly with where you live... that way if somebody is local, they can offer to educate you in person, maybe with a test drive.

If you buy a CLEAN EXAMPLE stock car... say a nice 94-97, depending on trim, options and mileage, expect to pay between $5k-$7k for a vehicle you can trust and has some history. But you can also find really good examples of lightly modded cars, AND EVEN QUITE A FEW ALREADY TURBO CARS in that same price range if you're patient.

Start looking at all the major classified sources that those in "the know" frequent in the online community to see what's out there:
miata.net
miataturbo.net
clubroadster.net
craigslist.com in your local area
autotrader.com

Savington

iTrader: (31)

If you have the money, start with the lowest-mileage, nicest, cleanest ******* example you possibly can. You can get a running Miata for $1000; every thousand bucks you spend over that gets you an exponentially nicer car.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

If money is no object....but you don’t want to go over 10k......then thats not half as bold of a statement as you first made it sound. I am by no means made of money in any ******* way....and have well over 10k into mine....

Sure you can do it on the cheap....and you can plan it out...but it WILL add up quick.

Vash-

92yella

Like I said, Look for the MazdaSpeed model. I have not driven one, But they have to be good. They come with all the extras one would need. Sure you can do everything on that car better with the aftermarket and you can do worse. But you cant do it all for the price of an entire MazdaSpeed.

a little more than $10K
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/cla...e=&LastPage=20

I want one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...42779732QQrdZ1

they came in black grey red and orange
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...46227580QQrdZ1

MrConfident

Looked around and dont wanna spend that much on it. I want this car to be my toy and just do some drifting.

So let me as the questions again.

What is the better year to get. The 1.6L or the 1.8L(94+)

What suspension to get to make drifting safe and fun?

Im thinking greddy turbo if I get the 1.6L but if I get the 1.8L, greddy doesnt make a turbo for that. What should I get if I get that?

SMRACER

Mazdaspeed cars are really cool looking but they have a completely different ECU, a way small Intercooler, and a poor turbo setup. My buddy has one and they are not very fast either. You would spend a lot of cash getting the car to perform better. Also they overheat really badly on the racetrack if you turn up the boost even a tiny bit without lots of upgrades.

It depends on what your goals are. If it were me and I wanted around 250 rwhp I would find a nice low mileage 94-96 1.8 and build a custom turbo kit. Plenty of people around here to help you out. Also if you build it yourself you learn alot more about the car and turbos in general. 1.8's have alot stronger rearends than the 1.6s so they will hold more HP. I blew the one in my 1.6 out at around 210 rwhp and swapped in a 1.8 torsen rear end. I am now running around 250 rwhp with no problems.

Greddy kit on a 1.6 is a good starter kit but when you up the HP you end up getting rid of most of the stuff that comes with it.

92yella

get a 94+ with a torsen