Wife and I team drove 5000 miles on a vacation a few Summers ago.
So. Cal. to Idaho Falls (on the first day?!!), then Yellowstone, on up to Montana, over to Mt. Rushmore, then Nebraska, through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and then back home. It was basically 100 degress everywhere we went. No problems.

Installed the turbo myself. Started with a used BEGI 4.2 kit and upgraded it with a few bits from FM and BEGI. Motor had over 100k miles. These are great cars - specially on a long, steady-state cruise. Just watch the gauges and pack a few tools and spares. I took spare belts, silicone tape, a set of combo wrenches, 1/2" and 3/8 ratchets/sockets, screwdrivers and pliers. Didn't need any of it.

As has been said, all depends on the quality of the installation on the kit. I would think the seller/installer would go over it for you as a courtesy knowing you were going to drive it cross country.

 

Not if it has a 3" exhaust or no muffler. In that case bring earplugs.

I also recommend bringing gaffers tape. Better than duct tape.

 

I'm about to drive my car 5-hours away, run TT in it, then drive it another 5-hours home. The difference is that I know the car is properly sorted.

 

I wouldn't.


I mean Im sure its reliable enough to make it but it needs a lot more leg room and a lot less decibels to be considered for a really long trip.

 

I will have earplugs with me. Anyone know how loud the enthuza exhausts are with the resinator?

Thanks for the line on gaffers tape. Never heard of it before, but it looks like neat stuff.

On the plus side for going to Texas, at least I'd get to eat some real Texas BBQ. Nothing like it..

 

And bring a shotgun.

 

For safety or to go to the range with?

 

this:

and this:

 

I let two people I had never met in my live drive my car from columbus, ohio to LA. Then I flew out to LA with a buddy, and spent a week driving back. I met one of those two people while I was in LA, the other I hope to meet soon.

The car happily made it both ways.

 

I already have. Drove from Monterey, CA to Jacksonville, FL (via San Angelo, TX) and then on to Fayetteville NC. Some earplugs would have been nice with the 3" non-resonated-nor-catted Enthuza.

FWIW, I made it from San Angelo to Jacksonville in 19 hours. Not the smartest thing I've done..

 

Would I drive my whip across the country? Yes, and I plan on it.

 

Does anyone one have an concerns about the Megasquirt or are they fairly robust & reliable?

Also, someone contacted me via pm about asking price. What would you guys think is a fair price? It's hard to put a value on things because I know what it would cost me to build, and you never really get your $$ back out of a project when you sell.

 

I have been using MS since spring 2007 without any issues that have not been caused by me. As long as it is tuned correctly then there should be no issues driving it across the country.

 

When properly tuned and assembled the megasquirt is nearly reliable as the stock ECU. Ive been on a couple 1,000+ mile trips with mine, no reliability issues.

 

I know everyone is saying to pack tools, but that's bullshit. Pack a tow truck.

 

A tow truck is going to be hard to check at the airport.

Also, how hard is a decent Miata hood to find? This one has some hail damage. May be good opportunity to get one with a vent.

 

Bellingham, WA to San Antonio, TX. Took a couple scenic routes but made it back in 3.5 days (2500 miles). The only issue I ran into was overheating through the Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas heat but that's an issue I'm sorting out right now (most likely lack of ducting).

Bring Internet Access for sure. If you can pack tools on the plane that'd be great.

 

If not go drop $30-40 on the basics at wal-mart before leaving the general area you buy the car in.

 

I did 5-6 800 mile round trips in mine, all without a single hiccup. If your really worried, its far cheaper to have a car shipped then it it to fly down and drive up. Just have someone take a look at it for you.

 

I checked that and its about 1/2 as much to fly & drive. I am looking at $1000 to ship or $300 for ticket plus gas which I estimate around $200+/-. I have a few places I can stay along the way. Theres food, but I gotta eat here too.

Thanks for all the advice.