Confession (rethinking the turbo)
 

Yesterday, to congratulate myself on a very successful detailing of the car's neglected paint, I upped the timing to 18*.

:)

Why on earth the timing isn't so set from the factory is beyond me, probably emissions, buncha treehugging sissies.

Anywhoo, up to speeds of about 50mph, the car feels plenty strong enough. I can feel Mister Torsen doing his thing out back frequently. :bigtu:

It's still a little short of oomph on the freeway, but still... most of my driving is stoplight to stoplight, and the hamsters seem to be doing a pretty decent job of things all of a sudden.

I'm sure the shine of this adjustment will wear off, and I'll be back to power hungry... but it's got me wondering, do I even want to deal with the expense and inconvenience of a turbo istall?

More importantly, how do you turbo guys stop from chanting "I AM SO GREAT" all the time?! I seriously cannot imagine another 150whp.:crx: my head just pops when I try.

Usually when that first Honda or Nissan Minivan gives you a spanking from a roll that will shock you back into reality. ;)

yeah it will wear off and and you'll be thinking boost again.

Race a FI miata. It's fun...for the FIed one.

It's amazing, even 7 PSI will knock your socks off and keep you begging for more. You have no idea what your miata is capable of untill you get FI. I've driven my roommates NA with a 4-2-1 header, macaroni intake, 18-19* timing, stripped interior and a few other things. It's great fun and all, but he pissed his pants when he rode in mine. There is no comparison.
-Onward with your quest Luke.

Thanks guys, I think that did the trick.

I was considering staying n/a for a while, had some ITBs in the plans too, but even at 5psi the turbo makes the car so much stronger!

I think I could be happy with an N/A miata with just an exhaust and a no-AFM intake running on MS.

The turbo is fun, but it totally changes the character of the car.

When I first installed the EMU, the first thing I did was play with the timing map. I have been at 16* for years and set it to 14, 12, 10. Going from 16 to 14 I noticed it right away at the first stop sign. 10 was unbearable.

I can't wait to get my turbo fired up. Can you imagine if the old but dyno is sensitive enought to feel 2 degrees of timing, can you imagine another 60 or 70 rwhp..

Kyle, in defense of your thoughts of staying NA, I feel that a miata with mostly stock powerplant and a few suspension upgrades is a whole lot of fun to drive. There will be less to worry about as well. In fact, at the autocross, a turbo could easily make the car less fun to drive unless the brakes and suspension are already upgraded (not to mention tires). Also the power delivery of a turbo in a tight autocross course could be frustrating.

On the other hand, i just got my Megasquirt powered miata running decently at 7psi (need boost control) and it was absolutely amazing. However it makes the miata feel ... well not so much like a miata anymore.

Still, i think you will want boost in the future, but you might consider doing some of the NA mods that would compliment a turbo system and get running on some sort of engine management to get your car ready for the turbo. I suggest megasquirt, and yes I am biased.

I've been test driving normally aspirated '99-00s recently for my upcoming turbo project. I can't believe how much of a turd they are in a straight line. Granted I had a turboed Miata at about 220 whp for 3 years and my current daily drive is a highly modded FXT, but geez, a relatively stock Miata seems like it can't get out of its own way.

Frank

the fuji-racing itb setup seems pretty trusting. no affliliation or whatever. it just seems like a very well thought out kit that works wonders. makes the car sound absolutly sick! :)