Confession (rethinking the turbo)
#1
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.
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. my head just pops when I try.
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.
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. my head just pops when I try.
#5
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.
-Onward with your quest Luke.
#9
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..
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..
#10
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,546
Total Cats: 4
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.
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.
#11
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
Frank
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post