Intro thread - 95R turbo project
 

Hey guys, I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and just bought a 95 R package which I'm going to boost and build as a Sunday toy / occasional track day car.

Most of my experience modding cars has been on the Nissan B13 platform (91-94 SE-R & NX2000), with the SR20 engine, and I'm looking forward to learning something new, and really looking forward to RWD! This is my first RWD car since my 97 LX 5.0 Mustang which I bought new and sold somewhere around 1991.

My NX200 has been boosted for a while, starting with a T25, and now a T28. I've been collecting parts to take it to the next level, but 300whp in an old FWD platform isn't such a great idea, so I decided it was time for a change, and some of those tasty bits will be going on the Miata.

Here's what I've got already:
GT28RS with .86 hotside
Tial 44mm wastegate
Tial 50mm bov
Innovate LM-1 & XD-16
All the VDO gauges I need

The Miata came with a 2.5" Jackson Racing exhaust, 17" Kosei K1's, Tokico blues, RB springs, RB F&R sways.

I don't want to build a monster, but something that's fun in the twisties, and balanced on road courses (I have no interest in autocrossing). So I'm thinking 250-275whp will do. I'm going to order an MSPNP while the car is still NA so I can get familiar with it, before boosting the car. The 2.5" exhaust will get me started, but I'll move over to a 3" down the road. I'm concerned that the .86 hotside on the turbo is going to cost me some spool, so we'll see how that goes. If it's a problem, I'll swap a .64 on there. I haven't decided on an intercooler, or injectors yet. Unless there's something better out there, I'll probably get a BEGI tubular manifold & downpipe to deal with the turbo & external wastegate.

The suspension will be swapped for something better, I'm no fan of Tokico blues, and the spring rates on the RB springs seem pretty low, but I don't know what Miata's like for springs, so I need to do some research. The Kosei's will be sold, and I have a set of 15x7 ATS Comp-Lites with Azeni's going on for now. 6UL's are probably in my future, I can't resist the though of those sweet 15x8's. I also have a new set of Hankook RS'2 from when Discount Tire ran their $100 discount a few months ago.

The car needs a good de-ricing, and a thorough going-over & cleaning. I already ditched the S2000 starter button, and neon light tube between the seats (sheesh), the style bar will be tossed, to be replaced by a real 4 point bar, and as soon as I can find some stock taillights, I'll give the Altezza's to the garbage man. It also came with Corbeau A4's, but they're too narrow for me, and the fabric is beat up, so I'm going to rehab them with new covers from Corbeau, sell them and install stock seats for now.

I know you guys can be rough crowd, so I'll try not to ask too many noob questions, but I like the vibe of this forum, and since this is the place to be for MS info on a Miata, I'll be on my best behaviour at least until you see that I'm not a 19 year old kid with no tools, skills or money.

What do you guys think about the turbo setup I'm putting together? If there's anything mismatched that you see, or things that should be changed, let me know. I know how to put a boosted car together, but this is a new platform for me, and I have never used a complete replacement ecu before like the MS.

So that's me, that my car, and that's my plans. I'll be taking pictures & asking questions along the way, but I tend to work in fits & starts, and I'm not in a rush to do anything. If it's boosted by spring I'll be happy.

http://sr20.net/d/70562-2/IMG_1126.jpg
http://sr20.net/d/70569-2/IMG_1127.jpg
http://sr20.net/d/70579-2/IMG_1129.jpg
http://sr20.net/d/70584-2/IMG_1130.jpg

C

jeez, where have i seen that car before?!

:duck: :D

C

Got a good laugh out of the de-ricing comment. You'll fit in here.

One thing that immediately jumped out at me:I guess we all have our own opinions, but 275 whp is definitely a monster in my book. Coming from a Mustang / NX background, you might be surprised at what 200HP will do for you in a 2,000lb car. One of the biggest problems I personally have is that it's tough to get enough rubber under the car to deal with much more than that in the twisties. Hitting a few cones is one thing, but plunging to my death over the side of a cliff would be a serious inconvenience.

The spring rates on the RB's are pretty weak relative to their ride height. For those not inclined towards coilovers, the stock-diameter springs that Flyin'Miata sells are a popular choice, and match well with Illuminas. Before you spend any money at all on the suspension though I'd suggest you check out FatCat Motorsports. Owned by a guy named Shaikh (pronounced Shake) who is pretty knowledgeable and if nothing else will spend a half hour bending your ear about shock valving and other black arts.

Sounds like you've got a good plan for moving forward with engine management. N/A is definitely the best way to learn a new ECU.

yeah, a 250+whp miata is not exactly a mild ride. it's no turbo camaro, but it'll probably surprise you.

it should be a ban for buying it a day before i was going to....

oooh, that always hurts. Seeing it after it's been bought.

eh, it's all good.

How about I send you the genuine S2000 starter button as a peace offering?

http://sr20.net/d/68712-1/animfnf0010ip3jn.gif

C

sure! its all good either way. unless you wanna send me the rims instead.

i actually remember your car/screenname from sr20forum.com. Back about 4 years ago when I was looking for an se-r/nx. I was more of a lurker than a poster.

why dont you trade the lights out with a ricer. He'll probably think the got the better end of the deal.

actually not a bad idea...try the dumpster on m.net



my plan was night shade...

Hmm, good thinkin' Lincoln.

There's a sweet Jackson Racing sticker on my rear view mirror too, maybe I can parly that into some turbo money. :rofl:

C

Yeah I'll take the taillights if you're just going to dump them. I'll give you $4.96 for shipping.

Nice car though, good luck with the build.

I took PitLab's advice and listed them on m.net as WTT for stockers. Also posted a WTB for stock seats and it looks like I've got a set lined up for this weekend. Are there any other Miata classified sites? For such a popular car, the number of classifieds ads here and at m.net are surprisingly small.

C

specmiata.com


partsgroup.com, mazmart.com, FM salvage, planetmiata.com

Cool, I'll check them.

C

glad it worked :)

Hell yeah, thanks! I got 2 responses already, and it looks like I've made a deal with one of the guys.

I'm going to do the same with the 'style bar'. :jerkit:

C