10th Aniversary Part 2: Boosted Boogaloo
 

Hey everyone! I've been trolling MT for a while now, and registered not long ago. I figure it's about time to introduce myself and get the ball rolling.

I'll start with a bit of a background. I've owned many cars, and most of them for about a year or less. The only car I've kept around has been the Miata, and it's getting on 5 years of ownership now. Every car guy knows that "Itch" for change, and I've had it for a while now. This itch leads to some crazy thinking. "How about a $1500 V12 BMW?" or "Let's buy a Trabant" are just some of the absurd thoughts that have come to mind. Yes, a car guy with cash in hand is a dangerous thing.

After a meet, I drove home along side a boosted Miata. This is when I became acutely aware just how quick a turbo Miata could be and that sealed the deal. I have a fever, and the only cure is boost.

Baseline:
As my car sits right now, it's a mostly stock 10AE. It's got an FM front swaybar, Monsterflow intake, Raceland header, and a Borla axleback. The car is quick, balanced and fun to drive, but she sure isn't "Fast". I recently dyno'd the car and put down a very respectable 121hp and 114ft-lbs

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1390505355

The first phase of my plan is to first get the car running and tuned on MS3x while still NA. I want the bugs worked out and be comfortable working with tunerstudio before I even think about boosting the car. I've been talking with the owner of Prove It Dyno, and I'll probably be doing the tuning at his shop, so it'll be fun to see just how much power you can gain NA with MS. I'll be playing with things like COP and maybe cams or something.

The second phase is the fun one, BOOST! I'm still hashing out build details, so for now there isn't much here. I'll update it as the project progresses and things get finalized, but here's what I'm thinking so far.

Turbo: GT2560 (I haven't decided weather or not to go the chinacharger route)
Manifold and DP: I'm thinking about just ordering the FM pieces. It's pricey and I think a cast log manifold is bad for power and spool, but I probably can't afford one of the nice fabricated pieces. I've read plenty of bad stuff about ebay manifolds, and the questionable longevity is a concern to me, especially if a chunk of metal takes out my turbo.
Engine management: Megasquirt 3x and Innovate MTX-L wideband
Intercooler & piping: I'll probably go the ebay route with both of these, or maybe go with the sexy FM piping.
Injectors: Planning to go with some RX7 injectors.
Clutch: FM Happy meal looks like the way to go.

Welcome.

Solid plan and great intro. You won't be disappointed with the FM stuff, I'd recommend their no-electronics kit + ms wb and injectors and you're set.

Well, that is until you go past like 200whp and need a new clutch. Which the FM has a perfect solution for as well. Then you'll turn up the boost. As we all do ;)

Welcome, Ben! It sounds like you've got a great plan lined up. Make sure to start a build thread and share some pics, love me some 10AE.

I'd recommend the rx8 ev6's over the rx7 ev1's. way better injectors

Doh! Meant to include the Happy meal in the list, I'll fix that with a ninja edit.
It does kinda look like I'm planning to buy an FM kit without fuel management, but I probably wont end up doing that and go a bit more DIY. It's more fun that way!

I'll start a build thread once the parts start rolling in. Until then, enjoy my car doing it's famous levitating cone trick!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1390506745

Haha, sweet trick. If only I could do that with my beer...

BrilloHeadBen, congrats on signing up at the best site on the web!

Welcome to the forum, fellow Tampa Bay Miata owner. It sounds like you have done your homework. Let me know if I can help.

Welcome Ben! Nice cone trick! Did it land upright and in the box?

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Unfortunately, that cone was nowhere near the box when I was done with it .

Almost exactly the plan I'm lookin to do... Same car and everything.

Where in Tampa are you? I was just over there in Palm Harbor this past weekend.

Ben, was the boosted Miata you drove alongside a member here? Have you had a ride in a boosted Miata yet? (it will only worsten your desire to boost yours)

It sounds like you are doing it the right way, going MS3 first before trying to install the turbo kit. The FM kits are certainly quality but don't be afraid to at least consider going the DIY route.

I'm in the Clearwater area. How often do you make it over to this side of the state?

I know he's a member, but not very active. I've ridden in and driven a handful of boosted Miatas now, and they've all been a blast! I'm slowly leaning away from FM pieces since I've gotten a quote from Art @ ARTech.

It has been more often lately, maybe every couple of months. I have a good friend that just bought a house in PH.