Another n00b with an e-bay kit.
 

Hi everyone and Happy Fourth of July!

Introducing myself to get the ball rolling on my turbo project. I have a 96, totally stock (except for some mazda speed NB shocks and springs) with 120K, a refreshed head and new t-belt/water pump/oil pump/ seals/plugs and wires.

I also have BAD IMPULSE CONTROL. Before doing any but the most preliminary research I bought an ebay turbo kit. I got it for $511 in a no reserve auction from a pawn shop on ebay. The kit seemed like a very good deal. Any how, the deed is done. I have the kit and am determined to install it.

Here are some pictures but they might not work because I am a N00B.

http://picasaweb.google.com/benmsnyd...eat=directlink

My goals are:

#1 to have fun working on and learning about my car.

#2 to have a safe, reliable system.

#3 to have it look nice in the engine bay.

#4 to make the car faster. I would really love to get 50 HP out of this at the wheels.

It sounds like I need some sort of fuel management. I have been looking at the megasquirt and it looks super fun and right up my alley but also looks like it might be a major project all on it's own. I don't want a second project right now. Let's say that I will want to go to megasquirt, probably this winter.

The Vortech FMU looks cool but is pretty expensive. Am I correct in my understanding that the FMU basically restricts flow on the return line to increase pressure at the injector? Couldn't you do that with a clamp on the return line? I assume it's more complicated then that. I will do some more research

Do I have to have fuel management with my goals for now?

I also need an oiling/cooling set-up for the turbo. Tapping the pan for return looks pretty straight forward. getting the oil from way over by the filter looks a little awkward. Maybe I should think about a filter relocation kit?

Getting water to and from the turbo looks pretty straight forward as it is described in the FM install manual and the Begi manual.

The other bits I need are the piece to go from the turbo outlet to intercooler piping and the intake filter/adapter to the turbo.

I am sure I will need other stuff too. Plumbing parts for vacuum come to mind.

I know I have lot's more reading to do and I am sure my questions will be better informed as I move forward with the project.

So for now, Howdy! Thanks for having an awesome forum. If you need me I will be lurking.

First, make sure you read the FAQ, you'll find lots of good info there.

Some things I notice right off the bat:

They've left you on your own for a downpipe, minus the very first bit which connects to the turbo.

They've given you an intercooler piping "kit", you'll have to cut the pieces to make it all work.

They've included an FPR, looking at the pics. Don't know why, the only reason I can think of is that it's meant to hold a higher pressure, but that would be that much pressure at all times... Well, it is an Ebay kit after all.

Yes, you will need fuel management of some type. You do plan on adding extra air, after all.

You'll want something to control timing too. If you did do a MS you solve both fuel an timing issues. But you usually find used timing and fueling solutions units for sale. Check the classifieds at the Miata websites regularly since when things come up they go fast. If you want to use a AFPR check with FM, they have a few never used BEGI units in their Deal of the Day section.

Hey thanks guys!

I forgot to include a little something about myself in the intro post.

I am a 32 yo dude (33 next week) I like to work on cars but have so far really limited myself to repairs and maintenance. This will be my first experiment with any major modifications. I am really excited about the turbo. I love working on the Miata. It is the easiest to work on car I have ever owned. I have had and worked on an Audi 4000 Quattro, that was SWEET! a Jeep Grand Cherokee (POS). a Subaru impreza, a MKIV Supra NA (sold it - for a bundle!) a Ford Explorer from michigan (which was a really great car but impossible to work on. changing teh spark plugs was a NIGHTMARE! On the other hand, did you know that you can fold down the rear seats in an Explorer and it will almost perfectly fit a queen sized mattress?) I currently have a '83 4x4 nissan that I don't know what do with. I am trying to rebuild a transmission for it but I should really just put it out to pasture.

I like long walks on the beach and puppy's

I keep trying to make it to a track day but I always seem to have other priorities. maybe the turbo will be impetus I need to make out the track one of these days.

Yeah so I like all kinds of cars. I think my next car will probably be some american muscle or an old 911 but for now I am hooked on my Miata

Hooray for puppys :magna:

Kotomile, Yeah I was wondering about the FPR. I am not sure what the deal is with that I think I am going to throw it in the old parts bin and forget about it for now.

04 Miata, How big of a deal is timing for me right now? It seems like people get away with juts an FMU on basic set-ups and do fine. Or am I missing something?

Well you either need to turn the timing down, which causes your off boost power to suck or you need timing control of some sort. Or of course you could always listen for it to go booom.

There are usually good buys around on a MSD or a Bipes unit. And when you decide to go to an ECU then you sell them and make some of your money back.

04 Miata: Yeah you are making sense. Everything keeps pointing to ECU.

If I set the timing to like 7-8 degrees I should be safe though right?

And then I can just save up for my megasquirt. Then when I have enough money and time for the megasquirt my ebay exhuast manifold will crack! Yay!

Well, you have the right attitude. You will get it figured out with some help here and a couple hundred more $. You have a realistic goal (50HP) and you have seen the underside of a hood. Read the stickies, especially the "all in one big post" thread.

Here's your timing unit at a good price

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t35786/

Thanks Stein. Yeah I think an FMU is the way to go for now. That should be the simplest thing to get me running with some boost. Then I can upgrade piece by piece.

You can find everything else you may need in the classifieds. For the used price, I would look for a BEGi 2025 AFPR (adjustable fuel pressure regulator) and skip the Vortech. The BEGi is infinitely adjustable and will make tuning much easier.

Since you'll eventually go with a Megasquirt, I would skip the Bipes for now. The Bipes requires you to hack your factory wiring harness for the install. The unit itself is a decent piece and has carried many a small T25 setup to 200whp on 1.6's... but the ass-pain involved with cutting/splicing the wires, and then un-doing it when you need to remove the Bipes is a deal-breaker for me on any device that I can't simply plug in. For now, just retard your timing to 6* and keep the boost around 7psi and you'll be fine on Cali 91 piss gas. If you want a little more safety margin for fueling, pick up a set of used 1.8 tan-top fuel injectors in the classifieds for about $50.

I will be honest with you that virtually nobody has had any degree of success getting that manifold to last more than a month. It's made from crap metal, includes no bracing, and isn't welded very well. Don't expect it to last very long, and the replacement from BEGi that WILL last, is $500.

Also, once you crack the 150whp mark, which this kit will do on just wastegate boost, you'll need a new clutch. I expect the wastegate actuator is probably about 6-7psi, which will take you over 150whp, and a nice 4th gear roll-on will smoke up your stock clutch. The FM Stage 1 is about $350 I think.

There are plenty of Turbo Miata guys in the Bay Area, so you're in luck with for local support. Find the guys in your area so when the time comes to need a hand, you've got friend with experience.

Thanks Sam! That is exactly what I needed to hear. So the manifold is junk huh? That's OK for now its a vehicle to get the miata turbo'ed.

Man, if I can get this project to the point where I need a new clutch I will be STOKED!

That manifold is pretty much an exact duplicate of this:
BEGi S4 Exhaust Manifold 1994-1997. T25/T28. BEGi

I don't know if anybody has had them side-by-side to compare... but those who've seen them all say the same things, cheap and thin metal, poor welds, already showing rust, etc... It will not last.

Sell the manifold while it is still new to somebody else with poor impulse control.

fixed.

I'm sorry to thread jack but stien EPIC avatar!!! lol that guy is a D Bag!

LOL, but I think I will have to change it soon. I am getting tired of looking at it every time that I post.

Welcome to the site.

@ avatar, Is that the dude from Miata Forums? Is that not you? Heh, that's pretty funny.

r808: Here's the thing, If I can get everything together and running then if something breaks it will be easier to replace/upgrade the component then return the vehicle to stock. I have to go forward with what I have or I will end up lurking here for the next three years with no turbo ;-)