Hi, I signed up back in 2012 when I was trying to resolve some turbo issues with bad overboost, but then disappeared once I got it solved. So I thought I would re-introduce myself.

Recently I bought a Spec Miata 99, and a lovely street Miata 01 followed me home. I put a partial wrap on the SM and raced it this summer in Edmonton, Alberta, managing only mid pack results.
The two cars are in the pics below.
In the long run I have plans to build a turbo Miata race car out of the 01, for wheel to wheel racing in Nasa ST5 or ST4 class. So here I am, back again.
I think I have a turbo and down pipe kit sourced out, based on what I have read here. But what ECU? Haltech or DIY Megasquirt, or a minisquirt from the UK? But I am still thinking about the best ways to deal with turbo related heat in a race car. After market rad, but which one? Coolant re-route for sure. Oil cooler? Which one? Transmission cooler? Where to mount it? Hood vents? Anyhow, still a lot to sort out, and lots more reading to do.

new to me SM '99, in 2019

the partial wrap

it followed the SM home and I'm going to keep it


I put a Mazda B6T turbo engine from a 323 GT into a Ford Festiva, and when that eventually failed I went to a short nose 1990 Miata block, with the B6T turbo intake and exhaust manifolds swapped on, and a few other modifications to turn it back into a FWD mounted engine. There is a pic of the car this past winter, the engine blocks before the swap, and the Festiva chassis at the first stage of the build below. The turbo is an IHI variety from the B6T, and I made the common VJ11/14 hybrid version that puts the Ford probe compressor on the 323GT turbine. (I eventually solved the overboost problem by placing a short restrictor in the down pipe a few feet from the turbo.) No worries about heat when ice racing, even with a tiny Festiva rad.
(My past Ice Racer intro)

The ice racer with the Miata turbo engine, 2019 version

All the B6T parts to go on the 90 Miata block

The start of the ice racer build. Where'd the roof go?

 

Start reading the race prep section for what you need to do to make a turbo miata track reliable. It requires deep pockets. TSE radiator, QMax reroute, and hood vents will probably be needed. Plan on doing a ton of front ducking.Then any decent turbo setup and inconel studs.

 

If you're aiming for ST4 or ST5 then you can probably spend less money swapping in a K24Z3 instead.