De-n00b and future planz
 

Hi all, I'm Lee. I'm a 32yo working person in North Texas. I recently got back into Chevy V8s, but before that I owned 3 Miatas (among other things). The last one was a 90 1.8 swap, which was fun. In the far future, I'd like to combine my interests into a V8 Miata, but before then I have turbo dreams.

But before that, I emptied my piggy bank on repairs to my current ride, so...I'm just going to be lurking for a while. If you're reading this in 6 months and have a nice NB daily with suspension/handling upgrades ready for a turbo, hit me up!

Here's a question I have: When the time comes I'd be interested in doing the turbo install myself, but I don't have a garage or access to a garage for an extended period of time (My dad has a garage and tools, but he keeps his 66 Nova in there and isn't amenable to parking it outside for potentially several weeks so I can go mad scientist on a Miata. The driveway is sloped and I don't feel comfortable crawling under a car on jack stands on a sloped surface.). Do most people have their own garage or access to one? Has anyone tried renting time at a shop for a weekend or a few days? Should I just call my nearest Miata mechanics (MiataSolutions and TDR) and ask them to do it? Thanks!

i swear one or two people on here a year or so ago did theirs in a rental storage space

That's a good idea. Hundred, hundred n fifty bucks a month for a garage, not a bad deal.

Around me there are a couple "maker spaces" that have all sorts of stuff like 3d printers, laser cutters, CNCs, and they also have a whole auto workshop with 2 post lifts, air tools, wrench and socket sets,etc. You pay a membership and rent the space to use when you need it. I've never used one but they seem like a cool thing for people without garages.

Awesome, thanks for the info everyone!

When I lived in Denver, there was something similar, where you could rent a lift in a shop and pay for the time, tools, and/or a mechanic to help you. I wish there was something like that in DFW, but if there is I haven't found it.

I just saw that you're in Morrison, vitamin j. We're probably thinking of the same thing. Man, I really miss Bear Creek and the mountain roads up there. That is heaven for a Miata.

Maybe buy your dad a car cover for his Nova?

If time-constrained, I would recommend a kit. TSE or https://mkturbo.com/

My dad is weirdly protective of the garage, but yeah that might work. Also, I didn't realize the MK Turbo website was updated! The complete kit is a bargain. Makes the waiting so much harder...

The way Lars set up the kits, you could easily finish the mechanical bits and have a running car in a weekend.

If you want a V8 miata, you should save up and build that though. Unless you're going to be happy with a turbo setup. It's going to cost a lot more in the long run to do both.

Used turbo setups also pop up, but honestly it's not worth it with Lars selling complete kits now at the crazy price he does.

Yeah, I think I will be happy with a turbo. A V8 build is also way over my head right know. I've done work on my Miatas before, but a turbo is still going to be a big step up in complexity. I'm hoping to use it to learn more and get more familiar with everything. That's why I joined the site now, so I can read up, ask questions, and put together a build plan.

The V8 is a very long-term goal. When I have my mid-life crisis I'll go for the V8 build instead of a Porsche lol!

A V8 build will set you back about $15k. You can be boosted for $3-$4k. You will have half as much horsepower, but at less then a third of the cost, and far less downtime.

Awesome, thanks for the info guys!

I'm definitely interested in going the turbo route right now. I once owned a Mini Cooper S, so I'm looking forward to that FI feeling, but way better in a Miata with a turbo. Besides a V8 build being over my current budget, it's also completely over my skill level. A turbo build seems like a good way to learn the ins and outs of the engine, tuning, and gaining some technical knowledge. The most advanced things I've done to a Miata are installing coilovers, sound deadening and Moss replacement interior, and FM frame rails. All were good experiences, but I feel like a turbo is a step above that stuff.

I may still do a V8 build some day, but that's many years away. If I can save my pennies and budget my build, I should be able to pick up a Miata and get it boosted it by the end of the year (hopefully!).

Turbo the 4cyl and get some experience then drop in a v8 and turbos!!!!

Success!
 

This is my first nb, a '99, in decent shape, only 119k miles, and has stuff I wanted like 15x8 wheels and Hard Dog roll bar. I'll probably throw on some more practical 205/50s when the RS3s wear out, but they work great for now. Plus the prior owner painted it Mazda Winning Blue! Not quite factory quality, but still a good paint job and I really like it.

So nice to be in a light, simple, fun-to-drive Miata again. Hauling around 3600lbs of GTO every day was a drag. Plus it's literally falling apart on me.

The Miata needs more low, but it also needs to be my daily. I'm thinking of FM V-Maxx Classics and just getting an inch or so lower. There's not much else I want to do to it...besides trubo. I'm thinking of a complete mkturbo kit and somewhere over 200rwhp in it sometime this winter.