I've been hanging around for a little while now, searching, reading and trying to understand the '99 with a 1.6 transplant I bought several months ago. I found my turbo Miata on Craigslist locally and had to have it. I'm a Nissan guy (the Z32 in the background is my DD), but after already hearing noises from the engine (that initially sounded like knock), I dove into the world of Miatas by yanking the engine and throwing in some fresh rod bearings to be safe. Perhaps it was my paranoia or just jumping to conclusions, but I believe the noise I had been hearing was HLA related, since it seems to go away by 3k RPMs. After changing the oil AGAIN today with 15w-50 M1, it seems to have quieted down. More on that later.

Anyway, without going into too many details, the car has upgraded internals, a T3/T4 and run by a Haltech E6K. Back in 2005, it made 270rwhp, but I really just want a safe 250rwhp street tune. It will go back on the dyno soon, but I don't have any desire to shoot for the 300rwhp mark that the car was initially built for. Yet. Let me learn a little bit more first. Aside from the bearings and random gaskets and seals, the only other additions I've made to the car are the SSR Type-C wheels and BFG KDW2 tires.

 

Nice looking car do you have any more pictures of the catchcan setup from the driver side possibly?
Did you do the 1.6 transplant or did the previous owner? That is one heck of a downgrade going from the superior '99 motor to a 1.6. Nice power levels though, i bet its a fun ride.

 

Thanks. The previous owner did the 1.6 because he had already collected all the parts for his previous Miata. I'm not sure of the full story, but somehow he wound up with the NB and the shop (Stage 6 Motorsports) swapped in the 1.6. Yeah, after doing my research, I've come to the conclusion that it's definitely a downgrade. I think I've already decided if this motor lets go, I'm just going to throw in the 1.8 that belongs in there and turbo that. Here's a better pic of the Greddy catchcan...

 

Nice car.. dont think i have ever seen an NB with a 1.6 swap(other than the euro cars). Looks clean, nice power numbers. Its not too much of a downgrade since its built... well imo a built 1.6>stock 1.8.

 

Welcome, you have got to be the only person in the US with a 1.6 NB, but it's ok, I guess.
What is that in between your radiator and your fans, how's that work?

 

Sweet! I think.

It's just some cylindrical rubber strip to make the shroud sit as flush as possible with the radiator. The e-fan setup on the Koyo works great, but that stupid rubber stuff is always working its way out from between. I think eventually I might switch to one big fan and a full shroud as opposed to these two small ones and the small shroud.

 

Good looking car, I kind of laughed at first and thought someone had jacked the good engine out of that car and thrown a turd in that, but with that kind of setup I'd take a 1.6 any day.

How do you like your tires? I have BFG g-force sport but want to try out the KDW2.

 

sweet car man, 1.6 FTW!!

 

I love the tread design, and they feel great, even though I really haven't been able to get a feel for the car, let alone the tires. Even with the 14" Falken junk the previous owner had on the car when I got it, these cars feel so agile. Once I get the tune sorted out, I'll be able to push the car the way it should be.

 

Brad, whereabouts in Hogtowne are you located?

 

HA! I'm sure there are still other "n00bs" that know more than me about these cars, but at least I know how to make an intro post that doesn't **** everyone off.

Off 8th Ave, near the 34th Street intersection. Did you go to UF?

 

Ah! A north-sider.

Yeah, I graduated in '99. Lived 2 years in Fletcher, and 2 years down near SW 62'nd & 20th ave- south of Oaks Mall by I-75. Friend of mine owned a house down there. Lucky break. I really miss that town.

 

Nice! My parents live out past I75, off Newberry. I love the location I'm at now. Yep, everyone ends up either staying for a WHILE (like myself) or leaving for work, then coming back. It's inevitable. I finished up my journalism degree a year ago, but I'm still working on campus with the College of Medicine.

 

Nice car!

I'll trade you diffs so you have the entire 1.6 drivetrain...

 

Dude, Weimer Hall FTW! I was a TEL so I spent most of my time down in the basement. Did you do any work at News5, or were you a print guy?

 

Weimer is awesome. I was print, with dreams of automotive magazine journalism, but somehow I got trapped doing computer stuff. *shrug* I got tired of writing anyway. I did a little photography on the side with the Alligator, but that's about it.

*10 POSTS* Now I'm going to spam it up!

 

very nice

 

whats involved with putting a 1.6 into an nb? out of curiousity

 

a 1.6 motor