Hi everyone. FLMSM here in the Tampa Bay, Fl. area. I bought a 2004 MSM last year as a sort of mid-life crisis fund project car. I have read a lot posts here over the last year, and there is some great info . I got the upgrade bug now, so I thought it would be good to join. I already have a full FM intake, boost gauge and FMIC & interior upgrades. Next I'm looking at going aftermarket ECU....This is a toy and my daily driver is a Lexus IS 350.

 

Welcome! I'm in the Tampa area, and I think there's a few other active members in the area. If you've been reading here for a while you likely know this, but Megasquirt is the way to go for ECU. The Miata community support for Megasquirt is phenomenal. Trubokitty.com (courtesy of braineack) if you decide to build your own.

 

Welcome to the site, sounds like you're off to a good start. An aftermarket ECU will really do wonders for your msm.

 

Hi, slowcarfast. Good to hear there are some other miataturbo members here in the Tampa area. Do you do any autocross or Miata meets? I definitely want to try autocross, since it looks like fun. Also, it looks like there is a FAST and a SCCA group in the area that do autocross. I contacted Rev about his Megasquirt 3, and he responded right back. I am also considering the FM221 too just because FM is offering lifetime warranty and support. However, according to Rev the MS3 is the superior, more mature product.

 

I am the safety chief for FAST. Sign up for one of the 'open' events. We strive to make them novice friendly, with instructors available. You will have a good time.
There is also the BMW club, Porsche club, and Corvette club that also run autocrosses around here. There is likely one every weekend.
The local miata club: Tampa Bay Miatas
Also if buying new, MS3 is definitely the way to go.

Drew

 

Welcome to the forum. There are several regulars from Tampa here.

Reverent is awesome. His MS3 Basic is awesome. FM is good people but pricey. The ME221 is stolen intellectual property poorly copying a megasquirt. The guy who took it is a douchebag from England who should not be supported. And it has quirks.

Florida Corvette Racing Club holds autocrosses locally that are great. Not limited to Corvettes, either. And they donate to the Shriner's Children's Hospital. The FAST guys are nice, too, but the Corvette guys always had the best course layouts.

There is also a Tampa Bay Miatas forum.

And Miatapalooza is coming up on the 8th of next month. Hundreds of Miatas will attend.

 

Thanks for the info sixshooter. I was very impressed with Reverant's quick response. I sent him a message on Sunday night asking about MS3, and he responded the next morning! I'm definitely leaning that way.

 

The best thing about the FM turbo kit (or any turbo kit really) is that you can use any electronics for it as long as you can learn to tune them.

If you want to buy a Rev build MS3, you may want to check Track Speed Racing. They supply his units stateside. Buying directly from rev isn't a bad idea either!

 

Hi, ridethecliche. I think I'll just buy directly from Rev, because I'm in the process of moving and will not have time to install it for a few months anyway. After that I can chose how I want to upgrade from the stock IHI turbo---larger compressor wheel or Garrett and change out manifold, down pipe, etc. Anyway, this is my toy, so I'm going to have fun with it, and it's not a problem if it's down for a few weeks.