Hi guys,

Finally got the nerve to make a post. Been lurking for over two years when I first started researching turbocharging and miatas.

I first learned how to work on cars with my 1980 F100. Bought it for $500 and got it running. It was a 4 speed on the floor and had a 302 small block V8. The best vehicle for a 16 year old? Absolutely not. The most fun? Possibly... First engine didn't last too long, maybe 1500 miles after I swapped on a 4 bbl intake and carb. Spun a bearing and developed rod knock. The truck was pretty fun before the engine went, but I knew I wanted to make some more power. Hunted on craigslist for a new engine and a pair of gt-40 cylinder head to swap on it. Did all that, got the truck running again and made all of 250 horsepower. But 250 hp felt like 500 to a 17 year old. Went to college and needed something a little more reliable and "grown up" looking. The end of sophomore year I bought a 2007 gt mustang and I thought I had hit the jackpot. The car sounded mean and could actually go over 90 mph!

6 months later I found a few YouTube channels where guys owned turbo miatas claiming they could tear apart mustangs. I was skeptical. Then I stumbled upon this website and began research. Fast forward another 2 years I graduated college (Umass Lowell Civil Engineering 16') and bought myself a 1992 miata with the goal of turbocharging it. The paint was in rough shape, but the PO had allegedly already swapped in an LSD and a "stage 3" clutch, I figured it might be a good turbo candidate. One thing led to another and by last august i had collected a new paint job, ms2pnp, a gt2554r, flyin miata diy kit, ebay intercooler and injectors. The usual goodies. Slapped them in the car and loved it!

Now my truck sits in my barn, mustang sits in my garage, and 2010 cobalt only gets driven in snow and rain. The 218xxx mile turbo miata is my daily driver.

Car started out at wastegate pressure for a few weeks so i could learn how to tune etc. Then up to 10 psi for less than a week, I had officially caught the boost bug. Currently at 14 psi (200kpa) and am almost content...

The last few weeks I've been collecting some goodies to ad to the car this year. BMW vtps, ebc soleniod, dw300 fuel pump, knock sensor. Should keep me busy for a while.

Oh yeah... also going to run E85 once i pick up some ID1000's and build a spare 1.6 I picked up...(let the flogging begin)

Thanks for listening guys, i'll never go into this much detail on myself again or say the letter "I" so much again. Go easy on me!

If anyone is near the Lowell, MA/ Nashua, NH area let me know would like to meet up and check out other people's cars.

 

Welcome, nice first post! There's a bunch of guys local to you. I make it back to NH in the summer.

 

I am on the south shore, I know a few local to you and also some people out west. Welcome!

 

I'm over here in Western Mass!

 

Thanks guys! Interested to see the local scene

 

Nice to see more local guys, i am about 15 min away from you

 

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have a good understanding of what you are

You make me feel like a slacker for not painting my car.

 

Mass crew standing by.

Bytevenom is a local as well. He's starting his first turbo build.

 

The ladies love it, you won't be sorry

 

I'd like a ride along sometime. Looks like you have a fairly serious build going on

 

North shore here, gf in Boston

 

Sent those COPs out this morning. Should be a good addition to the build! Looks good!

 

Thanks! Deleted our text thread by accident so I never responded. Let's see how they keep up with e85!

 

Sure thing, Hopefully i have the car fully sorted soon, its getting there.