mtminded

Hello all, I'm Mike and I'm finally introducing myself after staying in the shadows for 2.5 years saving money, doing research and working a lot. This is my first engine build so I'm trying to take my time and do it right; I'm located just outside of Milwaukee, WI.

1997 Black with Peanut Butter Interior (6 years owned)
Auto-X and Summer Daily
Wheels/Tires
Koni Yellows
Eibach Springs and Front/Rear Sway Bars
Rollbar





1990 Red (2 years owned)
Bone Stock 100k miles bought from original owner



1994 M-Edition (2 years owned) to get FI treatment
Endgame: Auto-X and RoadRacing or unnecessary street car



I've done a complete suspension refresh. I liked the koni yellow and eibach combo from my '97 enough to do the same.





I'm sticking with the tried and true methods of the experienced folks here.
Manley Rods
Supertech Pistons
Wiseco Rings
ARP head/main
ACL Bearings
BE Oil Pump
ATI Balancer
Walbro 190lph pump
ID1000 injectors

Turbo:
EFR 6258 V-band
Fab9 Sidemount Mani/DP
Turbosmart Wastegate
EFR internal BOV for time being
Fab9 Stage1 Intercooler

Need To Buy:
MSPNP - MS3 likely
Wideband - Innovate likely but unsure which model
Wheels/Tires
Intercooler Piping
Misc Bits

As of right now I've installed the rods and crank and the head was refreshed so its ready to be slapped on. I've just waiting for the coolant block off plate and then I'm going to be putting all of the accessories.

One of my system constraints is I'm still going to use the '94 Head until I'm comfortable with the car and/or have more funds to do the NB head swap.

I still need to do more research on Megasquirts, Widebands, Boost Controllers (manual or electronic) and LS Coils. I've bookmarked a ton of threads on here to help me out but if you have some insight I'd be more than willing to listen.

Thanks for reading my rant and hope to be more vocal going forward.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Welcome, mtminded. Check out the Miata Gallery and post up some pics!

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

You have all the Miatas!

Welcome to the forum.

4strings

iTrader: (1)

Hello Mtminded, I'm in the SE part of Wisconsin as well. I love the plans for your build. I'll be turbocharging my Miata this spring with a Garrett. Keep us posted and maybe I'll see you at a meet up.

mtminded

Yeah, I was in the market for a project car (singular) and somehow ended up with two. Oh well I guess.

That's awesome. I know there is a solid turnout of N/A miatas at Miller Park auto-x but have yet to encounter a turbo'd miata. My goal is to have mine on the road by end of spring as long as I don't encounter any huge setbacks. Do you plan to tune yours yourself?

4strings

iTrader: (1)

I'm super pumped that you are going for upgraded internals and BW right away. Those are something I want to do in the future.

I am tuning it myself on a DIY MegaSquirt2e. I find that I really enjoy tuning.

I now know why all the experts on here tell everybody to go MS3 at a minimum or a MSPNP solution. I can see someone that just wants to get out and driving not liking all the custom 'mods' (hacks) to get it running a Miata. I will be making a DIY MS3X eventually and really can't wait. I will certainly be making a build thread once I actually have some stuff to post about. Send me a PM if you're going to an event. Very excited for your build.

~ Chris

jward1983

whereabouts in Pewaukee? I live in Hartland right by hwy 16 and merton ave.

mtminded

4strings - Sounds like I'm more and more sold on the MS3. It's been a while since I've been to any events. I was hoping to have my build on the road by Automotion in the Dells in May but we'll see if that happens.

Jward1983 - I'm right off of Capitol and Pewaukee Rd. I've yet to take any out of storage because of the weather but hopefully I can mid-March.

carid

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on owning beautiful Miatas! Looking forward to see all the modifications you have planned! Good luck and keep us posted on the updates.

mtminded

Thanks carid. I'm trying to keep them simple looking.

Update:
Painted the Block and got the Water and Oil Pumps installed.

Mail just came with my drill/tap for the oil pan and coolant reroute bits so going to get that all done this weekend. Hopefully the weather gets about 40*F.

jcrane82

Nice list of build parts there. Do you plan on doing some autocrosses with the WIA at Miller Park this year? I am also in the Milwaukee area. Hope to see you at some events this year!

mtminded

jcrane82 - it all depends when I get this thing fired up. the weather is starting to turn around finally and i still need to pull the miata's out from storage. If I don't do an autocross with the turbo I'd still like to get the '97 back out there (been a solid 5 years away).

mtminded

I made some more progress this weekend. The only setback was that I couldn't find my crankshaft woodruff key so need to order a new one along with some timing belt cover gaskets just to keep everything neat.

Things completed:
*oil pan drilled/tapped
*bottom end closed up
*water pump inlet
*oil filter relocation
*oil pressure sending unit
*CAS
*coolant reroute components
*motor mounts

Going to go through all of the nuts and bolts this week and make sure everything is cleaned and ready for install this coming weekend.