Hi, I'm a an older noob from the San Antonio area
 

Hi all,

I'm approaching 50 (no, not MPH), and got a 2002 MX5 (with 97,000 miles on it) last year.
My wife was freaking out about my daily driver (2005 Yamaha Warrior) and wanted me to get a car, so I sold it and bought a Miata :)

Anyway, I like it, but got the "Tim Allen syndrome" and thought, "if it just had a bit more power"...

I picked up a 2001 drivetrain with turbo a couple weeks ago.
I'm completely new to turbos, so am here hoping for some help and direction.

The guy I bought it from said it came out of a 2001 that suffered some damage in a wreck. He was offering it up on Craigslist and I waited until the price dropped a bit. Now, it's sitting in my garage, waiting until I get some time and knowledge under my belt...

I happened on another fellow selling a radiator in the San Antonio area and he recommended this site.

He's getting ready to put an LS drivetrain in one of his Miatas! Sounds like an interesting project...

Anyway, I'm interested in learning what I can about my car and how to "turbo" it...

Thanks and God Bless,
Doc S

Welcome. I'm 10 years your senior. No age limit on fun. I call my Miata a motorcycle with air bags

Are you planning to transfer the entire drivetrain, or just the go-fast parts?

Lots of good info here about ALL the stuff you will need to make the turbo make reliable power.

Looking for some pics.

And thanks for the blessing.

hahaha!

and I'm 11 years your senior and mechanically challenged but that doesn't discourage me from enjoying my Miata.

Welcome to the forum.

/\ Major props and respect to all 3 of the above posts. Looks like you'll fit right in here, we can use more older members on this forum.

Read up on all the major threads here and then let us know if you have questions.

I think I'm going to transfer the go-fast parts. I'll get the full use out of the current drivetrain, then when it's given up the ghost, I'll swap the other in.

Thanks for the welcome!

God Bless,
Doc S

I know I shouldn't say it, but my Miata feels like a big boy go-cart :)

God Bless,
Doc S

Doc S, congrats on signing up at the best site on the web!

Doc S, hello and welcome to the forum! Lots of very informed members on here with a wealth of information, so you've come to the right place! You'll find just about anything you might have questions about there. Have fun surfing around!

Welcome Doc S (count me among the "seniors" - 61 "years young"). Just remember; do your research, ask intelligent questions and you'll fit right in.

Well guys, thanks for the welcome!

For all you seniors :) glad to see I'm not the only old phart (as my kid call me) who loves this little car.

I smile so much when I drive it, I have to carry extra floss with me, so I can get the bugs out of my teeth (alright I'm just exaggerating).

Anyway, my MX5 is a 2002. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
from what I can tell, it's stock. Since I've had it, I've put in a shifter kit (replaced the bushing, inner and outer rubber boot and changed the transmission fluid). It shifts much nicer now.
I had to hard wire the fan, because it would only work intermittently in the summer, when I was using the A/C.

I don't know anything about the turbo I'm putting in, so I guess I need to know what I have. I know its a Garrett, but that's about all I know about it.

I'm hoping to tackle the job of putting in the turbo, in June. I decided to go back to school full time and I'm working full time, which means very little time for anything else at the moment. So, I figured I'd learn about what I'd need to do in the meantime.

Again guys, thanks for the welcome!

God Bless,
Doc s

Welcome to the site. If you post some pics of the turbo, manifold, etc someone can help you with IDing it and perhaps offer some information about how it might perform for you. Make sure to get a clear pic of any tags or markings.

I just want to check and make sure you have some other vehicle besides the Miata that you can use when the Miata is down. Trying to turbo your Miata when it is your only vehicle while working and going to school full time is a recipe for disaster. I did it for a while and buying a second car was worth every penny.