I want to build a fast Miata
 

Hi everybody, I'm a new Miata owner. I bought a 1995 Miata with 160k and I'm in the process of stripping the car down. I plan on doing new pistons, rods, head work, turbo, etc.. I would like to build the motor to 300+rwhp. I'm open to suggestions from all the Miata experts. [IMG]http://i30.tinypic.com/70dxkp.jpg[/IMG]

Current picture[IMG]http://i25.tinypic.com/mcaw5x.jpg[/IMG]

9.0:1 forged pistons
Rods
T3 flanged turbo mani (lots of choices in 300+hp Turbos with that flange)
good sized FMIC
3" exhaust
standalone ECU

That should do the trick

You forgot the Check Book or Visa, most important part of the build.

Goodluck with the build. I would highly suggest you got for 200hp to start with and then move up. Mostly so you do not kill yourself.

Welcome.

I agree the check book is gonna be the worst part of the build. I spent just under 9k to build my motor and all required upgrade parts for one of my last miata builds.

Its also funny that I recently bought a turboed miata(97) in that same color from someone in lowell.

I hope you aren't putting those cams on the floor back in the car. ;P

have you driven a 300whp miata? Just wondering.....
Just about every other noob jumps in with hopes and dreams of 9000hp and conquer the world then usually disappears.

I'm not saying you can't do it or shouldn't, if you pull it off I'll just compliment you, just want to make sure you're not pulling that number out of your ass.

For 300 hp;

Step 1: Plan to replace nearly the complete drivetrain, from the air intake box at the front, to the rubber touching the ground at the rear. The only unmolested factory OEM parts in my setup are the rear axles/hubs.

Edit: Oh, and the rubber exhaust hanger mounts too, but not all of them

I remember seeing that Miata on craigslist bayside blue. I had bought my 95 right before your Miata in Lowell was posted. Small world. 9.0:1 pistons why not 8.5 pistons?

Welcome dude...good plans.


300whp Miata

Cost: $6000 minimum, $8000 realistic

Amount of driveline changed:
Transmission, completely built motor, full exhaust and intake tract, maybe a TorSen rear, massive rubber, high torque clutch needed

Stupid fast


250whp Miata


Cost: Can be done, well, for $2000-3000

Transmission fine, motor fine if strong, LSD not a necessity, cheaper clutch options, basically just get a good clutch and change the full intake and exhaust tract, pick up some cheap 15x7s and there are lots of good street rubber choices

Pretty damn quick




Do a compression and leak down test on your motor and see where to go from there. If it does need a rebuild anyway you might as well at least put rods in it and be able to play around between 250-300whp. Lots of guys pushing close to 300 on stock pistons, but rods definitely need to be forged.

A 200whp Miata is hella fun, and 250whp is really the sweet spot with these cars.

I'd start with the $3400 Flyin Miata turbo kit for 180whp at 8psi. Get hard oil/water lines. Flyin Miata happy meal clutch kit, race radiator, bigger intercooler if you don't have A/C, and a turbo exhaust. If you decide you want more power, you can always purchase the Hydra ECU separately and run 12psi and 265whp, and get the upgraded injectors with clips. I trust FM. This is the route I'll be taking when I'm ready to purchase all the parts at once early next year.

I agree with GoSpeed. 250 is the spot. For autox I found that # to be very trackable and affordable. And at 426hp, you can't shift a Miata gearbox fast enough:skid:

And you know this because...

+1 In for answer!

+1

8.5 is better. 8.0 is more bettererer still.