I haven't bought a miata yet, but plan to turbocharge it. I figure its one of the least expensive fun to drive cars around.

So my question is, which year should I be looking at for the easiest/cheapest/best power for the $?

I've found a few really sweet deals in the 94-97 models, but it looks like there aren't any prebuilt full custom install kits for those. So 98 and up looks like the best idea, but i'm looking for others to confirm that

 

This will go well.

First off, go to the intro section and introduce yourself, then update your profile with location information. Then click the Search button up at the top of the page, this exact topic comes up at least twice a month, if not more, and the exact same questions are asked. If you haven't found a kit for the NA (90-97) Miata, you definitely have not searched very well. Read the DIY FAQ thread, everything is covered in depth there too. At least you know how to compose proper sentences, use punctuation, etc., so you're 1 up on the typical noob. Do the rest and you'll enjoy this forum and it's knowledge a lot more. But I can guarantee you won't be spoon-fed here.

 

have you been to flyinmiata.com

 

Get a '98. They have the perfect boostable compression ratio of the earlier engines, as well as the better flowing intake manifold and better suspension geometry of the later ones. The '98s are also much more reliable than any of the other cars because of where they were at with emissions stuff. '98s have factory heated glass hardtops and the updated bilstein dampers as well.

They're hard to find, because all of the spec racers have bought a lot of them up, but keep searching, and you'll find the perfect one - they usually dont go any higher in price than the others!!!

 

Thanks, I had forgotten about them (looked about 6 months ago though), and of course they are the only ones who do have the full prebuilt kit for 97. Seems like everyone else has a 90-93, and a 98+ only.


I don't mind dealing with a bolt on install, but don't want to get involved in modifying parts, welding, excessive drilling, etc.

 

Sigh. Just read the stickies and save your account.

 

+ 1 for the 98 its the only way to go.

 

Definitely get the 98 with the special edition 1.3L hybrid with NOS.

 

It's all about preference honestly, arguably the best combo is a 94-95 car with a 99-00 cylinder head. If you like the earlier body style, search in that range. If you are really baller, search out an R package, and hope to god it still has the original suspension. Now, before you get too gullible and get banned.. go introduce yourself and read the stickies. Anything else is blood in the water and you will raped and set on fire.

 

There is an awd model made also. I think they were custom made by mazda as their pre nb anniversary model. Only 51 were made and powered by a 6 cyl turbo motor pushing all 4s. I was actually going to get one but i couldnt find one near me so i ended up getting my 99 10th Anniversary.

 

I have # 23 of the 51 Ever produced of the AWD '98's. It is unmolested and saved from becoming a spec racer. I will sell it to you if your serious enough about owning a car that Paul Walker would suck my dick off to own. It runs 11.659 in the 1/4 with factory electronic boost control and factory electronic exhaust cutout. It sits in a climate controlled garage right now and has 126.8 miles on it. I will accept trade of a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California, or a fresh pineal gland from a pure Aryan bred human.

 

I didn't know it would be so easy, I have a box of those pineal glands in the closet.

 

I just hope you have the correct documentation to prove they are real. Lots of fakes out there.

 

Get the miata coupe and I'll actually respect you.

 

The coupe would be nice, but part of selling my wife on the concept is that she's been wanting a convertible. We're in Florida, so pretty well close to full year top down weather.

 

http://www.bellengineering.net/index.php?cPath=5_11_63

 

You should know pretty quickly if not immediately. It's pretty hard to step on pure pineal gland.

 

My **** is the only thing you'll be approaching backwards if you don't learn to search.





You're looking in the right year range. 1.8L cars (94+) have bigger brakes, more displacement, and diffs that don't blow up at 5psi.

The first couple of those years are OBD1 as well, making engine management a little easier, although I haven't kept up with the changes over the past two years since I've got a '92, and I think there are PnP solutions for almost all years.

All Miata rods break at ~250whp, and all Miata 5spds shed gear teeth at a little past that as well. Any Miata is capable of getting to that point power-wise, and it becomes a VERY expensive affair (built motors, 6spds or Quaife gearsets) to go beyond that...so power goals alone shouldn't sway you one way or another. The 1.8L will make as much as 20wtq more across the powerband for the same given setup though...so it is *easier.



As you look consider that hardtops, TorSens, Bilstein shocks, and lightweight wheels are things that all came stock on *some Miatas in that period, and are very expensive to add later, making a car that comes with them and only costing a little more a good bargain. Have seen guys buy $1000 Miatas with hardtops, sell said hardtop, and basically have a free car.

Good luck and welcome.

 

Lulz

 

Does locks of blonde hair and eyeballs with blue irises with matching DNA count?

I'm probably only looking to hit around 180hp, as I'm mostly looking for a 5-6 second 0-60 time. That's fast enough to be fun, and from what it looks like reasonably reliable and reachable with $3000-4000 in turbo kit and other mods. A clutch, exhaust and probably the FM II looks like it will get me there.