I've had my Miata for 3 years now. Originally bought it as a DD. I probably shouldve joined a long time ago, but I wanted to focus money and effort on my Supra instead. I've decided I'm better off modding the Miata and waiting until I'm in a better situation to even touch the Supra.

Anyways, I'm thinking in a few months of getting a 1.8 (I have a 93), a turbo, and a 1.8 rear. I'd really like to have a MSM drivetrain, but because of cost and availability, I think it will be difficult. I'm here to look through options and see what people's experiences have been.

 

Good decision, modding a Supra has to be expensive.

You'll definitely want the turbo and the later rear end, swapping to a 1.8.. debatable. I'll switch eventually (coinciding with a built bottom end, no doubt) but the 1.6 can be plenty fun also. The MSM engine is essentially a '99-'00 engine with a turbo bolted to it, no reason to seek it out over an equivalent engine.

 

Well welcome to the forums , have fun and share pics .

 

I bought mine for a daily too. Things changed though.

Put in your location, dog.

 

Okay pics uploaded and fixed.

Its only a "MkIII" Supra, far more affordable than a MkIV. Regardless, still not a good idea on a college student's budget...20 year old flagship sporty car, etc. etc.

I know the MSM has the same engine, but it also has the turbo fittings already and more turbo friendly compression.

Long story short, I also have a short nose crank, hence the wanting an engine swap. Regardless, I'd still prefer a 1.8, even if the difference is marginal.

Pics:







White fender is from a little old lady pulling out in front of me 3 days after a very time consuming wash and wax. It took me like a year just to wash it, and wax only touched it again a few days ago..just the door in my sig to see if I could clean up the oxidation it has. I'm not superstitious, but I didnt want anything like that to happen again after how much effort I gave it.

Anyways, I think I'll wax it again sometime. Poor thing's paint was perfect before I got to it

 

Welcome!

Nice hot pockets lol.

 

Welcome.

Did you mod the turn signal's yourself? They look good. Also did you paint the top or did it come that way? I've been thinking of painting mine black, but my gf like the white stripe thats on it.

 

Yeah, I took a dremel to them one day in auto tech. class. I read that there was a place from the factory for DRLs on the sides, just not drilled out, so I dremeled them and installed the new bulbs using the "twilight rewiring kit" from Moss. Unfortunately, they arent water tight sealed either, so they went out.


As for the hardtop, I bought it like that from a local Miata friend whos on here. He had a nice NA that the insurance company totaled (wtf) after some minor cosmetic damage, so he sold me his hardtop. Now he has a totally badass turbo NB. It was red previously, and rattlecanned flat black. I'll see if I can find some pics during. I love the flat black..if they hadnt done it, I probably wouldve. I cheaply painted the wheels afterwards myself for fun.

 

Welcome.

Do you know Derrick at Advanced Race Technology in Sarasota? He has a dyno/tuning/build shop. He deals with the "Spec Miata" racers quite a bit. Good guy.

 

He was set up a dyno session for SRQ Racing a few weeks ago, which has every car BUT Miatas. He seems very cool and supportive from what I've seen. I didnt make it though because it was my dad's 50th. Darn. Missed the chance to try to break 3 digits.

 

cool art work! +1

 

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

On a lighter note as far as I know Lonnie is still rocking his "Hot Pocket".

 

Haha wow, yes. I know Derrick quite well now actually, and we both have very similar hand injuries.

Almost nothing has changed about my car, though fortunately that's because all of the maintenance I did on it years ago has held up well.

I still have my plans for it, and I do have another running 96 that will be a powertrain donor, but I'm still a ways away from anything big/fun

 

Staggered wheels? Or just different tires?

 

Painfully different tires. I actually havent bought tires since before I made this thread. Originally got 16" Rotas to re-use brand new 225/55s from the Supra, later I bought 205/40 g-Force Sports intended for it. Burnt through the fronts because of shitty alignment. Used off a friend's set of extra 205/55s, so now I just have a combination of very different tire heights that still have a shitton of tread.

The BFGs are actually like 5 years old; theyre obnoxiously loud, but handle beautifully, and the Sumitomos or whatever I have on back are good for highway mileage. Dialed out the camber, and with it, lots of fun, but I'm still tight on money until college is complete so I'm getting all I can out of these