New member, hope to learn ECU's, tuning and possibly Turbo
11-16-2017, 05:29 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Brandon Florida
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New member, hope to learn ECU's, tuning and possibly Turbo
Hello,
Just joined the group to learn some things about aftermarket ECU's and then possibly getting a turbo.
I'd like the idea of being able to tweak the engine management to have the car run as best as it can with each
individual upgrade before moving on to the next.
I have a 1999 AE with 75000 mi stock motor with only a few mods done to the car. It is a very fun car to drive.
I've attended a novice autocross class and really need to become a better driver before adding much more power.
I changed to a 5Xracing adjustable timing wheel and now have 12 degrees advance. Hard Dog's double hoop roll bar.
I made a sealed cold air intake and changed the cast iron exhaust manifold to a 2001 tube type and a new muffler.
I installed a MiataRoadster short shifter and Derlin door bushings.
I'm a tinkerer and love DIY projects, especially if they improve performance or functionality.
I'd like to get a used 1999 head and intake and do a port and polish job on it. I've had experience with this in the past
and it's worked out well (drag racing). It is time-consuming and meticulous, but that's what a hobby is.
Respectfully,
Robert
Just joined the group to learn some things about aftermarket ECU's and then possibly getting a turbo.
I'd like the idea of being able to tweak the engine management to have the car run as best as it can with each
individual upgrade before moving on to the next.
I have a 1999 AE with 75000 mi stock motor with only a few mods done to the car. It is a very fun car to drive.
I've attended a novice autocross class and really need to become a better driver before adding much more power.
I changed to a 5Xracing adjustable timing wheel and now have 12 degrees advance. Hard Dog's double hoop roll bar.
I made a sealed cold air intake and changed the cast iron exhaust manifold to a 2001 tube type and a new muffler.
I installed a MiataRoadster short shifter and Derlin door bushings.
I'm a tinkerer and love DIY projects, especially if they improve performance or functionality.
I'd like to get a used 1999 head and intake and do a port and polish job on it. I've had experience with this in the past
and it's worked out well (drag racing). It is time-consuming and meticulous, but that's what a hobby is.
Respectfully,
Robert
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11-18-2017, 06:21 AM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 16
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Welcome! Pictures of your AE? Very cool rare miata. I would very much like to find one in good shape one day.
if you're interested in gains on a head you should get a VVT head from an 01-05 to work with. (variable valve timing, intake side only) 140 hp for a well tuned VVT motor is not out of the question. They have a nice midrange. (My 94 is running an 01 motor but I don't have VVT control yet and even still it runs better than my 94 BP- which makes sense aa it has slightly higher compression)
Keep in mind the BP isn't very efficient and I wouldn't expect a ton more than 170 HP N/A and that would be with itbs and increased compression from a head or block shave. Also small intake valves with VVT make for a very very nice and streetable forced induction motor if (when?) you go turbo later.
if you're interested in gains on a head you should get a VVT head from an 01-05 to work with. (variable valve timing, intake side only) 140 hp for a well tuned VVT motor is not out of the question. They have a nice midrange. (My 94 is running an 01 motor but I don't have VVT control yet and even still it runs better than my 94 BP- which makes sense aa it has slightly higher compression)
Keep in mind the BP isn't very efficient and I wouldn't expect a ton more than 170 HP N/A and that would be with itbs and increased compression from a head or block shave. Also small intake valves with VVT make for a very very nice and streetable forced induction motor if (when?) you go turbo later.
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11-18-2017, 06:17 PM
#4
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Location: Brandon Florida
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Thanks for the response. Does it take a different ECU than stock to use the VVT heads? Are they a direct bold on? Will 1999 headers fit on a VVT head?
There is just soooo much I don't know about Miatas and have a lot to learn. I was wondering if you know if there is an add-on or piggy back that will allow me to
adjust the timing and A/F mixture?
There is just soooo much I don't know about Miatas and have a lot to learn. I was wondering if you know if there is an add-on or piggy back that will allow me to
adjust the timing and A/F mixture?
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11-18-2017, 07:04 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 16
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Robert I am no expert I hope others will chime in but I will do my best to answer your questions. They ARE out there and I recommend you do a little searching on the different variants of miata as many parts are compatible it always helps to know what is what.
-Thanks for the response. Does it take a different ECU than stock to use the VVT heads?
Technically no. The head will bolt to any 1.8 block. It will function essentially as a normal NB1 head. (99-00 model years, same as yours) and compared to the older cars has slightly higher compression and redesigned ports. You will however need an external controlller for the VVT solenoid to see the benefits over your head. For YOU, there isn't a TON of power to be had in terms of peak, but rather area under the curve and the real benefits come in fine tuning and when airflow is generally increased across the board.
The nb2 (01-05, VVT) head gasket is also different. It has a sort of pseudo coolant reroute. Do a lot more research on what the reroute is and which head gasket to use for your setup if you get there.
-Are they a direct bold on? Will 1999 headers fit on a VVT head?
Mechanically yes, but there are differences. The 01+ oem header is quite good but any other 1.8 header will fit as well.
I believe your NB already has a crank sensor setup so that will not be an issue. Nor will coilpacks. If you were coming from an NA 1.8 there is more work to be done from the earlier cars.
The intake manifold is different. I do not know if the 99-00 manifolds will work. I reused the 01+ manifold on my swap. I do not remember which throttle body. But I believe the TB from 99-05 is the same and uses the same style iacv. The two styles of NB manifold also have different style butterfly/variable intake systems.
The fuel rail/system is slightly different. I do not remember which setup I used but I was going from a 94 as well. Your ecu choice will determine this to some extent but a combination of nb1 and nb2 components can be made to work. Injectors you need to use 99-05 injectors.
-There is just soooo much I don't know about Miatas and have a lot to learn.
That's good! Just keep learning!
-I was wondering if you know if there is an add-on or piggy back that will allow me to
adjust the timing and A/F mixture?
There are many options! more than I know of... It is one of the good things about the miata as a platform. Megasquirt is the probably the most popular option and a great value. Plus if you want to learn, it can be as in depth as you want--as they sell kits and components to BUILD your standalone.
You will NEED at least a VVT controller (VVTuner made by the folks who make megasquirt) or a standalone to gain from a VVT head.
A well setup NB before turbo will be that much better if you go that route if you spend time to learn the car and the software you decide to use.
The questions you asked are good questions but each one is a massive topic in and of itself. Do some reading around the forum. I recommend you pick an "area of study" each week to dive into amd read up on. Break it up or it can be overwhelming.
Enjoy your miata and give er love! The 99AE is a sweet car.
-Thanks for the response. Does it take a different ECU than stock to use the VVT heads?
Technically no. The head will bolt to any 1.8 block. It will function essentially as a normal NB1 head. (99-00 model years, same as yours) and compared to the older cars has slightly higher compression and redesigned ports. You will however need an external controlller for the VVT solenoid to see the benefits over your head. For YOU, there isn't a TON of power to be had in terms of peak, but rather area under the curve and the real benefits come in fine tuning and when airflow is generally increased across the board.
The nb2 (01-05, VVT) head gasket is also different. It has a sort of pseudo coolant reroute. Do a lot more research on what the reroute is and which head gasket to use for your setup if you get there.
-Are they a direct bold on? Will 1999 headers fit on a VVT head?
Mechanically yes, but there are differences. The 01+ oem header is quite good but any other 1.8 header will fit as well.
I believe your NB already has a crank sensor setup so that will not be an issue. Nor will coilpacks. If you were coming from an NA 1.8 there is more work to be done from the earlier cars.
The intake manifold is different. I do not know if the 99-00 manifolds will work. I reused the 01+ manifold on my swap. I do not remember which throttle body. But I believe the TB from 99-05 is the same and uses the same style iacv. The two styles of NB manifold also have different style butterfly/variable intake systems.
The fuel rail/system is slightly different. I do not remember which setup I used but I was going from a 94 as well. Your ecu choice will determine this to some extent but a combination of nb1 and nb2 components can be made to work. Injectors you need to use 99-05 injectors.
-There is just soooo much I don't know about Miatas and have a lot to learn.
That's good! Just keep learning!
-I was wondering if you know if there is an add-on or piggy back that will allow me to
adjust the timing and A/F mixture?
There are many options! more than I know of... It is one of the good things about the miata as a platform. Megasquirt is the probably the most popular option and a great value. Plus if you want to learn, it can be as in depth as you want--as they sell kits and components to BUILD your standalone.
You will NEED at least a VVT controller (VVTuner made by the folks who make megasquirt) or a standalone to gain from a VVT head.
A well setup NB before turbo will be that much better if you go that route if you spend time to learn the car and the software you decide to use.
The questions you asked are good questions but each one is a massive topic in and of itself. Do some reading around the forum. I recommend you pick an "area of study" each week to dive into amd read up on. Break it up or it can be overwhelming.
Enjoy your miata and give er love! The 99AE is a sweet car.
Last edited by Zachary O'Hare; 11-18-2017 at 07:21 PM.
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