New Miata owner southern Ohio
 

Picked up a 1999 stock Miata with 75000 miles. Brand new soft top, new tires and in really good condition. What’s the best newbie turbo for around 200 horses?
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Welcome. Look into MKturbo or Kraken turbo setups. Both will need a standalone ECU and larger injectors. Both offer kits with just manifold/turbo/downpipe, but also have options to include an intercooler and/or exhaust.

Welcome, where about in SO are you located?

Bill

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m in ironton

Welcome! Ohio has a great Miata community. As for a Turbo system, easiest is FlyinMiata but also most expensive. The best 'budget' system is MKTurbo.

Another vote here for Kraken turbo setups (I have one and am probably biased because of that).

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of great info on here regarding setting your car up for turbocharging. There's lots of super-knowledgeable guys on here that are wiling to help, but you're going to get blasted if you ask easily-searchable questions without doing some digging for answers first.

Spark notes on going from OEM to turbo'd setup: Install and tune standalone ECU first (Megasquirt ECUs are popular round deez parts), install bigger injectors and retune, then add turbo, continue tuning. Spend lots of hours reading threads on this forum during the whole process.

I purchased mine with the FM kit already installed w/Voodoo box, upgraded to an MS3Pro and currently in the process of tuning it. If you are even in the SW corner of Ohio you are welcome to check it out.

Bill

I don’t think I’m capable to install a turbo correctly. I’d like to find a reputable shop to install it but in my area just finding a shop is tough

I'd stop at one of the auto parts stores and talk to the guys about local shops. Doubtful you'll find a miata specific shop but unbolting/bolting parts isn't too difficult. The ECU will be the biggest hangup. Maybe look in the Portsmouth area?

I’m from Ironton also.

Got my turbo ordered. Went with an eBay setup. Ordered a roll bar too. Can’t wait to get it all installed

Which rollbar did you go with? I'm fresh off of an install myself.

Looks like you track your Kraken kit? If so, how has heat management been? I've got a new low mount system waiting on the shelf when I get block back together. I've just got a little 2554R, and my thinking was I wanted something to spool quickly for exiting corners but I'm curious how your 2560 does.

I know this wasn't directed at me, but I do also have a Kraken kit with a 2560R that I track. I have had my racecar boosted for 6 years now and the only issue I have had in relation to the kit is a cracked downpipe. I was also one of the first Kraken adopters so this was way before his cast two-piece downpipes he has now so my bet is that issue is completely resolved. I just welded mine back up and havent had another issue yet. If it cracks again I will just buy his new cast style downpipe and be done with it. Besides that small issue I have nothing but good things to say about the kit. In interest of not cluttering Ardens nice meet and greet post, feel free to PM me or post up on my build thread if you have any other Kraken kit related questions :likecat:

You ask our advice, but then did your own thing anyway.
Why did you ask?

Yessir, as stated by RASKAR, I don’t wanna derail this thread but I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the kit. No issues with heat management, I’ve got hood vents, a Crossflow radiator, and some homebrew ducting that could definitely be improved upon and I don’t have to take cooldown laps in any weather below 95-100*. 2560 does fine on track. My car hits 17psi at about 3,700rpm and I never find myself at under 4K on track even if I skip a downshift and rely on torque alone to lug it out of a corner.

I cracked my downpipe as well at the flex pipe but that was user error. One of my exhaust hangers decided to disappear and I unknowingly did a track day with my exhaust flailing around more than it should’ve.

That 2554r/low Mount combo is gonna spool fast!

I'll continue to derail the Ebay thread by suggesting anything but the 2554 for the track. It's way too small. You'll be in upper rpms like z_waaaaaaaaaaaz said, which is completely out of the 2554's power band. They're not much better than MSM IHI turbos, which I've blown a number of those up at ~200-220hp from constant high RPM, I wouldn't be surprised if the 2554 would do the same, maybe a bit better.

I agree, the 2554 would be a hair dryer for a track car. I actually really like my old skool 2860rs for track duty, it's super linear, easy to drive, and pretty low heat.

The eBay kit was relatively inexpensive so if it’s a disaster I’m not out much money. I’m not looking for crazy horsepower just a boost in the driving experience. Some people get fucking butt hurt easily on here if you don’t follow their line of thinking lol.

With data points for the 2554 so few and far between, I had no idea this was actually a potential issue on a track car. I was (maybe stupidly) trying to be positive but now I’m just more glad I sprung for the bigger little turbo.

Oh now you done it.

Crazy horsepower and a reliable setup aren’t mutually exclusive.

Please keep the build thread updated throughout and after the install.

Some of us have been building turbo miatas for 15+ years, have lots of experience with varying quality of parts, and are just trying to help steer you in the right direction so that you don't duplicate costs and effort.

The ebay kits just don't pay off, especially when there are super cost effective and reliable alternatives. Good luck!

What rollbar did you go with? I'm genuinely curious and agree with Zak, keep us posted!

Agreed with Fire. Nobody's TRYING to come off as a d*ck and the bottom line is that everyone on here with the know how really does just want to help. The community is more likely to grow if more people turbo'ing these cars have good experiences and don't suffer catastrophic failures early on in the process.

If you read over a bunch of the build threads on here, patterns start to form regarding what works and what's likely to leave you banging your head against the wall.

At any rate, keep the build thread updated! People have obviously taken notice to your thread and may have more insight/good advice for you. I'd heed the advice given by any of the senior members on here.

I'll also add:

What ebay kit did you go with? If it's one of those sweet looking tubular manifolds, it will probably fall apart within the first 2,000 miles, if lucky.

If you got one of the cast log manifold kits, it's actually a knock-off BEGI manifold from ~2006 era and it should actually hold together, assuming the turbo doesn't fly apart and take out your motor with debris.

Yeah this is the common consensus I'm seeing. Probably should've spent a bit more time on homework before ordering 🫠 but at least the turbo is brand new and will be easy to sell & get the 2560.

I'll be the dick. Smaller turbines build backpressure and more heat on the track than ones that breathe better.

Track days will show you all the weak points. Don't drive it to the track. Use a trailer so you can get it back home.

Couldn't agree more, that's why before even starting my Miata track project, I did this project first. It was the prerequisite project for my main project lol. I've put a ton of work into it but it's been a total workhorse. It's my tow vehicle, parts grabber, scrap metal runs, etc.. the Miata track project probably wouldn't be possible without it. It's also great for taking the dogs to the lake after they have a blast getting muddy.


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Or be like me and extensively time attack your turbo miata for the last 3 years without a tow rig, driving 2.5 hours (~150 mi) each way. I've fixed a few things trackside, and have exposed some major issues that required major refinement, even wrecked the shit of the car and had to do a string alignment to get it home once, but never has it left me stranded! I do have a AAA membership and good track buddies that would let me keep the car there if I needed, though.

That said, get a fuckin trailer, I'm shopping for a setup right now.

You've got a V8 Toyota so you are approved to stick around, lol.