Hello all. I'm new to miata's, had mine for almost a year now. I've been into cars for about a decade but have have hit a dry spell due to academics over the past couple years. I'm finishing my first year of my masters, and am getting back into the addiction of having a fun car.


Currently planning to turbo the 1.6L (i know...i know...) but I have so many available parts for the b6, and at this point, I am not here to prove anything with big numbers so I'm really not interested in the 1.6 vs 1.8 debate. I just want my Miata to be a bit more fun than it is. If I want a faster more powerful car, it's going to wait after graduation.




Cars of the past:
99 Impreza L, WRX powertrain, vf34

Sold for tuition

91 e30 318i, s50b30us ('95 M3 motor)

Sold to purchase miata and camera gear

1992 GS500, k6 GSXR forks, katana rear wheel, hayabusa brakes, Works Performance racing shock

Sold for torsen diff and roll bar

:flame suit on:

 

Nice impreza and bimmer. Welcome

 

Welcome, love your old cars. Any pics of the miata?

Nothing wrong with a turbo 1.6 ... until you realize you want more torque(quicker spool) and there is no other option, then you are where I'm at.

 

Impressive former projects, no flaming required. Welcome.

 

I've resigned myself to accepting that this car will a bit slower than my past cars or motorcycle, but it's still the best handling car I've driven. I loved the 274awhp impreza, and the instant torque in any gear from a 3.0L bmw, but this car makes me smile where it counts...in the corners. There is still much to learn and I've been out of the loop as a driver, so I'll have to dip my feet in a little at a time to fully understand this car at an Autocross.

After a year, I just seek a bit more pep without it being overkill for street use. It's 97% street car, and I'll only be doing autoX in the summer. Free time is few and far between as a grad student.

Since ownership, I've relinquished the open diff with a 4.1 Torsen LSD, and installed suspension techniques anti-roll bars (left on it's softest settings). I haven't gotten around to replacing the Rokkor suspension, but they aren't blown, surprisingly, for New England roads. They work alright for now, but are a bit bouncy in the rear. Hopefully this will be addressed this summer when the car goes under the scalpel, the bushings are also tired.

I've installed a hard dog double diagonal hard core roll bar, and have removed the soft top. It was in such poor shape during one of the hurricanes, there was 1/2" standing water in the passenger foot well, rendering the ECU confused. Dried it out, emptied the water, car has never had a problem since. But it was motivation enough to refinish a hardtop with paint and a new rear window.

The car is a bit rough, it needs a new front bumper and fenders, but it's still quite fun.

Winter status:


Cheapy TRM's for summer:

 

So you're saying you want to do it twice....?

Ok, cool... FYI - there are 1.8 longblocks on ebay at $900 all day long...

 

Nowhere have I mentioned I was going to do it twice, nor have I said that it will be in form of a Miata. My goal is to make my current car a bit more fun. Once I have a "big boy" job, I'll play a little harder. Thanks.

 

Welcome, psyber_0ptix!

 

Thank you, sir!

I originally hail from Fairfax!

 

That is some pretty dam good automotive history! Looks like you have a very clean miata now, though a little on the low side (I'm starting to think Rokkors aren't adjustable from that!)

 

They're definitely able to go higher.

 

Car looks AWESOME. +1 for a mariner, love it man.

Imo you can easily make this car as fast as a 270whp impreza, even on the stock motor. it wont be as torquey (assuming a 2.5) - but you should be able to make it as fast.

My 240whp car was a pinch faster than my buddies vf39 300+whp 2007 wrx. Granted the wrx is much heavier than your impreza, it also had a bit more HP as well.

I don't see why you cant at least match the power to weight ratio you had in your impreza reliably with a good turbo setup and EMS to match.

Anyways, power isn't everything if you enjoy the corners - so carry on

 

No doubt about that. If I am able to sell the bulk of the 1.6L parts available to me, I'd be open to slowly building a 1.8L. I can get a bare block locally for cheap. I've done swaps before in different cars, but never actually tore down a motor. My goal for this project is to learn more about assembly and processes, to learn regardless of which displacement is chosen.

You nailed it. Brakes, Suspension, then a bit more power...the Miata is definitely potent.

I know the rhyme and reason why displacement and turbo are happily married. But unless I can find a 1.8L crank, the cost and availability of 1.6L parts locally is tough to beat at the moment.

Maybe this will all change when my tax return deposits. Anyone have a spare 1.8L crank been meaning to get rid of?

Edit:

all cost being the same for the rods/pistons/bearings/turbo kit...

To finish a 1.6L build, I just need:
Block w/crank ($175 local)
Rods ($400)

To start a 1.8L, I'd have to get:
Bare Block with oil parts ($300-400)
Crank ($???)
Rods ($400)
Pistons (~$800 for FM Wiseco's)
Complete head ($?)
Intake manifold ($?)
Swap kit ($120)

 

Sweet looking GS500!!!!

 

Thanks, I recently sold it to get a 4.1 Torsen Diff, roll bar, and a new lens.



Update on build...

I got a 1.8 bare block and crank locally, I just have to sell all the 1.6L parts I have and start collecting items to build the bottom end.

 

they don't sell blocks with cranks in your area or what?

 

I asked a guy selling a bunch of random NA/NB parts on craigslist and he pointed me to another person who had block and crank sitting. I picked it up, but before I can go anywhere with this build, I have to sell the 1.6L stuff, primarily the FM Pistons.

 

How much are you looking to get for the FM pistons?

 

psyber_0ptix, yo have an interesting and diverse automotive history.

I'm curious- without using Google, does the name Mark Abene mean anything to you?

 

lolol