newb from oregon
 

Hi everyone my names kotey im 23 from grants pass oregon

i just purchased a 2001 miata SE Automatic with 80k on her

im a gearhead from head to toe. Im a decently skilled mechanic, but i have a lot to learn. thats why im here is to soak up the knowledge you guys have.

my goals are

to make at least 250-300 whp

Make it bullet proof

and make it a sleeper.

im all about keeping it under the hood.

most cars i have built are small block chevy cars. so the import turbo game is new to me but i understand and grasp most mechanic jargin.

im a nice guy im not a shit talker. i never rag on anybody cause uve got to start somewhere

thanks for having me guys and look forward to talking to y'all

Thanks for joining, kman456!

Welcome from a fellow Oregonian. First off, you'll want to do A LOT of reading, as I can see from your intro post that you're not quite up to snuff.

First off, why the automatic, especially if you're a gear head? Plans to switch to a 6spd?

Read up on 250-300hp builds. Unless you're planning on slotting in one of those chevy V8s, you're going to be hard pressed to make one a sleeper, reliable, or even make that power. Not to mention you'll be extremely impressed with just 200hp. Remember how light these cars are.

Whats your budget/plans/time line?

And lasty, Grants Pass. I'm sorry.

automatic because no one shifts perfect like an automatic.

and if my brother can squeeze 450 hp out of a 2005 gli 1.8t
i think with taking my time and a substantial amount of money
i can obtain 300 whp. it can be done.

plans are

forged internals
clevite bearings
perfect circle rings
rc 550cc injectors
gt2871 water cooled turbo
custom log manifold
27x7x4 intercooler
arp head studs
copper head gasket ( custom made)
supertech valve kit
custom reground cams
water methanol injection
mega squirt or AEM standalone
upgraded radiator and fans
gates racing timing belt
port and polish
tien s tech coilovers
eibach sway bars
3" dp to catless exhaust

budget is until its done

and timeline is about one to two years

transmission upgrades will probably be hardened kevlar clutch plates, hardened clutch baskets, external oil cooler, upgraded bands and see if i can get a shift kit for her

Well, I am not sure anyone knows the torque rating on the automatic. So maybe you will find out.

Still seems silly to put money into a sports car with an automatic transmission.

You put a 5 speed Miata with 200whp
Against a automatic with exact same dyno specs
9/10 auto will beat the 5 speed
He will lose minimal boost during shift
And longer gears will pull longer on top end

unless the 5speed power shifts which is insane

Its only silly if ur gonna autox it but just a fun car to drive its fine

In what, a drag race?

Put a Miata with 50k in mods done to it next to a mustang with 2k of work done and the Miata will lose every time.

If you are only going to drag race, I recommend finding a different car.

If you are going to try to autox or track your auto, then you deserve all the flaming that is about to come down on you.

In the mazda world there are a lot of nay-sayers. I know I am new here my self but turbocharging my bp in my escort was my first expierence with turbo engines. I made 197 whp on a dynodynamics dyno(at corksport to be exact). The turbo I used to get there was a vj20 by ihi, over 20 years old and the compressor has passed something nasty through its baldes at some point. All this done with what I am told is sub-par factory equipment. It seems alot of people here are starting to experiment a little more and hopefully we all will benefit. Lets all try not to be so discouraging. I my self am planning a holset Hx-35 build here shortly, If I hit 450 awhp I'll be pretty happy.