New MS2 installation - so far, so good
 

I'll try to keep this as short as possible and still offer all the information on the direction I am headed and my objectives.

My car: not a daily driver, a toy for street use. 2000 Miata, 5 spd with cold air intake, A/C, power steering and nothing else yet.

I have my own pieced together turbo "kit" including T28 turbo, I/C, 500 cc high impedence injectors, blow off valve and 304ss exhaust manifold.

I just purchased from Bell Eng. an MS2 and Innovate LC-1 Wideband with Gauge. I installed the MS2 and it started right up, interfaced to my laptop, and it idled reasonably well. I played with small corrections and burned them just to get the feel (cause and effect) of minor changes at idle. I have narrow band selected now. I've read the manual and gleaned as much as I could from reading the megatune manual, even though I have the Tuner studio (unregistered version). I'll verify timing today before I take it for a little easy ride. I am using the map for 1999-2000 that came as an MS map file. It seems quite rich as the fumes would indicate. I am new to tuning and like to read and learn but appreciate some basic direction. I want to do this right, but want to become proficient and self sufficient. I also weld and have facilities to do my own work at my warehouse. For now, my intention is to not build the engine and limit the boost to what the wastegate preload is set for, 9lbs (according to the vendor description). If I can get 190-200 whp, this should meet my needs for now.

Okay, my questions: Does it make sense to learn the MS and get it tuned in its current state, before installing turbo set up? I realize I will have to change things. Do I need to install the IAT sensor, Wideband lc-1 before even moving forward with a base tuning to learn "how to tune"? Or should I just install everything and just go for it all at once? my objective is to avoid complete failure and frustration and avoid running too lean and having a melt down. Thanks for the patience in going through my writing. I hope the background information was useful in helping me out.