High mileage 1.6 should I rebuild before turbo?
 

I got this car about a year and a half ago for dirt cheap. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it yet. Just tested compression it was 190 190 190 and 210. Seems pretty good to me for nearly 1/4 million miles.

My question is should I turbo it or swap in a new engine first? Move up to a 1.8? It does burn a little oil but what car with 223k doesnt?

I've been looking at begi for turbo stuff and they seem to be pretty good but any way, turbo or new engine then turbo?

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1340305350
This is her too, in case anyone cares.

Those are some high compression numbers. IIRC higher than stock even - probably due to carbon build up. Who cares though, if the numbers are somewhat close to each other (id say yours are close enough) boost it.

Honestly what do you have to lose? My car rocks 150's compression numbers and stomps on ----. If you were going to do anything I'd swap in a 1.8 then build a turbo kit around that.

I'd say the high number could be blamed on the cheap gauge but they are all close so thats what counts, but carbon build up is also a contributor too.

I was thinking of building the kit around this car until it takes its last breath then just swap out for a new manifold and other little bits. Does that sounds as dumb as it does to me? I'm just impatient I think.

Welcome sir.

Sure you can. But you will prolly need a clutch at some point. Your seals are prolly dried up and gone. Head Gasket might not be in the bestest shape. All in all 1.6's are cheaper then dirt...so turbo it, blow it and replace it.

I have a 91 with 235k original miles. My issue was that it needed some gaskets here and there so I thought to rebuilt it if i am going to change out gaskets anyway.

Then I found some guy selling a 91 motor + trans with 100k on them with everything still bolted to it for 200 bux. So I bought that and re-sealed it, did some other maintanance on it...put turbo on it and am swapping the motors. While I drove mine NA tunning MegaSquirt and doing stuff like VTPS, Wideband, injectors and COPS.

Oh and I was dumb and put togethere a 1.6 kit over a long time. Should of just done a 1.8 as its more better. But hindsight and all that.

I have +200K with 12psi of boost on it and it is going strong! turbo that bitch!

I'd boost it. I have a 175k mi 1.6 that runs like a beast - considering. When i finally blow this motor (its been.. umm 5 years boosted now) I'm going 1.8.

Looks like I'm turboing the 1.6. Thanks guys. Now I just have to find all the stuff

Do it in this order

1. Megasquirt
2. Wideband 02
3. Injectors
4. VTPS (You can just get a 1.6 Auto TB with pig tail)
5. COPS
6. 1.8 Rear End...Torsens if you can.
7. Coolant Reroute
8. Trubo/intercooler
9. New Rad if want.

I have the MS just need to install
Ill look into VTPS and COPS
Diff I definitely need
I was looking at a begi S1 setup
And I just put in a new rad from Blackworks.

You probably want to commit to a 1.8 or staying with a 1.6 before you start collecting turbo parts since the manifold won't swap over. If you're staying 1.6, sounds like the motor is healthy and ready for boost.

Also if you are staying with the 1.6 like me get a 1.8 Flywheel (stock is fine) and a Flying Miata Stage 1 clutch.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=08-19010

Replace the rear main seal while you are there...it's leaking.

Also why not get a sr20 t25 turbo (around 100 bux) ARTech manifold and DP....FM or Begi or Track Dog intercooler and pipes. FM or Begi or your own water and oil lines.

I don't care who you are thats some sezzy stuff right there:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1337551305


Would be a much better kit then something off the shelf and cheaper....i think.

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to turbo the 1.6 a year down the road it blows, and I want a 1.8. Is it not just the manifold and some coolant/oil lines that need to be changed for the upgrade (turbo wise)

I think piecing it would be cheaper too. Where would one buy coolant and oil lines? Sorry I'm fairly new to turbo things.

And on the clutch thing what are most peoples opinions of lightweight flywheels?

And lastly, what does COPS and VTPS gain and how much are they to upgrade?

Flying miata or Begi can send you just the Coolant and Oil lines and fittings...there was a guy here a few years back selling them.

Also ATPTurbo.com has EVERYTHING you will ever need for the trubo.

COPS you can run .040 spark gap vs .030...more better spark without spark blow out. Stuff explodes gooder. Around 200bux DIY(make your own harness) and buy the bracket from trackspeed Engineering....or take 45 bux off and make your own bracket. OR buy everything from them for 300 or so.

VTPS....you wont stall at stop lights everytime with with MS. There are other benefits like smother acceleration and so on. Cost...around 50 dolla. If you have a 1st get MSPNP you will need to open it up and take out two resistors and put two wires in. If you use a Megasquirt you NEED this.

Thank you very much. Looks like I need to do some reading. If you know where I could find a write up of the VTPS it would be appreciated, I found Braineak's COP one.

Good compression? Turbo time!

Is the VTPS pretty straight forward? Just Wire (X) to wire (X) and install?

1.8 + ECU + wideband + rear end + other stuff, THEN turbo.

https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/mspnp-faq-12239/

Read the last post in that thread for some TPS install magic! And regarding the resistor mods/wiring see this link, near the bottom:

http://www.megasquirtpnp.com/gen1/mo...093_manual.htm