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Best "set it and forget it" turbo kit for the money

Old 07-05-2013, 11:38 AM
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Default Best "set it and forget it" turbo kit for the money

So I've been lurking around and wanting to turbo for a while. I've been wanting to buy the FM Voodoo II kit because it seems like the simplest "set it and forget it" type of kit, however, my worry is that I'll have to cut the ECU harness. Then I took a look at the Begi NB200 in which the team is claiming 200ish rwhp for just a "set it and forget it" type of a kit. This kit utilizes a reflash of the ECU, so no modification of the ECU harness.

Wanted to know what everyones thoughts are in which would be best to potentially get.

I have no need to upgrade to 250+rwhp all I am looking is for at least 200rwhp to have more fun in my Miata.
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:46 AM
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I completely disagree with Corky about tuning for 12.5AFR in boost. Many agree that its stupid and dangerous. And that + about 10psi is what you'd need to run to reach 200whp. Add a bad batch of pump gas to the equation and the slogan should read "set it and forget it......until you have to replace your engine in a few months"
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:49 AM
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There is a thread on this forum about the NB200 kit. If you read it you will see what the opinions are.
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:49 AM
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So you would suggest the VooDoo II kit over the NB200? I know that everyone hates anything that doesn't have a stand alone ECU, but again, for the time being I don't need anything special. I just want to slap the kit on, enjoy it, and when it comes time to upgrade, I can shell out the extra money needed to do that instead of doing it upfront now.
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:54 AM
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Or, now that I just thought about it. Pickup a FMII kit without electronics and wait for a stand alone to come up for cheap.

For example, there is a DIYPNP on here for $600 or a Greddy eManage on here for $400.

That would bring the kit to around $3400-$3600 and that would be a complete kit I believe
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:56 AM
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get a non-electronics kit from either of the 2 major vendors.
add injectors wideband and ems.

do it right or suffer the consequences

*edit:
if you decide to absolutely take the oem reflash route, I'd get 330cc injectors or something like that, so that you can still go back to stock if need be yet have at least enough injector to get to 10psi. I hear the NB oem ecu can handle up to 330cc without too much trouble, not 100% on that though.
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Old 07-05-2013, 11:59 AM
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Oh one last question, my Miata right now just has all stock other then plug wires and a racing beat exhaust. The DP will connect up to the racing beat exhaust right? or am I going to need to upgrade the exhaust as well.
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:02 PM
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it should bolt up.

also now that I think about it begi also has the xede available. its not a great solution, but its not terrible, and comes with an adapter harness
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:05 PM
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Thanks 18 for your help.

You're in California as well right? I thought I saw a thread where he bought a turbo kit off you and you were both in Sacramento.

I'm in San Jose (about an hour and half South of you) and I guess it works out. Seeing how CA smog blows, if we can't "smog" the car, then what would be your best bet for a kit?

What I'm asking is, in the worst case scenario that I have to uninstall the kit every two years, I want something where I can uninstall the hardware of the kit itself, install the stock parts and bring it in and it'll pass smog. If I'm going to be playing around with the ECU, is there a plug n play ECU that the technician wouldn't know about or will I then have to swap the stock ECU back in as well.

Lastly, I see Begi has Shanghai kits for a little bit cheaper. Seems like it is hit in miss with the china turbos so you'd suggest to stay away from those kits?
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:08 PM
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you have an NB1 right?

get a pnp MS2 or MS3 from Rev or Brain. It takes all of 5 minutes to unplug it and plug in the stock ecu.

as for injectors and everything else - remove and re-install every 2 years. or you can pick up a FFS kit which is smog legal here. In fact I'm trying one right now (I'll post results as soon as I'm done tuning it in a few days).

*edit: also I'll probably be selling it in a few months when my built engine is done and I run some serious boost
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:12 PM
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Yes I have an NB1 (2000)

I actually looked into the FFS kit first but I've heard it is extremely limited. With all upgrades you can do to the kit (smaller pulley, etc) the kit will only put down around 175-200rwhp and then that's the limit of the kit, no growth potential.

At least with the turbo kits, you put the up front costs for the parts and you're limitations are at continuously least upgradable (turbo, injectors, etc until the block ends up being your limitation).

What made you want to test out the FFS? I'm just thinking for the same price, why cap ourselves off.

Also, another thing that I just thought about, I'll have to go through my parts section in the garage, but I've seen a lot of people utilize RX7 injectors. Stock RX7 injectors are 550CC primary and 750CC secondary. I removed these when I went single turbo. I'd be able to use the 550's right?

Man I missed this
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:17 PM
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From what I've seen it should do 180-190 on the base 10psi pulley and pump gas.
With a larger pulley it should do 200-220.
With larger pulley and e85 it should do well into the 250 range.

It pretty much is "set and forget" though, and the CARB cert is basically its biggest pro.

Why'd I try it? Its between that or driving it stock for the next few months til I shoot for 300+ and 180-200whp sounds a whole lot better than 120whp
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Old 07-05-2013, 12:21 PM
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Haha, so you bought a full FFS kit as a temporary HP fix while you build up a turbo setup? I like the way you think
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Old 07-05-2013, 01:15 PM
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Supercharger kits are the only things I've seen out there that are the most set it and forget it type setup. But yea what 18psi said.
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Old 07-05-2013, 06:22 PM
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Begi has a carb legal kit for cars up to '99 if thats a concern of yours.
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Old 07-05-2013, 06:25 PM
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not in ca
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Old 07-05-2013, 06:47 PM
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BEGI currently holds a CARB EO for turbo systems on the 1989-1999 Miatas. The systems that are CARB legal are the BEGI-S, S1, S2, and S3. The S4, SSM, and the Shanghai series of turbo systems are NOT CARB Legal.
BEGi
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Old 07-05-2013, 06:56 PM
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lol@18 recommending an FFS kit

wtf is going on in this place. Maybe we do need to unban Fae.
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Old 07-05-2013, 09:39 PM
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So I'm going to end up going with a BEGI kit I believe.

I've priced the two FMII without electronics and the BEGI kit has a much more "complete" kit from the start (hardline oil/water lines, ceramic coatings, etc.) vs the FMII where those are options necessary to pay extra.

Now it's determining between the Begi Shanghai S1 or S3 kit. It seems as though the only difference between the S1 and S3 is "this system does not include the Stainless Steel Downpipe, FMU, Cold Air Box, Radiator Cover, Compressor Inlet Tube Heatshield, or Air Scooper."

I don't think any of those are necessary and that's about a $500 saving which I can put towards a DIYPNP

Here is what I'm thinking:

BEGI S1 or S3 Kit (what turbo? there is a T25 or 2871)
DIYPNP
Injectors (what size do I need?)
AEM Wideband
AEM Boost Controller/Boost gauge

I'm hoping the setup will be able to give me at least 200rwhp safely
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Old 07-05-2013, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by gearhead_318
cool story bro
it won't work in CA
Originally Posted by thenuge26
lol@18 recommending an FFS kit

wtf is going on in this place. Maybe we do need to unban Fae.
I'm not just recommending an FFS kit you homos. Stop riding my nuts about it. He asked about CA legal kit or something that will be "set and forget" including smog/inspection. I mentioned FFS because it is both of those. Is it better than a turbo setup? Heck no
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