One Month After My Turbo Install
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Green Cove Springs, Florida
Posts: 186
Total Cats: 18
One Month After My Turbo Install
Hello All, I'm new to this forum, but have been kicking around one of the other ones for a while.
A little over a month ago I installed a Flyin' Miata Voodoo II kit in my 2003. I added their crossflow radiator and heavier clutch at the same time. Prior to the install I did a LOT of research and considered other options for an ECU. I don't really want to be a tuner and wanted the car to run like stock until I opened the throttle so, after careful consideration, I decided to go Voodoo.
The car is everything that I hoped for. 8 psi gives me quite a bit of extra power and when not in boost the car is very civilized. My AFR's range from around 13 when it first goes into boost and settles in between 11.5-12 at wide open. ODB2 monitoring shows moderate temperatures and a temporary install of set cans showed no sign of detonation.
For me the Voodoo works. My hat is off to those of you who go the extra mile with a stand alone ECU. in my younger, more power hungry days, I'd have done the same thing. I know that I'm giving up HP with my current setup. That's OK.
I'm considering installing a water/methanol injection setup next. Mostly just for the fun of it and maybe to be able to dial back in a couple of degrees of timing. I found a website with step by step instructions and a parts list for a build it yourself setup. Looks like fun.
I've appreciated all the knowledge that I was able to absorb from the folks on this, and the other forum. Helped me a lot to make an informed decision.
Happy Boosting,
Paul M. Hellings
St. Augustine, FL
A little over a month ago I installed a Flyin' Miata Voodoo II kit in my 2003. I added their crossflow radiator and heavier clutch at the same time. Prior to the install I did a LOT of research and considered other options for an ECU. I don't really want to be a tuner and wanted the car to run like stock until I opened the throttle so, after careful consideration, I decided to go Voodoo.
The car is everything that I hoped for. 8 psi gives me quite a bit of extra power and when not in boost the car is very civilized. My AFR's range from around 13 when it first goes into boost and settles in between 11.5-12 at wide open. ODB2 monitoring shows moderate temperatures and a temporary install of set cans showed no sign of detonation.
For me the Voodoo works. My hat is off to those of you who go the extra mile with a stand alone ECU. in my younger, more power hungry days, I'd have done the same thing. I know that I'm giving up HP with my current setup. That's OK.
I'm considering installing a water/methanol injection setup next. Mostly just for the fun of it and maybe to be able to dial back in a couple of degrees of timing. I found a website with step by step instructions and a parts list for a build it yourself setup. Looks like fun.
I've appreciated all the knowledge that I was able to absorb from the folks on this, and the other forum. Helped me a lot to make an informed decision.
Happy Boosting,
Paul M. Hellings
St. Augustine, FL
#2
Sounds like a nice setup you've got there. Any pictures of the car to share with us?
There's a ton of information on the site and ways to find a little more power. The basic FM/BEGI kits are very upgrade friendly if you ever get to feeling like you need a little more there's plenty to be had.
Welcome to the site.
There's a ton of information on the site and ways to find a little more power. The basic FM/BEGI kits are very upgrade friendly if you ever get to feeling like you need a little more there's plenty to be had.
Welcome to the site.
#4
Another old(er) guy!!
I use the most basic possible CoolingMist kit. At the time I bought it, they were running a special and it was actually cheaper than doing DIY with individual parts. Don't know if that's still the case. It has been flawless for 3 years/30K miles.
My stock auto radiator handles the heat just fine with a coolant reroute. It was $80 new. I track . . . in TX.
I use the most basic possible CoolingMist kit. At the time I bought it, they were running a special and it was actually cheaper than doing DIY with individual parts. Don't know if that's still the case. It has been flawless for 3 years/30K miles.
My stock auto radiator handles the heat just fine with a coolant reroute. It was $80 new. I track . . . in TX.
#8
Sweet ride Paul!
I joined mt over 2 1/2 years ago, but just now finally pulled the trigger on a relatively low boost turbo from BEGI.
They're only 3 hours from me and I like what they do.
A major request/requirement for me was to stay OBDII compliant. They do a 'reflash' of the ecu and supposedly it won't throw codes and such.
I'm told to expect maybe 9psi on my '01, don't know hp/tq numbers to expect. My car is a project, or 'development' car if you will.... getting one hell of a discount on parts and install. Will hopefully get it back at the end of the month
My hat's off to you for doing the install yourself, I didn't have the cajones to install one myself. Timing belts, general maintenance, fluid changes are the extent of my auto know-how
I joined mt over 2 1/2 years ago, but just now finally pulled the trigger on a relatively low boost turbo from BEGI.
They're only 3 hours from me and I like what they do.
A major request/requirement for me was to stay OBDII compliant. They do a 'reflash' of the ecu and supposedly it won't throw codes and such.
I'm told to expect maybe 9psi on my '01, don't know hp/tq numbers to expect. My car is a project, or 'development' car if you will.... getting one hell of a discount on parts and install. Will hopefully get it back at the end of the month
My hat's off to you for doing the install yourself, I didn't have the cajones to install one myself. Timing belts, general maintenance, fluid changes are the extent of my auto know-how
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Green Cove Springs, Florida
Posts: 186
Total Cats: 18
Didn't do it all myself
Sweet ride Paul!
I joined mt over 2 1/2 years ago, but just now finally pulled the trigger on a relatively low boost turbo from BEGI.
They're only 3 hours from me and I like what they do.
A major request/requirement for me was to stay OBDII compliant. They do a 'reflash' of the ecu and supposedly it won't throw codes and such.
I'm told to expect maybe 9psi on my '01, don't know hp/tq numbers to expect. My car is a project, or 'development' car if you will.... getting one hell of a discount on parts and install. Will hopefully get it back at the end of the month
My hat's off to you for doing the install yourself, I didn't have the cajones to install one myself. Timing belts, general maintenance, fluid changes are the extent of my auto know-how
I joined mt over 2 1/2 years ago, but just now finally pulled the trigger on a relatively low boost turbo from BEGI.
They're only 3 hours from me and I like what they do.
A major request/requirement for me was to stay OBDII compliant. They do a 'reflash' of the ecu and supposedly it won't throw codes and such.
I'm told to expect maybe 9psi on my '01, don't know hp/tq numbers to expect. My car is a project, or 'development' car if you will.... getting one hell of a discount on parts and install. Will hopefully get it back at the end of the month
My hat's off to you for doing the install yourself, I didn't have the cajones to install one myself. Timing belts, general maintenance, fluid changes are the extent of my auto know-how
#10
I'd be interested in hearing if you encountered any particularly troublesome jobs in the install process. I just got word from FM today that my Voodoo II kit has shipped (along with WBO2 and Happy Meal clutch), and I'll be starting my install in a couple weeks. Like you I've done a lot of research, read a lot of build diaries as well as the FM install instructions a number of times. I'm not a mechanical genius but I've got the tools and I've never encountered a job I couldn't get through, and anyway having access to the words and pics from actual Miata geniuses adds a lot of confidence to the project.
#11
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Posts: 5,677
Total Cats: 800
I'd be interested in hearing if you encountered any particularly troublesome jobs in the install process. I just got word from FM today that my Voodoo II kit has shipped (along with WBO2 and Happy Meal clutch), and I'll be starting my install in a couple weeks. Like you I've done a lot of research, read a lot of build diaries as well as the FM install instructions a number of times. I'm not a mechanical genius but I've got the tools and I've never encountered a job I couldn't get through, and anyway having access to the words and pics from actual Miata geniuses adds a lot of confidence to the project.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Green Cove Springs, Florida
Posts: 186
Total Cats: 18
The biggest challenges were, as I posted originally, actually getting the new exhaust manifold on. I had to loosen one motet mount and jack the engine to do it. I also had to remove the steering rack to give me enough clearance to feel comfortable in drilling the oil pan. Routing the stainless coolant lines took some patience as well. Routing the Intercooler piping with the radiator hoses and power steering in the way was also a challenge. I also swapped out the radiator for the FM crossflow and that required me to relocate my A/c condenser from behind it's mounting brackets to in front of them. I had no issue with rusted part removal. I had sprayed everything with PB Blaster prior to wrenching. I'm sure that you'll pull it off. Enjoy the extra power!
#15
I plan to drill mine without taking it off, And will spend a lot of time making sure to flush the pan really well. Thinking of drilling with the oil still in it, draining that, and starting the flushing process from there.
My kit is here and all I need now are a few days to do the dang thing.
My kit is here and all I need now are a few days to do the dang thing.