So, im hacking a wreck back together enough to run it around the block for a systems check. I want to make sure everything is healthy before i pull it all aprt and relocate to my good car. I also want to make sure i like a turbo miata drivetrain more than my v6 (pretty sure i will).

All i have is a giant greddy intercooler that will require a ton of hackery and effort to get mounted. Then, more to reuse in the green car.

Can i reasonably run a few test laps and a hard pull with no intercooler? Or am i borrowing trouble?

 

Yup, that's fine. Just make sure you have air temp retard tuned well, you probably want to pull 2* by 120, and an additional 2* retard for every 10* air temp. Also make sure your tune isn't pulling excessive fuel for high air temps. Some of the base tunes on MS (not sure which ECU you're running) pull up to 25% fuel, which is too much, keep it above 95% (5% fuel removed).

Obviously this is on top of having a decent ignition and fuel map.

 

I wouldn't personally pull as much timing for temp as Curly suggested. I cooked 2 turbos before I realized that the IAT timing retard was causing my EGTs to skyrocket and make my manifold glow bright red.

I'm in a hot climate so 120*F IAT values are likely seen when not even in boost, lol. Asphalt temp is commonly 135*F in the sunlight, according to HF temp gun.

 

Be realistic here gents, if our friend does this he is most likely going to grenade this motor.

 

well, ****. That's NOT what I want to hear.
I have no idea what tune is like in the aem piggyback at this time, nor have i begun to learn to work with it.

Ill add an intercooler even if I have to buy one.
Thanks for saving me an expensive shortcut

 

damn, I’m definitely spoiled by my tepid climate. Hot hot hot days after blasting down the freeway and then sitting in traffic produce ~120-130* AITs. So I figure if it’s higher, it’s a problem. I suppose in some places that’s called normal.