Looking for any advice regarding installing a turbo kit on a 2012 Miata. Miata is a 2012 GT AUTOMATIC. It would just be for fun and experience, not for racing or autocross - just something to show off and have fun. I would be doing the install. Last winter I installed an HKS supercharger on our 2019 so I know just enough to be dangerous but not really versed in the turbo world. I am 81 years old so I work slow - but there is no hurry. The only US vendors I see are Flying Miata - who has no units available, and Fab9 who I intend to call next week. Other vendors appear to be in England/GB - I want to keep it US based. I am not a big fan of Fab9 as their after-the-sale service is less than ideal but I can use them if I have to. So what do I need to know guys and gals? Lay some truths on me.

It concerns me that I do not see much activity on this site - is there a better or more active site I should visit?
Thanks

 

Go to miata.net for helpful guidance. There is no love for NC or ND in this form.

 

You would be wrong; plenty of NCs and NDs around, although the bulk of builds are on older platforms.

I would wait for the NC crew to chime in; meanwhile the Kraken kits I have seen have been nothing short of amazing. Not sure if there is a US-side vendor, but I know they are shipping directly to the US.

 

You do know there is a 'search' facility on here? You may be surprised at what is available to guide you, though off the top of my head I can't recall much mention of auto NCs. For a cruiser that may not be a problem, but I suggest a question on here on the limitations of that box would be good start.

Don't play the age card on us, there are old farts and young here, and we all have constraints on our ability to get things done quickly - except Zak, who coincidentally drives a turbo NC ...

Finally, welcome to the site, there is a mine of information here. I use that term advisedly, as the expectation is for users to do some digging via the above mentioned search box. Find some users who have something similar, and read their build threads - learn from their experiences.

 

Thanks. I'm a member over there but thought this site might be more turbo specific since turbo is in the name.

 

Thanks. Was assuming the kits from across the pond might be for RHD. I'll keep an open mind on the Kraken Kits. Thanks for the info. Every little bit helps when I am this dumb on the subject.

 

I just completed the installation of the Flyin Miata kit and it was very plug and play. The installation was easy but very tedious. The power is great and the tune is great. The car feels like a stock turbo car but with some aftermarket noises from the turbo if you floor it. I would reach out to Flyin Miata to see when they are expected to receive their next batch.

 

Yes, thanks. I'm just at the beginning of looking into this - 80% sure I will do it but who knows. The searches tend to show up older posts that may or may not be relevant to current kits but I will certainly do that. I will certainly look out for that Zak character - he sounds like BIG trouble I'm a long time member of the miata.net thing so will looking there as well. I installed an SC on our 2019 last year - which was fun but I received what I consider to be poor after-the-sale service from fab9 - but I remain open to working with them. Should be fun.

 

Cool! Excellent information. That is good idea to see what lead time might be. Did you document your install anywhere with words and pictures? That would be super valuable to us newbies. Thanks for the response.

 

I followed this thread.
https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...m-turbo-110412

 

Wow thanks for that. Dude put a whole lot of work into that. RESPECT!

 

Just saw this thread... the thread L4nthonyl linked is mine.

For your use case the FM turbo kit is the logical choice, IMHO. It's really the only plug/play NC turbo on the market, and the only one I know of that was tested with the automatic trans. The install is certainly doable for a DIYer, but it is tedious, and having a lift helped tremendously. The cat welding is probably the biggest hurdle for most, as it has to be tacked in position on the car unless you spend the extra $1k for the modified cat from FM.

The Kraken kit would be my choice for going racing, or for someone looking for big power numbers, but you're going to be taking care of all the little details yourself.

If you have any specific questions about the FM kit, let me know. I haven't updated that thread lately because there's not much to say. Everything has been working flawlessly, and the car's a lot of fun to drive. I'm starting to put together plans for a 3.70 R&P and limited slip... hopefully this summer sometime.