I had that problem on my old red turbo miata (you're not the guy who bought it are you?), except it waited until about 80mph on an 80* day before it would start to overheat. I'm pretty sure it was because I took out the front tray thing that bridged the gap between the "mouth" and the bottom of the radiator, so any air was able to just go down under the radiator at speed. I would add undertrays first, then see if anything needs to be fixed after that.

The retarded timing/engine overheat is engine specific, most of the temp that leaves the head leaves via the contact between the exhaust valve and the seat, so yes retarding it will increase exhaust valve temp, and then its transfered through the seat when its seated so it will increase temp. Its very head design specific whether this will overheat an engine though. Although I apologise that my statement was so blanket non specific. I usually really try not to do that.

Dann

My car is a 92 with p/s, a/c, no abs, c/c, p/w, and no power mirrors.

quick question for you guys. would the placement of the intercooler affect the temp at speeds around 75+

http://forum.miata.net/vb/picture.ph...pictureid=5554
notice how forward it is in the nose. i want to move it, just have not had the time to pull the front bumper off to do it.

No undertray + IC + single OEM cooling fan = teh overheatz.

Start with the undertray, it's hugely important.

Looks like the tsi's and headlight ducts could be contributing to less flow through the radiator as well.

Problem solved, relocated intercooler about 4inch deeper. can run at any speed or temp and not worry.

-TSI's
-Less flow through radiator

wat

Are you trying to ask a question here?

TSI's + headlight ducts = less flow through radiator.

What's the confusion about?

Yeah, I didn't think my original statement was really up for debate. Maybe MartinezA92 was confused.