I think it is time to start a build thread.
I've had my 2000 Black Miata for a little over a year. I started collecting turbo stuff in December. Currently have done MS Lab MS3, Innovate lc-2, Flow Force injectors, and FAB9 COP's.
Still waiting on my ARTech top axial, down pipe and 3" with MT approved big magnaflow. Turbo is a GT2554R.

I thought it was time to get a thread started so I had a place to ask questions and everyone could point out everything I'm doing wrong.
My car just got out of the body shop for repair from a little fender bender. The lady that hit me actually had insurance bonus....

 

Just use Toyota cops

 

I have a set of LS truck coils. Just don't have them on yet. The main problem I have right now is I'm getting the same fuel mileage with my Miata as I do with my Yukon XL 6.0. The car runs good and the AFR look good to me. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Here is a short log and my current tune if anyone has time to show me my error. I'm new at this so if you need more let me know.

 

My car is a driver. no plans for autocross or track. turbo to make my commute more enjoyable....

 

I got the bracket for my LS truck coils done this weekend. I went to every "name" auto part store looking for the coil end for the LS coils to redo my wires with no luck. then I went to a local "Speed Shop" looking for the same part. I told him I was putting LS2 coils on my Miata. When he ask me if the coils were in the stock location I knew I would have to order online. I'll post a picture when I mount them after I get my wires done.

 

If you go search through Soviet's build thread I believe he put all the part numbers in there for what he ordered to make his custom wires.

 

You can use stock Miata plug wires. I've done this on two sets and they've both worked perfectly. You just need to make the connector a smaller diameter on the coil side. So take a pair of pliers, and work it little by little around the socket connector, and just keep pinching it tighter and tighter until it fits snug. If you mess up, oh well, you're not out anything because you probably already had the stock wires laying around.

 

I already ordered the correct ends from summit. should ne here mid week. thanks..

 

Nice work getting all the supporting stuff done first. It makes bolting the turbo on such a simple process.

Do you have big plans down the road or keeping power pretty modest? Seems like you're setting things up for big power, but going with a baby turbo. You definitely shouldn't have any complaints about lag with the setup at least.

 

No big plans. Street only,... fast spooler. This will be my first turbo car so I may get that boost disease that everyone else seems to have. My plans are to keep the motor stock. I have the 949 crossflow radiator and reroute already done also. I like driving the car now, I imagine @ 200ish I will be even happier. After I get the turbo done I need to spend time and money some on suspension and handling.
What are all of the street only guys using for turbo studs. and what do I need to look for for gaskets? manifold, turbo and downpipe flange. I need to get them on order.

 

Studs from the local Ace hardware should be more then fine on a street car. I ran some in my Begi manifold for 3 years without issue. You use a gasket between the head and the manifold, then no gasket between manifold and turbo, and no gasket between turbo and down pipe.

 

Thanks for the info...

 

Abe will be shipping my manifold and exhaust tomorrow. I'm like a kid at Christmas. I will try to post up some pictures. I suck at doing that.... I'm the guy that takes a camera to an event and it stays in the bag....

 

I got my LS D585 coils installed and working.
I made a Singular'ish bracket. car runs well.
also a picture of the plugs I pulled out....look pretty good to me

 

Just waiting on this to show up

 

time for some boost. First out with the old.



then unbox the new







I will get to work on it Saturday. My oil and coolant lines will be here Friday. Hopefully I'll get it going this weekend.

 

I finished my install yesterday. I'll post more pics and some details tonight when I have a little time. Started out at 5.5 PSI boost, AFR's are real close need a little tuning. Very happy with it so far.

 

Looking good man! Keep us updated on the progress, yay boost!

How'd you run the intercooler piping coming off the turbo? I assume you just took a holesaw to the car just behind the headlight? I've been trying to figure out what hotside routing I'm going with. I'm trying to avoid hacking up my car up too bad but trying to go down and work around AC/PS lines looks like it will be pretty miserable. Do you have any better pictures of what you did?

 

I'll post some tonight. but yes a hole saw behind the headlight. I used 2.5" charge piping all of the way there was no other way that I could see with air and PS. I went threw the fender well on the other side also.
I can't say I would recommend that route keeping rattles out is not going to be fun.

 

ls2 coils and bracket

drivers side intercooler piping

piping into the intercooler

intake side charge piping

MT approved big Magnaflow