Project: Can I fit my huge _____ in that tiny space?
#1
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My summer project has begun! I am attempting attach an EFR 6758 to my 2006 MX-5. I say attempting because the NC engine bay is a bit tighter than NA/NB, and I am not willing to move any major components to make the EFR fit.
Project Outline:
-EFR 6758
-Custom WittyWorks manifold
-Precision intercooler, most likely 350 hp to start or a 500 hp core with custom end tanks.
-3 inch exhaust with a cali cat
-800 cc injectors
-ECUTek tune (still deciding between 2 tuners)
-Retaining AC, power steering, alternator location, all stock line locations, and everything else.
-DashDaq awesome gauge setup
-ACT clutch
-Goal of around 300 whp to start
And the kicker! I want to at least attempt to pass smog with my turbo installed
. First I need to figure out the deal with these new cali obd2 smog laws. I am going to keep as much as the stock engine bay plastic and heat shields as possible, basically cover up the manifold and turbo. I think I can find a smog place that will pass the visual with my hidden turbo, and then it is whether or not the re-flashed ECU will pass the OBD2 scan. More on that much later down the road.
Today I borrowed a 6258 from a friend, which I just placed in the exhaust manifold area to see if it would even fit. Boy is it tight. Alternator is quite close, engine mount is quite close, and I will definitely have to tilt the turbo to get the down pipe lined up nicely (15 degrees of tilt is max for the EFR.)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77608-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo3_zps47bd5658.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77609-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo22_zps258ee9ca.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77610-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo12_zps971a083f.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
As far of the rest of the car goes, I got a great deal on a used set of Ohlins, and I will be getting 17x9 RPF-1's with 245 wide tires soon. Also going to upgrade the sways and under body braces.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77611-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo31_zpse5574360.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
I just ordered the turbo, and am hoping to have the car on the road turbo'd by mid July.
Project Outline:
-EFR 6758
-Custom WittyWorks manifold
-Precision intercooler, most likely 350 hp to start or a 500 hp core with custom end tanks.
-3 inch exhaust with a cali cat
-800 cc injectors
-ECUTek tune (still deciding between 2 tuners)
-Retaining AC, power steering, alternator location, all stock line locations, and everything else.
-DashDaq awesome gauge setup
-ACT clutch
-Goal of around 300 whp to start
And the kicker! I want to at least attempt to pass smog with my turbo installed
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Today I borrowed a 6258 from a friend, which I just placed in the exhaust manifold area to see if it would even fit. Boy is it tight. Alternator is quite close, engine mount is quite close, and I will definitely have to tilt the turbo to get the down pipe lined up nicely (15 degrees of tilt is max for the EFR.)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77608-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo3_zps47bd5658.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77609-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo22_zps258ee9ca.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77610-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo12_zps971a083f.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
As far of the rest of the car goes, I got a great deal on a used set of Ohlins, and I will be getting 17x9 RPF-1's with 245 wide tires soon. Also going to upgrade the sways and under body braces.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/77611-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo31_zpse5574360.jpg?dateline=1369638341)
I just ordered the turbo, and am hoping to have the car on the road turbo'd by mid July.
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Subscribed for melting valve cover ![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
There's a guy I know who turboed one with an EFR, but his config was a front-mount turbo setup, which caused all sorts of issues - like the above mentioned melting of the VC - he even wrapped his manifold. Maybe I can find some pics somewhere for ya if interested.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
There's a guy I know who turboed one with an EFR, but his config was a front-mount turbo setup, which caused all sorts of issues - like the above mentioned melting of the VC - he even wrapped his manifold. Maybe I can find some pics somewhere for ya if interested.
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Timk - Yep I had to tilt the alternator forward as well to remove the stock header.
Genesplicer - Yes I would love that if you can find them. I did see some horrible pictures on another forum of the build I think you are talking about, but I couldn't see any of the actual layout since the pictures were so bad.
As for a melting valve cover, I would be pretty surprised if that happened with the low mount where I want the turbo to go, and with the factory heat shielding in place. Guess i'll put the gold thermal stuff on the heat shields as well.
Genesplicer - Yes I would love that if you can find them. I did see some horrible pictures on another forum of the build I think you are talking about, but I couldn't see any of the actual layout since the pictures were so bad.
As for a melting valve cover, I would be pretty surprised if that happened with the low mount where I want the turbo to go, and with the factory heat shielding in place. Guess i'll put the gold thermal stuff on the heat shields as well.
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There has been at least 1 other turbo NC on mt.net. I believe his name is Mann and he put down around 300hp at the wheels on a BEGI setup with him tuning his own car at a Northeast dyno day a few years back.
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I'm assuming that Mann is indeed Mike Mann, the owner of Moto-East and one of the two potential tuners I will be using. Mike is currently running an upgraded BEGI kit, and he just put down 350 whp with a slipping clutch ON THE STOCK BLOCK! He has upgraded his intake, and I think he is running 3 inch exhaust, all with a 2860.
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That may be correct. It was 4-5 years ago that we were at the dyno and I saw it.
It is probably the same guy. He was one of the first people to figure out that there were multiple timing maps on the NC ecu and that is why Sniper kept blowing up motors.
I'm assuming that Mann is indeed Mike Mann, the owner of Moto-East and one of the two potential tuners I will be using. Mike is currently running an upgraded BEGI kit, and he just put down 350 whp with a slipping clutch ON THE STOCK BLOCK! He has upgraded his intake, and I think he is running 3 inch exhaust, all with a 2860.
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Definitely interested in seeing how the EFR performs!
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There is also the BEGi turbo kit I helped install in an Atlanta member's '06, username here is MXGeorge (not very active though). Dynojet number was 310rwhp w/ a GT2860RS, Xede, and 3" Enthuza exhaust. That was the first kit that BEGi sent out to a customer, install was lots of trial and error since there wasn't a completed install manual yet.
Definitely interested in seeing how the EFR performs!
Definitely interested in seeing how the EFR performs!
I saw George's car running up in the mountains with you guys and it ran strong. It's still the only turbo NC I have seen in person. It will be nice to have someone who is more active on this forum detail the process of turbo-ing an NC.
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I just ordered this: Precision Turbo Air to Air Intercooler Core: NLM
18x6.4x3.5 Precision Intercooler core. I just had the under tray off and this will fit beautifully. I am going to have to make custom end tanks to wrap around the radiator nicely, and I think I am going to have to run 2 inch charge tubing, maybe 2.25. 2.5 inch won't fit easily, and from other threads I don't think 2 or 2.25 will be a restriction until I get close to 400hp.
18x6.4x3.5 Precision Intercooler core. I just had the under tray off and this will fit beautifully. I am going to have to make custom end tanks to wrap around the radiator nicely, and I think I am going to have to run 2 inch charge tubing, maybe 2.25. 2.5 inch won't fit easily, and from other threads I don't think 2 or 2.25 will be a restriction until I get close to 400hp.
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Update time, but it sadly doesn't involve the turbo yet. Still working on a fixture that I can use to align the turbo in the engine bay.
I did install some nice shiny new pieces though
Ohlins are installed, and new shoes are on:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82375-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo24_zps5ab369d0.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
Here is a two wheel/tire comparison:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82376-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo13_zps93c2f8c0.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
And I had to roll the rear fenders to get the proper clearance. While my car was at the shop to get rolled (too worried about the paint to try myself), my buddy called and suggested they shave them instead, insisting that is what they do on all the BMWs they have, and it will look better than a roll. I obliged, and it turned out perfect:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82377-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo32_zpsb55ca1bf.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
Grip is insane, Ohlins are amazing, and the new tires are on another planet compared to the old ones I had. I'm happy.
I did install some nice shiny new pieces though
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82375-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo24_zps5ab369d0.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
Here is a two wheel/tire comparison:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82376-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo13_zps93c2f8c0.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
And I had to roll the rear fenders to get the proper clearance. While my car was at the shop to get rolled (too worried about the paint to try myself), my buddy called and suggested they shave them instead, insisting that is what they do on all the BMWs they have, and it will look better than a roll. I obliged, and it turned out perfect:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/82377-project-can-i-fit-my-huge-_____-tiny-space-photo32_zpsb55ca1bf.jpg?dateline=1373821848)
Grip is insane, Ohlins are amazing, and the new tires are on another planet compared to the old ones I had. I'm happy.