I've a 96 M Edition, with just over 100,000 miles, and the opportunity to put a MSM turbo on. I'd receive the turbo, manifold, FM II intercooler and piping....just about everything I'd need EXCEPT the oil and water fittings for the IHI turbo.

Any suggestions/ideas on how/where to connect oil/water lines? FM sells an oil filter relocation kit that, among other things, has a spare fitting to support a turbo.

I've been told that there's a forum member who has done this install, but I guess I'm enough of a computer dud that I can't find the thread.

Any help y'all can offer would be deeply appreciated...I won't/can't do the work myself, but my youngest son (ASE certified Master Tech) will - he thinks of the Miata as his already....which is why I want to do this the right way, so that it DOES become his.....eventually.



Bruce MacKay

 

PM Cody Strife, or search his threads. He said it was incredibly straight-forward.

You can find oil/water feed info in the stickies if you go the DIY route. For the oil return it's best to tap the pan.

 

Well,

After finally getting the MSM turbo in place, we found what we thought was a tuning issue. Took the car to Ken Hill, a Flyin Miata graduate, only to learn that the MSM turbo was completely shot - beyond the abilities of a specialty shop to rebuild.

Cost for a new IHI turbo was about $2K, and - depending on parts availability - could take up to four months to arrive. I live in VA, Ken is in PA, and neither one of us wanted the car sitting waiting that long for parts.

So I went with a one-of-a-kind turbo kit, upgrade to a Garrett, via Flyin Miata. Parts should arrive at Ken's place Monday, and with luck I'll have the car back by the end of September.

The few times I could drive it with the shot-leaking-oil-all-over-the-bloody-place IHI turbo, I was stunned at the transformation. The Garrett, I'm told, will emphasize that.

Holy moly.

My thanks to y'all for the suggestions, the patience, and the recommendations. With luck, I'll see some of you at Deal's Gap next year.

Bruce MacKay

 

Wow epic thread revival. Good luck with your new turbo It really is a major jump in power from stock.