It's pretty easy. Step 1: buy VVT motor. Step 2: Buy MS3. Step 3: enjoy.

 

The parts are cheap. The expensive part is tuning it, either in dollars that you pay someone to do it or in your time to learn how.

 

I see. So correct me if I'm wrong, but 01-05 1.8s are VVT? I also read that JDMs had a slightly higher power rating, so if that is true, this is a good deal? 01 05 Mazda Miata MX5 1 8L BP Engine 6 SPD Trans Harns ECU HKS Headers JDM BP | eBay
I figure I could recoupe some costs from selling that 6 speed and the stock 1.6.

 

Don't sell the 6spd. That's silly. Use it.


That's not a VVT motor by the way.

All US 01-05 Miatas were VVT. Dunno about the rest of the world.

 

But it did work and you can pick up a FMU and MSD box for $100...

While Megasquirt is the best in terms of capability and fine tuning you trade limitations for soldering and wiring and a bunch of other 'fun' activities that some people may not enjoy as much as you or I. If your goal is under 200 hp there is no performance reason to go outside the FMU and boost activated timing retard box. That is my extremely humble opinion.

 

I'd bet good money a 200whp Megasquirt car will be faster than a 200whp MSD Retarded Box and an FMU, and be safer while doing it.

And cost a whopping $200 more.

 

Uh I had to solder 5 wires for my MS (IAT signal and ground, wideband signal, power, and ground), and I didn't really even need to solder them, a crimp connector would have worked if I wanted.

Typewriters work perfectly fine, but people use computers because it's 2014.

 

I've seen used MS1' s for $250, and they don't require you to remember where you were when John Lennon was shot to be able to understand them.

 

Got it. Keeping the 5 speed seemed silly to me too, but I was under the impression that most people prefer it to the 6.

 

It shifts better, but the 6spd is stronger (for boosty goodness down the road) and ratios are better.

 

Monk, check out Emilio's 95R build. I'm trying to copy that with my red car.

 

Oooo, I like it! Man's got skills.

 

I've made the decision to do the vvt swap. Hornetball, I absolutely love that build, thanks for the tip. Here is how I'm going to spec it out:
1.) 01-05 engine (non-jdm, lol), 99-00 intake manifold
2.) FM3 or Hydra ECU (not sure which one to go with yet)
3.) coolant reroute
4.) 6 speed (if I can get one with the engine, if not will prolly just keep the 5 speed)
5.) FM flywheel and clutch "happy meal"
6.) Racing Beat header
7.) 1.8 diff swap (already in the works) which may get RX7 guts in the future
8.) and... racecar

 

Also, Dan Hoffman get your lurking *** on here and make a noob post.

 

Fixed #2 and #5 for you.

 

[QUOTE=concealer404;5.) SuperMiata 1.6 clutch/flywheel setup[/QUOTE]
Did you mean the 1.8 setup?

 

Nah, the 1.6 setup is lighter and you don't need the extra torque holding power or whatever you call it with a clutch.

 

^What he said.

 

Interdasting... Hadn't heard anyone going the opposite way.
MS3 would definitely save me a lot of coin. I guess I'll just have to nut up and learn how to tune.

 

Or come visit us.