Hello. 41 year old kid here. First let me say I've been into Miatas since 1997. I've had a 95M, 9910AE, a 95PEP, and currently have a 96R. The 96R is a DD but I do attend an occasional HPDE.

Currently, I work for Track Dog Racing. Yeah, the supercharger guys with the super expensive AA I/C. I'm about to go back to school to become a HS Math Teacher.

Anyways, I've always owned NA cars but I've had a chance to drive lots of S/C and a few Turbo Miatas. I see the positives and negatives to both applications. I love S/C for their linear power and the whine is pretty cool. I don't like their issues with idle droop or even idle and it sucks the MP62 is no longer available. Turbos provide great power but it seems heat and cracked manifolds can be a problem. The turbo BOV sound is a bit annoying to me. Maybe the rice boy thing. Aesthetically the S/C wins.

I've always had an appreciation for both the cosmetic and performance mods in Miatas. The cosmetic has normally had more presence in my cars since big performance typically requires big dollars. I always felt I would go the S/C route if I ever went FI until one day I had a good deal come about on a used FM turbo setup. It's the current version using the GT2560R with the newer AA I/C. I got it without electronics or injectors. It does have flexible steel lines for the cooling and oil. I also acquired a 99 motor complete with 75k and excellent leak down numbers. All below 8%.

Here's me dilemma. Do I go with the turbo or sell it and get a used MP62? My biggest concern about the turbo is reliability, especially when flogging it on the track. Ultimate goal is around 200-225 RWHP which should be safe with the stock 99 and 5spd trans. Naturally, being a soon to be poor college student I want DD reliability.

I'll do some searching on turbo reliability and fuel management to help me decide. Anyways, looking forward to learning and contributing on the forum.

 

Welcome, black roadster!

 

Hey William, welcome to the board. I had that same kit on my 95 R-Package for 4+ years without a single hardware failure, but that was street miles only, no track time. You know the rest of my story.....

C

 

Thanks guys!

Yeah, thought about it and I'm going to go with the turbo. Just need to save for some more parts and drop it all in.

Things I need:

MegaSquirt 2 for 96-97 Miata
Wideband with AFM Gauge
Boost Gauge
Water Temp Gauge
DDM Works Radio Gauge panel
Coolant Reroute

Things I might need:

Aluminum radiator (I have a stock radiator)
Fuel Injectors
Hi Flow Fuel Pump
Inconel studs

Things I'll need down the road:

Free flow turbo dual exhaust
Wilwood BBK

 

Do you already have an aftermarket clutch and flywheel? If not, put that at the top of your list. Then, the radiator and the coolant reroute, and engine management, fuel pump and injectors.

Everything else can wait.

 

Yes. I have a 1.8 Spec Stage 2+ with lightened flywheel. I'm going to do it right the first time. Even if it takes me longer to actually install the turbo.