New to miata's, just getting tired of slow
#1
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Hello all. I'm new to miata's, had mine for almost a year now. I've been into cars for about a decade but have have hit a dry spell due to academics over the past couple years. I'm finishing my first year of my masters, and am getting back into the addiction of having a fun car.
Currently planning to turbo the 1.6L (i know...i know...) but I have so many available parts for the b6, and at this point, I am not here to prove anything with big numbers so I'm really not interested in the 1.6 vs 1.8 debate. I just want my Miata to be a bit more fun than it is. If I want a faster more powerful car, it's going to wait after graduation.
Cars of the past:
99 Impreza L, WRX powertrain, vf34
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70784-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-5488069617_5a81c2783c_b.jpg?dateline=1363791607)
Sold for tuition
91 e30 318i, s50b30us ('95 M3 motor)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70785-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-6855686374_f56de5e0ec_b.jpg?dateline=1363791607)
Sold to purchase miata and camera gear
1992 GS500, k6 GSXR forks, katana rear wheel, hayabusa brakes, Works Performance racing shock
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6614225633_13f0439032_b.jpg)
Sold for torsen diff and roll bar
:flame suit on:
Currently planning to turbo the 1.6L (i know...i know...) but I have so many available parts for the b6, and at this point, I am not here to prove anything with big numbers so I'm really not interested in the 1.6 vs 1.8 debate. I just want my Miata to be a bit more fun than it is. If I want a faster more powerful car, it's going to wait after graduation.
Cars of the past:
99 Impreza L, WRX powertrain, vf34
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70784-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-5488069617_5a81c2783c_b.jpg?dateline=1363791607)
Sold for tuition
91 e30 318i, s50b30us ('95 M3 motor)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70785-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-6855686374_f56de5e0ec_b.jpg?dateline=1363791607)
Sold to purchase miata and camera gear
1992 GS500, k6 GSXR forks, katana rear wheel, hayabusa brakes, Works Performance racing shock
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6614225633_13f0439032_b.jpg)
Sold for torsen diff and roll bar
:flame suit on:
Last edited by psyber_0ptix; 03-20-2013 at 01:55 PM.
#3
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Welcome, love your old cars. Any pics of the miata?
Nothing wrong with a turbo 1.6 ... until you realize you want more torque(quicker spool) and there is no other option, then you are where I'm at.
Nothing wrong with a turbo 1.6 ... until you realize you want more torque(quicker spool) and there is no other option, then you are where I'm at.
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I've resigned myself to accepting that this car will a bit slower than my past cars or motorcycle, but it's still the best handling car I've driven. I loved the 274awhp impreza, and the instant torque in any gear from a 3.0L bmw, but this car makes me smile where it counts...in the corners. There is still much to learn and I've been out of the loop as a driver, so I'll have to dip my feet in a little at a time to fully understand this car at an Autocross.
After a year, I just seek a bit more pep without it being overkill for street use. It's 97% street car, and I'll only be doing autoX in the summer. Free time is few and far between as a grad student.
Since ownership, I've relinquished the open diff with a 4.1 Torsen LSD, and installed suspension techniques anti-roll bars (left on it's softest settings). I haven't gotten around to replacing the Rokkor suspension, but they aren't blown, surprisingly, for New England roads. They work alright for now, but are a bit bouncy in the rear. Hopefully this will be addressed this summer when the car goes under the scalpel, the bushings are also tired.
I've installed a hard dog double diagonal hard core roll bar, and have removed the soft top. It was in such poor shape during one of the hurricanes, there was 1/2" standing water in the passenger foot well, rendering the ECU confused. Dried it out, emptied the water, car has never had a problem since. But it was motivation enough to refinish a hardtop with paint and a new rear window.
The car is a bit rough, it needs a new front bumper and fenders, but it's still quite fun.
Winter status:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70787-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-8328051337_826176f4a7_c.jpg?dateline=1363794513)
Cheapy TRM's for summer:
After a year, I just seek a bit more pep without it being overkill for street use. It's 97% street car, and I'll only be doing autoX in the summer. Free time is few and far between as a grad student.
Since ownership, I've relinquished the open diff with a 4.1 Torsen LSD, and installed suspension techniques anti-roll bars (left on it's softest settings). I haven't gotten around to replacing the Rokkor suspension, but they aren't blown, surprisingly, for New England roads. They work alright for now, but are a bit bouncy in the rear. Hopefully this will be addressed this summer when the car goes under the scalpel, the bushings are also tired.
I've installed a hard dog double diagonal hard core roll bar, and have removed the soft top. It was in such poor shape during one of the hurricanes, there was 1/2" standing water in the passenger foot well, rendering the ECU confused. Dried it out, emptied the water, car has never had a problem since. But it was motivation enough to refinish a hardtop with paint and a new rear window.
The car is a bit rough, it needs a new front bumper and fenders, but it's still quite fun.
Winter status:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70787-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-8328051337_826176f4a7_c.jpg?dateline=1363794513)
Cheapy TRM's for summer:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/meet-greet-40/70788-new-miatas-just-getting-tired-slow-7287420954_992ea78c3f_c.jpg?dateline=1363794513)
#6
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Currently planning to turbo the 1.6L (i know...i know...) but I have so many available parts for the b6, and at this point, I am not here to prove anything with big numbers so I'm really not interested in the 1.6 vs 1.8 debate. I just want my Miata to be a bit more fun than it is. If I want a faster more powerful car, it's going to wait after graduation.
Ok, cool... FYI - there are 1.8 longblocks on ebay at $900 all day long...
#7
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#12
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I've resigned myself to accepting that this car will a bit slower than my past cars or motorcycle, but it's still the best handling car I've driven. I loved the 274awhp impreza, and the instant torque in any gear from a 3.0L bmw, but this car makes me smile where it counts...in the corners.
Imo you can easily make this car as fast as a 270whp impreza, even on the stock motor. it wont be as torquey (assuming a 2.5) - but you should be able to make it as fast.
My 240whp car was a pinch faster than my buddies vf39 300+whp 2007 wrx. Granted the wrx is much heavier than your impreza, it also had a bit more HP as well.
I don't see why you cant at least match the power to weight ratio you had in your impreza reliably with a good turbo setup and EMS to match.
Anyways, power isn't everything if you enjoy the corners - so carry on
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#13
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No doubt about that. If I am able to sell the bulk of the 1.6L parts available to me, I'd be open to slowly building a 1.8L. I can get a bare block locally for cheap. I've done swaps before in different cars, but never actually tore down a motor. My goal for this project is to learn more about assembly and processes, to learn regardless of which displacement is chosen.
You nailed it. Brakes, Suspension, then a bit more power...the Miata is definitely potent.
I know the rhyme and reason why displacement and turbo are happily married. But unless I can find a 1.8L crank, the cost and availability of 1.6L parts locally is tough to beat at the moment.
Maybe this will all change when my tax return deposits. Anyone have a spare 1.8L crank been meaning to get rid of?
Edit:
all cost being the same for the rods/pistons/bearings/turbo kit...
To finish a 1.6L build, I just need:
Block w/crank ($175 local)
Rods ($400)
To start a 1.8L, I'd have to get:
Bare Block with oil parts ($300-400)
Crank ($???)
Rods ($400)
Pistons (~$800 for FM Wiseco's)
Complete head ($?)
Intake manifold ($?)
Swap kit ($120)
I know the rhyme and reason why displacement and turbo are happily married. But unless I can find a 1.8L crank, the cost and availability of 1.6L parts locally is tough to beat at the moment.
Maybe this will all change when my tax return deposits. Anyone have a spare 1.8L crank been meaning to get rid of?
Edit:
all cost being the same for the rods/pistons/bearings/turbo kit...
To finish a 1.6L build, I just need:
Block w/crank ($175 local)
Rods ($400)
To start a 1.8L, I'd have to get:
Bare Block with oil parts ($300-400)
Crank ($???)
Rods ($400)
Pistons (~$800 for FM Wiseco's)
Complete head ($?)
Intake manifold ($?)
Swap kit ($120)
Last edited by psyber_0ptix; 03-21-2013 at 01:04 PM.
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Thanks, I recently sold it to get a 4.1 Torsen Diff, roll bar, and a new lens.
![big grin](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Update on build...
I got a 1.8 bare block and crank locally, I just have to sell all the 1.6L parts I have and start collecting items to build the bottom end.
![big grin](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Update on build...
I got a 1.8 bare block and crank locally, I just have to sell all the 1.6L parts I have and start collecting items to build the bottom end.
#17
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I asked a guy selling a bunch of random NA/NB parts on craigslist and he pointed me to another person who had block and crank sitting. I picked it up, but before I can go anywhere with this build, I have to sell the 1.6L stuff, primarily the FM Pistons.