Hey everyone, wanted to say hello, and I gatta say this forum is awesome so far and i want to tell you a little about myself.. I'm 19 right now, and i've dreamed of a day when I would buy a Miata, ofcouse after I got a ps2 and started playing nfs... Haha.. But yea this little car is something special.. I finally bought one.. Triple black 71k clean no leaks rust, well taken care off except one problem.. Airbag light!.. I'm trying to get that fixed up right now, and maybe some of you guys can help me out, I'm Probebly going to have to buy a new or used sas module... Dealership wants 650 for it.. If anyones got one, please let me know, I'm getting mine reset.. To see if that's the problem...

And obviously since this is called Miata turbo... I want to turbo charge my Miata someday.. Looking for advice tho... Because I'm not a mechanic, so I am not sure I have the car for this type of project.. It's an AUTO! :( not that I don't LOVE my car! But is it worth it ? I go on sites and all they talk about is turbo charging standard transmissions.. Is it possible or healthy to turbo charge an automatic.. Cuz those things have different clutch and Ecu and all that stuff.. And its making me lose hope, I didnt think about wether I should get a manual or an auto when I went out searching for a Miata.. And now I realized I should been a little more careful... What would you guys suggest? Maybe anyone willing to trade for a 5 speed.. Or do you think a tranny swap would be a good way to start? I have many questions! And I really want to be part of this community, I'm glad that I found my home I WILL POST SOME PICS when the car gets out of the shop, cuz I'm gettin the reset done...

 

Welcome to the forum.

The auto is just as capable as a 5spd when it comes to turboing. How much power will it hold, I don't know. A tranny swap is a lot of work and money. The fact that you looked for a Miata and found an auto is kind rare really. Depending on your situation, I would sell it off and find a nice 5spd with LSD.

 

Hmm.. If you think selling it would be better, can you guys suggest me a good price? I think it being an auto, it's prolly worth less than a 5speed.. Or is it the other way around? Also why LSD? I know what it is(a little) but does it make your ride that much better?

 

Seeing as how autos are relatively rare, it may make it more valuable. I would strongly advise that you sell the car and buy one with a manual and a Torsen LSD.

The best way to sell a car is to go on Craigslist & autotrader and see what similar cars are being price at.

 

What the demigod said. Sell the auto to someone who wants a miata but needs an automatic. You want a miata, and you want a manual.

 

If you have no LSD and you try to make a left from a stop sign onto a busy 55mph road, you time it just right and gun it as a car passes, intent that you can accelerate to speed in a small gap in the traffic before being rear ended by some guy in his F-350, as you turn while accelerating, the left rear tire gets light as you're making the left turn, you punch it and the turbo kicks in, suddenly you feel the car lose power as your left tire starts spinning wildly out of control while making a loud screeching noise and a little white puff of smoke...

Also, you're in Mass. I'm going to take a wild guess and say it snows in Mass. A miata with an open differential is useless in the snow - as in "you might as well look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for the purposes of laughing at a leprechaun and shtiting in his gold" useless. A Miata with a Torsen is capable in the snow, add a set of 4 snow tires, and the same Miata becomes a rockstar in the snow - kind of like a "why are jeep drivers so dman slow and incompetent on the freeway in the snow" rockstar.

 

Thanks guys, for fast reply... This is some good stuff ova here.. I didn't know what exactly LSD was till now.. and yea "I like to claim that I keep my Miata in the garage" ---hell no! Wen that nice 5 inch layer pops out, I'm out there all day! Haha obviously meaning I have a POS non turbo engine, and I'm tryin to show off my 100 hp ... That's gana change tho, and I'm still laughin at that last post and yea getting hit by a f-350 , not gana be a regular fender bender.. Those things don't even see miatas or bikes haha, plus everyone living in Mass just wants to get in a nice accident , everyone having insurance, now all that f350 has to do is call in a state trooper while he uses a Paper towel to wipe off my black paint off his front bumper..
Also quick question..
I'm into the classic first generation miatas wit those flip up lights, i find then to be the best looking.. So do LSD s come with any of those? Or I have to get that put in? Or is that even possible?

 

Look for a '94 to '97 with power mirrors - if you get a '97, just be sure it isn't the "STO" model, though it's unlikely you'll run across an STO - only 1500 were produced.

 

Also, read here

https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/your-path-power-selecting-your-starting-platform-eliminating-weak-links-56507/

 

STO? Isn't that a special edition model? What's the difference?

 

Welcome, alexxeres0. Check out the Miata Gallery and post up some pics!

 

STO stands for all of the below:
Still The One
Special Touring Option
**** Taken Off

The important thing for you to know is this:
Open Differential.

Why I mentioned it:
It's the only 1.8L NA model which came from the factory with Power Mirrors AND an Open Differential - all other 1.8L NAs which came factory with Power Mirrors had Torsen Differentials.

 

Welcome.

Its a great forum, active all day.

If you are in the need of any parts let us know. We carry tons of brands and have dealt with many of the Guys here at miataturbo.net

Best regards.