Useful mods when boosting over 10psi.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Alabama
Posts: 149
Total Cats: 5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
What mods are recommended at this level of boost to ensure a healthy engine?
I have a 2000 (130k miles) with a FM no electronics kit using an FIC/6 for timing/fuel control and RX8 430 injectors.
I've been running about 8psi, but want to turn it up to around 10psi. I autocross a few times a year, but do not have any plans to track the car.
Upgrade the PCV valve?
Catch can?
Higher PSI radiator cap?
Oil Cooler?
Other ideas?
Thanks for the input fellows.
I have a 2000 (130k miles) with a FM no electronics kit using an FIC/6 for timing/fuel control and RX8 430 injectors.
I've been running about 8psi, but want to turn it up to around 10psi. I autocross a few times a year, but do not have any plans to track the car.
Upgrade the PCV valve?
Catch can?
Higher PSI radiator cap?
Oil Cooler?
Other ideas?
Thanks for the input fellows.
Last edited by fwman1; 02-25-2013 at 02:43 PM.
#5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Perfect that clutch will be amazing for you until you get roughly above 20 psi depending on turbo. Band aid engine management (such as the fic6) will work just fine at moderate power levels where you are now. As you up the boost you will find that it will be harder for you to make more power, and become dangerous for your engine without a true ecu controlling all of the engine parameters correctly.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Alabama
Posts: 149
Total Cats: 5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nope, no plans to track the car. It is my DD (for going on six years), and I want to enjoy it for a long time. Most autocross courses our club runs are less than 45 seconds. I did a test and tune last week with over 20 runs. Car did just fine at 8psi. I normally do about four autocrosses a year. 10psi is my final goal and I don't know if we're getting close to needing some other supporting mods to make things last.
#9
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Dont mean to rob this thread, but I just heard of the AEM F/I/C here and looked it up. Seems like a great value!
I have a 1990 and I am going to turbo it soon, but only looking for modest boost, like 5 psi for now, so I can save for clutch/rear end. Is this a good place to start? My final goals power wise is still modest, probably 8-10 psi. Is this product something that will work now, and then with injectors can turn up the boost later? It's my DD and I hope to autocross a good bit and may try to get to a track eventually.
Thank you!
I have a 1990 and I am going to turbo it soon, but only looking for modest boost, like 5 psi for now, so I can save for clutch/rear end. Is this a good place to start? My final goals power wise is still modest, probably 8-10 psi. Is this product something that will work now, and then with injectors can turn up the boost later? It's my DD and I hope to autocross a good bit and may try to get to a track eventually.
Thank you!
#11
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Dont mean to rob this thread, but I just heard of the AEM F/I/C here and looked it up. Seems like a great value!
I have a 1990 and I am going to turbo it soon, but only looking for modest boost, like 5 psi for now, so I can save for clutch/rear end. Is this a good place to start? My final goals power wise is still modest, probably 8-10 psi. Is this product something that will work now, and then with injectors can turn up the boost later? It's my DD and I hope to autocross a good bit and may try to get to a track eventually.
Thank you!
I have a 1990 and I am going to turbo it soon, but only looking for modest boost, like 5 psi for now, so I can save for clutch/rear end. Is this a good place to start? My final goals power wise is still modest, probably 8-10 psi. Is this product something that will work now, and then with injectors can turn up the boost later? It's my DD and I hope to autocross a good bit and may try to get to a track eventually.
Thank you!
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
With mechanical empathy, the rear end can last, and the FIC is significantly cheaper than the MS you want to buy, but it lacks a lot of options so it's worth getting the extra options. That said, the FIC has a lot less to mess with -- it'll be a lot easier to deal with if you don't care for tinkering.
#14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
With mechanical empathy, the rear end can last, and the FIC is significantly cheaper than the MS you want to buy, but it lacks a lot of options so it's worth getting the extra options. That said, the FIC has a lot less to mess with -- it'll be a lot easier to deal with if you don't care for tinkering.
So, for my 1990, can I just buy this main unit (1990 Mazda Miata MX5 AEM F/IC (Fuel Ignition Controller)) for $400 and not have to buy the pnp harness to save on money? Just wire it myself? And, if you know of a cheaper place, or a used one, to get it, please let me know. And you're exactly right! Dont care too much for the tinkering. Just want to set some parameters and just have fun in my car.
I was initially going to go the FMU route for a while, but I figured for $200 more, this may be worth looking into, since I have plans to increase boost months down the road.
Thanks for all the help, guys!
#15
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yea, I figured the rear end would be fine if I'm not drifting and doing stupid stuff in it. I follow the TurboMirage guy, forgot his name on here (Mazda Miata Turbo | Home), and he ran the Greddy kit for a while at 5 psi before doing clutch and rear end and was having a blast with it.
So, for my 1990, can I just buy this main unit (1990 Mazda Miata MX5 AEM F/IC (Fuel Ignition Controller)) for $400 and not have to buy the pnp harness to save on money? Just wire it myself? And, if you know of a cheaper place, or a used one, to get it, please let me know. And you're exactly right! Dont care too much for the tinkering. Just want to set some parameters and just have fun in my car.
I was initially going to go the FMU route for a while, but I figured for $200 more, this may be worth looking into, since I have plans to increase boost months down the road.
Thanks for all the help, guys!
So, for my 1990, can I just buy this main unit (1990 Mazda Miata MX5 AEM F/IC (Fuel Ignition Controller)) for $400 and not have to buy the pnp harness to save on money? Just wire it myself? And, if you know of a cheaper place, or a used one, to get it, please let me know. And you're exactly right! Dont care too much for the tinkering. Just want to set some parameters and just have fun in my car.
I was initially going to go the FMU route for a while, but I figured for $200 more, this may be worth looking into, since I have plans to increase boost months down the road.
Thanks for all the help, guys!
Lastly, if you don't want to tinker around too much, stay away from the f/ic (especially if you want to wire it yourself). Wiring it in is a huge undertaking.
#16
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The 1.6 rear end is known to blow up on non-boosted miata's during regular street use. Mine did well before I put a turbo on it, and I was just driving on the street. You mentioned you want to do some autocross and it's your daily driver. You need to upgrade that rear differential if you don't want to be stranded.
Lastly, if you don't want to tinker around too much, stay away from the f/ic (especially if you want to wire it yourself). Wiring it in is a huge undertaking.
Lastly, if you don't want to tinker around too much, stay away from the f/ic (especially if you want to wire it yourself). Wiring it in is a huge undertaking.
What's my best option for fuel, then, just stick with an FMU for now and enjoy 5 psi (ive never had a boosted car and just look forward to having a simple/reliable setup I can enjoy hassle free!)
But, when ready to upgrade to 8-10 psi, i know ill need injectors and pump, but I live in "race city USA" Charlotte area NC. Are these shops not setup to tune turbo miatas? I know you may not be from here, but do local dyno shops not have the ability to tune our cars? I have a friend that's all into 240s and he had a shop do a tune for him for $300. This is the route I would LOVE to take, as in I have no interest in trying to tune the car myself and potentially damaging it.
#17
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you have $400 and don't mind wiring (have more time than money, I know what that's like), then this is what you need.
#18
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok, maybe Ill start calling around to some junkyards for a rear end.
What's my best option for fuel, then, just stick with an FMU for now and enjoy 5 psi (ive never had a boosted car and just look forward to having a simple/reliable setup I can enjoy hassle free!)
But, when ready to upgrade to 8-10 psi, i know ill need injectors and pump, but I live in "race city USA" Charlotte area NC. Are these shops not setup to tune turbo miatas? I know you may not be from here, but do local dyno shops not have the ability to tune our cars? I have a friend that's all into 240s and he had a shop do a tune for him for $300. This is the route I would LOVE to take, as in I have no interest in trying to tune the car myself and potentially damaging it.
What's my best option for fuel, then, just stick with an FMU for now and enjoy 5 psi (ive never had a boosted car and just look forward to having a simple/reliable setup I can enjoy hassle free!)
But, when ready to upgrade to 8-10 psi, i know ill need injectors and pump, but I live in "race city USA" Charlotte area NC. Are these shops not setup to tune turbo miatas? I know you may not be from here, but do local dyno shops not have the ability to tune our cars? I have a friend that's all into 240s and he had a shop do a tune for him for $300. This is the route I would LOVE to take, as in I have no interest in trying to tune the car myself and potentially damaging it.
#19
Supporting Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/vendor.png)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 7,976
Total Cats: 1,019
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Please listen to Dustinb and Vlad. Buy a megasquirt if you think there's a chance you'll go bigger later. I have read a million build threads and basically everyone who doesn't get MS ends up wishing they had.
Upgradr your diff unless you want to be calling a tow truck shortly.
Upgradr your diff unless you want to be calling a tow truck shortly.