My budget high school build!
#1
My budget high school build!
Hey guys. I'm a noob 'round these here parts. I am in high school working on my senior year while working just a bit over minimum wage. I'd like to share my turbo build as I go along the process with my 1990 Miata with 188k miles. So far what I have done are a few low-budget budget supporting mods, such as a Manzo cat-back, Tein Street-Basis Coils, Kraftwerks FMU, and an adapter plate to run a 3" cone filter (I only have the ebay filter, I plan to upgrade to a K&N since I hear the middle part tends to fall out.
Some parts that I have collected as of today (1/28/18) is a Garrett T3 turbo which is externally wastegated and an ebay T3 cast iron manifold. However since the turbo is older than me and needs to be rebuilt, I do not have the budget for a decent wastegate with a manifold that works with it, I will be trying to sell it and purchase a brand spanking new Ebay T3 (I know, sounds awful right) but hear me out. As I go along, I will be learning some of everything I need to know for the future where I want to build my own 1.9 VVT motor and turbo setup. Any tips would be appreciated and I hope all goes well! (If this thread is in the wrong place, I'll delete it and put it in the right one.
Some parts that I have collected as of today (1/28/18) is a Garrett T3 turbo which is externally wastegated and an ebay T3 cast iron manifold. However since the turbo is older than me and needs to be rebuilt, I do not have the budget for a decent wastegate with a manifold that works with it, I will be trying to sell it and purchase a brand spanking new Ebay T3 (I know, sounds awful right) but hear me out. As I go along, I will be learning some of everything I need to know for the future where I want to build my own 1.9 VVT motor and turbo setup. Any tips would be appreciated and I hope all goes well! (If this thread is in the wrong place, I'll delete it and put it in the right one.
#7
I have. I know you guys have a hatred for people who use cheap stuff to boost their cars. But this is only a learning experience. Of course when I actually do a real build I’ll go MS3, Garrett Turbos, FM manifold and all that stuff. I know that eventually my engine will blow. I already know everything I need to go legit, but as I am only making minimum wage as I stated and I would still like to learn, this is basically my only option without spending every ounce of money I have.
#9
With all due respect, what's your plan after high school? It may be worthwhile spending that time researching, and just doing fun suspension, brakes and tires. Then when you have stable higher pay, indulge with your bank software knowledge and all the development that will come in the future.
#10
With all due respect, what's your plan after high school? It may be worthwhile spending that time researching, and just doing fun suspension, brakes and tires. Then when you have stable higher pay, indulge with your bank software knowledge and all the development that will come in the future.
#12
SadFab CEO
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There's nothing to learn, we can tell you everything you need to know about your intended plan and it sucks. Id rather see you get an MS1 for about the same money as an FMU, and "learn" to play with that while the car is NA. THEN add bigger injectors... THEN boost......Trust us, we know what we are talking about.
#13
Elite Member
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Because you're broke and impatient is not an excuse to do something half-assed.
It's not a learning experience if you know from the beginning what's going to go wrong.
We've all been young and made bad decisions.
You have an advantage in that you have some of the smartest people you're ever going to encounter giving you advice for free.
Listen to them.
Learn how to budget and save.
NOW! Not when you're up to your eyeballs in student loan and credit card debt, which is where you're heading, I assure you.
Listen to our recommendations and succeed, or cut corners and lose.
Your call.
It's not a learning experience if you know from the beginning what's going to go wrong.
We've all been young and made bad decisions.
You have an advantage in that you have some of the smartest people you're ever going to encounter giving you advice for free.
Listen to them.
Learn how to budget and save.
NOW! Not when you're up to your eyeballs in student loan and credit card debt, which is where you're heading, I assure you.
Listen to our recommendations and succeed, or cut corners and lose.
Your call.
#14
Because you're broke and impatient is not an excuse to do something half-assed.
It's not a learning experience if you know from the beginning what's going to go wrong.
We've all been young and made bad decisions.
You have an advantage in that you have some of the smartest people you're ever going to encounter giving you advice for free.
Listen to them.
Learn how to budget and save.
NOW! Not when you're up to your eyeballs in student loan and credit card debt, which is where you're heading, I assure you.
Listen to our recommendations and succeed, or cut corners and lose.
Your call.
It's not a learning experience if you know from the beginning what's going to go wrong.
We've all been young and made bad decisions.
You have an advantage in that you have some of the smartest people you're ever going to encounter giving you advice for free.
Listen to them.
Learn how to budget and save.
NOW! Not when you're up to your eyeballs in student loan and credit card debt, which is where you're heading, I assure you.
Listen to our recommendations and succeed, or cut corners and lose.
Your call.
#15
I have. I know you guys have a hatred for people who use cheap stuff to boost their cars. But this is only a learning experience. Of course when I actually do a real build I’ll go MS3, Garrett Turbos, FM manifold and all that stuff. I know that eventually my engine will blow. I already know everything I need to go legit, but as I am only making minimum wage as I stated and I would still like to learn, this is basically my only option without spending every ounce of money I have.
Eat steak, not McDonald's.
#19
You got that wrong, though.
You had to settle, since you were impatient. Not because your Miata is your DD.
But this is also why you shouldn't be boosting that car either. Turbo miata DD = bad time. Especially if you don't have the money to fix big ticket items in a hurry.
You had to settle, since you were impatient. Not because your Miata is your DD.
But this is also why you shouldn't be boosting that car either. Turbo miata DD = bad time. Especially if you don't have the money to fix big ticket items in a hurry.
#20
Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Posts: 1,218
Total Cats: 175
DIYPNP is the way to go for Megasquirt on a budget. MS2 technology, but you don't have to make custom circuits without good documentation. With a DIYPNP you just populate the circuit board and wire some jumpers according to a pinout and it's a plug and play ECU. It will run exceptionally better than an MS1, there's plenty of comparison threads around here to explain specifics.