Modding your car is an endless black hole Money Pit. And Fun

by "Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
Published 01/08/2017 at 17:12

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STARS: 2

So I bought a turbo Miata for track time. It seemed to have all the good gear and all the right stuff to be turn-key ready. At $3,500 wearing R888's already this was a certified craigslist platinum deal.

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Except now I’m dumb. Because The $3,500 is really more like $3,500 + Idiot Upgrade Money (That’s roughly the same as eleventy billion dollars).

In the short-time I’ve had the car I’ve:

- Gone through a set of new rotors and pads

- Felt the need for a larger radiator (better cooling)

- Re-Dyno Tuned the car for more power

- Had to reroute the coolant for better cooling (common miata problem)

- Gone through a set of R888's and now am on R888R’s

- Decided to paint the car

- Had the car corner balanced

- Reconfigured EGR/Boost guages

- Have installed a new solenoid boost controller

- 2X new air filters and plumbing (One fell off on track)

Unfortunately the list of “want to do” is now even longer too. A modified cars is like a Black-Hole of money. Once you’ve decided to go heavily modded the next mod is just “icing”.

Its like the first tattoo. Pretty soon you’re full blown Mike Tyson face.

Oh well - at least its fun. And I have no tattoos yet....

Replies (12)

"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
01/08/2017 at 17:16, STARS: 0

What, no catastrophic failure yet? :)

"daender" (daender)
01/08/2017 at 17:19, STARS: 0

What are your thoughts about venting your hood to help improve airflow (and thus, cooling) through the radiator by reducing air pressure in the engine bay?

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 17:21, STARS: 0

Not yet! Its coming.

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 17:22, STARS: 1

Also - half looking forward to catastrophic failure as it gives a reason to slot in a built 1.8L :) and a reason to justify it to my wife.

"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
01/08/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0

Ha!

It’s all in good fun. And hey, there’s some crossover skill-wise with maintaining a house. Right?

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0

At my current power levels not needed. I’m @ 10psi and trying to solve a fueling issue that causes me to ping above that. At this power I dynoed ~ 197whp. Aiming for 230whp after solenoind boost control, and colder plugs, etc.

"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
01/08/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 1

I don’t get it......What are you complaining about now?

MOD ALL THE CARS!

"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany)
01/08/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 0

Fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator up to the task?

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 17:30, STARS: 2

100% agree. No complaints, just twice as bankrupt as expected.

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 17:31, STARS: 0

Yup 190 lph / 440 cc

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
01/08/2017 at 17:50, STARS: 0

Are you making the 197 whp on a 1.6?? That’s pretty impressive.

"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
01/08/2017 at 18:04, STARS: 1

Yup. Lots have done before, its just more boost/bigger turbo.