"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
10/30/2016 at 22:06 • Filed to: None
10
17|
"Chris@Carlypso" (chriscarlypso)
10/30/2016 at 22:06 • Filed to: None | 10
| 17 |
At some point in motordome, you’re going to have to get a Miata. I felt I had skipped this phase in my life having graduated to M3's, Z06's and others. But after starting a startup (sounds redundant I know), I found myself a little more cash strapped then lends itself to burning up 295/18's on a regular basis.
Thus, the quest of getting something “fun” and “cheap” began. Having owned an Alfa Romeo before (as any true petrol head must says Jezza), I wanted to make another tour through classic auto suggestions for less than $5k. Here were some rough criteria:
- Trackable
- Parts cheap
- Fun to drive
- Non-douchey
- Reliable-ish
Having narrowed my list to a B5 Audi S4 (which didn’t meet any criteria above), and an NA or NB Miata. I ended up with a turbo-franken-miata.
You see ... miata’s are fantastic to drive slowly. But I wanted to go quickly, and so I bought a 1991 NA Miata with a TD04-15G Turbo on it for a little over $3k.
And.... its Flippin’ Fantastic! Seriously one of the greatest second cars I’ve ever owned. Why second car?
- It won’t idle well
- Its got race springs on it, meaning it crashes over every expansion
- Its on R888R’s which don’t like Rain
- Its Noisy
- It rattles and flexes
- Its got Race Pads and brakes squeal like hell
But for $3k, I have an E46 M3ish quick car (209 whp in 2100 lbs), that handles great and that I can drive with complete reckless abandon. And that makes any local track a great second home.
What could be better?
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 01:07 |
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turbo v8 miata
Phatboyphil
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 01:58 |
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On a scale of 0-10. How worth it are race springs for a track/autoX car?
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Phatboyphil
10/31/2016 at 07:26 |
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10, all day every day! I would probably say about a 7 or 8 out of 10 if said car is also daily driven.
Needmoargarage
> Phatboyphil
10/31/2016 at 09:52 |
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Would depend significantly on how well they are matched with dampers...
Pyrochazm
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 10:03 |
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My problem has always been that I don’t fit in the damn things. I haven’t sat in the new ones though.
DynamicWeight
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 12:42 |
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Turbo miata for 3ish k?? NP.
Kanaric
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 12:59 |
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someone who built this picked a good responsive turbo.
SantaRita
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 14:48 |
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is the turbo from a saab? those are what was specced in the 9000 aeros. little laggy and with enormous top end on the 2.3L. easily ready to push out 300+ hp. boosting stock in the 15psi range... mine liked it at 21psi just fine.
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Chris@Carlypso
> SantaRita
10/31/2016 at 17:51 |
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I’ve got a MS PNP2 running the engine management. I start to get knock above 10psi on this California 91 water....
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Chris@Carlypso
> Kanaric
10/31/2016 at 17:59 |
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As far as Miata Turbo guys go its sort of a black sheep compared to the ball bearing GT2560 units (ball bearings).
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Chris@Carlypso
> Phatboyphil
10/31/2016 at 18:15 |
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10. But don’t get adjustables. You’ll always perpetually be adjusting wondering if there’s extra grip to be discovered.
daender
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 19:42 |
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Nice buy!
-You can shut up the rattles and flexes with lots of bracing (roll bar, frame rail brace, ‘94+ rear diff brace, front fender brace) and adjusting the rubber door block to keep them tight against the metal cups.
-I suggest relocating that intake as it’s way too close to the exhaust manifold.
Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> Chris@Carlypso
10/31/2016 at 19:44 |
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Doesn’t the MS2 have knock retard abilities? We have 91 octane here and my buddy is running 15psi in his 1.8 with a MS2.
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Chris@Carlypso
> Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/31/2016 at 22:33 |
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It does indeed. But beyond 10psi its just knocking and I can’t retard the timing anymore and still climb the power curve. More than just PSI that determines the ability to run boost (IAC’s, Spark, etc).
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Chris@Carlypso
> Pyrochazm
10/31/2016 at 22:38 |
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Its got a dropseat, I’m 6'3" with a 32 inseam and fit fine!
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Pyrochazm
> Chris@Carlypso
11/01/2016 at 00:37 |
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I’m a touch bigger but I might have to try again.
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SantaRita
> Chris@Carlypso
11/01/2016 at 10:41 |
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2.3 was designed for heavy boost so 9.5 compression...your 1.8 is smaller swept and higher compression...10 psi is very reasonable.