My Miata runs!!

Since so many NICOclub staffers and members own a Miata, here's a spot to discuss the car Nissan wishes it had built!
User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

The Miata is alive! I have a vacuum leak to chase down that is causing a mis fire but otherwise super awesome and fun!

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User avatar
frapjap
Posts: 13702
Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:46 pm
Car: '99 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
'07 Subaru Legacy
Location: South Coast Massachusetts

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Awesome dude!
Whats up with that hood? Its dimpled to hell.

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

Yep $400 car. It came with a buncha those dents and then it didn't help that about a million times the hood slammed down on the engine hoist LOL. It has a few boo boos, passenger door has a dollar bill sized impact point, the passenger truck fender top has a few backward dents like someone kidnapped a little person and they banged on the underside of the trunk while they were trapped in there.

I have been watching craigslist for red hoods and fenders in good shape. I painted the fenders myself and they are a shade off but not bad for $40 worth of paint and supplys. They still need some time with the rubbing compound and the foam wheel I should be able to get them to shine and then the tint of the paint will be less apparent. I will probably find new fenders and a hood before I get around to it.

I'm into the car for under $1000 and I have a spare head, oil pump and 2 big nose 1.6 cranks.

$400 - Miata
$50 - SNC 1.6 with keyway damage and good BNC 1.6
$20 - loctite kit
$80 - spray paint
$125 - battery
$40 - starter
$30 - timing belt
$10 - plugs
$200 - new tires (Goodyear Integrity)
--------------------------------------------------
$955 total!

In Phoenix running cars are usually worth $2000 its a good 10 footer so I imagine I could sell it for about that if I found the one other guy that wanted a AUTOMATIC transmission in a Miata? My Altima is a stick and my Miata is a auto. :crazy:

User avatar
dre1507
Posts: 4357
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:41 pm
Car: Some boring Lexus that's currently at home with a smashed mouth (crashed).
Location: Miami, FL

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The little miata that could....Don't know why that statement came to mind, but I typed it anyway. Anways, are there any plans for a 5 speed swap? Or will it just get traded for one that is 5 speed?

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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Too cool. Sounds like a Miata Tech Day is in order with James Horne (greenblurr).

User avatar
dre1507
Posts: 4357
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:41 pm
Car: Some boring Lexus that's currently at home with a smashed mouth (crashed).
Location: Miami, FL

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After thinking about the last question in my previous post..........Who the hell would give up a manual miata for an automatic? I clearly wasn't thinking straight.

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Dattebayo
Posts: 33297
Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2002 10:04 am
Car: 2004 Frontier Desert Runner
Location: NE DC

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Sweet! Needs more googly eye mod...

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Greenblurr93
Posts: 131
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:34 am
Location: The Sun

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NICE! I got my $500 miata running not long ago, now just need to order a bunch of parts for the motor build and turbo (plus vinyl wrap material) and I'll finally have a nice handling quick little buggy again.

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

I had planned on a manual swap but my wife can not (does not want to learn) drive a stick so thats out. I drove it as an automatic and it is not bad?

I have a vacuum leak that makes it misfire at idle I can't find it and don't have time to look suck!

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

coupla pictures of how the DIY spray paint job looks once it has "weathered"

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User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

A quick look into the future.... I have a MSD boost box and a BEGI (sorry papa smurf) FMU but will probably hold out for Megasquirt before I install anything.

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User avatar
Kompresshun
Administrator
Posts: 5656
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 7:41 am
Car: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4, 2017 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCab 3.5L Ecoboost/10AT, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Offroad 5AT
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

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Boosting red Miata's is starting to become a thing around here... I really need to paint mine a different color. This will make 4 on NICO :chuckle:

I started gathering the stuff for my turbo build about a month ago. Shooting for 220-230hp with mine.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

I'm keeping my eye out for a used Hydra, some 700cc's, and a fuel pump. Should be at 250whp with just those mods.

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

The Denso 195500-2010 from the RX-7 are drop in's from both the clip to the rail. I scored a set of 4 in good shape for $100 and they guy threw in a New in box MSD boost box. At 43.5 psi these injectors move 460cc plenty for my goal of around 220 RWHP. If you are going to go higher than that I would still use these injectors and just up the pressure on the rail.

Not a lot of support on the turbomiata club for anything but MegaSquirt. As much as I have tried to find a better option for the Miata you just can't escape the support network and help.

I have everything to make this car turbo but will probably hold out for megasquirt and Toyota Corolla coil on plugs so I can stop wasting spark and fuel.

What turbo did you go with Kompression?

All the popular kids are doing a T25 or T28 I bought a Greddy kit from a 2.2l Honda Prelude for $200 and its very close to new. Below is a comparrison between my Greddy turbo and the T25/28. It has an external waste gate mounted to it that I think will pop at 12psi. Should get me right where I want to be.

Greddy kit TD05H – 18g
Compressor Wheel diameter: 50.5/68
Turbine wheel diameter : 49.1/56

GT28

Compressor Wheel diameter: 54.28 /71.32
Turbine wheel diameter : 45.47 / 52.90

GT25
Compressor Wheel diameter: 42/60
Turbine wheel diameter : 46/53

It seems like anything under 240 whp is pretty save for a stock car with a upgraded clutch

User avatar
Kompresshun
Administrator
Posts: 5656
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 7:41 am
Car: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4, 2017 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCab 3.5L Ecoboost/10AT, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Offroad 5AT
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

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I ended up going with a Garrett GT28 from a R33 GT-R. Mainly because it was the right price and should work well for the Miata.

Then so far i've picked up 1.8L Miata injectors, a Mazdaspeed Miata clutch, and a lightweight 1.8L flywheel. Still have a lot left to get, but i'm in no hurry to get it done either. I'm taking my time buying everything so I can keep the investment low.

User avatar
OriginalWheelman
Posts: 5671
Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:38 am
Car: '15 Ford Focus Electric
Location: Portland, OR (or what?)

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I'm liking the look of the Flyin' Miata supercharger kit. Might go with that once the Miata has some miles on it.

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

The t28 is perfect for a Miata I think you can run up to 18 psi and get about 350 whp on a built motor.

The 1.8 injectors will need more rail pressure to go past 180 hp. If you want to get to 220+ hp I would watch for rx7 injectors.

I am a fan of super chargers but think for the small displacement Miata a turbo makes more sense. The crank nose has been known to sheer off on all 1.6 motors and the additional stress of a supercharger pulley and belt can add to the problem.

User avatar
Kompresshun
Administrator
Posts: 5656
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 7:41 am
Car: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4, 2017 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCab 3.5L Ecoboost/10AT, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Offroad 5AT
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

Post

1.8L injectors will do just fine for 200-230hp. Ray(frapjap) runs them in his 91 turbo and they handle it with no problem. RX7 injectors are overkill for what i'm putting together, especially considering I got these for next to nothing. Honestly 200hp will make me happy in mine anyways.

Agreed on the superchargers. Turbo's are cheaper and make much better power on Miata's. He's got a 2.0L Miata though, so 1.6 crank nose issues don't apply there.

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

200 hp in a 1800lb car is pure joy

User avatar
Kompresshun
Administrator
Posts: 5656
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 7:41 am
Car: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4, 2017 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCab 3.5L Ecoboost/10AT, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Offroad 5AT
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

Post

The stock engine is pure joy. I'm pretty sure 200hp will be bliss for me.

For everyday driving, it makes me completely happy. It's just those times that I want to put junior in his mom's Mustang or Camaro in their place that I find myself yearning for a little more power.

User avatar
alphapig
Posts: 1972
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:52 pm
Car: Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5S
Location: NorCal

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Damn it.

I want to have 5th boosted red Miata on Nico.

Stupid CA :(

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

I think the Jackson Racing Supercharger kit was CARB certified?

User avatar
alphapig
Posts: 1972
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:52 pm
Car: Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5S
Location: NorCal

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Yup, also a GReddy made a carb legal turbo.

Both are very expensive :(

User avatar
gwoods
Posts: 3896
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x
1999 Nissan Altima SE limited 5spd
1992 Miata (soon to be turbo)
1965 Cj-5 with 327 v8
2012 Toyota Sequoia Limited
Location: Phoenix

Post

There is a supercharger kit on PHX Craigslist for $600. I talked to the guy before I bought my turbo kit months back and he got it from someone and took it someplace. They told him the blower needs rebuilding. Didn't get a quote couldn't tell me more about what part of the blower is bad ect ect. Might be a good deal I know a couple Miata guys in Phoenix...

Miata 1.6l Jackson Racing Supercharger kit - $600

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/4499185480.html

condition: new
Im selling my Jackson Racing Supercharger kit for the 1.6l mazda miata. the kit includes everything but a few bolts. Blower needs rebuilt. Text 602826397zero feel free to ask questions also willing to trade just let me know what you have or send a pic. I'll do trade with cash also.
email chestterrATgmaildotcom

User avatar
frapjap
Posts: 13702
Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:46 pm
Car: '99 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
'07 Subaru Legacy
Location: South Coast Massachusetts

Post

gwoods wrote:The t28 is perfect for a Miata I think you can run up to 18 psi and get about 350 whp on a built motor.

The 1.8 injectors will need more rail pressure to go past 180 hp. If you want to get to 220+ hp I would watch for rx7 injectors.

I am a fan of super chargers but think for the small displacement Miata a turbo makes more sense. The crank nose has been known to sheer off on all 1.6 motors and the additional stress of a supercharger pulley and belt can add to the problem.
You start breaking things at/around 350 hp. James has a badass build that is capable of a lot more, but the rest of the drivetrain will fail before the engine.


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