Miata: Wish list
Just a place to note what I'd like to do over the life of the car. At the end of the car's life, would be a great deal of fun to convert it to a V8, but for the sake of fuel economy, a turbo-four will always do better. L/100 is completely relevant and important since we have a car budget, not a money tree.
Phase 1
Make car reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line. Fix oil leaks. Fix rust.
Phase 2
Go MS!! Get MS3x incl. GM IAT, MAP, WBO2. ~$1000
Phase 3
Gauges, additional sensors. ~$500
Phase 4
Find a donor car - 2001-2005, swap over drivetrain! ~$1000-2000
Old ideas...
Phase 1
Make the car 100% reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line. Get a feel for what 'normal' is (compression test/leakdown test). Fix the rust issues (DIY). Additional undercoating? Fix oil leaks. (Pretty sure rear main is leaking again...do dye test)
Phase 2
Remove weak points such as the differential, ECU, injectors, MAF, coils (required only for turbo?). Replace with 1.8 diff, MS ECU (IAT/MAP/WBO2), 550cc injectors, Coil-On-Plug. LED dash conversion? (not expensive, just time-consuming)
Phase 3
Spend a calendar year learning the ins/outs of tuning the MS. Add gauges - oil temp (& remote oil filter?), boost, WBO2 (Autometer Sport-CompII).
Phase 4
Debate about the 1.8 upgrade. Debate about VVT. Debate about built engine (rods/pistons/headwork). Good time to pull engine and do a proper engine bay refresh. Wire tuck? Coolant re-route? Radiator upgrade? Debate 1.8 brake upgrade.
Phase 5
Debate about kit vs. DIY turbo solution. Debate about 'just get a turbo' vs. 'build properly first time'. V-band? Cast vs. mild vs. stainless manifold?
Phase 1
Make car reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line. Fix oil leaks. Fix rust.
Phase 2
Go MS!! Get MS3x incl. GM IAT, MAP, WBO2. ~$1000
Phase 3
Gauges, additional sensors. ~$500
Phase 4
Find a donor car - 2001-2005, swap over drivetrain! ~$1000-2000
Old ideas...
Phase 1
Make the car 100% reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line. Get a feel for what 'normal' is (compression test/leakdown test). Fix the rust issues (DIY). Additional undercoating? Fix oil leaks. (Pretty sure rear main is leaking again...do dye test)
Phase 2
Remove weak points such as the differential, ECU, injectors, MAF, coils (required only for turbo?). Replace with 1.8 diff, MS ECU (IAT/MAP/WBO2), 550cc injectors, Coil-On-Plug. LED dash conversion? (not expensive, just time-consuming)
Phase 3
Spend a calendar year learning the ins/outs of tuning the MS. Add gauges - oil temp (& remote oil filter?), boost, WBO2 (Autometer Sport-CompII).
Phase 4
Debate about the 1.8 upgrade. Debate about VVT. Debate about built engine (rods/pistons/headwork). Good time to pull engine and do a proper engine bay refresh. Wire tuck? Coolant re-route? Radiator upgrade? Debate 1.8 brake upgrade.
Phase 5
Debate about kit vs. DIY turbo solution. Debate about 'just get a turbo' vs. 'build properly first time'. V-band? Cast vs. mild vs. stainless manifold?
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