A huge deep dive into my car’s journey! Buckle in+ enjoy me talking about my car for a bit. (Don’t worry, there’s pictures too..)
So I begin here. A 1990 NA6 I picked up for way more than I should have paid, but after selling my previous Miata (a steaming pile of garbage I got for $1100) I flipped into this. The car had no interior, it was LOUD, HOT, and SLOW. However, it was a Georgia car its entire life, ZERO rust, and came with a factory hardtop.
I was happy to get back into the platform, to say the least.
So I drove around with Coilovers and sticky tires for awhile. Really enjoyed the car, but really did not enjoy the lack of power, Most of my friends had big power evo’s and subaru’s. I did not enjoy being left behind on the straights!
So on Cinco de Mayo. I ingested a hefty amount of tequila and got to work on a turbo kit!
-Cx racing version 2 kit minus their manifold (they were out of stock)
-Tacotaco cast 1.6 manifold.
-Toyota COP’s
-Rx8 yellow injectors
It was a sloppy turbo kit for sure. It did the job though and held up to my years of ABUSE, and I mean ABUSE. I was never easy on this car, Always drove it to 110% and didn’t have any major issues. (Foreshadowing)
So the setup stayed the same for a couple years, other than some HUGE 272 cams, and some 1000cc injectors. The cams completely ruined the narrow powerband that I had. Sounded SO good though. The ricer inside of me loved it. The racer in me hated how much bottom end I lost.
So the new 1.6 that was going to go in was a simple setup.
-Regasket the engine
-ARP head studs
-Stock head gasket
-Flyin Miata manifold and GTX2871R (ebay choochoo special)
Looking back on all of this now. I should have just waited another couple months and done the 1.8 that I had originally wanted
Alas. I went to work.
I really started to get annoyed with how leaky/unresponsive the old setup/engine was, so once I had some time off from work, I set out removing the old 1.6.
Got it out!!! Was so greasy and oily. Super excited to get to cleaning! (said no one ever)
After lots and lots of degreaser we ended up with a pretty clean engine bay! I cannot wait to get rid of all that RED!
Had a bunch of rust under the brake master from years of it slowly seeping brake fluid on everything. Wire wheel and some rust remover did wonders!
After all the cleaning and painting…..The eagle has landed! I learned after trying to shoehorn the engine in that you need to trim slightly for the FM turbo manifold with a big (GTX2871R) turbo. So I scuffed up my pretty paint work. Oh well.
I bolted a bunch more things on, and we end up with a running Miata!
So I had dialed the mechanical side. Was working through street tuning the car. 16 psi was great and pulling strong.. However, I did get greedy and turn up the boost on a drive to work, and welp. #4 was not happy.
I wasn’t as upset as I thought I would be. I knew my greed for more power bit me in the butt, and I knew it was a stock bottom ended 1.6 with miles on it.
I will be updating this thread as I build a 94 block and combine it with a VVT head for moar powahhhhhh.
Thanks for reading!
Be sure to check out the rest of the site and connect with me on Instagram @merlot_mx5 !
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