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Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

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#590 of 4340 question by freddy_k Aug 25, 2000 (2:40 pm)
Anyway, I've got a question. The time is coming, well winter is coming, then the time is coming, when I will have to decide what to get. I've narrowed it down to two choices. 1. A 2001 Miata - 155 hp 6 speed, nice facelift 2. 1999 Miata and Turbo charge and chip it. My biggest concern about turboing the 99 is that it will drastically shorten the life of the car. Can the engine really handle the extra hp? I know the turbo charger will only last so long and is another thing to fix, but aside from that, I still want the rest of the car to hold up. I know there is still time before I get it but I want to start deciding now, rather then making a last minute - and wrong decision.
#591 of 4340 by locke2c Aug 25, 2000 (3:10 pm)
Don't turbocharge (or supercharge) a car unless you really like hotrodding and know or want to learn about tuning. The people that have the most trouble with bolt-on kits like that are the ones who do the bare minimum and then drive it like it's stock. It's not stock, it's highly modified and will require a lot more attention to detail. Seems strange that you would be asking this question before even driving the new Miata. Personally I think another 15HP -- even with a smoother, flatter torque curve-- isn't going to make the Miata a whole lot faster. Not remotely in the same league as turbo/supercharging an older one, even a 1.6L. -Colin
#592 of 4340 SC by WarpDrive Aug 25, 2000 (4:02 pm)
Supercharging.... Don't do it. Just because your warranty will be null and void and there's still some uncertainty whether *all* 1999's are affected by the TSB/#4 bearing problem. It's nice to know that my 1999 is covered for five years in case I will ever need a engine replacement (even though my VIN is out of the range) The 2001 Miata is nice and I'd buy it for the looks and subtle improvements alone. I suspect the improvements will be hardly noticeable in driving so it won't cure any itch for speed. The bigger wheels may cause the ride to be more harsh and I feel the Miata's ride is nicely balanced between comfort and feel.
#593 of 4340 stuffs by freddy_k Aug 25, 2000 (4:12 pm)
Ah yes, the warrenty. warrenty warrenty. I would like to know more about this bearing problem for the '99s. locke2c & warpdirve: I don't really need to drive the '01 Miata, I know I will love it regardless and would buy it without a test drive if I had to. I am hoping that the extra hp will add just the right amount of zip to bring make a bit of difference in highway passing, a .2 sec or whatever 0-60 makes no difference to me. (although a 6 sec 0-60 would be nice!) I would prefer the '01 also more for looks and the standard 6sp tranny that will come with the sport package - as well as the slightly improved interior. locke2c: You make a turbo sound like more of a burden then anything else. Is adding one after that different then, say, buying a Beetle 1.8T?
#594 of 4340 freddy by dgraves1 Aug 25, 2000 (5:18 pm)
There is a huge difference between bolting on a turbo and buying turbo model from the factory. When the factory puts out a turbo model, they make a complete package. Every system is designed with the turbo in mind. Fuel delivery, air intake, ignition, cooling, brakes, suspension, compression ratio are all frequently modified to accomodate the turbocharger. Certainly, people have successfully turboed and supercharged Miatas but I bet it takes a lot of fiddling to really get it right and you stand a fair risk of losing your engine in the process.
#595 of 4340 majority rules. by freddy_k Aug 25, 2000 (5:46 pm)
Sounds like the turbo thing would be a bad Idea Well I do like the 2001's better anyway. I really can't wait. I was thinking of getting a 1999 anyway to save money, but this seal thing worries me, and all of the '99s I see available, almost every single last one of them, is silver. I'll splurge this one and go for new. I guess the speed will have to wait till I can afford to bring a Lotus Elise in from Europe! BTW, if anyone has any arguments for getting a turbo I want to hear them too.
#596 of 4340 by locke2c Aug 25, 2000 (5:56 pm)
It's a bad idea for a mundane (no offese) owner and a daily driven car. It's not a bad idea at all for a hardcore enthusiast okay with trading reliability and infrequent, low-cost maintenance for a *lot* more performance. -Colin
#597 of 4340 by freddy_k Aug 25, 2000 (6:00 pm)
Hmmm.. what do you mean by Mundane? I drive my car, and I do/would make use of every ounce of hp I had (within a reasonable amount that is) and a large amount of a cars handling (pretty much all of my current cars) But it Is a daily driver that I must rely on. I also has to take me through the winter. It wasn't a problem with my Mustang 5.0 but I've never owned a turbo.
#598 of 4340 #4 by WarpDrive Aug 25, 2000 (7:34 pm)
Freddy, the #4 bearing problem affects early '99s in a specific range of VINs. But it has been known to exceed those range of VINs. The end result is that you need a new engine. Sometimes, no patterns have emerged yet as the affliction may happen only when the car has had some miles on it and the numbers of cars afflicted may be small. See this thread. http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001569.html I make no assumptions that mine is immune so I want to keep my warranty in case it happens to me. http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/tip_6_99.html So SC'ing a '99 is a bad idea for this reason alone.
#599 of 4340 squeaks & turbos by jwilson1 Aug 27, 2000 (12:30 am)
postoak, sorry I don't know how to refer you for the clutch squeak, but I know that there are detailed maintenance and how-to instructions available in the Miata manuals that are sold for owners at all of the aftermarket dealers. I'd recommend you buy one & have a "mechanic" provide an "answer" to your question -- I'd look it up for you, but one of my friends borrowed mine to check on how to remove his dash. freddyk, the turbo does impact reliability, but if you have a good installation of a unit that is tailored for the Miata it's certainly not like you're going to be beside the road waiting for AAA every morning. If you want to pursue the idea, Dealer Alternative offers several kits -- in increasing degrees of boost (& strain on the engine) -- each tailored for use in the Miata. They are reputed to do an exceptional job and I know that Bill Cardell, the owner, is very good at explaining what would be a good idea based on your own driving habits. My suggestion would be to contact him, address in the marketplace of miata.net for his suggestions. He's steered me clear of some pricey options that he sells before because, he explained, they were for track, not my street use. Good luck. Take care. Joe W.

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