Building the Boosted Smurf

[psulja]

Photodump!!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Damn Canadians...

The car looks awesome with those wheels man. Changes the whole thing! So what do you like more? The NA or NB?

[psulja]

Haha, honestly, it's still a tough call. I love the way my NA looks way more. I like how much more comfortable the seats are. What I don't like is how slow it is, I can't corner at this ride height, and I've had cops follow me right on my back bumper the past 3 nights in a row on my way home..

Today I drove the NB to work because the NA takes forever to heat up when it is almost below freezing at 6am. When I got in the NB I loved that it was a bit quicker, much louder, and a blast to hoon around in. I missed sliding it around a bit this past week where I wasn't driving it. But I didn't miss the super uncomfortable seat lol.

But yea, I still can't decide which one I like more. If my NB was really clean and looked similar to my NA (but an NB lol) I'd take that. But then if my NA had more power and a bit more practical ride height, I'd take that. Pretty much i like both cars and love being able to choose which car I want to drive on a particular day. Although my bank account hates me for insuring two cars at once lol.

[WASABI]

Looking damn fine Paul! I too like the new wheel set up, but you're right, there is a line of form over function. I enjoyed the photodump.

-Jim

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Seems very reasonable! If you don't change the problems in each car you can justify having both!

[psulja]

Thanks guys.

Well ideally I will have boost next year, but that is an ideal situation which is usually not the case lol... I also still have my eye on a '91 turbo mr2 a friend is planning to sell, and that'll put me at 3 cars so not many mods would happen if I do that. And I need to keep the NB around as a daily driver.

[psulja]

Was going to put the car back in storage today. Decided I wanted to keep driving it some more so that didn't happen. I think I'll keep it out until Thursday since Friday they're calling for some light snow and the car needs to be parked before that happens and they start to go crazy with the salt.

[psulja]

Started looking for 1.8 engines.. Found one that is pretty much a Miata skeleton with complete front and rear suspension and subframes, engine, trans, and diff but the timing belt was removed so I wouldn't be able to see it running beforehand.

But I may be going to look at a 1.8 engine in the next week or so that I found in Ohio that I may swap in. I was going to start ordering turbo parts for the 1.6 but I want the potential for higher power numbers down the road so I figure 1.8 is the way to go.

Anyone want a low-ish mileage 1.6?

[—atank—]

Looks really good man!

[psulja]

Finally starting to plan out the actual "build" part of this car. Quick rundown of the plans; 1.8 swap w/ GT2860RS running MS.

I am going to look at a 1.8 with around 80,000miles on it in Ohio this weekend. If everything checks out I should be picking that up in a couple weeks.

Swap parts list:
'94 1.8l w/ 80,000miles
FM 1.8 swap kit
Timing belt & water pump
OEM flywheel
Flyin' Miata level 1 clutch

Once the engine is in I will be putting on the turbo parts.

Boost:
Garrett GT2860RS
FM manifold & downpipe
eBay IC & piping
TurboXS RFL BOV
RX7 injectors
TurboSmart MBC
Oil & Water lines from ATP Turbo
Wastegate actuator from FM
AEM Wideband

I will be controlling everything with a MS2 built by Reverant. Still trying to decide between the Basic or Enhanced ECU he offers.

Looking to have everything ordered in a couple weeks with plans to do the swap and install the turbo over the month of March. Hopefully will be started tuning it before the end of March to get a basic tune set up for April so I can enjoy the car a bit before going out west for the summer again. Crazy build goal that isn't likely to happen is to have it done and running well enough to drive down to Miatapalooza for April 6th, but that goal might be a bit tough to achieve.

I'm sure I'll have some questions about things in the build that I'll post up about as they come up.

[Rick249]

what kind of wheels are those?
They look amazing!!
What is the rim size and what size of tire are you running?

[psulja]

what kind of wheels are those?
They look amazing!!
What is the rim size and what size of tire are you running?

xxr 530 15x8.25 +0 with 195/50/15 Kumho Ecsta AST tires. likely selling them soon for a more practical set up.

[psulja]

Started pulling the engine this weekend. It should be out tomorrow unless something else comes up. Also got some parts for the 1.8, mostly just maintenance parts aside from my 550cc rx7 injectors that came in.

For the 1.8

Water pump
Timing belt
Plugs & Wires
Oil pan gasket
VC gasket
Thermostat
PCV & rubber grommet
Belts
550cc rx7 injectors

How it sat a couple days ago. Pretty much the same except for the car being jacked up and the engine bay being a little emptier lol

[maharaj]

I'm sure you'll notice a huge difference once you get those things done.....looking good!

[psulja]

I'm sure you'll notice a huge difference once you get those things done.....looking good!

Yea, hopefully. And thanks!

Well since my NB is down right now the push is on to get the swap done so I can start driving this car. Tonight ordered my coolant reroute parts, FM level 1 clutch, and 1.8 swap kit from FM.

Will hopefully have the swap done next week. Will also be deleting PS while the engine is out and possibly AC.