I told the wife I wanted to rebuild my engine to get more power...

[Tim the Teacher]

and she said go for it. :)

I want more power but don't want to upgrade to the MP62 or go turbo. The bigger SC will only get me about 20 more hp with the VVT I have on my 2003 and I dont want to re-engineer the car with a turbo. The car is not my daily driver anymore so it can be on jacks for awhile. What would you do to the internals to get more power without breaking the bank and still keep the M45?

[trickyrix]

Wilder cams? Standalone ECU? Maybe a head off an MSM (no VVT, bigger intake cam)?

[Tim the Teacher]

Additional items already installed: Emanage BlueUltimate, Stage 2 clutch and lighter flywheel, dual core radiator, Walbro 190, bigger thermostat, AA intercooler. Injectors are still stock. Last time it was dyno'd it got a 178

[POS Racing]

What is your goal and your budget?

Here is a way to make some power - http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/stroker.php

[Rebel]

What is your goal and your budget?

She said "go for it".....does that imply budget?


Party at Tim's.....

[Tim the Teacher]

The goal is to get at least 50 more hp and the budget is around 3K

[miataspeedracer]

Drop in a V8

[cwisenheimer]

I know you said you didn't want to, but....with a budget of $3K, you could just take off all the go-fast stuff you've added, sell it, and go straight to an FMII. That's a simple, proven path to your power goal and almost within your budget. No guesswork or fabricating, just unbolt, sell, order, and install.

[BigDmiata]

I would imagine the m45 is gonna be a bottleneck for more power. The bigger M62 setups seem to struggle to get reliable power in the 230+ range.

[HudsonHawk]

Did dyou make sure you clarified what she ment by "Go for it!"? I always make sure my wife understands my intentions and agrees to them before I do something that costs that kind of $$.

[MiataMike]

Did dyou make sure you clarified what she ment by "Go for it!"? I always make sure my wife understands my intentions and agrees to them before I do something that costs that kind of $$.

+1

Was she awake when you told her? Did you slip her anything special to make her say yes? And if so what was it :-P

[jeepinbanditrider]

I think it would be a struggle to get 50 more HP from the M45 on there. If you're going to attempt it maybe go to larger injectors and get a stand alone fuel control like a megasquirt if it will work on that year model Miata with the VVT and all.

Also you might want to call Eaton and see if they will do an exchange for your supercharger for an MP62 plus some money and then try to get the brackets from TDR or Moss or something like that to mount the 62. It will definatly be way more effecient at producing more power compared to the smaller M45.

What kind of fuel management are you running now?

[Flyin96M]

I'm pretty sure people have already tried this and were not able to break the 200 whp mark as the M45 just can't push that much air. Just sell your S/C and buy the MP62. You can keep your IC and just get a new discharge Pipe from TDR. That said I think 210-220 whp is tops for the 01 due to higher compression and the VVT and I think removing the VVT would cause a check engine light and then you would not pass emissions. One other thing to consider is that you start to loose transmissions in the hp range you want to make. So my suggestion is do your homework before you jump into something.

[Tim the Teacher]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. That damn VVT is the limiting factor with my engine. I imagine I can sell the M45 and get a MP62 from Gary but because of the higher compression I don't think I am going to get my money's worth as he told me that around 210 would be the top end of the hp gain. To upgrade the SC is probably around 1500 out of my pocket depending on what I can sell the M45 for. I imagine the EManage that I have now will work for engine management. Can I rework the internals on my engine to go to 9:1 and use the MP62?

One other way to go is sell the 03 and go buy a NB '99 and start all over or find one already built out.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Can I rework the internals on my engine to go to 9:1 and use the MP62?

One other way to go is sell the 03 and go buy a NB '99 and start all over or find one already built out.

Sounds like it would be more time and money than dropping in a newer or older motor. I guess you could try a taller head gasket or if the other heads have different sized combustion chambers you could probalby get some in there also.

The only other option is to drop the crank and piston and change out the pistons for a different set for a lower compression ratio.

[Titus]

M45 is not going to get you there, period.

FM2 would get you there, but you won't pass inspection.

What about selling your engine and M45, buying a 96-00 engine with a stock ECU and wiring harness from a 96-00, get an MP62, and us it with your E-Manage and intercooler? You could probably pull it off within your budget, would hit your goal easy, should pass inspection, and open up the power level potential that Gary gets from his NB.

[Rob®]

The only other option is to drop the crank and piston and change out the pistons for a different set for a lower compression ratio.

Unless he has the best willpower ever, he's not doing that for under $3k. Engine builds NEVER stay on budget, mostly because of "well...I'm in there anyway..." Just getting pistons will require a hone at the very least. But, if you're going to be doing that, you might as well upsize them too. Now your machining costs just went up. Then, there's no real reason to not get rods, since after all, they had to come out anyway. Now you need crank journal polishing and more machine work. Oh wait, you have to touch the crank now? OK, lighten it up a bit. Balance everything you say? Might as well. Now that you've got a completely built bottom end, you'll want better oil pump gears. If you're smart, an ATI dampner. New timing belt kit with water pump...It just never ends.

Luckily I was recovering from that very thing on my Z when I got the Miata, that I stopped at just rods. That, and I was completely broke because of what I thought was going to be a simple/cheap motor build on my Z. Live and learn. I digress

[jeepinbanditrider]

Unless he has the best willpower ever, he's not doing that for under $3k. Engine builds NEVER stay on budget, mostly because of "well...I'm in there anyway..." Just getting pistons will require a hone at the very least. But, if you're going to be doing that, you might as well upsize them too. Now your machining costs just went up. Then, there's no real reason to not get rods, since after all, they had to come out anyway. Now you need crank journal polishing and more machine work. Oh wait, you have to touch the crank now? OK, lighten it up a bit. Balance everything you say? Might as well. Now that you've got a completely built bottom end, you'll want better oil pump gears. If you're smart, an ATI dampner. New timing belt kit with water pump...It just never ends.

Luckily I was recovering from that very thing on my Z when I got the Miata, that I stopped at just rods. That, and I was completely broke because of what I thought was going to be a simple/cheap motor build on my Z. Live and learn. I digress

LMAO very true I saw it more than once when I was working at an Engine Shop when I was in High School.

[miataspeedracer]

250 reliable HP in a Miata is neither easy nor cheap, ESPECIALLY with that VVT crap. Tim, not sure why you'd want to go to the trouble. You don't track your car, so it's a weekend fun toy for cruises into town. Your car is perfect for that as is. If you need that much more HP, sell your Miata and buy a C5 Vette convertible. Less fuss, and probably cheaper in the long run.

[Tim the Teacher]

I really like the Miata. I wonder if I could sell mine for around 11K which I think is a fair price and by an older one with the hp I want. Suzan did mention a C5 but I don't want the insurance costs that go with it.