Mew Miata owner, looking for performance improvement

[Mouglie]

the more reading you do the more you will understand what it means.
Check out some of the sites and read the product descriptions, that
will help you decide what it is that you want to upgrade first.

[boisking]

You guys are talking over my head with all of these acronyms....

TDR= TrackDog Racing. It's a company that specializes in miata supercharging solutions.
A/A IC= air-to-air intercooler. TDR (see above) makes the one to beat.
M45= a particular supercharger that is common for miata kits.
FUT= F YOU TITUS!
NA= 1st gen. miata
NB= 2nd gen. miata
NC= you guessed it, the new ones.
MS= Mazda Speed. Factory performance parts
FM= Flyin' Miata. It is like TDR, but for turbos

If you want a ride in a miata with any combination of upgrades, come to the wednesday night GTG (get-together). 99% of the time, there are supercharged, turbocharged, and naturally aspirated cars on any given night.

[Mouglie]

FUT= F YOU TITUS!
NA= 1st gen. miata
NB= 2nd gen. miata
NC= you guessed it, the new ones.
MS= Mazda Speed. Factory performance parts
FM= Flyin' Miata. It is like TDR, but for turbos

NA = also for Naturally Aspirated (non-turbo) or not boosted
to word it better...

lol..@ FUT...

[miataspeedracer]

Get your car sorted (alignment, upgraded suspension, better brake pads, etc.) before adding power. Plus, I'm a firm believer that a proper 4-point roll bar is one the best ugrades for a Miata. Then, if you have mad money left over, look at a supercharger or a turbo.

Gary at TDR can design a package and upgrade path for you.

[eluxton]

I agree, particularly about the roll bar. I have been researching different bars available. In fact I spoke to Gary at TDR this morning.

[eluxton]

I will definitely try to come out to one of the gatherings in Plano in the next month or so. I am booked solid for the next 3 weeks though. I appreciate the offers to let me check out some of your cars.

It seems that there are two opinions for increasing hp. Supercharging vs. turbocharging. I understand the fundamentals (turbo is driven by exhaust gases while superchargers are driven off the crankshaft in some fashion). Beyond that, I don't know much.

I am guessing that in this group, there are some solid opinions regarding pros and cons of these systems, not to mention the different kits available for each. I would love to hear your thoughts.....

[black roadster]

Supercharging vs. turbocharging. ...there are some solid opinions regarding pros and cons of these systems, not to mention the different kits available for each. I would love to hear your thoughts.....

This argument is almost as polarized as what's the best Miata color, (it's black) or what's best, a NA, NB or NC Miata. (the NA is the best)

The short answer is it depends. It depends on what your expectations are. Superchargers have more linear power but also have more limited over all HP potential. (not that 180-250 hp is limited IMHO) Turbo's power tends to kick in but you can get insane ammounts of power potentially.

The naysayers of each will say Superchargers are parasitic and rob you of HP since the motor drives the unit where as the turbo uses spent exhaust gases to drive the unit. On the other side of the coin, Turbos generate more heat.

There may be some truth to all of this but I don't think it's a major issue on any properly designed system.

As for who and what, that may be the simpliest part to answer.

You need vendors with the best known support. This is really important for trouble shooting since almost any aftermarket FI will generate questions.

Turbos - Flyin' Miata
Superchargers - Trackdog Racing

[Machismo]

Also remember what the car will be used for MOST. If its tooling around for fun and some excitiement, go w/ turbo. Its for pure race go w/ supercharger. Heat is a big enemy when comes to smaller displacements.

[boisking]

The naysayers of each will say Superchargers are parasitic and rob you of HP since the motor drives the unit

I always thought superchargers added power. It sure is an expensive way to go slower!

[miataspeedracer]

I always thought superchargers added power. It sure is an expensive way to go slower!

Actually, the main benefit of adding a supercharger is that you get an additional 25 lbs. of weight over the front wheels. Really helps the Miata feel more like the Civic it always should have been.

[MiataMike]

Actually, the main benefit of adding a supercharger is that you get an additional 25 lbs. of weight over the front wheels. Really helps the Miata feel more like the Civic it always should have been.

[Magma]

Actually, the main benefit of adding a supercharger is that you get an additional 25 lbs. of weight over the front wheels. Really helps the Miata feel more like the Civic it always should have been.

+1

[Mouglie]

i think the best paint for a miata would be a two tone... black and white!!! FTW!

[VFR750]

If you want to deal with some one that has 30 years experience in turbo charging contact BEGi in San Antonio................also for maxium power (and life) there is no question that turbos are the way to go. Reanult was getting 900 to 1000 HP out of there turbo motors in Fi back in the 80's and I believe the rules limited displacement to 1300CC............

[cone-cerned]

If you want to deal with some one that has 30 years experience in turbo charging contact BEGi in San Antonio................also for maxium power (and life) there is no question that turbos are the way to go. Reanult was getting 900 to 1000 HP out of there turbo motors in Fi back in the 80's and I believe the rules limited displacement to 1300CC............

Did you mean F1? How about 1500 HP for qualifying from 1.5L. Not exactly streetable, or TCB approved.

My favorite F1 engine is the 1965 Coventry Climax 1.5 litre Flat-16 2.13" bore x 1.60" stroke 220/225 bhp @ 12,000 rpm 2 valve/cyl....... 90 cubic inches/ 16 cylinders = 4.75 ci/cyl. But this engine was never raced.

Formula 1 engine history

[VFR750]

you are correct sir............F1 it is. 900 to 1000hp was in race trim if I remember correctly, 1300 to 1500 in qualifying. And this was with 1980's technology, imagine what could be done today.

[aalvarez04]

I think it depends on what he is looking for, if he autocrosses a lot he might want something like irtb's for the throttle response. Not as much power as forced induction but better response which helps a lot down low.