you know, I struggle putting $5000 - $6000 in mods to a car that I got for $5000 as well. What I did come to realize is these miatas are worth almost as much in pieces. If I trash it a the track I pull off whatever isn't wrapped around a tree and either put it on the next miata or part out and recoup a lot of my cost.

So, that's my theory, check back in a few years and I'll let you know how it worked out :P

BTW Props for doing what you're doing for so little. Awesome

I think my MS1 was $450 used or something like that. I can control timing and fuel with it. And it will be worth ~$450 if I ever sell it. I get tons of flack from buddies with fancier cars about being cheap but I wear it as a badge of honor. I want to do more for less dough at every step. So I give you props for doing the most you can with less. I think it is worthy of respect.

Thanks guys.... BTW dont know if i mentioned this is my daily driver by choice. I got a v8 mountaineer parked in the driveway cus i enjoy driving the miata... I live in MI so it sees all 4 seasons and yes i drive it in the snow also.. I bought the car last march so im pretty happy with the progress... The dirty turbo setup will live on for now cus the next few steps are clutch/flywheel combo (has an aftermarket clutch that holds the power but i didnt put it in myself so i dont trust it) And im gona go nuts with brakes, suspension and frame bracing this summer.

Anyone run the tien flex?? I used to autocross with a guy who ran that setup and for a non turbo car he could hang really well... On my last build i used tokico illuminas, race springs, rb sways and adjustable links and a bunch of fm frame bracing. Never quite dialed it in but found the new owner at an autox over the summer in my old car and he was dominating the ssm class... still running the same setup...

here is a very good thread made by track about his custom suspension. would help your budget out if you went this direction over a premade setup like vmaxx or tein's
https://www.miataforumz.com/suspension-31/soon-suspension-suggestions-396/

Thanks alot for that link... Ton of good info in there... will definetly be reading all through that a second time before i make any decisions..
Ur right on the $$ aspect.. i could definetly put something together for much cheaper than a premade setup, just gotta have a lil patience and do alot of research before i start throwing money at it. I do plan on weekend warrior autoxing and roadcoursing it so i want to get it right. My last build i spent alot of money on the suspension but couldnt ever get it dialed in... It was just a tail happy boost happy beast.

There is a couple of those threads, here is another one:

https://www.miataforumz.com/suspension-31/recommended-upgrade-msm-bilsteins-678/

Kewl thanks once again... If my new turbo gets here 2marro through the blizzard we are bout to get hit with ill be posting pics of the setup along with some exterior shots for those of you looking for them...

it's hitting the opposite side right now man, but it isn't too bad.

UPDATE: Im pissed. Guess this motor has just had enough :( Thought it was the turbo causing the smoking issue.. i was wrong. Dont turbo your 120k motor without going through it. It runs and drives but its smoking under boost and litterally blowing oil out of the motor all over the engine bay. I just did a headgasket like 3 weeks ago but didnt have the head resurfaced and it must be warped. Along with possible piston rings or valve seals are bad. Only smokes and shoots oil under boost but its a flippin turbo car so its time for a new motor.

Not sure what all im gona put in this motor yet, going with a 1.6 im pickin it up thursday.. ill tear it down take some measurements and see where im at.
May just regasket the whole thing if all the tolerences are on and dump it in.

Gona buy a new turbo mani cus the one i got keeps spitting out gaskets. Also gona put the 20g compressor and housing on the new turbo. stupid new 16g is weaksauce and im not having it.

I should be posting the pics i took of the setup but now its gona wait until i start putting the new motor together. There goes my budget build.... so pissed right now :( Gona have to wait on suspension but im just gona get the fm happy meal clutch for this one before it goes in. Atleast when im done i wont have some scetchy previously turboed motor in it. Guess thats why i got the car for $2100 with a hardtop