what to do
 

so i want to put a little more hp to my 2000 miata but i want to keep it NA
so ive thought of
racing beat headers
5zigen cat back
and an auto exe intake
but idk if i have to modify anything to put them on like on my mazdaspeed 3 i needed new fuel pump internals before i fucked with the exaust so what will i need to put this set up on

You would gain more power switching to a MegaSquirt or other tunable ECU, for what it's worth. It lets you ditch the restrictive MAF unit in the intake stream. Being able to adjust fueling and spark timing for max power instead of max emissions is a big deal. And switching to a freer flowing intake or exhaust won't do you any good if you can't add more fuel to compensate.

The "cold air intake" air filter kits don't do diddly according to dyno test after dyno test. Some actually lose a few horsepower due to loss of the Helmholz resonator chamber.

Some of the factory exhaust manifolds are actually pretty good and some are terrible and should be replaced.

Bumping the base timing advance up 5 degrees on the earlier 1.8 cars was good for several horsepower. I'm not sure if it is adjustable on the 2000.

thanks for the imput im gonna check out megasquirt now and what do u think will be the best intake for my naturally aspirated car

If you get a Megasquirt you can delete a lot of the junk and just get some intercooler piping and silicone hoses and put a cone filter in front of the radiator. If you do it right you won't need to change any of it when you add an intercooler and go turbo one day.

For the Megasquirt, check DIYAutotune.com for the MSPNP2.

Just a reminder, since you live in CA, you're under the gun to be visually smog legal. The RB header is not, and unless you now someone, you'll fail the visual. The closest most Californians get is installing an 01+ header and installing the heat shield. Still not legal, but looks darn close to stock.

The aftermarket ECU is the good bet, just be aware you'll need to swap back to the stock ECU for smog.

Also, you're in Agoura Hills. That's not far from Willow Springs. Look for some driving classes and spend the money on some HPDE lessons. Often there are Miata-only events, so you won't get dusted by more expensive cars. It's the BEST couple hundred you'll spend on the car.

I strongly agree that standalone is the way to go, but for someone that wants some 'budget' improvements, i feel it's a bit spendy for a such little gain - Hardware + tuning = ouch my wallet hurts. Now if you are going to go a bit more aggressive NA/SuperC/Turbo, then i say go for it.

With that I'd like to have a standalone but it's too much for me. I could use that money on tires and track.

Me personally for power H/E/dropin filter and maybe a BP5A cam. Not maxed but you get that slight oomph you want.

I've seen complete MS1 units for $250-300 and tuning is $40 with Tunerstudio VE Analyze Live.

Are those plug n play for NBs? I hate wires so PnP is the way for me. If i wait long enough then maybe the MS2PNP will be on the used market soon :D

Are those plug n play for NBs? I hate wires so PnP is the way for me. If i wait long enough then maybe the MS2PNP will be on the used market soon :D

Im not very smart when it comes to that stuff so the less I have to figure out the better (ie. preprogrammed maps that start the car at a decent baseline before dynoing).

PNP requires wiring to delete the MAF and install the IAT sensor. So does a regular MS1, MS2, MS3, MSPNP2. They will all plug into your harness if they are for a '99-00, some directly and some through a short adapter harness. You just have to get used to the idea that you will need to do something yourself on any of them to optimize them. It isn't difficult but it requires a few minutes of tinkering.

There are base maps available online for all of them, but every car will need tweaking to get the idle just right and to run TS VEAL to tune your fueling. The spark maps will not need any work. No dyno required. No experts required. No tuning shops required.

I was afraid of the unknown before I installed mine but learned it was really no big deal. The unknown is always scary, and that is why we choose to conquer it by doing.