Flyin' Miata
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Entry-level turbocharger system for 1.6. Also purchased optional larger intercooler, replaced stock radiator, catalytic converter, and clutch. All professionally installed by Brainstorm in LA.
Product purchased and installed about one year ago. Cat just now. Car already had Brainstorm dual exhausts and K&N filtercharger, making about 105 HP on Brainstorm dyno.
Went with this system because I wanted reasonable power increase, but had to deal with California emissions, and didn't want the hassle to having to "circumvent." If I want big power, I'll drive my 78 930. FM I is the only aftermarket 1.6 Miata turbocharger system I know of that is legal in California.
The good news: car is transformed. Step on the gas, and the little motor swells into a medium-sized one. Immensely more fun than it was, and it was plenty fun already. Little change in fuel economy (but who cares).
The bad news: Initially couldn't get the car to run more than 6 PSI without detonation. Multiple calls by me and Brainstorm to FM, but no success. Also, heat shield would not fit with original FM downpipe design--largely cosmetic, so, oh, well.
Lots of theories out there as to why we couldn't get the as advertised 8 PSI. Addressed most of them. Re-checked installation specs and timing. Seaform to clean out the carbon. FM cat to drop the back pressure. Already had Brainstorm dual exhaust. Can't do anything about California 91 octane gas. In the end, car makes 147 HP at the engine on Brainstorm's dyno. And just passed smog by the skin of it's teeth. With a new FM cat. To top it off, FM sent me a new re-engineered downpipe that supposedly would accommodate the heat shield. After four hours of labor to swap it out, it didn't. So, what do we learn from this? FM I turbo does make more power. Car is a lot faster. Turbo doesn't make as much power as FM says. Surprise, surprise. Hassle is more than expected. Surprise, surprise. Bigger intercooler, radiator, and clutch were probably superfluous (unless I go to replacement ECU and hassle with California smog--more $$$ and hassle).
Still, if I had to do it all over again, I would. With lower expectations. Even 42 horsepower makes the car completely different, and worth the substantial $$$ I've spent. Just wish FM were a bit more realistic as to what their system would do for cars in California.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
i just got my fm2 miata all set up running 14 psi...
this is a must for any miata....the 2003 mazdaspeed turbo doesnt compare to this...sounds amazing when is spools up, almost no lag....whooosh...blow off valve sounds so nice. 0-60 about 5 secs flat...maybe a lil' less...1/4 mi. in 13.1-13.7... will beat: 03' mustang GT any Z car RSX typeS NSX...many more to come...and go amazing power and torque. def. worth the 5k + for turbo!!!!! dont make any other upgrades til' you get a turbo!!!
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Garrett GT-28 turbo kit with intercooler and engine managment.
Performance and driving: The car is much faster now. Probably low 5-sec 0-60. Boost comes on about 3000, and hits full boost by about 3700. When it spools up it sounds cool as s***. I can now pass very easily in 5th gear. Installation: Pretty straight forward to install. The instructions had some errors in them, but nothing that wasn't cleared up easily with a call to Ken. The heat shield required modification to fit the car. Link ECU required an adapter kit from FM and some time sifting through schematics to wire up. Link also required a pre-99 alt, and a CAS both of which I purchased off of ebay. I just pulled the engine b/c I had to install a clutch anyway. Had to notch the frame to keep the turbo from hitting when the engine rocked. Car started on the first try. Fit and Finish: Turbo, IC, IC piping, and manifold all looked and fit well. Heat shield did not fit at all. I was a little surprised and dissapointed to learn that FM knew about this. A-pillar gauge pod looks tacky. Guage does not match the other 99 gauges. Link pad looks a little on the cheap side, button silk screen is not centered, generic ribbon cable looks cheap and proto-ish. Service: Ken and Teri were a pleasure to deal with. I learned quickly to forward questions directly to Ken, for he is patient and his knowledge is pretty extensive. The kit arrived on time, however some of the parts were missing. FM did clear this up promptly though.
Bottom line: I love the added power. The engine bay looks good, and the car sounds good. I would recommend it to anyone who is not afraid to put a little care into their car and drop the 5 grand.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Complete turbo kit for 99 & 00 Miatas. Includes intercooler, Link piggyback ECU and everything you need for a safe, reliable way to double your horsepower
Installation took about 30 hours working alone. No special tools were needed. It's not especially difficult, there's just a lot to do. I was very careful about every step, checking and re-checking my work. Instructions were excellent when paired with advice from the forum.
My car is now capable of ferocious acceleration! The power is simply astounding. With the defaults loaded into the Link, I was up and running immediately. Tuning was easy with a little help from FM. I got a thorough explanation of boost control from Ken Hill. If you want a no-hassle FI solution, look no further. There may be kits with more power out there, but none can match the refinement and completeness of the FM2.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.8 liter
This is the Dealer Alt FM II with the BB turbo,new shorter intercooler piping,boost controller,knock sensor,and FM III cold air induction.This kit also includes the FM Link ECU with RC 550 cc injectors.
The kit takes about 9-12wks for delivery.mine came in in 11 weeks.. Upon receipt of the kit I inspected all packages.nothing was missing except one fitting for the Oil galley. Installation was not hard.I had read Corkys book" Maximum Boost"down loaded pictures of BEGI turbo install from the internet,and read installation instruction several times,during the 11 week wait for the kit to arrive. The Installation of the FM Link for my application (97 OBDII) envolves removing approx 35 wires from the 3 existing harness and placing them in 2 new wiring harness that will fit the new ecu..After the ECU install ,the car fired up,did'nt run smoothly but with a little coarse tuning eventually would run better. The turbos install went as planned with an occassional difficult nut or bolt.. Install took me about 2.5 days taking my time.
Performace is what this kit is about.I previously had a Sebring SC at 8psi with all the enhancements,performace was good but nothing like this.The FM is much stronger,even at the same boost levels.the turbo feels stronger.Boost builds very fast.I can hit the preset 12 psi boost level by 3200 rpm,The torque pushes you back in your seat. It will easily pull the red line in 5th gear.By then your over 140 mph! Using the G Tech Pro meter I have ran mutiple 0-60 mph under 5 sec.4.77 is the best @ this time(15 psi) with the 1/4 mile @ 13.1/109 mph. I have ran this car hard and never had a problem with over heating or pinging. The link is user friendly.and works well The more you drive the better the car runs .My gas milage is better than when SC. Overall Id do it again in a heartbeat.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
This is the Flying Miata Turbo System with the Garret Turbo and Link ECU.
I took over a year to make a decision as to what forced induction system I wanted. My decision was based mainly on power. I wanted the most powerful system I could find but also wanted reliability. I choose the Dealer Alternative FM Turbo II because of the quality of the system as well as the excellent level of service I have received in the past.
The system was installed at Dealer Alternative, NJ in West Orange along with a complete port and polish, FM Turbo exhaust, aluminum racing radiator, and other various goodies.
Performance? Thats what your really reading to find out about right? Well, lets just say that Miata smile only gets Bigger, a LOT BIGGER! At 14 psi almost any stock car out there is history! Those kids next to me at street lights with their Hondas with all the badges and chrome exhaust tips, aren't even a challenge anymore. Heck, I don't even need first gear! Mustang GTs which a couple of my friends own, you'd think had 4 cylinders in them they way I pull away from them, 3 car lengths by third gear! The power comes on fast and plants you in the seat. If you think the Miata feels fast stock, wait until you strap a turbo on that puppy! When the tubo winds up it sounds like a jet engine. Expect a lot of stunned looks from pedestrians as you come down the road with the turbo winding up. Lag? Whats that! If its there I don't notice it.
The link ECU is Great! I am by no means a mechanic but after a few minutes of Seth explaining it to me and reading the stuff on dlralts web page it is a blast to play with! From fuel curves to timing its all adjustable with the link and easily adjustable. Also, as Espen Tandberg pointed out to me, the link can be used as a security measure. Just set your rev-limit to 100 and store it before you leave your Miata for the night. The car will start but won't idle and a thief will not figure it out. The only way they will get your car is if they tow it! Thanks Espen!
Downsides? The wait, expect at least 3 months from the time of order until you get your turbo system. The cost, it's not cheap, especially when you weigh in the cost of a clutch and other items you should get to do this properly and safe. (brakes, suspension, etc..)
All in all would I do it again? YES, YES and YES! I can drive her like a stock Miata to about 4000 rpms, or I can lay into the boost! It has increased the fun factor for me 1000X and the suprised looks on Mustang, BMW, etc.. owners is classic.
Bill and Teri are a pleasure to deal with, and Seth is by far one of the best mechanics I have seen. If you could see how clean the install on my system is, you would agree with me. I HIGHLY recommend the system, and Dealer Alternative, both Colorado and NJ.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
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