ChrisLol's 1992 Miata 1.6L Turbo Build
ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum)
Read the full write-up at ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum) ↗
Photo: ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum)A 1992 Mazda Miata 1.6 turbo build with custom Haltech wiring
ChrisLol documents converting a stock 1992 1.6 Miata into a track-day go-kart style turbo car. The thread covers a custom Haltech Elite 750 engine management conversion, a staged turbo plan starting with a Kinugawa TD04L-15T, and extensive fabrication of cooling, catch can, and wiring systems, with later plans to simplify and redo the wiring harness.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- 1.6L Mazda B6 engine, turbocharged
- Engine management
- Haltech Elite 750 with custom plug-and-play patch harness
- Turbo
- Kinugawa TD04L-15T with 0.3bar (~5psi) wastegate spring, no boost control, first stage
- Fuel injectors
- Deatschwerks 700cc injectors (replaced RX-7 440cc red-top injectors)
- Throttle position sensor
- Full-sweep TPS on fabricated mounting plate replacing stock TPS
- Coolant temp sensor
- GM coolant temp sensor replacing factory sensor
- Cooling
- Hawley Performance coolant re-route spacer kit
- Catch can
- Custom-fabricated baffled catch can from Haltech CDI case
- Dash/gauges
- RacePak dash, IQ3 dash
- Shift linkage/exhaust
- Megan Racing OE-RS exhaust
- Bonnet struts
- IL Motorsports bonnet lift struts
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Fuel & Ignition 3
- Full-sweep throttle position sensor
Replaced stock TPS, mounted on a fabricated plate using the factory sensor base
In the shops
Throttle Position Sensor ↗
Moss Miata· $16.99 USD
Throttle Position Sensor ↗Moss Miata· $141.99 USD
Throttle Position Sensor ↗Moss Miata· $58.99 USD - RX-7 red-top 440cc injectors
Initially installed and wired to cylinders 3 and 4 for sequential fueling
In the shops
DeatschWerks 440cc Top Feed Injectors for 06+ Miata ↗
MiataSpeed· $374.99 USD
DeatschWerks 550cc Top Feed Injectors for 06+ Miata ↗MiataSpeed· $374.99 USD
DeatschWerks 350cc Top Feed Injectors for 06+ Miata ↗MiataSpeed· $384.99 USD - Deatschwerks 700cc injectorsDeatschwerks
Replaced RX-7 injectors for better idle and to feed the turbo setup
In the shops
DeatschWerks 700cc Top Feed Fuel Injectors - 90-05 Miata ↗MiataSpeed· $384.99 USD
DeatschWerks 800cc Injectors for 06-12 Miata ↗MiataSpeed· $384.99 USDDeatschWerks 550cc Top Feed Injectors for 06+ Miata ↗MiataSpeed· $374.99 USD
Cooling 2
- Coolant re-route spacer kitHawley Performance
Used to reroute coolant lines for turbo installation
In the shops
Coolant Reroute Spacer Kit, Cobalt ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £117.76 GBP
Thermostat Spacer from Coolant Reroute Kit ↗Moss Miata· $110.99 USD - GM coolant temp sensorGM
Replaced factory sensor which would not fit after the re-route, wiring lengthened
In the shops
Coolant Temperature Sensor ↗
British Auto USA· $11.77 USD
Coolant Temperature Sensor ↗British Auto USA· $93.48 USD
BMW Coolant Temperature Sensor ↗
Sports & Classics· $10.00 USD
Wheels & Tyres 1
- Turbo (TD04L-15T)Kinugawa
First stage turbo with 0.3bar wastegate spring, no boost control, targeting 140rwhp
Body & Trim 2
- Megan Racing OE-RS exhaustMegan Racing via TH Motorsports
Installed exhaust component
In the shops
Megan Racing OE-RS Cat-Back Exhaust (Miata NA, 1990-1997) ↗
Roadster360· $309.99 USD
Megan Racing OE-RS Axle-Back Exhaust (Miata ND, 2016-2018) ↗Roadster360· $309.99 USD
Megan Racing Rear Toe Arm (Miata ND, 2016-2018) ↗Roadster360· $175.00 USD - Bonnet lift strutsIL Motorsports
Installed to support the bonnet
In the shops
NA/NB Dual Hood Lift Kit ↗
Flyin' Miata· $89.99 USD
NC Hood Lift Bracket ↗Flyin' Miata· $24.99 USD
NC Dual Hood Lift Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $129.00 USD
Electrical 4
- Haltech Elite 750 ECUHaltech
Engine management, adapted to factory wiring with a custom patch harness
In the shops
Haltech Elite 750 ECU with Plug'n'Play Harness (Mazda Miata 01-05) ↗MiataSpeed· $1,495.00 USD
Haltech Elite 750 ECU with Plug'n'Play Harness (Mazda Miata 90-95) ↗MiataSpeed· $1,495.00 USD
Haltech Elite 1500 ECU with Plug'n'Play Harness (Mazda Miata 01-05) ↗MiataSpeed· $1,793.00 USD - NB speed sensor
Installed in place of hacked OEM mag reed sensor for accurate speedo signal
In the shops
Crankshaft Position/Speed Sensor ↗British Auto USA· $169.26 USD
ABS Speed Sensor, Left Front - Jaguar ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $165.15 USD
Sensor - Speed | Genuine Land Rover TXM500020 ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $201.00 USD - RacePak dashRacePak
Used for monitoring, housed the speedo signal processing box
- IQ3 dash
Helped catch a loss of oil pressure on first start, preventing damage
Other 1
- Custom catch can
Fabricated from an old Haltech CDI case with internal baffle, screen, drain, and AN hoses, bracketed in place
In the shops
Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit - Black ↗MiataSpeed· $343.41 USD
RADIUM DUAL CATCH CAN KIT ↗MiataSpeed· $449.95 USD
Photos
111 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum). A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
ChrisLol's "Not another 1.6l turbo build thread" - Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. 39this post at ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum) ↗
ChrisLol's "Not another 1.6l turbo build thread" - Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. 36this post at ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum) ↗
ChrisLol's "Not another 1.6l turbo build thread" - Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. 36this post at ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum) ↗
How it was done
Starting condition
The build began with a stock 1992 SBY Miata in good shape, chosen for its handling and inexpensive parts. The plan was a streetable go-kart style car with occasional track use, built around the existing 1.6 engine.
Engine management conversion
ChrisLol built a patch harness adapting the factory ECU connectors to a Haltech Elite 750. Getting it running required ditching the stock TPS for a full-sweep sensor on a fabricated plate, disabling the MAF while retaining the air temp sensor, and jumping the fuel pump circuit. The baseline dyno run made 89rwhp in factory trim.
Cooling and intake changes
A Hawley Performance coolant re-route spacer kit was fitted, needing a GM coolant temp sensor and lengthened wiring since the factory sensor would not fit. Factory intake tubing was removed and replaced temporarily with a short ram intake. A/C components, evap canister, idle air valve hoses, and the front grille were removed to make space for an intercooler.
Fuel and ancillary upgrades
RX-7 red-top 440cc injectors were installed first and wired for sequential fueling, later replaced with 700cc Deatschwerks injectors that idled better. A Megan Racing OE-RS exhaust and IL Motorsports bonnet lift struts were also fitted.
Fabrication and wiring work
With help from a friend at DiMartino Fabrication, ChrisLol built a custom baffled catch can from an old Haltech CDI case, fabricated a bracket for it, and reworked the speedo sensor setup, switching from a hacked OEM mag reed sensor to an NB sensor. An ECU and IQ3 dash caught a loss of oil pressure during a first start, preventing engine damage.
Progress toward shakedown
Remaining planned work before a track shakedown included fitting a Blackbird Fabworx roll bar, StopTech front pads and rotors, and Energy Suspension ball joint boots, plus a final dyno tune. The car was run at GridLife events, with cooling performing well under track conditions.
Later rework
In a later update, ChrisLol describes undertaking a winter project to remove the Haltech Elite 750 and its plug-and-play adapter, de-loom the wiring harness, and simplify the chassis wiring, indicating a substantial redo of the electrical system after the initial build.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at ChrisLol's 1.6 turbo build thread (Miata Turbo Forum) ↗
Worth knowing
- Glue the coolant re-route spacer, water neck and gaskets together with sealant and let dry before fitting, to save frustration
- Sequential fueling worked better than semi-sequential with the RX-7 injectors due to their long, split injection times
- An OEM mag reed speed sensor with a VR conditioner was too noisy; an NB sensor worked reliably instead
- Having the ECU and IQ3 dash monitoring oil pressure caught a problem on first start before it caused engine damage