Sign in

← All builds

kalmairn's PJ: 2005 Mazda Miata Project

kalmairn · 2005 Mazda Miata (Base)

Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

PJ: My Project NB Miata

Read the full write-up at PJ: My Project NB Miata ↗

Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata

Building a Kraken-kitted JDM MSM engine for a 2005 Base Miata

Kalmairn bought a high-mileage but rust-free 2005 Base Miata, PJ, to use as a test bed for his first engine build rather than risk his daily Mazdaspeed Miata. He sourced a corroded JDM MSM engine and transmission, rebuilt it with a Kraken turbo kit and supporting parts, and documented teardown, machine work, reassembly, and the eventual first start.</overview> <parameter name="spec">[ {"label":"Engine","value":"JDM Mazdaspeed Miata (MSM) 1.8L turbo block, rebuilt with Kraken EFR 6758 kit"}, {"label":"Pistons","value":"Wiseco 9:1 (switched from planned Supertech 9.5:1 due to backorder)"}, {"label":"Connecting rods","value":"Manley rods"}, {"label":"Bearings/Fasteners","value":"ACL bearings, ARP studs"}, {"label":"Valve springs","value":"Supertech heavy duty double valve springs"}, {"label":"Fuel injectors","value":"Injector Dynamics ID1050x with GM/Continental e85 sensor"}…

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.

Engine 8

Fuel & Ignition 7

Cooling 3

Gearbox & Drivetrain 3

Suspension & Steering 1

  • Innovate engine mountsInnovate

    Installed to support the rebuilt engine

Electrical 1

Tools & Workshop 1

  • Costco storage shed kitCostco

    Assembled on a built platform to gain extra garage depth for the build

Other 1

  • Kraken 3 inch exhaustKraken

    Installed under the car, required repositioning to clear the undercarriage

Photos

45 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from PJ: My Project NB Miata. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

PJ: My Project NB Miata - Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. 39this post at PJ: My Project NB Miata ↗

Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
PJ, the 2005 Base Miata project carPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
JDM MSM engine as deliveredPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Leave a poscatPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Leave a negcatPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Turbo with broken turbine bladesPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Nasty condition inside the transmissionPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Corrosion inside the cylinder borePhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Bare block ready for the machine shopPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Engine block freshly paintedPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Cylinder head painted aluminumPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Yes, I did install and torque the nuts.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Some good looking hardware.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
The last time I'll see a lot of this hardware. Theoretically.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Clamping the rods down onto the crank.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
This is what happens with you lift your (nut) head too high. You clip the MBSP...?Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Starting to look like an engine.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
More parts!Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Unorthodox, but it works.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Also have some of the valve guide seals here.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Shiny.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Yes using an impact socket. No not using an impact gun.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Head almost completePhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Looks great - but the gears are in the wrong position on the camshafts.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata

PJ: My Project NB Miata - Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. 6this post at PJ: My Project NB Miata ↗

Electrical connections done. Working on mechanicals.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Coming Together!Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Working on wiring - under the dash.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
First Start.Photo: PJ: My Project NB Miata
Tweet this threadPhoto: PJ: My Project NB Miata

How it was done

Starting condition

PJ is a 2005 Base Miata bought in March 2024, a high-mileage Florida car with a clean, rust-free chassis, a manual transmission, and a factory LSD, but with numerous mechanical and cosmetic issues including oil leaks, torn interior, and electrical faults.

Sourcing the engine

Rather than risk his daily Mazdaspeed Miata, the owner planned a Kraken EFR 6758 turbo build using a separately sourced JDM MSM engine and transmission. The engine arrived badly corroded, with cylinder wall rust, a ruined intake manifold, and a destroyed turbo.

Teardown

The owner disassembled the engine and transmission fully, photographing everything for reassembly reference. He found rust in the coolant passages, corrosion on cylinder walls, and failing injectors, but the rod and crank bearings were in good condition.

Machine work and paint

The block, head, and crank went to a machine shop for boring, honing, flattening, and balancing. Supertech pistons were unavailable so Wiseco 9:1 pistons were substituted. The owner painted the block and head, and separately repainted the valve cover, though unhappy with that result.

Workshop expansion

To get enough space to work, the owner built a shed from a kit purchased at Costco, giving extra depth in the garage for the car and engine hoist.

Reassembly and first start

The rebuilt engine was reinstalled with the Kraken kit, wiring, cooling, and exhaust connected. After verifying oil pressure and RPM signal, the owner attempted a first start despite an incomplete cooling system; the engine ran briefly before stalling, marking a successful milestone ahead of a planned first drive.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at PJ: My Project NB Miata ↗

Worth knowing

  • Photograph everything during teardown since details like cam and crank cap order matter for reassembly
  • Paint engine components before sending them to the machine shop rather than after, to save time and effort
  • Plan garage space for both the car and an engine hoist before starting a build

FIND YOUR NEXT IDEA

Explore

VideosSearch videos and spoken topicsPartsFind parts from specialist storesBuildsLearn from other people’s projectsSocialsIdeas from the communityTechnical & communitiesGuides, advice and owner clubsGalleryBrowse photos and inspiration
kalmairn's PJ: 2005 Mazda Miata Project | Restomod Life