Miata Mailing List: June 1992, Message #71
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   From: (none)
Subject: Turbo Miata
   Date: (none)

At the NorthWest Region SCCA Autocross yesterday we had a local
Miata club member show up with his '92 Miata Turbo.  The system
he has was put in by a place called Turbo Technologies in Tacoma,
Washington.  I'd don't know whether they designed it or whether
it was a kit or not.  At least one place it said 'CarTech' on it.

Anyway, he did pretty well posting a 63.7 vs the winning 58.6
(Bill Buetow's 944) and my 60.0 (2nd place) in my Miata.  Not
bad for his 3rd event, huh?  He was running Novice and will
continue to do so as long as possible, since his car would probably
be in Mod, even though the turbo (and 15" wheels) are all that
he's changed.

After the event was over he asked me to ride with him for a
fun run and give him any pointers I could.  He then offered
me a chance to drive the car.  How could I say no? :-B.

The word I could best use to describe riding in the car was "wild".
He was very abrupt withe the steering and the throttle.  I was
concerned that the abruptness was caused by the turbo and not his
driving style.  He got a 63.9 plus several cones, not that far
off his best time.

Then it was my turn.  I did get to drive the car about 100' in
line before I started my run.  It felt perfectly normal, just like
any other Miata.  I took off at the start and about the time
it got to 4000 RPM this rocket ignited in the back and, wham!, we
accelerated.  There was a quick corner so I slowed down again,
went around and slowly on the throttle and wham off it went again.
Considering the stock suspension, not bad.  The turbo didn't seem
that uncontrollable.  There were some more twisty bits and it
still felt fine, at this point I'm getting more confident.  Around
a sweeper, this time I really put my foot in it and ohmygodwham!!
the back end started to come around.  I backed off, caught it, around
the next corner on to a straight stretch, back on it (but not too
quick) and we're on the limiter in 2nd (I didn't touch it in my car).
Finally got the feel, around a sweeper, a tight 180 and through the
lights.  As I turned around to head back to grid I could see this
trail of tire smoke back up the course.  My time was 61.0, only a
second off my best time and not too bad considering the suspension
differences (and the fact I'd never driven the car before).

I have always wondered what the Miata would feel like with more
power and all I can say is it feels GREAT! :-)))))

Turbo Technologies claims about 200 HP, I'd say it was about 180+,
but that's just the seat of my pants.  I'd love to get a chance
to drive it on the *open* road :-).  Now if Mazda would just sell
a factory-built Miata with, say even 160 HP, I'd be happy.

- Alan  :-B (can't get this grin off my face)