Opinions on 08 Solstice GXP - Page 2

Captain Moai · #16 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 05:32 PM

For the money and capability, I'd go with the Miata except for one caveat. The newer turbo mazdas are known for weak turbo seals and blowing oil out the tailpipe after killing the stock turbo. The turbos must be operating at the higher end of their rated RPM's on the stock car. Once you install a free flowing exhaust and drive the car aggressively, the turbo seals can start to come apart. It happened on the mazdaspeed miata, the MS3 and MS6 as well. Just keep in mind that by replacing the turbo now, you're making the car more reliable. It's not just a cheap line to talk yourself into modding it. It's really going to prevent problems.
As for power now... consider the 05 Mazdaspeed Miata with a Flyin' Miata FMII kit. You'll be able to grab the kit, some decent suspension, wheels and tires all for less than 7k. I'd recommend the 05 Mazdaspeed since it was made to be a true turbo car, it's less expensive than the newer ones and the newer chassis has fewer parts available. Everyone in the world made parts for the previous gen chassis and given its popularity, you'll be hard pressed to run out of choices when choosing mods.
Here's the dyno run of the FMII kit on a mazdaspeed miata on 93 octane. Roughly equivalent to 350hp at the crank:
http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/dyno_..._93_octane.pdf

The other option is the LSx swap, since flyin miata has full engine cradles available that seat the motor. Yes, that was a shitty thing to mention, but i'm sure it'll just suck imagining what a 500hp miata would do.

Flyin' Miata 1 800 FLY MX5s has the wide fender flares available to put that power down. Have fun and get wide tires.

offroadzj · #17 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 06:26 PM

the Flyin Miata FMII kit was exactly what I was looking at.. lol. I was also thinking of adding the Big Enchilada to that for added power and reliability. I would have to see what they would discount the 2 kits to since they both have the hydra nemesis. Between the 2, I would have more than enough power. Then some bigger meats and a few cosmetics, and i'll be good to go.

crazybrew609 · #18 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 07:14 PM

if you run hyrda you can't inspect the car

offroadzj · #19 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 07:57 PM

shit.. missed that part... DOGH!!

offroadzj · #20 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 07:58 PM

i'll have to see if there is a way to temporarily reconnect the factory ecu for inspecting... if so, i'll just have to take it real easy down to the inspection station.

Captain Moai · #21 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offroadzj

i'll have to see if there is a way to temporarily reconnect the factory ecu for inspecting... if so, i'll just have to take it real easy down to the inspection station.

Looks like your only options are Hydra or stock ECU possibly with the O2 modifier. It seems you can run a lower boost level with the O2 modifier when running the FMII kit on a stock ecu. Actually, figuring if you didn't boost and just drove it very easily to the inspection station, the car wouldn't know what size turbocharger is onboard. The only difference would be injectors, which I'd swap out before getting the car tested.
The way I'd do it would be:

Mazdaspeed Miata
The Big Enchilada kit, plus retain the stock ECU + injectors for OBDII testing. = $3650
Stage 2 suspension upgrade = $800
Competition differential bushings and engine mounts = $150
Upgraded Clutch + Flywheel for Mazdaspeed MX5 = $850
Porterfield pads, stock rotors = $400
Sell Your Stock Wheels = - $400
Buy decent wheels with a lip = $800
Sticky tires = $600
O2 modifier only if necessary, otherwise radar detector, or walbro fuel pump = $150

Bottom Line: $7000 on the dot. 350hp on pump gas. OBDII compatibility. Hilariously fun to pound on.

...and then you realize you spent 25k buying and modding a Miata. Suddenly a $17k s2000 with a $6k comptech supercharger kit and a $1k clutch/flywheel upgrade doesn't sound so bad.

offroadzj · #22 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 01:09 AM

downside to that is ur still running the stock turbo. Im actually working on setting up a "build wish list".. lol. ALso, where did you find a newer s2k for only 17??? I definitely want to stick with 04 and newer. The way I see it, the miata can be a real nice sleeper b/c nobody expects to see it put down any type of real power... so it will be nice to see the look on someones face when a "girly" car takes off like a fuckin rocket.. lol Plus its almost perfect 50/50 will make it real fun to drive.

offroadzj · #23 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 01:12 AM

it appears that the wheels are a 4x100 pattern, and i believe the wheels i have (dustin's old gunmetal wheels) are the same pattern. So granted they are not very wide, they will at least get me a little bit larger wheel for now. What is the widest tire I can safely run on say a 7.5 wheel?

crazybrew609 · #24 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 05:13 AM

fwd offset isn't the same as RWD offset so those wheels might not fit

Captain Moai · #25 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 07:58 AM

Safely, most 45 aspect ratio tires will fit a 235 and 40 aspect ratio will fit a 225 on a 7.5 rim. Depends what you can fit under the miata's fenders.

Yeah, sucks since you can easily pour tons of money into it and not get tons of power out. You don't really need much in a miata - if you've ever driven one with more than 200whp, you know you can get into serious trouble with even that much. The thing is... are you looking for a project car or a newer sportscar that you can just plop a few parts on and enjoy driving?

Project car:
OBDI 95 Miata + FMII kit
Early model S2000 + Forced Induction
Non-Turbo 2.4L Sky/Solstice + Hahn Racecraft Turbokit. (Ends up being as expensive as a stock turbo car of the same year, but with much more power.)

Fun Newer Car:
Mazdaspeed Miata with bolt ons
Late Model s2k with bolt ons
Turbo Sky/Solstice with bolt ons.

bpipe95 · #26 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 11:58 AM

we got a few guys up here, working with them, one is already above 400 rwhp, with his turbo kit that he will be selling.

The main problem is that the motor is way way way over protected it has over laping safety controls that are a PITA but once you deal with them with the tuning software the thing really comes to life even with the stock turbo.

offroadzj · #27 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 01:25 AM

its not really going to be a project car so to speak. it will still be a daily driver, but i want it to have some bite to it. i've only really had trucks for the most part, so I want something that is fun to drive while still getting decent gas mileage and be daily driven during the better months. I think i have it completely mapped out how im gonna set it up, but it will probably keep chaning between now and when i actually get it.. lol. Thanks for all the input though!!!!