Total Noob Turbo or NA

asenna · 04-11-2008, 11:07 AM

I know this has been covered before but my situation is a little different. I am seriously considering buying an MR2 and would like to know if I should start off with a turbo or do I buy an NA and slap a turbo on it.

I currently have a 91 Miata that I put a greddy TD04 turbo on. I plan on taking all the turbo parts off of it and selling the car as stock and maybe reusing some for an MR2. I have the following parts currently: A bailey VTA BOV, Emanage Ultimate, Custom Intercooler, Greddy Profec B Electronic boost Controller, Innovative Wideband O2 sensor, custom intercooler piping, and various large injectors (although not sure if they would work on an MR2). Would it be better to just buy a turbo car and use some of my parts to upgrade it or buy an NA car and find a turbo, manifold, down pipe, to use to convert the NA to turbo with my parts.

Any ideas? thanks.

Sylvan · 04-11-2008, 11:59 AM

Buy a turbo car. It will be much cheaper and easier that way.

kbrew8991 · 04-11-2008, 12:11 PM

the engines are VASTLY different between the turbo and NA MR2s

I'd say buy an NA and autocross/track it... but I'm just a *little* biased there

mrturrari · 04-13-2008, 01:23 PM

It depends on what you are looking for. Sounds like putting a turbo on an NA car is nothing new to you so I wouldn't rule out the possibility. If you are looking for a hands off, turn key solution then for sure get a Turbo MR2 to begin with but if you know how to tune, know someone who is or are willing to pay someone to do it, then it can and has been done. I really enjoy doing this kind of stuff personally but everyone is different. By the way a T4 is pretty big and will probably only spool 1500-2000rpms before the 6500 fuel cut on the 5sfe. You would be better off going with something a little smaller unless you build a 5sfe to rev higher and get some better cams.

Redstar · 04-18-2008, 12:08 PM

I beleive he has a mitsu TD04, unless I'm mistaken they're roughly the same size as the CT26.

I think it depends on your buget and how long you're willing to wait for the right car. You've got a lot of parts, and N/A's seem to be quite a bit cheaper. I'm pretty happy tinkering with my N/A, but its not my daily so I can afford to be tinkering...

Servin · 04-21-2008, 09:57 PM

Looks like you are into big power and not really handling so just go for the Turbo model, dont ruin a N/A leave that for the Naturally/Agressive!

04-11-2008, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
asenna No Skills Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Total Noob Turbo or NA I know this has been covered before but my situation is a little different. I am seriously considering buying an MR2 and would like to know if I should start off with a turbo or do I buy an NA and slap a turbo on it. I currently have a 91 Miata that I put a greddy TD04 turbo on. I plan on taking all the turbo parts off of it and selling the car as stock and maybe reusing some for an MR2. I have the following parts currently: A bailey VTA BOV, Emanage Ultimate, Custom Intercooler, Greddy Profec B Electronic boost Controller, Innovative Wideband O2 sensor, custom intercooler piping, and various large injectors (although not sure if they would work on an MR2). Would it be better to just buy a turbo car and use some of my parts to upgrade it or buy an NA car and find a turbo, manifold, down pipe, to use to convert the NA to turbo with my parts. Any ideas? thanks.

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04-11-2008, 11:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sylvan Bad Dude Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 624 Thanks: 16 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Buy a turbo car. It will be much cheaper and easier that way.

04-11-2008, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
kbrew8991 gimme some turns Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,095 Thanks: 39 Thanked 52 Times in 45 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	the engines are VASTLY different between the turbo and NA MR2s I'd say buy an NA and autocross/track it... but I'm just a little biased there

04-13-2008, 01:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrturrari I <3 my 5sfe Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 403 Thanks: 2 Thanked 87 Times in 57 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It depends on what you are looking for. Sounds like putting a turbo on an NA car is nothing new to you so I wouldn't rule out the possibility. If you are looking for a hands off, turn key solution then for sure get a Turbo MR2 to begin with but if you know how to tune, know someone who is or are willing to pay someone to do it, then it can and has been done. I really enjoy doing this kind of stuff personally but everyone is different. By the way a T4 is pretty big and will probably only spool 1500-2000rpms before the 6500 fuel cut on the 5sfe. You would be better off going with something a little smaller unless you build a 5sfe to rev higher and get some better cams.

04-18-2008, 12:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Redstar My other cars are jealous Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 163 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	I beleive he has a mitsu TD04, unless I'm mistaken they're roughly the same size as the CT26. I think it depends on your buget and how long you're willing to wait for the right car. You've got a lot of parts, and N/A's seem to be quite a bit cheaper. I'm pretty happy tinkering with my N/A, but its not my daily so I can afford to be tinkering...

04-21-2008, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Servin Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 417 Thanks: 6 Thanked 25 Times in 19 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Looks like you are into big power and not really handling so just go for the Turbo model, dont ruin a N/A leave that for the Naturally/Agressive!