The Mazda Miata – Easiest Sports Car to Turbo on a Budget

As an avid gamer and amateur racer always seeking more performance, I can definitively say turbocharging offers one of the biggest HP upgrades for your sports car or hot hatch. When done right, going turbo unlocks an entirely new level of speed and driving excitement without breaking the bank.

Out of the many turbo kits I‘ve installed and tested, the 1990s Mazda Miata tops my list as the easiest and most cost effective way to add big power. With a $500 eBay turbo kit and supporting mods, I boosted my scrappy little convertible from 140 HP to over 250 at the wheels! All for around $2k if you turn your own wrenches.

While the Miata won‘t dethrone an AWD Supra or GT-R on raw power and grip, it captures that pure thrill of driving that reminds me of picking up a new graphics card or gaming console. Going turbo takes the car‘s nimble chassis and playful RWD handling to the next level. Plant your foot and the little roadster rockets from corner to corner with a sound I can only compare to hitting a sweet headshot or multi-kill streak!

But as with overclocking your latest GPU buy, going turbo is all about managing tradeoffs around temperatures, reliability, and budget. Do it right though and youâ€TMll fall in love with your car all over again for a fraction of the cost of buying something newer and faster.

Supporting Modifications – The Key to Reliability

While the turbo kit itself starts around $500, expect to spend at least another $1500 properly building the engine and driveline to handle the extra heat and stress. I know, I know, you want to skip all that "boring stuff" and enjoy that sweet turbo whistle!

But cutting corners on supporting mods is asking for trouble and expensive repairs down the road, guaranteed. I learned that lesson early on in my quest for speed. These "under the hood" upgrades make all the difference in reliability:

• $800 – Heavy duty clutch and limited slip diff
• $600 – Lower compression pistons
• $250 – Engine oil cooling and monitoring upgrades
• $200 – Tuned ECU with rev limiters and timing adjustment
• $150 – Spark plugs, fuel injectors and ignition coils

Factor this $2-3k base cost for a reliable turbo Miata making 250-ish HP at minimum. Bump your budget closer to $4k if you pay shops for professional installation. That‘s still incredibly cheap compared to achieving this level of power and performance otherwise.

||Naturally Aspirated Engine|Turbocharged Engine|
|—|— |— |
|HP Gain| 140 HP Stock | +110 HP w/ Turbo = 250 HP|
|0-60 MPH Improvement| 8.9 sec Stock | – 2.5 sec w/ Turbo = 6.4 sec |
|Cost to Upgrade | Minimal for Intake/Exhaust Mods | $2,000+ for Reliable Turbo Build|

Payoff – Daily Driver With Supercar Smiles Per Dollar

So yes, turbos require more planning, research and hands-on wrenching skills compared to basic "bolt-on" mods. But just like building your ultimate gaming PC, taking the time to DIY a proper turbo system pays back tenfold once boost kicks in!

Cruising around town in my quick little Miata, I still get 25+ MPG thanks to the small 1.8L engine. Yet stomp the throttle and it accelerates harder than a Mustang GT, pinning me to the seat like taking a high G turn in Pole Position.

The broad torque curve and lack of lag from the small quick-spooling turbo means blistering acceleration almost anywhere in the RPM range. And the upgraded suspension, wheels, tires and brakes transform the grip and cornering limits to F1 levels compared to stock. It just begs you to drive it hard while putting the biggest smile on your face.

So if you‘re a gamer or driving enthusiast on a budget, stop dreaming and start wrenching! Trust me, nothing compares to the thrill of boost for less money and skill than you might think. Let me know what car you decide to turbo and how the built goes!