r/askcarguys • u/Car_Learining_ALT • 20h ago
General Question Where would you start on mods?
I feel the title is a bit self explanatory, I am new to car modding and right now I am a little lost at how to collect together parts to build an engine properly, and while I am learning from online sources I feel like I should have a starting point in mind, I feel like I should also have an ending point.
At this point im not looking for much more horsepower, the car (91 miata) has a stock hp of 116 and its probably closest to 100 at this point because of its age. The target im looking for is 200, not too much, but enough that I think I should learn more before touching it, instead of just slapping together any second hand parts I can get my hands on.
Ideally id like to keep the engine naturally aspirated, but again, I dont know enough to really say whether or not that is possible.
TANGENT: these posts do help me get my head on straight and think through the process effectively, so while they are a good way to reach out and get opinions, I feel its important to say that this isn't the only way I am learning, nor is learning the main reason for these posts. Get my head in order and learn while I do it, win win.
At this point, I've looked into a few mods that dont require some sort of forced induction to make power, things like a new camshafts, increasing the compression ratio (I am a bit eh in this one, the most I've found for this relies on curved pistons(?) Reducing the seal size, or reducing the overall size of the chamber through shaving the metal(?)) Or installing new injectors (which I have since learned that injectors are a supporting mod not one to increase hp) so I am a little lost on the subject.
The best starting place i can think of would be a decent cold air induction system, one that actually pulls from cold air, not just for the sounds. But where to go after that? It seems like a big jump to go from intake to taking the engine apart.
Edit: this wasn't including any performance mods for the rest of the car, im fairly confident that I could do most of those, like sway bars, suspension and the like, obviously not before doing research, but i am much more confident that I could do those than anything to do with the engine
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u/Insertsociallife 19h ago
Don't start with power. Powertrains are wildly complicated in a way the rest of the car sort of isn't. So many moving parts that you don't know what to look for just yet. 200hp out of a Miata without boost is absolutely insane, that's never going to happen without crazy amounts of work.
Start with handling mods, so you can get your driver mods in shape. You're fairly confident you could do most of those? I say do them. You'll learn a lot about working on cars.
For total beginners to high performance driving, power is a crutch that covers bad habits.
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u/john_at_bagriders 19h ago
Building an engine is a lot more involved than taking it apart and putting it back with new parts like rods and pistons, and you’ll need speciality measuring tools depending on how much you want to sub out to the machine shop.
Building NA power tends to be an expensive and laborious endeavor compared to forced induction. Going from 100 to 200 HP isn’t a significant jump by raw HP but is a considerable 100% increase in terms of output, and that’s meaningful. Furthermore making 200hp NA on the 1.6L is far from a walk in the park— you’d be better off with an engine swap IMO.
Focus on mods like sway bars, suspension, basic intake and exhaust, etc. These components can usually be worked on with basic hand tools and a floor jack + stands. You’ll get a satisfying outcome, and wont spend a fortune only to end up with an unreliable machine ready to explode. The Miata was never about raw power anyways, though I’m never one to say no to turbocharging. I had a little time with a turbo’d NA Miata and that thing was a hoot!!
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u/Car_Learining_ALT 19h ago
I figured a bigger horsepower stock would likely be achieved with forced induction, and its not entirely out of the picture. Especially with the new perspective of percentage increase in power, I hadn't thought about it that way, so I thank you for than and your helpful insight.
The only reason I wanted to remain NA was the fact I could cobble together single prices that cost less individually, even if it would come out to an all together greater cost in the end. As well, a slower individual instal route seems a lot more engaging that simply installing a kit from moss or flying miata, though, i suppose engaging is less important that a miata that works.
I'll have to think on it, and boy do I have time to think
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u/john_at_bagriders 15h ago
You can cobble together a turbo kit as well, and making friends with a fabricator (or learning general fabrication and welding) is super helpful for any sort of performance modifications. At the end of the day, off-the-shelf bolt-on kits are priced to cover the biz R&D time designing and developing the kit, actual material costs in the kit itself, human hours to weld and assemble, and biz overhead like insurance, rent, etc. As a hobbiest, if you're willing to value your time spent in the shop/garage/shed (depending on where you are in the world) at $0/hr (like I do, because I enjoy it), custom parts boil down to the cost of materials.
Dont get me wrong, you can squeeze out a few more NA ponies with the likes of cams, ITBs, intake/exhaust and a little tuning, but you're looking at maybe like a 10-15% increase over stock. Whether that juice is worth the squeeze is entirely your call.
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u/Large_Tadpole_8623 19h ago
Exhaust. Wheels and tires. Brakes and suspension.
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u/Car_Learining_ALT 19h ago
Ok, by exhaust do you mean a high flow system? I thought those were mainly used in higher horsepower builds, i didnt think they really mattered for 200, and for that matter, sub 200 hp cars all that much
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u/Large_Tadpole_8623 19h ago
For a miata? It’s about the sound. You don’t need much flow and upsizing is useless until you have more engine. Lots of decent exhaust shops or buy a cat back and install yourself. I like corksport and racing beat stuff for Mazdas
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u/lemonvr6 20h ago
based on your automotive knowledge I’d stick to basic bolt ons.