Mega squirting my Miata

As some of you may be aware, I've been slowly modding my '97 Answer into the modestly quick autocross/DD beater that makes me happy. Almost everything I've bought for it has been used and scrounged off CL.

Here's the latest find: a MS9495 PNP setup NIB from a guy who never installed it a couple of years ago and has since sold his car. Asking $600.

So what say you? How much gain might I expect "under the curve"? I'm a rather poor lad who doesn't want to throw money away on meaningless add ons but if there is real time to be gained on the autoX track I can be convinced to spend a bit.

This thread is relevant to my interests. I'd really like to go this way and ditch most of the wiring harness for the '96 Manic Miata.

MS1 or MS2 PNP?

If you're staying naturally aspirated, probably not worth the money. It'll allow you to delete the MAF and pick up some horsepower there, but most folks use it as a basis for more extensive mods (turbo, s\c, etc)

I think it's a MS1.

I already have a header/exhaust/CAI on the car and I think I'm heading toward a CSP build so at some point I'll pursue a '99 motor but most likely not forced induction.

When I had it dynoed last year the operator said it was a near perfect torque curve with ideal fuel/air ratios. A friend of mine with a '91 and it's primitive mass air metering system benefited a lot from getting the MS system but I'm not sure if it would be worth my time/money.

I know MS3 can natively control the VVT actuator in the NB2 VVT motors...probably a little bit of torque to be found in that application...maaayyybee if you've got cheap, plentiful E85 near you, it might be worthwhile then.

If you've already done I\H\E, pick up a squaretop and call it a day.

On our old Link system, we'd see ~10 hp with just the ecu with sharper throttle response. That's on a stock 1994-97 engine.

You'll have to decide if that's worth the trade off of being responsible for everything from cold start to ac idle compensation.

No way i'd pay $600 for any kind of ms1.

Keith is right, though. A good tune can make a rather noticeable difference on an n/a motor.

The MS1 based MSPNP had a white and red lid. They sold for around that price brand new. An MSPNP Gen 2 (black lid) would have better drivability than the MS1. The catch is you'd have to repin the harness to match the '94-'95 pinout. Our experience on potential horsepower gains with a MegaSquirt is about the same as what Keith was seeing on a Link.

I wouldn't spend that kind of money for an ms1

For 200 more you can get a custom ms3 built for you