The top 10 best mods to take out all the hidden power of Miata in one package The future is already here! Using a turbocharger and taking the agility of the Miata to a whole new level while still maintaining its lightness Go ahead and replace it with a short-throw shifter for buttery smooth gear changes.
Published March 18, 2024
The popular Miata by Mazda has left many car lovers amazed and awestruck due to its agility, simplicity, and timeless elegance. Regardless of whether you are a track racer, DIY car enthusiast, or simply adore the charms of the Miata, there are a whole array of modifications for it. This article focuses on the 10 best modifications for your beloved sports car, the Miata. We’ll go through every change in simple words, including moving into turbocharging, optimizing shifts, remaking outside, enhancing machines, and much more.
To begin, let’s discuss the most thrilling part of improving your Mazda Miata performance. In the standard MX-5s, the stock engines provide a more conservative power range of 90 to 140. These figures are not impressive, but it should be noted that Mazda’s MX-5 engine is excellent ground for remodeling. After making some adjustments, this power output can easily reach exciting ranges of approximately 160 to 200 horses. Such a car may not seem huge; however, for a featherweight car of this caliber, it is remarkable. To this end, most of them are usually derived from forced induction, which is generally associated with a turbocharger.
The transmission of your Miata is to your car’s body like a vital organ within it. In addition, I think that a short throw would help to make those gear shifts smoother and quicker. Particularly, the NC 6-speed transmission tends to be notchy or crunchy when it's cold. For that reason, changing the transmission fluid will make the gears as smooth as butter.
The best approach to styling your Miata to enhance its looks and also create better aerodynamic capabilities would be through the installation of a body kit. A body kit is comprised of a collection of exterior changes tailor-made for the Miatas, including the front bumper, rear bumper, siding skirt, and spoiler, as well as other accessories that can improve the beauty of cars and give them additional powers to make their driving more comfortable.
There is a wide range of them, from delicate to fierce, as per one’s fashion taste. Popular brands, such as Flyin’ Miata, Racing Beat, and Garage Vary, offer various alternatives for body kits. Other than body kits, you could also increase the aerodynamics using add-ons such as font lips, rear diffusers, and side splitters.
ECU tuning may serve as an excellent modification in the Mazda Miata, whereby different parameters like ignition timing and fuel are adjusted to improve the engine’s performance. Nevertheless, the tuning capacity of the stock ECU on each model and year is limited. It is also said that NA stock ECUs cannot be tuned, whereas only a couple of people can tune NB stock ECUs to specified parameters. Nevertheless, one will find some external plug-and-play ECU options specifically designed for NA and NB models with additional adjustments and controls. Also, you can avail of remote tuners, which will be able to send new tuners through to your ECU without needing a dyno.
A popular modification among Miatas lovers is upgrading to a cold air intake by looking for an upgrade. This replacement improves on the stock air intake setup, resulting in increased flow rates and perhaps some improved horsepower and torque. However, some “cold” air intakes make distinctive sounds, which may end up degrading midrange power despite being better within the stock intake system, specifically in the midrange. Nonetheless, exceptions occur, and there are genuine nutrients that boost actual power when taken along with music. For instance, one can use a Randall cold air intake, which takes in seriously cool air from behind the engine bay or the wall that is known as a firewall, hence an entirely different route.
For those looking for a more sporty and aggressive look for their Mazda Miata, lower kits and coilovers would be appropriate options. Replacing your stock springs with lowering kits, which results in reduced ride height, is both aesthetic and performance-enhancing. For people seeking more tuneable suspension, they need to use coilovers. These sophisticated arrangements allow for adjustment of ride height, damping, and rebound to give an individualized driving feel.
The most common modification for your Miata is one that increases the car’s stopping power. This alteration greatly increases braking ability, which is essential for challenging ride conditions and exhilarating trips. Options range from a relatively small job such as brake pad replacement up to a complex package of big brake kits in this section. Specifically, big brake kits will replace things like brake calipers, discs, and pads with much bigger versions for enhanced braking ability. Although Brembo is widely recognized as one of the best suppliers in this segment, several other good brands can be identified as alternatives. To add a kick of performance, feel free to replace the stock brake lines with stainless steel ones that lessen flex and improve the pedal feel. Get good-quality brake pads from well-known brands with the right kind of aftermarket fit. The driver should seek assistance in installing the performance brakes, as they could be very complex and hence unsafe without professional assistance.
Racing seats provide an exciting upgrade if you’re looking to boost the interior comfort and performance of your Miata. These particular seats are tailored for optimum support and control during fast driving, with the assurance that they will provide better comfort than stock seats. Brands such as Corbeau, Sparco, and Ultrashield offer many options that range from standard budget models to expensive ones sanctioned by FIA units for different tastes. Choosing a good racing seat is largely dependent on its fitment, adjustability, and certification for specific crash-tested applications. Although racing seats are far from being the most comfortable to sit on in daily driving, they offer some of the best support and control one could get with spirited driving. They can sometimes be complex to install and require expert input to enable an optimal installation.
Changing only the wheels and tires of your Miata will transform your vehicle’s appearance and performance. Here's what you need to know:
The fact that upgrading to aftermarket wheels has a fresh new look makes the wheels lighter than stock ones. For instance, this is even more crucial in a lightweight car such as the Miata. The stock wheel weight ranges between 10 and 15 pounds per corner in NA/NB models, while it averages about 20 pounds for NC/ND models. These considerations include wheel fitment, offset, and styling. They should match your aesthetic and meet your Miata’s specifics. Most of us would use either 14”, 15”, 16", or even 17”. Select quality wheels from recognized brands so that they can fit well and last a long time. Professional help may have to be enlisted in some wheel setups for safety reasons as well as optimal performance.
Upgrading to performance tires can improve your Miata’s grip and handling during track days and spirited drives. When purchasing tires, keep in mind criteria like size, treadwear rating, and performance. Examples of common tires with their sizes include the 195/50R15, 205/50R15, 205/45R16, and 225/45R17. Choose good-quality tires that match well with your car for their fit and proper performance. Achieving maximum tire life and optimum performance starts by observing the right alignment and tire pressure. Overall, changing the wheels and tires on your Miata is a revolutionary modification that improves its looks and driving ability. Select the proper fitment and top-grade materials to achieve high performance with enhanced safety.
Take your Miata’s audio and driving experience to the next level with a performance exhaust system. Firstly, this modification enhances exhaust flow and produces an ear-catching and stronger sound. You can also choose between affordable options for budget-minded users and top-end titanium setups such as APEXi, ISR Performance, or Tomei, depending on your preference. Thus, when choosing, think of such features as fitment, material, and sound quality to meet your needs. Choose reliable exhaust systems from popular brands to guarantee the right fit and extended reliability. It should be noted that the process of installing performance exhaust systems is rather difficult and might require help from professionals to get the best possible results. Get a new stylish and sonorous performance exhaust that will make driving an exciting experience as well as improve the overall performance of the car.
To conclude, these top 10 Mazda Miata mods (MX5 mods) for ultimate performance and style provide you with numerous avenues for improving your roadster. These modifications provide options that let you personalize your Miata depending on your need for more power, better handling, or uniqueness. Note that altering your Miata constitutes a voyage that will be unique for everyone, and therefore, you should pick the adjustments that will fit into your mode as well as enjoy this path to upgrade your cherished sports.
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