Does our Miata need individual throttle bodies?

Can we share a secret with you? When we originally built our 1992 Mazda Miata back in 1999 or so, part of the wish list included individual throttle bodies.

We already had the Flyin' Miata/Link ECU and cylinder headwork, so why not go all the way? Figure in the expense and complexity, however, and let’s just say that things didn’t pan out that way.

Instead we went with a Jackson Racing cold-air intake, a very popular setup at the time, yet running the Link meant that we could ditch the mass airflow meter. So call it a unique take on a popular setup.

Ed Senf pulled everything together, including managing the headwork and performing all the tuning. At the time, Ed ran his own dyno shop just north of Atlanta. Since then, he’s become a go-to tuner in the pro ranks: IMSA, SRO World Challenge, MX-5 Cup and even Le Mans. He also did the tuning on BimmerWorld’s famed Bergsteiger Pikes Peak racer.

Now that our Miata is back on the road, we’ve been returning to that question: Does our Miata need individual throttle bodies?

It’s a question for the ages, right? We’ve been talking to Ed about it and even took the time to write down some pros and cons:

What will drivability look like? Ed’s original setup still runs so well. Even when cold, the car comes to life on the first turn of the key and instantly sets into a stable idle. It doesn’t stall, bobble or act up–yet at the same time delivers 20 more horsepower at the wheels than the stock setup.

So, for the peanut gallery (that’s you) what would you do–and what would you like to see us do? (Paging Keith Tanner….)

Comments

maschinenbau GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/19/21 8:41 a.m.

Does the pope E36 M3 in the woods?

gumby GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/19/21 8:43 a.m.

maschinenbau said:
Does the pope E36 M3 in the woods?

Do bears wear funny hats?

JAdams Reader
10/19/21 8:50 a.m.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I'd love to do ITBs on my NA and would love if you guys led the way so I could follow.

alfadriver MegaDork
10/19/21 8:51 a.m.

Need or want?

I honestly think you don't NEED it. But 100% on the want thing. Go for it.

mmcvay GRM+ Memberand New Reader
10/19/21 9:16 a.m.

Putting itbs on my 92 was probably the best thing I did to it. They made the B6 feel like a real sports car motor unlike stock. It's worth it just for the intake noise.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/19/21 9:35 a.m.

I think ITBs are one of those things that won't always add power, but they can add fun–and isn't that why we play with cars in the first place?

frenchyd UltimaDork
10/19/21 9:39 a.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

You are aware that air has mass? That an object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to remain at rest.
Individual throttle bodies will need to start and stop intake air 4 times per revolution more often than air inducted through one throttle body. It's far easier to divert air already in motion than to start and stop air.
You can make up for that loss by increasing duration on the camshaft at the expense of low end power.
OK 4 injector stacks look sexy. But cost you power. What is your priority ?

ps I don't see Ferrari, Aston Martin etc. using individual stacks.

APEowner GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/19/21 9:46 a.m.

I think it's a bad idea and not worth the time and money. I totally think you should do it and I'd be thrilled to be proven wrong.

maschinenbau GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/19/21 9:55 a.m.

In reply to frenchyd :

You may not be aware, but they're used in plenty of modern exotic and sports cars. Mclaren F1, Ferrari 355, many Lotuses, BMW M N/A engines, RB26 (which was turbo AND ITB), and my favorite, the Lexus LFA. Not a magic bullet, but there is power potential there.

Junghole SuperDork
10/19/21 10:00 a.m.

Does the hp gain outweigh the torque loss?