Flyin' Miata : Testimonials

FM II turbo
Last night I did the last few tasks: Replaced the radiator hose, installed the air intake, adjusted a few hoses, refilled the radiator and replaced the shock tower brace. As the big moment approached time seemed to slow down, and I spent a long time delaying and double-checking everything. Truth be told, I was terrified to fire it up.
Eventually, at about 8 pm, I couldn't think of anything else to do, so I went through the computer resetting and initialization process (which is getting to be second-nature) and turned the key. The car started immediately and idled smoothly. I gave everything under the hood a cursory glance, then closed it up and backed onto the driveway. With the throttle barely cracked open it ran smoothly and seemed eager to lunge forward. I drove slowly down the driveway, eased into the street, then hit the gas.
The car let out a loud intake roar, reared up and shot forward. I slowed for the turn and went through the neighborhood at a sensible clip, occasionally hitting the gas for straightaways. After every acceleration episode I let off the gas and heard a dramatic GASP from the blow-off valve. Sort of like Darth Vader on bennies. The exhaust is very quiet, the intake and BOV fairly loud.
The intake and BOV noises scared me for awhile; I was afraid that something had to give. I called my brother Eli from the end of his street and showed up at his house ten seconds later ("I told you this car was fast"), then gave him and his wife Mary a ride around the block. At one point I got the car a bit sideways getting into second gear on a straightaway. (The tires were wet.) They both seemed suitably impressed. I came home, checked everything again, went through some more minor computer tuning, then shut it down for the night. The knock sensor had recorded zero incidents of detonation.
This morning was just as good, except now I knew what to expect. The intake/BOV noise seemed less pronounced now that I was used to them. I came up to a red light in the right lane with an empty lane to my left. A new Accord came coasting up from behind with the idea of going around me and dropping into my lane in front of me to turn right, taking advantage of my inertia to pass. The light turned green as he came up next to me. I executed a part-throttle acceleration and watched him shrink in my mirror, then humbly pull in behind me.
When I got to work I did some more tuning, executed a store, and shut it down.
The only glitch (and I mean only) is that somewhere near the ECU those two wires must again be in contact with each other, sending voltage from a boost control solenoid wire to the knock sensor ECU input wire. I disconnected the boost control solenoid until I can find that short, so in effect I can't use the electronic boost control. Consequently, I am consigned to the mechanical boost control, which limits me to about 8 psi. Once I sort out that short I can override the mechanical boost control and dial it up to 12 psi. However, at that point I will certainly have to install my new ACT clutch.
I have yet to firewall the throttle, but at 8 psi it is already the fastest car I have ever driven, I think. No comparison to the two Jackson Racing superchargers (1.6 and 1.8) I've had. Extremely smooth at idle, very progressive and controllable power; great low-end torque and throttle response. And I've barely begun tuning it.
I just want to drive right now. Not work. I am one happy camper. Thanks again.
Eric Amador