Can You Make a Mazda Miata NA Faster and How?

Why Even Bother Making a Mazda Miata NA Faster?

The Mazda Miata NA, with its iconic pop-up headlights and lightweight chassis, already feels like a go-kart on steroids.
But let’s face it—it’s not fast by today’s standards.

Stock, it pushes around 116-133 hp depending on the year.
That’s cute for a weekend cruise, but not enough to chase down modern hot hatches.
So here’s the big question—can you make a Mazda Miata NA faster?

Absolutely.
And it’s not just possible—it’s wildly fun, surprisingly affordable, and highly customizable.
Let’s dive into the most effective ways to turn your NA Miata into a little street rocket.

The Power of Weight Reduction: Go Fast By Going Light

Speed isn’t just about horsepower.
The power-to-weight ratio is your best friend.

Here’s what many Miata guys do first:

• Strip the trunk and spare tire
• Remove A/C and power steering (if you can live without them)
• Swap the heavy stock seats for racing buckets
• Ditch sound deadening and interior panels
• Replace the soft top with a lighter hardtop

Less weight = quicker acceleration, better handling, and sharper braking.

Pro Tip: You can shave off 150-200 lbs with minimal effort. That’s a massive gain for a car that weighs just over 2,100 lbs stock.

Intake, Exhaust, and ECU: Breathing Better Makes a Difference

Let’s start with the basics.
The stock intake is okay, but an aftermarket cold air intake can help the engine breathe better.

Pair that with a performance exhaust system like a stainless steel cat-back, and you get:

• Better throttle response
• More aggressive sound
• A few extra horses

It won’t turn your Miata into a V8 monster, but every bit helps.

Also, consider a standalone ECU or a piggyback system to fine-tune the air-fuel mix and ignition timing.
The stock ECU wasn’t tuned for power—it was tuned for fuel economy and emissions.

Real-life result: Tuned right, you can squeeze an extra 10-15 hp from intake, exhaust, and ECU tweaks alone.

Forced Induction: The Big Jump in Speed

If you’re serious about speed, here’s where the Miata NA really wakes up—turbocharging or supercharging.

Turbo kits, BBR, or CXRacing can bump your output to 180-250 hp reliably.
That’s nearly double the stock power.
And trust us, it feels great a 2,200 lb car.

Superchargers are easier to install, give instant power, and make daily driving more fun.
But turbos generally offer more power potential.

You’ll need supporting mods:

• Upgraded clutch
• Bigger injectors
• Intercooler
• ECU tuning
• Stronger differential (Torsen or aftermarket LSD)

This isn’t a budget build, but if you want your NA Miata to outrun Mustangs and Golf Rs, this is the path.

Gearing Up: Transmission and Differential Upgrades

Your power’s no good if it’s not getting to the wheels efficiently.
That’s where gearing makes a big difference.

Install a lightweight flywheel to reduce rotational mass and make revs climb faster.
You’ll lose a bit of smoothness at idle, but gain serious throttle response.

Swap the stock open diff for a Torsen or clutch-type LSD to get that power down cleanly, especially out of corners.

You can even change the final drive ratio to prioritize acceleration over top speed.
For street use, a 4.3 or 4.1 gear ratio adds a ton of zip to daily driving.

Handling Mods: Because Speed Isn’t Just Straight-Line

Going fast in a Miata isn’t just about acceleration.
The NA’s real superpower is handling.

Start with:

• Performance coilovers (like Vmaxx)
• Upgraded sway bars
• Strut tower braces
• Polyurethane bushings

These parts keep your Miata planted in corners and reduce body roll.
Add some sticky 200 treadwear tires (think Toyo R1Rs or Yokohama AD08Rs), and now you’re a canyon carver.

Real Miata heads know: handling > horsepower.

Braking Systems: Stop Faster, Drive Harder

Once you go faster, you need to stop better.

Here’s what matters:

• Stainless steel brake lines for a firm pedal feel
• Performance brake pads like Hawk HPS or EBC Yellowstuff
• Slotted or drilled rotors to resist fade
• Bigger brake kits if you’re tracking regularly

Stopping power builds driving confidence.
And confidence = speed.

Tuning and Dyno Runs: The Secret Sauce to Peak Performance

Every mod gets better when tuned right.
After adding performance parts, hit a dyno and fine-tune everything.

A professional tune ensures:

• Safe air/fuel ratios
• Optimal timing
• Consistent power across the RPM range

Don’t skip this step—it often unlocks more usable power than any single bolt-on mod.

Real Example: How One NA Miata Hit 240 WHP on a Budget

Take John from Tennessee.
He started with a 1994 1.8L Miata.
Mods included:

• Top Miata’s sway bars kit
• Megasquirt ECU
• Upgraded clutch and Torsen diff
• Coilovers and sticky tires

All in, he spent around $7,500.
Result? 240 whp and a car that outran a C5 Corvette at his local track day.

Check out this Miata Turbo Forum for real-world builds, tuning tips, and community support.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It to Make a Mazda Miata NA Faster?

Yes—if you love driving.

The NA Miata is all about feel.
It doesn’t need 400 hp to be fun.
But with the right mods, it becomes quick, sharp, and addictive.

You’ll bond with the car in a way modern machines can’t match.
Every upgrade makes it more personal—and more thrilling.

FAQ: Fast Miata NA Builds—Common Questions Answered

Q: Can I turbo a stock Miata NA engine?
Yes, but safely limit boost to 6–8 psi. Above that, forged internals are recommended.

Q: Is a 1.6L or 1.8L engine better for performance?
The 1.8L has more torque and supports higher horsepower. Ideal for serious builds.

Q: What’s the most important first mod?
Tires. A good set of sticky tires transforms grip and confidence.

Q: Can you daily drive a fast Miata?
Absolutely—if you don’t mind a stiffer ride, louder cabin, and fewer comforts.