Owner Build Sheet · Est. Dec 2024

MX‑5 MIATA

2008 · Grand Touring · NC1 · Copper Red Mica

All whp figures on this page are estimates from manufacturer dynos and similar NC builds. This car has not been on a dyno yet.

CHASSIS NC1 · 2.0L MZR
TRANS    Manual, LHD
RECORD 41 modifications logged
SPAN     12/2024 — 07/2026
ALL-IN   $20,272 (purchase + parts + labor)
TUNE    Fab9 VersaTuner N1 · $399

$7,700

Purchase price

$8,322

Parts (41) + tune

$4,250

Labor

$20,272

Total build investment

Purchase · $7,700

Parts · $8,322

Labor · $4,250

Purchase price · 38.0% Parts · 41.1% Labor · 21.0%

Power & exhaust package + tune · estimated curve

Stock 2.0L MZR (~132 whp) Header + midpipe + exhaust (~150 whp) + Fab9 tune (~165 whp)

*Stock NC 2.0Ls usually land around 130-132 whp on a Dyno Dynamics (factory rating is ~166-170 crank). Header + midpipe + exhaust gains (~+15-20 whp) are from RoadsterSport's back-to-back testing on this same combo. Tuned peak (~165 whp) assumes about +15 whp from the Fab9 VersaTuner N1 map. Still waiting on a real dyno pull on this car.

Power & Exhaust

6 parts · $3,206.94 · the hp column

Equal-length header — eliminates the factory 4-into-1 pinch point at the collector, extends primary runner length

High-flow midpipe + 5" cat — cuts backpressure through the mid-range, feeds a straighter path to the muffler

Part	Installed	Cost	Performance note
Mazda Motorsport Intake System	01/03/2025	$439.90	+2–3 whpLower intake restriction than the factory airbox; quicker throttle tip-in, deeper induction sound
RoadsterSport MX5 STREET Header	04/02/2026	$799.00	+8–10 whpCatted, plug-and-play, retains factory sensor locations — the single biggest gain on the car
RoadsterSport Helmholtz Midpipe & 5" Cat	04/06/2026	$912.10	+5–8 lb-ftMid-range torque, concentrated 3,500–6,500 rpm
RoadsterSport Exhaust	12/19/2024	$528.94	+7–8 whpCat-back muffler; opens up flow and exhaust note over stock
Short & Long O2 Sensor Extension Cords	04/02/2026	$128.00	Supporting part — relocates O2 sensors to fit the header swap, no gain on its own
Fab9 Custom Tune — VersaTuner N1	07/22/2026	$399.00	+15 whp*Custom ECU map for the intake/header/midpipe/exhaust already on the car. Fuel and timing opened up vs the safe factory calibration.

System total: header + midpipe + exhaust together are about +15-20 whp and a similar torque bump per RoadsterSport's testing, mostly from 3,500 rpm up. Add the Fab9 tune (~+15 whp) and the whole package is roughly +30-35 whp over stock.

*Tune gain is an estimate from similar NC setups with the same hardware. Not confirmed on this car's dyno yet.

Cooling System

7 parts · $1,212.93 · protects the gains above

32mm all-aluminum radiator — replaces the plastic-tank factory unit with more core capacity for sustained load

Part	Installed	Cost	Function
CSF Performance Radiator 32mm	10/08/2025	$415.00	All-aluminum core; keeps coolant temp in check when the header/exhaust are working hard
Coolant Expansion Tank	10/08/2025	$346.00	Factory tanks are a known age-related crack point — replaced preventatively
Gates Engine Water Pump	10/08/2025	$59.00	Preventative swap alongside the cooling system refresh
HPS Silicone Radiator Coolant Hose Kit	11/02/2025	$306.70	Silicone resists heat-soak and swelling far better than factory rubber
Lower Radiator Mounts (L/R)	11/09/2025	$31.79	Fresh isolators to go with the new radiator
Serpentine Belt	11/18/2025	$19.00	Preventative maintenance
PENTOSIN Pentofrost A3	03/26/2026	$35.44	Coolant fill

No horsepower claim here. Without solid cooling though, the header and exhaust gains fade once things get hot on track.

Suspension & Handling

7 parts · $1,948.97 · grip, not hp

Adjustable sway bar + springs — lower spring rate front & rear, tunable anti-roll bar stiffness

Camber links + bushings — corrects geometry for the lowered ride height, removes rubber deflection under load

Part	Installed	Cost	Effect
Whiteline Sway Bar Kit (F/R)	01/15/2026	$615.99	Adjustable, less body roll, sharper turn-in and more predictable rotation mid-corner
Rear Upper Lateral Camber Links	01/15/2026	$399.00	Restores correct camber/toe on the lowered rear, keeps the contact patch flat under load
Progress Technology MX5 Springs	11/12/2025	$238.50	Lowers center of gravity, tightens spring rate over the soft factory setup
Energy Suspension Front Control Arm Bushings	01/15/2026	$105.99	Polyurethane replaces soft factory rubber — less deflection under cornering load
Energy Suspension Rear Control Arm Bushings	01/15/2026	$145.99	Same, rear axle
Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings	01/15/2026	$30.99	Tightens steering feel, removes rack slop
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (set of 4)	12/10/2024	$412.51	Summer performance tire — the single biggest real-world grip upgrade on the car

Doesn't add peak power. Flatter body control, less bushing deflection, and more front-end bite so the power upgrades actually stick in a corner.

Steering & Drivetrain

6 parts · $603.64 · reliability + response

Part	Installed	Cost	Effect
RoadsterSport Competition Motor Mounts	01/16/2026	$217.00	Firmer poly mounts cut drivetrain movement — sharper throttle response and less wheel hop off the line (no hp gain, better power transfer)
Aluminum Power Steering Reservoir	03/18/2026	$252.27	Replaces the factory reservoir, a known long-term failure point
Power Steering Return Hose	03/16/2026	$53.60	Reservoir service line
Power Steering Reservoir Hose	03/16/2026	$34.60	Reservoir service line
Power Steering Cooler Tube Clip	11/16/2025	$20.38	Retaining hardware
Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic ATF	03/26/2026	$25.79	Fluid service

Aero & Exterior

7 parts · $623.28

Front lip + undertray — cleans airflow entry and smooths the underbody, helping route air through the new radiator

Part	Installed	Cost	Note
LRB Speed NC Undertray	11/09/2025	$228.00	Smooths underbody airflow, helps direct air through the radiator
Front Lip	10/03/2025	$174.00	Reduces front-end lift, cleans up airflow entry
Flyin Miata Tow Hook	02/19/2025	$58.28	Track-day / paddock requirement
Copper Red Mica Touch-Up Paint	01/01/2026	$96.00	Chip touch-up, factory color match
Front Hood Hydraulic Struts	11/16/2025	$38.00	Quality-of-life, replaces the prop rod
Hella Horn Kit	11/08/2025	$19.00	Louder, better-toned horn
Stubby Antenna	12/11/2024	$10.00	Weight / aesthetic swap

Interior

6 parts · $682.78

Part	Installed	Cost	Note
NC2/NC3 Center Console Assembly	12/11/2024	$143.70	Later-gen console swap
NC2/NC3 Center Console Panels	01/09/2025	$126.29	Matching trim panels
NC Door Insert Covers	01/02/2025	$109.10	Refreshed door card inserts
Japanese Weighted Teardrop	12/10/2024	$137.00	Shift knob — added heft sharpens shift feel
Sparco Land Gloves	12/25/2024	$119.00	Driving gloves
Door Pull Straps	12/11/2024	$47.69	Lightweight pull straps

Maintenance

2 parts · $43.78

Part	Installed	Cost	Note
Valve Cover Seal	03/27/2026	$32.99	Oil leak service
Valve Cover Gasket (L362-10-2D5A)	03/27/2026	$10.79	Paired with the seal above

2008 MAZDA MX‑5 · NC1 · BUILD SHEET $7,700 purchase · $8,322 parts · $4,250 labor · $20,272 all-in · updated 07/2026