Mazda Miata JDM Build: 15 Years of Passion and Evolution

TL;DR

1. A 15-year personal Miata build evolving from simple plans to a GT25 turbocharged, gated-shifter masterpiece.

2. Rooted in Jay’s 1990s Dallas JDM car club days, blending nostalgia with rare, high-quality parts.

3. Future goals: engine rebuild, stance refresh, and 250–270 HP target.

Jay Chehal

1990 Mazda Miata 

Instagram: @mx52nr

Photographer: Billy Hawks 

Instagram: @visionsdrop

From BMX Addiction to JDM Obsession

Everyone knows me as “Jay with the Miata,” but under it all, I’m just a car guy who fell in love with the JDM scene back in the ‘90s. Before cars, my life revolved around BMX bikes. I threw myself into it—competing semi-professionally—until I got my driver’s licence. That’s when my next big obsession rolled in.

Team NoHaven: Pre-Fast-and-Furious Days

My friends and I dove head-first into the JDM scene with Honda Civics and Preludes. We did everything ourselves—lower stances, more power, cleaner builds—just chasing the pure joy of customisation. Before The Fast and the Furious blew JDM culture into the mainstream, we were already living it.

I even snagged 2nd place at Race Wars one year. Our crew, Team NoHaven, became well known around Dallas for wild but clean builds. It was an amazing time to be a car enthusiast.

First Encounter with a Miata

After years of street builds, I sold my cars to help fund college. I still needed wheels, though, and when I test-drove an early ‘90s Miata, I was hooked instantly—but didn’t buy it. That little roadster stuck in my head for years.

Fast-forward to 2010: a friend from Team NoHaven had a Miata for sale. Within an hour of owning it, I was stripping off the ridiculous aero kit it came with. That’s the thing with these cars—whether it’s a simple street cruiser or a supercharged Mazda Miata dream build, they just get under your skin.

From Simple Plans to a Full-On Evolution

Originally, the goal was simple—reliable, strong running, nothing crazy. But as anyone in the scene knows, that never lasts. Over 15 years, the car evolved naturally—trial and error, refining ideas, and chasing the sweet spot between purposeful and stylish.

It’s got early 2000s vibes, but every mod is intentional. No cheap gimmicks—just high-quality, rare parts, and details that set it apart. One of the stand-out touches? I’m one of the few Miata owners running a gated shifter. For me, the Miata has always been the ultimate roadster—light, simple, and endlessly modifiable.

The Build Specs

Engine & Performance

• 1.8L Engine from a 1995 Miata

• Torsen diff/axles swap

• Garrett Turbo GT25-550

• Walker Pro Motorsport manifold & full exhaust

• Fab9 intercooler

• DIY AutoTune Maxspark coils

• Flow Force injectors

Interior

• Lotus Elise seats

• Carbon Miata door cards

• KG Works & Rev Limiter gauges

• Nardi steering wheel

• Rev9 switches

• VW Jacky upholstery

Body & Exterior

• R-Package front lip & Track Dog Extreme front splitter

• GE NightHawk headlights

• AutoKonexion aero fenders

• Garage Start side skirts

• Carbon Miata shorty rear bumper

• Garage Vary Rev9 taillights with Garage Wood rings

• Carbon Miata ducktail trunk

• Hard Dog hidden hatch

• Banzai hardtop

Chassis & Suspension

• Hard Dog roll bar

• Garage Star fender braces

• Flyin’ Miata frame rails

• Megan EZ Street coilovers

• Work CR-01 wheels

Who Built It?

Most of the work was done by me in my own garage. The paint was handled by an acquaintance, and local Texas tuning shops helped fine-tune the engine over the years.

If you’re new to the scene, the Miata is still one of the best affordable track car projects out there. You can start basic and keep upgrading over time, just like I did.

Future Plans

I’m planning an engine rebuild, refreshing the stance, and pushing the turbo setup to hit 250–270 HP. Builds evolve—just look at projects like Joshua’s 2006 Mazda MX-5 base model build—and my Miata is no exception.

If you’re just starting out, there are plenty of cheap Japanese cars you can modify to get into the scene without breaking the bank.

Dream Car

Porsche 911 — one day, I’ll make that happen.

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

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