The Miata has always been known as a gutless wonder; capable of quick laps and huge cornering speeds but always somewhat disappointing in the propulsion department. Mazdaspeed’s turbocharged cars helped change that notion somewhat, but their high prices and limited numbers keep them from making much of an impact on the general perception of the car.

Yet, observing the drift scene firsthand, it’s not uncommon to see SR20-swapped Miatas tearing up the track, and often hanging with cars packing a lot more power. As always, a well-sorted Miata can punch above its weight, but it’s hard to get around that annoying lack of power.

Subtle mods make the 2.3-liter lump look almost at home in the Miata’s engine bay.

There are other alternatives to the SR20DET, though, if one’s looking for a boosted lump to propel their Miata down the road. Tire-smoking torque is plentiful with Saab’s B234 motor, the engine which powered the 9000 Aero. These motors were stout, powerful, and very reliable, and preferred by tuners over the successive B235 engine, which had weaker internals. With 225 horsepower from the factory, mild tuning could see these motors reliably pushing 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque well past 220,000 miles.

With a TD04 turbocharger, a front-mount intercooler, 12 pounds of boost, a filter and an exhaust, the 300 horsepower on tap make this featherweight Miata a real animal, and quite a handful in the wet. Of course, the car is far from completed, and the 5-speed gearbox, originally from an Opel Omega, will likely be replaced with a sturdier ZF box from BMW once the boost pressure is increased and the computer recalibrated.

Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and big turbo power. It’s a simple formula that keeps peoples eyes on stalks, and especially with a car like this, it’s easy to see why.