I have a 2001 protege ES with 10k miles. I want this car to last a LONG time with minimum maintenance. I also want more HP. I have been VERY close to charging $4k for a BEGI kit, install and tax. If I do that, I really will not have any money mre anything else for awhile inclding unexpected repairs. Would my car still be reliable after installing a BEGI kit? how many miles would it last me? I would probably be driving the car pretty hard because of the turbo. I don't think anyone would be driving their car like a granny after installing a turbo!

 

Reliability is up to the owner. If you plan on hammering the car all the time, dont do it. Your routine maintenance will increase if you do decide to do it but this is only as a precaution.

 

My father-in-law also has a 91 Miata boosting 12 psi on a stock engine and never had any problems, but like you said it those 1.6L engines are SUPER strong. Nobody REALLY know how the Protege engines will react to the turbo in the long run. I guess I answered my own question.