MIATA DRIVERS (and RX7)

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

Miata Owners...

For those who own Miatas and have not heard. SCCA has a new class called STR, designed with the Miata and S2000 in mind (this class is only a year old). It features minimal mods to the engine (mostly stock), street tires and allows for suspensions. There are other cars allowed (RX7, Toy MR2, certain Porsches) none are supercharged. I bought my MX5 to teach my two girls to drive a manual tranny and to drive this class.

The racing is fun, with out the need to be a pro. The RM group is really cool. The Solo (autocross) is easy on the cars and rewards handling over power. I would love to see more Miatas out there holding up the Mazda banner. At least come and watch, even ride along. I'll be 50 in a couple years, so you are never too old or young to give this a try.

There is a class for almost anything (haven't found one for the diesel pick up yet). You can race one race a year (they offer weekend memberships) or race the whole schedule. What a great place to learn (or teach) what your ride is like at the limits.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

That is the class I'm building my car for. I hope to take it this summer. I have a few repairs to do before I even think about racing it.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

I'll have to get on building the FB then, or pick up a Miata haha. This sounds fun!

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

There can be two drivers per car. When both daughters are driving (that will be here soon enough) I'll look at getting another. I've always been a Ford fan, and knew there was a Mazda Ford connection in the past. Mom drove a rotory sedan in the early 70's I think it was the RX3. I like the Miata as being that pure "British" sports car without the "BRITISH" problems (and no, in my opinion, it doesn't stop with tea).

The RX7 is on my short list of what to build/buy next. Wankel Wack-O.

Dange · Postby **Dange** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

tempting though i think minimal mods doesnt include me...

iani1.1 · Postby **iani1.1** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:14

ooo and i can actually compete again this year lol. not that im planning to get banned again i just wanna have some fun grip driving for once haha

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:14

I may consider doing this. My Miata is sooo slow but I can take turns well and keep speed up through corners, and most autocross courses I have seen videos of you're barely getting above 25mph for a lot of the course.

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:14

Yes the course speeds are low. Usually you get into second gear, but I've heard of those who never leave first. When the course is "tight" the Miatas are hard to beat (even against powerful stuff). When the course is open (vette club) we struggle more. But you still are racing in your class against similar cars (and ultimately, against yourself).

I find there are darn few who have the win at all cost attitude. Most of the drivers are there to have fun. The idea of driving as hard and fast as you can with no fear of a ticket or jail, makes it hard to beat.

My engine is stock, I did add the allowed header to replace the 99 cast iron log. I did springs/shocks and sways from Flying Miata. Before March I will up grade my tires to better ones, but for now I have hard all seasons.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:14

Yea I have all-seasons and I'm pretty sure everything engine-wise is stock. Did the 90s come with a log-style exhaust manifold? If so I might have an aftermarket header. I have stock sways and ebay coilovers and that's it for suspension. I want to get a set of springs/shocks from FM but have better things to be spending $700 on right now, and the ebay coilovers do handle pretty well.

Dange · Postby **Dange** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:14

erod550 wrote:Yea I have all-seasons and I'm pretty sure everything engine-wise is stock. Did the 90s come with a log-style exhaust manifold? If so I might have an aftermarket header. I have stock sways and ebay coilovers and that's it for suspension. I want to get a set of springs/shocks from FM but have better things to be spending $700 on right now, and the ebay coilovers do handle pretty well.

iirc no it isnt a log manifold. i distinctly remember seeing tubes on mine

ebay coilovers will do ok at the track,. IMO swaybars will help more than the change to FM springs since your racelands arent blown stockers and 21 year old springs, and if you really want a change in handling add a rollbar and a FM butterfly brace. its like having a new car and doesnt change your class at all.

the 90 miata is just begging for ebay bits right now. the ebay intake is a good change,
there is the ebay exhaust and an ebay header for sale too.
free mod. i dunno if you use the ac, but the powersteering on the 90 is not needed, i took off the ac compressor and related bits. and the ps compressor for weight, then depowered my rack, yeah it takes a bit of effort to turn the wheels at a dead stop but you move barely and its almost as good as if you had ps...
those 3 parts, plus a fidanza 8lb flywheel and ps/ac delete got my 1990 to 110rwhp(low reading mustang dyno) on a car that was rated at 114 at the crank stock. and at a cost for around 418. less if you do a custom exhaust with a bullet magnaflow

and with wide sticky tires that car is a blast to drive , i used to do mountain runs with my buddies and id leave 350z's behind no problem. downhill i was able to keep with my buddies stockish sti

somethingwe could look at is im looking at getting a set of swaybars myself, i might be willing to part with the mazdaspeed sways that are on my car now

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:14

99 and 2000 are the only ones blessed by the heavy cast log. California got a second cat as well. All the others had a decent tube header. I looked for a stocker from another year, but couldn't find one.
I did today's autocross on hard all seasons. I wasn't the fastest out there, but it was fun sliding around the course.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:14

How does that MAF adapter work? Do you have to cut up the stock airbox? I kind of like the way my Miata sounds right now so I don't know if I want to change the exhaust but a few extra horses would certainly be nice as it is balls slow right now. What size exhaust? 2.25"? Don't want to remove too much backpressure since this thing has no torque down low as it is.

My AC doesn't blow cold so I don't use it anwyay and my rack has a very slow leak so de-powering it may be a good idea anyway. I love how light the power steering is though, but I have heard that you can overheat the pump with all the back and forth of an autocross track. And it would probably exacerbate my leaks. You have to drop the tranny to do a flywheel upgrade don't you? Ugh, with no lift and jackstands I don't think that would be a fun job.

jamiel · Postby **jamiel** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:14

Hi Eric, did you make it out yesterday?
We try and get a thread going for upcoming RMSOLO events (next is 2/20 at World Arena in CSprings, registration is open)
STR is a great class, already well attended nationally and locally.
I'm at pretty much every event, look me up if you need anything- silver VW Scirocco, come get a ride!

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:14

Yes, I was there, but my legs still hurt from all the running. Seems this silver VW I called the Psyco Scirocco, just couldn't miss the cones in my section. I had a great time and will join the SCCA/RM as soon as I get the notice from SCCA, (I think that is how it works) that I attended and can join. My hope is to be a all of the Rocky Mountain races.

MIATA DRIVERS (and RX7)

MIATA DRIVERS (and RX7)

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