mazdaspeed?

[murph]

I heard a rumor the mazdaspeed protege and possibly SRT-4 were being downclassed this year, is that true? I've never felt like my car was the thing that was outclassed in DS, but maybe it's different on a national level? (and maybe I can just own ES or FS)

[SalahK]

A Mazdaspeed Protege will get crushed :flame: in either ES or FS. That is because the classing hierarchy is as follows from fastest to slowest, assuming a typical Divisional/National type course:
SS
AS
BS
CS
ES
FS
DS
GS
HS
Notice that with the exception of DS, the hierarchy is alphabetical. SS is a special case, and was introduced later as a step up from the existing AS.

But not to worry, given the current class structure, if the Mazdaspeed gets downdraded, it will go to GS. This is because FS is mainly for heavy RWD cars like Camaros and Mustangs, while ES is typically for underpowered, lightweight RWD cars like the 2nd gen NA MR2 and the first gen Miata.

[aansorge]

There is a very good chance that your car will get downgraded to GS in 2006 (it will not happen before then). With the 2005 Mini S in GS, SCCA is indicating that they are ready to look at changing a few class's current philosophies. My guess is that the MazdaSpeed, Spec V and Celica GTS all get moved to G. I would still take a 2005 Mini S.

DS and FS are getting pretty darn close at the National level, by the way.

[murph]

Ahh, cool, thanks for the info. =] It's likely if I still have this car by 2006, it won't be in stock classes anymore anyway... =]

[StevenMosley]

Ahh, cool, thanks for the info. =] It's likely if I still have this car by 2006, it won't be in stock classes anymore anyway... =]

The Speed will be a good GS car. I'm hoping they also pull down the Type-R too. It would be nice if DS became a spec FR sedan class. I'm thinking a fun play ground for IS300's, BMW 3-series, G35's, CTS, TSX, Legacy GT, and maybe even a RX-8.

Murph, What are you planning to do to the speed? Does the Speed have factory LSD?

[chuck b]

steve- yes the sweet mazdaspeed does have a nice limited slip. that car has all the goodies.
murph- please tell me that your changes include a better seat. anything would be better than the current slab.
and a bigger turbo? currently, the "speed" is no faster than an old Datsun that steve and I know quite well.
the rest is fine as is...

out

[murph]

lol! The turbo itself doesn't need any help, I'd have to go forged internals to warrant a bigger turbo, but I will be upping the boost.

Here's the plan: When the warranty runs out (1 year at present rate of 24,000 miles a year) I'm going to save up some money, just in case. Then I'm going to drop in a UNICHIP cpu. $800 cuts back the timing a little, and adjusts the A/F ratios to handle boost better, and then bumps the boost from 6.5lbs to 9, with a short spike to 11 around 4000rpm. Also planning an upgraded side mount intercooler, and maybe a catless downpipe. I dunno if my green conscience could forgive me for that though. That should put me around 210hp, which I think would be just perfect for that car. Also gotta get the LSD welded together better, as the stock welds have a bad habit of coming loose with power mods and abuse like autocrossing.

If I did anything to the seats, it'd be along the lines of hiring a seamstress to help me extend the fabric so I could put some better bolsters in the bottom, but it's my DD, I don't want to screw up the nice interior with a goofy sparco seat.