Miata Modifications

[RedlineToy]

Last year was my first in autocross. I ran SI all season and I probably will take the step to go CSP this year. I have a 1997 NA Miata, I have changed springs, shocks, intake, exhaust and brake pads. I am on somewhat of a budget and looking for the mods that make best use of my money.

The car is a daily driver in summer so I drive to the races. I am planning on buying Falken Azenis 615R's this year, as a complete set of r compound and wheels is out of the budget.

Putting in a new clutch, does a performance clutch make sense or is stock okay? The car will not see any kind of forced induction for a long time.

Was wondering about putting a lightened flywheel in at the same time if performance would be helped as this is a bit pricey.

Also considering changing out the sway bars, should I do both front and rear and on the front should I go with a solid or larger tubular available from racing beat.

CSP question, can I remove any of the interior trim to lighten the car.

Thanks in advance for helping me prepare for this upcoming year.

Larry S.

[rdub]

can't remove any pieces to lighten the car.
If the car needs a clutch,put in a good one,slightly stiffer than stock,but no racing ones.If you want a good deal on a clutch and installation,call Proven Force.On a Na miata (on a budget) don't buy a light flywheel either
Just resurface the old one(Its not that heavy)
Even in stock we run the big tubular front bar.
as for the rear, I hear the stock one is fine if the car is lower and has the Alignment set correctly.
With Azenas on stock wheels you will be at a big disadvantage in CSP though
BUT the car will be a blast so have fun

[the tick]

Assuming the recommendations pass inthe near future (or have they already) MAC will be offering an STS2 (or ST2 not sure of the name yet) for 2006. The rules will be very much along the same lines as the STS class last year except for smaller 2 seat cars (i.e. pre '99 Miata's, early MR2, CRX etc), no Corvettes or other high dollar/high power machines.

If you are planning to run "street tires" you should look into this one, it's a street tire class, and the Azenis should be near the top if not the top of the heap. Your free to play with springs and shocks, intake and exhaust, but still can't "lighten" the car beyond factory available options (i.e. A/C delete etc).

If you try to run CSP with street tires you will be starting WAY in the hole, and like I said the mods you've described will fit in ST2, so why not start there. The field might start out a little on the thin side, but my money says it'll get deeper as the year goes along.....I'm thinking of going that way!

[Rex Jr]

STS2 is definitely the way to go if you plan to run Azenis. They are not going to be competetive at all in CSP but are 'the' tire to have in the street-tire classes.

As for mods... You didn't mention shocks as having already been done. Go with something adjustable so you can dial the car in for the course, but not kill your kidneys on the street.

[MiataAndy]

Ya, come play with us in STS2! Replace your clutch with a good one, but no racing one (as randy said). Get a decent alignment and front bar and that should be about all you need. I am running the big tubular bar from Racing Beat, and i like it, although i don't have anything to compare it to besides stock.

The only issue would be if you have Torsen LSD. That is a no no in STS2, although i probably wouldn't challenge you, unless you really start beating the crap out of me!!

[RedlineToy]

Thanks for the help so far. I have no LSD. I will definitely look at STS2 as I knew I would be up against it in CSP. The shocks are KYB 8 way adjustable. I forgot to mention I replaced the seat with an upholstered fixed seat to give me more room in the car, would this affect running in STS2.

Larry

[Rex Jr]

I replaced the seat with an upholstered fixed seat to give me more room in the car, would this affect running in STS2.

Larry

Only if it weighs less than 15 pounds.

[esper]

only stock clutches are allowed in Street touring classes, FYI.

[dsldsl]

Is it correct that he can't race street tire index because he is already out of the stock class?

[phile]

Is it correct that he can't race street tire index because he is already out of the stock class?
No, that is not correct. In Met Council rules you can run the "T" class with a CSP car.

If this car is legal CSP and is running Azena tires, put CSPT or CSPt on the sides and you will be scored with the PAX factor against all the rest of us in the "T" class. We usually have about 20 cars per event.

I plan to continue in the "T" class with an E-Stock PAX factor, so you will need to go a bit faster than I to beat me. Shouldn't be that difficult.

Or you can stay in SI until they throw you out. But you need to earn that!

[weidnerpaul]

Is it correct that he can't race street tire index because he is already out of the stock class?

Nope, non stock classes allowed, below are the Street Tire Index results from MOWOG 8 (includes a mod car, sts and several street prepared cars...):

'Street Tire Index' - Total Entries: 17 Trophies: 3TimesTotal1T
gs 337 Adam Quimby98 Dodge Neon R/T
70.30869.33868.55653.39769.331+169.00268.283-2T
as 26 Salah Khuhro05 Mitsubishi Evo RS 67.13865.69365.484+154.03165.25565.40465.4800.6343 T
cs 314 Tyler Bennett00 Mazda Miata 67.53767.39267.25954.47966.864+169.015+166.291+20. 4484
cs 134 Trent Reusser00 Mazda Miata 78.59775.982+172.67256.66072.34871.88169.9512.1815
esp 161 Aasim Turk Mitsu Evo 74.12871.22769.63657.40669.71069.86469.4990.7466
as 540 Dan "Cornerweighter" Iverson 02 BMW M3 70.01569.235+169.039+257.46069.39767.492+167.074+2 0.0547
hs 437 Blake Jensen93 Mercury Capri 79.49374.84774.65657.47574.943+174.73473.9710.0158
sm 168 William Salvador 94 Mitsubishi 3000gt Vr4 71.88070.54369.85858.42969.39469.72171.3570.9549
dsp 419 Greg Smith Neon ACR 75.82572.30771.010+158.89972.61371.65482.0010.4701 0
es 7 Phil Ethier 94 Mazda Miata 75.15575.12474.62159.92274.80974.34574.9341.02311
sts 42 Douglas Lindman 79 Porsche 911 Sc 81.50179.790+dnf76.01760.09382.604+178.50775.2110. 17112
gs 139 John Stower VW Jetta 81.25678.77277.47060.23877.33477.50477.0310.14513
csp 47 Rex Schultrich 91 Mazda Rx-7 81.36975.49873.77060.33773.53572.00272.5030.09914
ds 384 Daniel Berge 02 Nissan SE-R Spec V 74.906+dnf72.394+dnf75.859+160.41874.730+172.278+2 71.902+20.08115 es 181 Mike Brausen 88 Toyota MR2 76.00875.915+175.16160.57975.95377.66276.3690.1611 6
as 711 Jerry Schroeder94 Chevrolet Corvette 91.17676.87476.70261.00674.36574.145+173.6790.4271 7
gs 206 Greg Stower Ford Probe
83.37485.069+181.47562.13781.61380.09879.4601.131

[RedlineToy]

Thanks again for all the help. I checked out STS rules on the SCCA website and it seems like all the mods I have done are allowed. By the way the seat weighs about 20lbs. I should be okay there.

A couple of you mentioned alignment, any tips for a good setup.

Larry S.

[Rex Jr]

A couple of you mentioned alignment, any tips for a good setup.

Larry S.

In the front, as much caster as you can get followed by as much camber as possible, and zero toe.

I forget what I'm running for toe out back, but camber is 1.5 degrees.

[aansorge]

Actually, as much camber as you can get, with as much castor as you can get afterwards is the general setup for Miatas on the front end. Then get about a 1/2 degree more rear camber than what you could get on the front. As far as toe, front 0 to a smidge out (1/16th to 1/8th) depending on how lively you like the turn in. Rear toe 1/16th to 1/8th in is what most prefer.

[psundberg]

[QUOTE=MiataAndy]Ya, come play with us in STS2! QUOTE]

Andy, you're leaving CSP and leave me to battle with Harry & Steve alone this year? Hmmm, maybe I too should look at STS2 but the CSP ranks are getting thin.

Phil

[magicsammy]

aww, com'on! I win a couple events and everyone is scared off?


CSP is a good place to play

[weidnerpaul]

aww, com'on! I win a couple events and everyone is scared off?


CSP is a good place to play

Steve,

Cause & effect at the AX level!

:lol:

[MiataAndy]

Yes, I am leaving CSP and the wonderful world of R-compounds. And yes, CSP is a great place to play! Reason being that my car is essentially a to-spec STS2 car AS IT SITS now! Only thing i'm really missing is the header and the "correct" suspension parts (ie. ground controls, i have racing beat springs with koni's). Funds for the car are running short as i am doing more work around the house, and in order to be competitive with Steve and Aro, i would need to invest in, at least, wheels and tires along with muchos other stuff (ie. driving ability!).

So i made the decisison after reading the STS2 rules, and if it passes, i will be leaving CSP.

Phil, i would definetly welcome you over to STS2 so we can continue our battles! CRX may be THE car for the class, so it would be damn fun.

[RedlineToy]

I appreciate the tips on alignment. After reading SCCA rulebook STS2 is a very good fit for the mods I have on my car. I hope the club adopts this class.

[dsldsl]

RedlineToy, you only get 1 year in STS2 then you have to put in a Supercharger and jump in the big horsey class :)

Don

[RedlineToy]

Supercharger is a little ways off due to the significant other. But I would like some suggestions about gettng my ECM reprogramed, places where it is done and tips about what to have done.

Larry S.

[MNbiker]

Supercharger is a little ways off due to the significant other. But I would like some suggestions about gettng my ECM reprogramed, places where it is done and tips about what to have done.

Larry S.

The MiataLink is the most widely used ECU solution for CSP/STS2 cars. It's not cheap, but is very effective & well sorted. Given their popularity, it's not unusual to find one of these used.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4527&parentid=0&stocknumber=07-16500%20%209697%20OBDII


If all you want is to raise the rev limt, this guy will modify your stock ECU for $100. This mod doesn't net you any power, per se. But it's a common mod for CSP/STS2 cars, as the engine can safely handle a few hundred extra rpm, which lets you avoid shifting to 3rd.
Keith Golden
(305) 232-0460


-Steve