dlee1967

OK, as my post count sucks as I spend more time searching and lurking rather than posting, it has impared my ability to send messages. Here goes the intro to start getting the count up:

I've had a number of cars through the years including REAL Minis, Datsun 510, Porsche 914 (still have one V8 car), bugeye, MG Midget, MGB, and various older Jags. The Miata has been the most versatile of the lot. My wife hates it and I had to tow it to Miata World II to get her to come to the event. We had a great time, but she still won't go any long distance in it. I won the NA modified catagory at the event for autocross and even better, she won over $1400 in the 50/50.

We are members of the Houston Miata Club, but rarely attend any functions as we have such a busy schedule. Don't take it personally guys, we just have other things to do on Friday night than eat at Fudrucker's.

I've attended many track events in Houston through the years and am a current paying member of the PCA, SCCA and Houston Miata Club. Occasionally I attend BMW autocross events. I like MSR Houston and have competed regularly in the 24 Hours of LeMons there (90 Firebird/Camaro) and Grand Sport Speedway in Hitchcock is a great place to take me turbo Miata.

I have a little side-line business RennenMetal.com in which I make Spec Miata and Porsche tow and race eyes as well as tow bar interface products. I don't want to tick off the admins, so that is as far as I will go with that one. (this paragraph is informational and not marketing.....)

Although I am close to complete with a Spec Miata, I drive a 93 turbo Miata on the street when I don't have something to haul for work and then it is an F-350 King Ranch. Hey, something has to pull the race trailer.

My street Miata was purchased as a front end damaged car with a "rebuilt" Jasper motor. (first hint of trouble ahead) The car held up well and then one morning on the way to a BMW autocross event I noticed smoke in the rear view mirror. Well $%^ me. It was coming from my car. I limped home to find a cracked piston. Not from too much boost, but from a cheap aftermarket cast piston. I now run forged pistons and it has held up well.

The car:
1993 White 1.6L
Red hardtop with defrost for winter and track days.
Stock 1.6L with forged pistons
Greddy turbo with mbc, O2 clamp, Bipes, intercooler, big downpipe, and 2.5" spec miata Mazdaspeed exhaust.
Running 12 psi
1.8L stock flywheel with FM comp clutch.
FMU with discs changed (I have a wideband), 1.8L injectors and 190 Walbro. I have some 315cc injectors to try so I can lower my pressure a bit.
Koyo 52mm radiator to help with cooling as I have maintained my PS and A/C. (it is Houston, TX after all)
Hawk blues on stock 1.6L rotors, but with poly bushings now in the A arms.
Flying miata front sway bar, no rear bar.
AGX shocks with Eibach coilovers and 450/375 springs. Fabricated top hats.
Torsen 4.10 upgrade after grenading the stock viscous.....pow.
FM frame rails for stiffening and Hard Dog roll bar.
Ultra shield Rally seat, Schroth harness and Momo wheel.
GV front lip spoiler. I dislike body kits and add on crap, so if it does not make the car faster or handle better, I don't want it on this car.
Rennenmetal race eyes, hardtop brackets and pedal extension.
14" Team Dynamics with RS2s for the street and R888s or RA1s off my Spec Miata for the track days with a wide range of wheels.
Trailer hitch to tote tire trailer to autocrosses.

YES.....going to MS soon. I need to finish the Spec Miata first!

So there we are. That is my official intro, although I've lurked for a while and had this 93 Miata for about 5 years.

Glad to be "out of the closet" so to speak.

David Lee
Houston, TX

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

Howdy and welcome

WonTon

iTrader: (17)

damn you Texans are multiplying like ****** rabbits!


welcome BTW!

EDIT: i think i want to move to Texas. are there any MIG welding jobs out there.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

I ended up with one of your rennenmetal.com stickers somehow...I think maybe from GeneSplicer.

Welcome!

RotorNutFD3S

iTrader: (33)

Welcome! Nice '93!

I have your crank pulley tool, it's been an invaluable tool in many projects and not just my own.

Pitlab77

iTrader: (3)

Hey. Have not seen you in a while but hello

Double O 86

Hey, David. Welcome to the forum.

Hope to see you on a real track (TWS) someday, maybe rockin' some Panasports.

Bryce

iTrader: (24)

The Texas crew grows larger. Our plan for world domination is coming along nicely. Muahahahahahahaha!

dlee1967

Thanks for the welcome guys. Some of you I've met already through local events or RM.

I'm doing a little instructing this Saturday for a PCA performance driver's school at the police academy. My turbo car is all set to run at an open track day this Sunday at Grand Sport Speedway. Shaved R888s on the Panasports Double O.....but also a couple of sets of Team Dynamics for the SM.

I have slowed a bit on autocross in favor of more track time in preparation for a full season soon in SM. The Spec car is almost ready with the last parts (fire system and numbers) ordered today. This is my testing year. I won't abandon the turbo car, but will just put a more comfortable seat in it as keep it for street activity. I sure will miss the extra power of the turbo on the track.

We have so many options in Texas: TWS, TMS, GSS, Eagle Canyon, the Driveway, Harris Hill, MSR-C and MSR-H. There is really only a shortage of funds and spending a little time with my wife that will prevent me from running an event each weekend. Now my kids are in college and I have their 509 fully funded, there should be few excuses. SCCA, NASA, Miata Challenge. DE and track days make this an excellent place to hone your driving skills.

Post count is improving.....See you at the track.

ScottFW

iTrader: (4)

I have your tow hooks, crank holding tool, and a gas pedal extender. Welcome to the forum.

davzway

With the GReddy turbo on your '01,, what is your gas mileage and does it require HighTest Premium gas (have received Wide difference opinion on this).. and second,, happy with the ride on suspension? Thanks,, davzway

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

First of all, this thread is over 3 years old.

Second of all, nobody runs the greddy on an '01. The greddy kit was for the 1.6.

davzway

All I was trying to accomplish was to READ all the back threads so as not 'ask' a question which has been answered a dozen times. In this particular instance, the party had installed a GReddy turbo and all I was trying to accomplish was to find out what kind of gas he used and what gas mileage he was experiencing. Doesn't seem to matter as you get flamed regardless, and by people other than the message was intended.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

All turbo cars typically run 93 octane, race gas, or E85.

davzway

Thanks. What I needed. Gas mileage when racing isn't important.. it's the SPEED. Street mileage is another consideration,, if used for that purpose.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

David, this is called "gravedigging." it's frowned upon. A good rule of thumb is to watch the dates on threads as you're searching. If you find an old thread that doesn't have the answer you're looking for, that's when you start a new thread. Google also helps.

davzway

OK. I usually don't tread on other folk's graveyards and usually shoot the pig then have a BBQ after he's been smoked for awhile.

There doesn't appear to be any way to make this work. May be part of a learning curve; however, someone always gets critical when you don't belong to the long time users 'in crowd'. I will attempt to comply with the suggestion.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

It's true. Sometimes you can't win and you just have to put up with some hazing. But this crowd is worth it.