An eventful weekend with Chin at TWS!! I signed up for the Chin event to learn the track ahead of a NASA event, and learn I did. Nearly 7 hours of seat time!! Kudos to Chin for that.

Lots of rain late Saturday. I drove every second of it. Here's my recce lap. Laughing ensued. Felt like I was doing a Jeep commercial:

I made enough noise going around the track that eventually some others came out to play. I was in the "zone" by then:

In other news, GT3s spin fantastically (spin at 2:26):

And yellow S2000s are the new Jack-in-the-Box:

My best of the weekend was a 2:02 flat. That's on RS-3 street tires. Some post-data adjustments and R-Comps should shave that time nicely. So, hopefully, I won't embarass myself too much at NASA (the current TTD record on the NASA website is 2:03.6 by Hustler -- which seems pretty slow compared to some of the times I've seen Robert Cope turn):

FUN, FUN WEEKEND. Water toys and all!

 

Great videos and control in the rain.

 

These videos keep giving me motivation to continue with my build.

Great driving!

 

Decided it was time to make a music video. What do you think?

 

Car looks like it is running great out there. How do you like the Hankook RS3 V2 after using the RC-1? I'm running the RC-1 right now but I'm thinking of getting some RS3s to stay in class for Miata Challenge and GTA.

 

I really liked the new Hankooks. Bought them as rain tires. They worked great, wet and dry. Plus, really inexpensive on TR.

 

Fun to watch, nice job Rick.

 

Well, it's almost July in Texas. That can only mean one thing . . . I need a Cool Shirt.

Went ahead and store bought everything from Amazon, including the fancy/smancy speed controller doohicky. The controller is pretty big. After sitting in the car for awhile, I decided to put it in the console where the OEM ashtray/cupholders usually go. You'll recall I retained the console in this car because it gives a bit of storage and is really light.

I cut a slot in the bottom of the well and finished it with a file for the mating side of the Molex.





Here's the controller mounted up. I used two stacked 1" x 1/8" pieces of aluminum strap to shim the controller to where I needed it.





In the trunk, I wired a cigarette lighter outlet to give me an electrical quick disconnect for the cooler/pump assembly. This goes to the modulated voltage from the controller.



Cooler/pump assembly:



Business end:



A post here wouldn't be complete without video. The Porsches came out to play (but I kept my cool -- LOL). Mostly Spec Boxsters. They're ~200 pounds heavier, but have ~60HP on me.

 

Great driving Rick! That´s how you do it !

 

Treasure Coast Miata hardtop. Fully assembled (windows, seals, etc.) in black gelcoat, the hardtop weighed 20.2 pounds!!



The Snugtop brand top I removed weighed 54.6 pounds. That a savings of 34.4 pounds -- up high!!



The front brackets were regular Spec Miata pieces:



I fabbed brackets for the side and back from 1" x 1/8" aluminum strap:







Mounted up:





What to do with all that black gelcoat? Skull and pistons, of course (#world's_coolest_grandpa):



In other news, I gave up on the variable controller for the cool shirt. I found I was just turning it on full blast anyway. And the console location really wasn't working well. So, added a simple toggle switch.

 

Been doing a bunch of intercooler tube construction for the silver car (https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...1/#post1262068) and had some leftovers. So, I built a nicer intake -- the hope is that the less severe radiuses might add some power? OTOH, the intake ended up a bit longer and it was already longer than the ideal 19-23" range.

Whatever . . . pictures:

 

Who cares if it adds some fractional HP? It looks cleaner.

 

I think longer add torque? or something. I know too short makes a NB1 feel even more 1.6ey down low
def looks like it should flow smoother

 

In theory, I think that's right. But I'm not sure if length is critical, or tuned volume is critical, or ??

I think Emilio uses 2.75" tubing of between 19 and 23" length for his intake builds.

Anyway, I agree, I think it looks better.

 

Jeez...you are a brazing fool these days

 

FTFY.

Fire! Fire! Heh! Heh!

 

How do you like the new top other than the weight savings?
How well do the windows seal?

 

You can get a pretty good seal if you take the time to adjust. I did a hand wash on the red car, and only got water in on the driver's side, and it seemed like a normal amount of water intrusion for an old Miata. I can see the gap where the water got in and may get around to fixing it someday . . . but, no carpet, so meh. It certainly seals well enough for a long tow in the rain.

The top is extremely light and not as rigid as a regular hardtop. As a result, it makes more noise (little squeaks and rattles) from where it sits on the back of the car. I think this could be reduced with a way to positively resist lateral movement like the Frankenstein bolts do for the OEM top. My little brackets with rubber bumpers aren't enough in that regard.

The gelcoat finish is somewhat wavy and would require filler if you wanted it perfectly smooth for a topcoat of paint. But it's just right for a skull and pistons decal.

So, great race top. Not the greatest DD top. Pretty much as advertised. Color me satisfied.

 

Thanks. That's basically what I expected.
Now if I could just find someone near that also wants one so we can split shipping...

 

Yep, ~21" is ideal iirc