HornetBall's Build #2: Meet Red
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From: Granbury, TX
Been working, traveling a lot. But the cool season is coming up. Time to get something really sticky (BFG R-1, Purple Crack?) and set some times at MSR-C and TWS.
In the meantime:
Miatas at Hallett 2016 -- running about 4 seconds behind the time Emilio set in Crusher back in 2012:
Here's the Crusher lap:
Near PB time set in 90F+ weather with a FabWorx spoiler and small splitter -- cool weather, here we come!
Your ONLY job is to do exactly what your fiancee and her mother want you to do. If they have a conflict, then your fiancee's wishes control. It's OK to be hungover.
BTW, how's it coming on the bushing kits SadFab was having put together? Supplier still flaking out on you? I'd really like to get a set.
In the meantime:
Miatas at Hallett 2016 -- running about 4 seconds behind the time Emilio set in Crusher back in 2012:
Here's the Crusher lap:
Near PB time set in 90F+ weather with a FabWorx spoiler and small splitter -- cool weather, here we come!
BTW, how's it coming on the bushing kits SadFab was having put together? Supplier still flaking out on you? I'd really like to get a set.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 18,643
Total Cats: 1,870
From: Beaverton, USA
Oh, she's the one that picked the air field. Its a really pretty air museum owned by a friend. I just want the jet. Maybe parachute too.
It's coming along. You are high on the list and we are just waiting on some parts. Most of it is there. I'll let you know when we have a real eta.
It's coming along. You are high on the list and we are just waiting on some parts. Most of it is there. I'll let you know when we have a real eta.
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Very nice!
How did she like it?
I bought some SADFAB bushings too, but I went for the NASA kit because I already have some of the spherical sleeves from the first GB. I'll be installing them this winter break, whether I buy XIDAS by then or not. I wonder if anyone has installed the delrin bushings on stock shocks and springs yet...
How did she like it?
I bought some SADFAB bushings too, but I went for the NASA kit because I already have some of the spherical sleeves from the first GB. I'll be installing them this winter break, whether I buy XIDAS by then or not. I wonder if anyone has installed the delrin bushings on stock shocks and springs yet...
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From: Granbury, TX
She was all smiles, although passing and getting passed stressed her a bit. A lot going on at your first HPDE.
Here's one for you Aidan. Lots of A-4 shots -- that was an awesome plane, the Navy's Miata:
Here's one for you Aidan. Lots of A-4 shots -- that was an awesome plane, the Navy's Miata:
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From: Granbury, TX
Deathmobile Update
A few updates to the deathmobile:
1. Spoiler:
I picked up a used Fabworx spoiler and stuck it to a junker trunk lid. Here's a bad picture (you guys know what it looks like):
2. Splitter:
The spoiler was effective. Too effective -- I now had understeer on fast sweepers. So, I built myself a 3" splitter out of 1/4" maple plywood from Lowe's racing. One $25 sheet gives 4 splitters and the material is stiff and light. Brushed on black latex paint as a finish.
To attach to the car, I braced the rear with some bent-up aluminum flat stock and bolted the splitter to the brace and bottom of the R-package lip with 10 M6x1 U-nuts and flanged bolts.
Added some ABS spats just for the heck of it!
As part of my testing, I made sure to nail a cone going 90mph (shot from a fellow-instructor's car):
The splitter had a good gouge from the cone, but everything else held up. Oh, and aero balance was much improved. YMMV.
3. Hood Vents:
Also added hood vents. Since the little "glue" spots that secure the hood structure to the skin were degraded on my hood, I ended up reinforcing the structure a bit with aluminum flat stock and rivets:
4. Transmission and Clutch:
After letting others drive my car, the 3rd gear synchro was toast. Even normal street driving made it grind. I had a spare '99 5-speed in the storage unit, so I stuck it in. There are a few differences between a '95 and '99 5-speed:
The speedometer output is mechanical on the '95 and electronic on the '99. No problem, the '95 output swaps over just fine:
The reverse switch on the '95 has bullet connectors while the '99 has a keyed connector. Again, no problem, just swap over the '95 switch:
The turret of the '99 has two locating dowels vs. only one for the '95. That means the shifters don't swap. Again, not a big deal:
While I was at it, I put in a sport clutch and lightweight steel flywheel from 949. This replaces the Fidanza aluminum flywheel and early (and super-stiff) ACT clutch I inherited from the PO. I didn't care much for the Fidanza because the crank bolts tended to crush and gall the soft aluminum, making torque values suspect. And the ACT clutch was so stiff that the pedal was always low, which I'm sure contributed to the death of the 3rd gear synchro. The 949 clutch is light as a feather (no stress on the hydraulics), easy to drive and has more than enough torque capacity for this car:
So, final verdict? Drives beautifully. Nice balance, nice grip, smooth shifting. Mmmmmmmmmmm . . . . Throw in some Corvettes, P-cars and Ferraris and you get nice vid:
1. Spoiler:
I picked up a used Fabworx spoiler and stuck it to a junker trunk lid. Here's a bad picture (you guys know what it looks like):
2. Splitter:
The spoiler was effective. Too effective -- I now had understeer on fast sweepers. So, I built myself a 3" splitter out of 1/4" maple plywood from Lowe's racing. One $25 sheet gives 4 splitters and the material is stiff and light. Brushed on black latex paint as a finish.
To attach to the car, I braced the rear with some bent-up aluminum flat stock and bolted the splitter to the brace and bottom of the R-package lip with 10 M6x1 U-nuts and flanged bolts.
Added some ABS spats just for the heck of it!
As part of my testing, I made sure to nail a cone going 90mph (shot from a fellow-instructor's car):
The splitter had a good gouge from the cone, but everything else held up. Oh, and aero balance was much improved. YMMV.
3. Hood Vents:
Also added hood vents. Since the little "glue" spots that secure the hood structure to the skin were degraded on my hood, I ended up reinforcing the structure a bit with aluminum flat stock and rivets:
4. Transmission and Clutch:
After letting others drive my car, the 3rd gear synchro was toast. Even normal street driving made it grind. I had a spare '99 5-speed in the storage unit, so I stuck it in. There are a few differences between a '95 and '99 5-speed:
The speedometer output is mechanical on the '95 and electronic on the '99. No problem, the '95 output swaps over just fine:
The reverse switch on the '95 has bullet connectors while the '99 has a keyed connector. Again, no problem, just swap over the '95 switch:
The turret of the '99 has two locating dowels vs. only one for the '95. That means the shifters don't swap. Again, not a big deal:
While I was at it, I put in a sport clutch and lightweight steel flywheel from 949. This replaces the Fidanza aluminum flywheel and early (and super-stiff) ACT clutch I inherited from the PO. I didn't care much for the Fidanza because the crank bolts tended to crush and gall the soft aluminum, making torque values suspect. And the ACT clutch was so stiff that the pedal was always low, which I'm sure contributed to the death of the 3rd gear synchro. The 949 clutch is light as a feather (no stress on the hydraulics), easy to drive and has more than enough torque capacity for this car:
So, final verdict? Drives beautifully. Nice balance, nice grip, smooth shifting. Mmmmmmmmmmm . . . . Throw in some Corvettes, P-cars and Ferraris and you get nice vid:
Last edited by hornetball; Nov 29, 2016 at 11:25 AM.
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It really is time to get a Rotrex. Your driving is better than 90% of the people out there, your lack of HP lets you down. The TDR kit is expensive as-is, but since you don't need half of it, it would be the next step. That and some 15x10's with 245's!
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Nice driving as always...
Ever thought about a 6 speed?? The tighter gears are a huge benefit- not falling off the powerband and all. In hindsight I think the 6speed was my favorite modification to my car (other than FI).
Ever thought about a 6 speed?? The tighter gears are a huge benefit- not falling off the powerband and all. In hindsight I think the 6speed was my favorite modification to my car (other than FI).
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LOL... still doesn't exist.
That is why I was asking about a 6 speed... essentially more power (staying in the power band more of the time) without any engine issues.
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From: Granbury, TX
I gotta' say, I REALLY like having a super-reliable normally aspirated car. And the looks on peoples faces when they come over to check out the "turbo Miata" that passed their GT3/Vette/BMW out on track! When all they see is the shiny NA intake . . . LOL!
Hadn't really considered a 6 speed. That has pros and cons. It's nice to be able to stay in the power band (my power band is really wide anyway -- especially since I dropped in the VVT motor), but shifting is expensive. Upshifts cost a bit of time, and downshifts easily lead to overbraking and squandering momentum. In my experience, simplify the cadence and speed follows. Lots of Miatas use 2nd gear twice in the lap I usually record . . . and they end up with much worse laptimes from killing momentum on the slow parts of the track even though they are otherwise fast. Data doesn't lie.
One other thing, looks like SuperMiata might be coming out my way and this car is basically a SuperMiata. Just needs a better cage. Hmmm . . . .
Hadn't really considered a 6 speed. That has pros and cons. It's nice to be able to stay in the power band (my power band is really wide anyway -- especially since I dropped in the VVT motor), but shifting is expensive. Upshifts cost a bit of time, and downshifts easily lead to overbraking and squandering momentum. In my experience, simplify the cadence and speed follows. Lots of Miatas use 2nd gear twice in the lap I usually record . . . and they end up with much worse laptimes from killing momentum on the slow parts of the track even though they are otherwise fast. Data doesn't lie.
One other thing, looks like SuperMiata might be coming out my way and this car is basically a SuperMiata. Just needs a better cage. Hmmm . . . .
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