I’ll do a write up later, because I’m too tired tonight. The day went perfect, and I set a new personal best of 1:33.69. Video of the session below

 

Big congrats on the PB! How do you like the Catalyst? Do I need to get one?

 

Thanks dude! I loved the Catalyst and recommend it. See all my good and bad details below.

Trackdaaaay

I started the week off by looking for that oil leak that has plagued the car since the swap. Popped the valve cover off to find it was leaking in three places, including through one of the bolts (?) on the intake side. Glad I could find at least some leaks. But the real bonus was finding that the oil pressure/temperature sensor was loose, not even hand tight, and was spraying oil all over. I got a lucky break with that one.

It was super cold out and I didn't' want to open the garage, so I ran the car for a couple of seconds, blipped the throttle and shut it off to inspect. (This will come back later) I saw no immediate leaks and called it good.

While I was at it, I installed an OEM plastic undertray instead of the steel one the previous owner put in. Unfortunately, I found that the new sway bar is hitting the shocks! Not happy about that.




My friend lent me his set of 225/45/15 Accelera 651 Sports wrapped on Konig Dekagrams. We both bought a set of these tires for under $300 from Tire Streets in 2022 (mine were 205s). So these are 2 years old and have seen a lot of heat cycles. I didn't mind at all because my main focus was to have fun an learn how to use the Garmin. The Dekagrams fit the FM LBBK with plenty of space left.

The next morning I got adopted by a neighborhood cat and that took a lot of time away.



But in due time I went to take the car for a drive to make sure the tires didn't rub too much, only to find it wouldn't start. Checked the coils were working, the ECU was happy with CAS and CKP, it had sync, it was firing the injectors, but it wouldn't come to life. The cranking seemed slow, so I suspected the battery. To be safe, I charged it full but it still wouldn't start after. At that point I believed the engine had flooded. After many flood clear cranks, it finally stumbled to life and ran! I let it idle until operating temp to recharge the battery and clear its throat, then took it for a spin.




All was well then! But I found more oil on the undertray still. Blast!



During the hour where the battery was charging, I went ahead and installed the Garmin Catalyst. It was a very simple affair, and as luck would have it, the phone mount I use has the same mounting ball (technical term?) as the mount the catalyst came with. I used double sided tape on the camera mount and mounted it behind the mirror, out of sight. Calibration was a breeze and it recorded my drive back from the gas station. Also as luck would have it, I had installed an USB port where the cigarette lighter used to be, and that feeds the Garmin mount perfectly and it's already 12V fused. The mount is a hub for the Garmin to charge and also for the camera to connect to it.




The trackday started rough. Ambient temperature was ~35F, and had a high of 42F at lunch. It was cloudy the whole day. The event was running late and I was idling in grid for 15 minutes before they let us out for the first session. Frustrated and over my head, I grossly underestimated the grip available. In the first lap of the first session had the largest lockup I've ever had and flatspotted the front right tire in two places. New PB! In my defense, I had no feedback at all. I only "felt" the lockup because of the unexpected sensation of speed and I couldn't turn, then saw the smoke. A friend said the amount of smoke made it look like the engine had blown. Strongly considering manual brakes now. I put the tires to 25psi cold and have no idea what they got to hot because they cooled down by the time I got to the pit. The tires seemed to like the pressures well enough, but may have been a bit happier 1 or 2 psi less.

The engine seemed fine. The BP kept reminding me that it was alive with its slow oil leak, but oil level was perfect. Coolant and oil temps were perfect too, and the car felt quick for what it is. Helmet and harness on, I took a look at the Garmin, and to my surprise it was already giving me opportunities to improve, and she was talking already, within 3 hotlaps.

The day got better after that lockup fiasco. Gave rides to a couple of friends and also rode in one of the fastest B class cars, a C5 Corvette FRC. The owner is a great driver and watching him drive gave me the fire to push more. By the fourth session I was cranked up and planned to carry more speed everywhere and catch any slides, which I usually stay away from. To my surprise the tires felt better getting pushed harder and the car was mostly happy. I say mostly because it kept getting inner wheel spin in the hairpins, but I stayed in it every time. The result was 1:34.42, 1:33.69, 1:33.70 by the end. I had not driven Scooter that hard before and it felt great. There is still room for improvement all over the track, but I'm getting there and very excited for the season.

The car made it home safely with a little bit of vibration from the flat-spotted tire and just enough fuel! I'm also very impressed with those Accelera 651 Sports. They're 2 years old, have at least 3k street miles, a few trackdays, been driven near freezing temperatures, and yet still took me to a PB on a very cold day with a flat-spotted tire.


Just enough fuel!

Now about the Garmin. I love it, but it wasn't perfect. Let's start with the good:
Being able to review the video and telemetry together after a session with helmet still on is awesome. Right away you can save the possible opportunities for improvement to focus on next session and have the coach tell you while driving. Each opportunity has drilldown options where you can look at brake points, turn-in points, turning radius, trackout positions, how hard you braked and how long, how hard and where you accelerated and more. The accuracy is amazing, and it isn't giving you false hope because all of the things it tells you to do are things you have already done before, and it's trying to help you string it all together. I saw online that the life coach sometimes tells you to try something new to gather data, but I didn't experience that. The optimum lap it creates is also one that makes sense based on the actual position on track per segment, instead of just adding your best times together. Like if your best time in sector 1 had you on the left side of the track, but the best time for sector 2 had you starting in the middle, it wouldn't stitch those together because it's impossible. I hope that makes sense. So in essence, your optimum is a real lap you've already done, but it is immensely helpful to see it happen fluidly in the video it creates for you. Pretty cool and fits my use-case because I don't have to stress over every detail to figure out what to do next session. It seems to me that it uses the camera to determine an accurate position too, because GPS is just not that accurate. I also learned there is a phone app that you can sync through a Garmin account. This lets you review the data, except video, on your phone. This requires internet connection for the tablet to sync, which can be an issue for remote tracks like ours. I used my phone's hotspot, but at the end didn't find any use for the app until today when I was reviewing it while out of the house. At the end, I'm thoroughly impressed by the Catalyst and the confidence it gave me. I'm happy to make a separate post with more granular detail of each function if anyone cares, but this post is too long already.

For the bad: I had two instances where it wouldn't recognize the camera, and it doesn't record a session without it! At least I couldn't find a way to use it as just a laptimer. Luckily the issue was resolved by restarting the tablet which only took a minute or so total. I can see someday in the future this being an issue if that little camera or its cable break. I got in the habit of starting the driving session while at the pits before heading to grid so I could debug any issue before the stress of having to get on track. This also gave it time to grab all its GPS satellites which takes longer than I expected. Another issue is that I can't hear a thing she says! You can pair bluetooth headphones to it, or used wired ones, but I didn't bring any thinking that I would hear her fine. But everything the coach says is also shown in the post session reviews, so I used those. A known drawback is that it doesn't record OBD/CAN data for further review, however you can still tell where the shifts, accelerations, and braking zones are. For me this also isn't an issue, because I can grab that from the ECU internal datalogging. It is also a know drawback, that you cannot export the data from the tablet to do your own analysis (at least not easily). You can sync it to the phone app and review on your phone but that has limited use at remote tracks, and using the tablet is better the day of anyways. It also doesn't let you record a "raw" session of just video+telemetry. If you're not at a track it doesn't record a session, but still records video and it will ask you if you want to save the video once you stop moving. I intend to try this at autox and see if it works/helps. Lastly, this is a tablet running Android 6.0.1 from 2015, with the last patch being 2019. This may not be a thing for most, but it bothered me some. For the price I expected better. It even uses an old version of the WiFi standard, so I had to set my phone's hotspot to compatibility mode for it to connect.

TLDR; Tried to fix oil leaks, but there are more. Scooter smashed it with the 225 Acceleras. I'm very happy with the Garmin Catalyst, even with its drawbacks. I flat-spotted a tire on the first lap of the first session. Lots of fun was had and made it home safe. Got adopted by a neighborhood cat.

 

Cats get cats!

Looks like a ton of fun. Really cool that the Catalyst coaches you like that, I've seen sim racing apps that do that, but didn't realize they have the equivalent for real track use.

Was the oil pressure gauge still reading correctly? I would've assumed you'd see some pressure loss with the sensor leaking significantly.

 

Yo, good stuff dude! Congrats on the PB, and the cat! If I remember correctly, you've been running 1:34s and wanted to break into the 1:33's this year?

Also greatly appreciate your review/musings on the Garmin. I'm looking to get either that or an Aim in the near future and was really leaning toward the Catalyst because it seems like the easy button in comparison. I'm already usually running around the paddock with a long task list in between track sessions lol.

Oh yeah, and glad you found that leak from the oil pressure sensor. Bet your eyes just about popped out of your head when you saw it haha.

 

Thank you! The coaching aspect is a neat feature. I'll have to use some earphones next time and see if I find it helpful though.

It seemed to be reading pressure properly, including temperature. ~28-30psi at hot idle, ~66psi above 4k RPM hot. Now that's tight it reads about the same, maybe 1psi or 2 lower.

Thank you sir. That's correct on the times. My previous PB was 1:34.101, so this was unexpected! The expectations are high for the Falkens in 225.

Glad you found my review helpful. I too run around like a chicken without a head between sessions, and like to chit-chat with peeps too. Having less things to review or obsess about is nice, and I'm glad the Garmin delivered as expected in that front.

Haha yeah I couldn't believe it. At first I thought it was the classic leak through the plug failure I've read about online, but turned out to just be loose.

 

There hasn't been much going on with Scooter other than a few drives here and there. I wanted to go to the track this past weekend, but life got in the way and I ended up working on the truck and trailer instead. I've also been messing with the tune a little more for the sake of experimentation and novelty, but nothing ground breaking. For now the plan is to take part in the first race of the season before tearing the suspension apart for spherical bearings and SM CHUBs. I want to trailer the car to this event to see how the truck and trailer do.

I realized the rear sway bar is 15.2mm so I'm going to install a 14mm bar to try and tame some of the inside wheel spin I still get in tight corners. The next step is to convince the wife that Mr Giken has the solution to my dilemma, and I've already started murmuring "Giken" in my sleep to get her used to the idea. Pray for me.

I'm just realizing I've had no chance to do many of the projects I wanted to do this winter and spring is quickly approaching. Gonna have to get with it asap.

 

It always blows me away how quickly the deadlines for my car projects come up, even if I start (or mentally prepare) weeks to months in advance lol. When's the first race of the year? You're going to be amped your first time trailering the car to the track!

 

No joke, time flies. The first time attack is March 8 and 9, so I strongly doubt I’ll be able to do flex fuel and a dyno before then.

I’m stoked to trailer the car again, and I’ll make sure to bring the keys this time haha

 

It is always good to see other NM miatas. I had missed this thread until now. I haven't been on Sandia since 2014. I really wanted to get up there last year, but I got way too busy. Now, this year, my job is making me go back to school, so it is even less likely... I live 6 hours away. I am doing the basic track mods for my 124 Spider just in case I get the chance to make it up there!

 

Hi there! I hope you’re able to make it this year. If you do let us know so we can meet IRL!

Are you 6 hours North or South? Asking because maybe you could attend one of the other events nearby.

 

I am in the SE oil patch of NM.

 

I had the realization that time flies and racing season was beginning stat, so Scooter got a smaller rear sway bar set to softest setting. I also did an overall health check and the oil needed to be changed. I opted for Valvoline VR1 Full-Synthetic this time around because of the high zinc content claim, and I've been running VR1 non-synthetic in my Jeep's stroker motor for a while with good results. What really threw me off is that it's blue! Had to do a double take while pouring it.









While installing the sway bar, I found the source of the odd smell the car has had. Blast it! I took this as a sign....


thanks to @Fireindc for this image

So naturally, I ordered an OS Giken from SuperMiata and it won't be here anytime soon, but gives me something to look forward to. I'll fix this leak while installing the SM CHUBs.





Sometime last week I realized I have not removed the passenger airbag. In the quest to reduce weight off the car to compensate for my personal gain of weight, it had to go. I was expecting around 15 lbs, but the airbag is only 8.5lbs. Still something, and likely one of the last easy weight removals left. This should put Scooter around 2210lbs with 3/4 tank, no driver, but I'll put it on the scales again soon.



This brings us to last Friday. I decided it was time to try the trailer setup and iron out any kinks. Did a checkup and found every lugnut was loose on the trailer wheels, and tie down points are not ideal. A friend of mine is going to help weld new pockets all around that will help with the tie downs, but I made due for now. Got the car loaded and all checks done right in time for a winter storm to hit.



We got 6 inches of snow over 2-3 hours, and most of it was melted by the morning. The track is 2 hours away, and given how early I would have had to leave some of the roads between my town and the track would have been unplowed and I didn't want to risk it. Luckily this was a two day event and I made it to the second day!





I was somewhat rushed getting the car ready. This lead me to forget setting the shocks to the stiffer settings, but to my surprise the car felt amazing with the "street" setup of 7/7 front/rear clicks. I usually run 17/16 or thereabouts. I also had no inside wheel spin and grip was noticeably higher. I was braking sooner to not lockup in the cold temps (~35F at that time), but that still took me to a 1:34.666 laptime. Hell yes. For the second session I stiffen up the shocks to see how it changed the car, and it was more direct, but I began to see inside wheel spin in one corner and a bit of front wheel hop too.

After talking with a couple of peeps I realized I've been interpreting the shocks settings wrong and that less clicks also opens the rebound, which for our bumpy track is very helpful. I could have that wrong still, so maybe @turbofan , @emilio700 , or someone else can help me understand better. But the fact is, I need to soften my shocks from what I've been doing!

As fate would have it, I wouldn't get a third session. @Z_WAAAAAZ said my car had been too reliable, and it was time for the first hiccup. In the third lap of the second session I went full throttle after a hairpin, and NO POWAH. No CEL, engine is idling, throttle is on the floor. The throttle cable's ferrule ejecto-seto-cuz'ed and I had to get towed to pits. The kicker is the ferrule was chilling in the plastic undertray, and with a lot of help we got it fixed enough to load onto the trailer and back to the garage. A minor setback, but it gave me time to get some rides in other cars, which was much fun.





To my surprise, my first session's time took me to first place this event for D class. I'll take it!



I think I figured out how to deal with the Garmin's Catalyst failure to recognize the camera sometimes. I believe it is caused by the camera losing and regaining power during cranking. I started disconnecting the power to the dock after sessions and reconnecting it once I was ready to use it. That seemed to work yesterday but time will tell.

So up next I need to find a better way to setup the throttle cable and the ferrule. The Borla Induction cable setup is a pain to service in the car and it finally bit me. I will also be installing the CHUBs and dreaming about how that Giken will change Scooter.

 

Congrats on the win! And as far as throttle related issues go, I suppose that's about the best possible way it could fail.

 

Nope you're exactly correct about the shock settings, however we always count clicks from full stiff, not from full soft. Full stiff is more consistent and repeatable, sometimes you get bonus clicks that don't do anything on the full soft end.

You always want the shocks set as soft as possible while still avoiding wallow/float.

 

Thanks! And indeed. I have a newfound appreciation for those heavy springs they put on these throttles.

Thank you for clarifying that! I will reprogram my brain to count from full stiff. I had noticed that the first click from soft is sometimes meh but never gave it much thought. And your suggestion about running a small spacer with these wheels seems to have fixed the tire rub on the top hats.

Softer shocks it is then.

 

Awesome work out there! Well earned.

I'm impressed with the ramp angle you were able to achieve with your trailer.. Friggin awesome, that's what I need in my life.

 

Thanks brother. I'm glad my truck friends taught me the "truck on ramps" trick right away. Would have been near impossible to load the car otherwise.

 

Here is a video of the fastest lap of the day this past Sunday. Braking very early and trying to be smoother. It was the first session of the day with 35-38F outside temps:

 

Solid updates man! Like Sim said, glad that was how your throttle failed. Best case scenario really haha.

Trailer setup looks great and the ramp angle is money! I'd kill for that too. Currently have a pair of homebuilt 4' long ramps I'm carrying around because the Uhaul trailers aren't exactly built for aero-equipped "racecars" lol.

And of course, congrats on the W