Hello from Chicago
 

Hi Guys and Gals,

I am Stevos and live in northern IL. I am in my early 50's and as usual the middle age crisis hit early as my kids went off to college. I got into tracking my audi in 2012 and since noticed that there was a bunch of Miatas on the track and they were always overtaking me on corners. So a friend and mine and I decided that we need to get a miata for a track car. Well we got a 1997 M with 150k on the clock and sort of street modified - it had FM suspension, Borla exhaust, JR headers and AEM FIC6. The first thing we did was change all the fluids, bought 15x8 wheels and softer compound tires. The car was fun but I felt we could still improve the handling a bit. I decided to replace all of the bushings and was great-full to SADFab for providing the kit and support. Soon after we replaced the suspension with AST 4100 kit that was similar to Gen1 Xida and we spent another year on the track doing SCCA track nights and HPDE events with clubs around midwest. This summer after a Road America event, the car felt slower and after a compression check, cyl 4 was diagnosed as having only 70psi. As soon as my buddy knew there was more financial commitment from his side, he bailed and I became the sole owner of the non running 1997M. This fall, I have been able to source a used spec motor built by Rossini and a used square top and B5A cam. I sent the motor back to Rossini and had it reworked with Wiseco 84mm pistons, stiffer springs and some head work and cam.
I recently picked up the motor and now trying to figure out what I still need to integrate. I reached out to several of you for help and assistance and you guys have been great. I would not be able to learn and figure this out without this forum and your help and assistance. This was my first motor pull and I am still new but learning fast. The shopping list for parts keeps growing. After reading about throttle body screws and shaft breakage, the suggested piece of mind advice from Savington and Emillio was Skunk 2 TB - bought it. Then the 949 coolant reroute - bought it. Next is waiting on MS3 from DIY to release this winter. I still need to figure out the clutch options, better seat choice and finally wait for warmer weather to start the install. I am happy to be part of the community that gives so much to new comers and makes us veterans in short amount of time. Steve

Stevo, if you are on facebook check out Megasquirt Midwest and join the Windy City Miata Club facebook page. Also, become a member of the actual club if you can, they do a good job with tours and autocross.

Do you plan on boosting this car? What are your plans for this next season and the years after?

-Steve
Gilberts IL.

Did just that. Belong to Windycity facebook page. I am currently SCCA Chicagoland member and plan on doing their PDX events as I did before.
The motor currently is at 10.1 CR and should see healthy numbers for track use. No plans on turbo as I spent my kids college savings on this build so far (some of it)