After more than a year of debate I have finally purchased my first Miata. I'm coming from a 380whp Mazdaspeed3 that I built myself (built engine, big turbo, E85). I was getting tired of the restrictions of FWD (inability to launch, understeer - you know the story) and wanted a RWD car that could better handle power and turns. I had been debating for a while if I was going to get an NA and do a 5.0 swap, or an NB with a turbo. I then read about the K24 swap and that sounded like the perfect amount of power, reliability, and efficiency. So the plan for now is to fix all of the issues, autocross it stock, and eventually do a turbo or a K24 swap.

I'm coming from Mazdaspeedforums.org, and I've heard you guys are just as relentless as they are with respect to pwning noobs so I feel at home already

I picked up a white 2002 with the sports package w/ 130k miles. The body is in good condition and the engine seems strong. Has some issues, but for $3400 I think I got a pretty good deal since I can fix them myself.

 

Welcome!

Where in TX do you live?

 

Thanks! I'm in the DFW area.

 

Welcome from Austin! If you end up getting rid of those stock seats let me know, my 99 needs a pair lol.

 

NB2 seats were a big reason for why I chose this one! I thought that having the higher headrest would make it safer to have a rollbar on the street.

 

Welcome to the forum. High density rollbar padding facing your noggin is a necessity.

 

Definitely going to get some of that. I was looking at the HD Ace since it sits furthest back out of all of their offerings. Are there any federations that would have an issue if your head w/ helmet sticks above the top of the rollbar?

 

Welcome
I am in dfw too.
I have run eagles canyon outside of Denton in one of there track days and some autocross/pca time trial.
My helmet is over the bar.
I have read about the boom stick test. They set a broom stick on top between window frame and roll bar. Think your helmet should be a
1 or 2 under to never have to worry about tech at all with anybody.

 

Helmet cannot be above rollbar to windsheld frame top line. I've been pulled from instructing in the passenger side of a Miata for being above that plane.

 

Thanks. I'll have to hop in the car and measure to make sure I pick a bar that would pass. I think I'll give 2" to my invisible helmet just to be on the safe side.