Ensure my next track day succeeds
03-01-2013, 03:00 PM
#43
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon
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If you're going to go hog wild, then it's better to start with a plain Jane nb.
https://www.miataturbo.net/members/g...k-day-car-463/
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03-01-2013, 04:03 PM
#45
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 301
Total Cats: 4
We'll both burn in hell.... kidding. I'm sure that a few nicely installed upgrades will really enhance your ride!
Take note that your lap belt likely won't retract well after the bar install... so be sure to ck each time you slam the door or the buckle will tear up the door panel.
Take note that your lap belt likely won't retract well after the bar install... so be sure to ck each time you slam the door or the buckle will tear up the door panel.
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03-01-2013, 06:48 PM
#47
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I agree with Mr. Hyde. The top two things you can do to make your car turn faster lap times are:
The MSM is a nice car. Keep it that way. Turn the 00 into a track ****!
- remove weight
- sticky tires
The MSM is a nice car. Keep it that way. Turn the 00 into a track ****!
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03-03-2013, 09:47 PM
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SE NM
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Alright I've ordered a seat and a rollbar with the bolt-in harness bar. I had a brain fart and didn't order a harness at the same time so now I need to get one, so what should I get? The seat I got is the Marrad one. It says it has a sub-belt opening but I'm not too familiar with the terminology so I think I need to get a 6 point?
Also I have about 2k to spend on further track prep before March 23rd. What else should I get?
Recap:
2004 MSM
ordered rollbar and harness bar
ordered seat
recent oil change
recent transmission oil change
recent spark plugs and wires
FM check valve kit
MR short shifter
FM intake, downpipe, and exhaust
BFG Sport Comp 2's 205/40/17 on stock 17x7's with 50% life left
I know I need:
harness
???
???
Help me spend 2k prepping my car for the the hot NM track days!
Also I have about 2k to spend on further track prep before March 23rd. What else should I get?
Recap:
2004 MSM
ordered rollbar and harness bar
ordered seat
recent oil change
recent transmission oil change
recent spark plugs and wires
FM check valve kit
MR short shifter
FM intake, downpipe, and exhaust
BFG Sport Comp 2's 205/40/17 on stock 17x7's with 50% life left
I know I need:
harness
???
???
Help me spend 2k prepping my car for the the hot NM track days!
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03-03-2013, 10:28 PM
#50
There's no way we're talking you into bolting this rollbar and seat into the '00 is there? 
Anyway... You'll want to get better brake pads and consider TrackSpeed's backing plates to duct some air down there. The MSM is a bit porky and the brakes will take a beating both from mass and a novice driver.
Cooling will be an issue by summer. An oil cooler is mandatory for any turbo miata on the track (IMO). The FM kit is quite good for the price and if you hurry, you might be able to get it installed by the next track day. In the FM location on the front of the steering rack, you will need to get some air there to make it effective. Head back to the MSM forum and search for an article by millsj on his install and ducting - the best I have seen with the FM kit.
The MSM radiator is the best OEM radiator put in a miata and it will do pretty well until the plastic tank cracks - bail when it turns brown/green instead of black. That said, you will need to do some ducting work. Users millsj and joeereid have done good work on that. My build thread isn't really for an MSM so it isn't any better direction than any of the guys here have already done.
The Bilsteins on the MSM are badly over damped. Mazda was stupid here giving the car a 'stiff' ride on floppy *** street car springs. If you want to go cheap and dirty, get some ground control sleeves and heavier springs. This Thread has some great information on making the best of a bad setup. You have other infrastructure to spend money on before summer so this may be a good compromise. If you want to do it once and do it right, go Xida and be done with it but that would blow your entire budget.
That said, PLEASE consider turning the '00 into the track rat and leave the MSM a nice street car. If you continue down this path, in 2 years you will have a beat up MSM that isn't optimal for either purpose. If there is any way you can swing two cars, you should.
Anyway... You'll want to get better brake pads and consider TrackSpeed's backing plates to duct some air down there. The MSM is a bit porky and the brakes will take a beating both from mass and a novice driver.
Cooling will be an issue by summer. An oil cooler is mandatory for any turbo miata on the track (IMO). The FM kit is quite good for the price and if you hurry, you might be able to get it installed by the next track day. In the FM location on the front of the steering rack, you will need to get some air there to make it effective. Head back to the MSM forum and search for an article by millsj on his install and ducting - the best I have seen with the FM kit.
The MSM radiator is the best OEM radiator put in a miata and it will do pretty well until the plastic tank cracks - bail when it turns brown/green instead of black. That said, you will need to do some ducting work. Users millsj and joeereid have done good work on that. My build thread isn't really for an MSM so it isn't any better direction than any of the guys here have already done.
The Bilsteins on the MSM are badly over damped. Mazda was stupid here giving the car a 'stiff' ride on floppy *** street car springs. If you want to go cheap and dirty, get some ground control sleeves and heavier springs. This Thread has some great information on making the best of a bad setup. You have other infrastructure to spend money on before summer so this may be a good compromise. If you want to do it once and do it right, go Xida and be done with it but that would blow your entire budget.
That said, PLEASE consider turning the '00 into the track rat and leave the MSM a nice street car. If you continue down this path, in 2 years you will have a beat up MSM that isn't optimal for either purpose. If there is any way you can swing two cars, you should.
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03-03-2013, 10:41 PM
#51
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Well the '00 is beat to hell and I don't think I could trust it to make it 300 miles to the track, race, and drive back. I really have my eye on a '01 600(!) miles away from me that would literally be exactly what I want. Less miles than my current MSM, cruise control, VVT engine, no ABS, no tupperware, and a retiree special interior (tan) that I wouldn't care at all to rip into. I honestly would 100% prefer to get that car instead of tearing up my MSM. The problem is I need to sell my current MSM and get enough money off of it to pay off the loan. I have this coming weekend off that I could go buy the 01 but then I would be back at square one with a car with no known maintenance and would it be safe to track a stock '01?
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03-03-2013, 10:45 PM
#52
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I could swing two cars but I wouldn't want a track miata and a street miata. I have a single car garage so I would rather have a miata in the garage and then buy a beater or something to get to work with and leave outside. I have no desire to own two miatas (even though I do currently lol) because I would want them garaged and I only have one space available. I technically could make the payments on the MSM and go buy the other car this weekend and it really wouldn't hurt me that bad. I just want to get enough out of selling my MSM to pay off the loan and have a bit left over to throw at the other one.
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03-03-2013, 10:48 PM
#53
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If I did indeed go buy that 01 and spare the MSM, what MINIMUM things would I need to do to it before I go track it on the 23rd?
I'm thinking put in a TSE radiator because the one in my 00 exploded one hot summer day and I'm sure the 01 I want to get would have the stock radiator still and tracking that would be no good.
I apologize for all the rambling.
I'm thinking put in a TSE radiator because the one in my 00 exploded one hot summer day and I'm sure the 01 I want to get would have the stock radiator still and tracking that would be no good.
I apologize for all the rambling.
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03-03-2013, 11:03 PM
#54
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Well, if you're going to have just one Miata, then perhaps the MSM is the one to have. Just really depends on what you want. Do you want to be making a payment on something you're hammering at the track? Could you sell the MSM and buy the other car outright without putting too much into it? Do you really want your "nice car" to also be your track car?
I know lots of guys are trying to talk you into not tracking the MSM. I say do what you want. Their advice is sound, but only you really understand your situation.
It's as safe to track a stock '01 as a stock MSM I would think...
I know lots of guys are trying to talk you into not tracking the MSM. I say do what you want. Their advice is sound, but only you really understand your situation.
It's as safe to track a stock '01 as a stock MSM I would think...
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03-03-2013, 11:09 PM
#55
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I definitely don't want to tear up such a nice MSM, unless I have to. I could come close to buying the other miata outright. I really would prefer the 01 that I've mentioned for anything beyond basic mods because I wouldn't be tearing up a rare car. Any car I build as a "track" car MUST be driven to the track so they will never be extreme or anything.
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