Hey folks,

I recently came from my 1st local auto-x event and it was a blast! I'm totally hooked. But I went through all this trouble to remove my MSPNP because it's not STS legal only to come in 2nd place to a '96 BMW 328 that's not even supposed to be in STS (per the rules, he should be STX). The organizers aren't affiliated with SCCA but they do use the SCCA classing in their results.

So here's the question, would you run the MSPNP anyways since they're not SCCA and aren't tight on the rules or ditch the MSPNP and make my car 100% STS legal, even when it seems that no one else really cares?

 

If you're running Prosolo or National level competition, remove it or face protests. For local events, who cares? Especially if you're not even doing SCCA?

Leave it. The stock ECU is awful.

 

What if I attended a local SCCA event? Would people protest at the local level?

And yes, the stock ECU is very lacking when compared to the MS.

 

Depending on the local SCCA region, they will probably just politely ask you to change it out for a stock ECU before you run again or bump up to CSP. Some regions run a street tire index class, so you maybe able to the index class and keep your ECU.

 

I thought you could run an aftermarket ECU in STS? There are a ton of the Miata guys running the MS?

Or is this one of those classes where you can run any ecu you want as long as it's in the stock ECU box.

 

this was just being discussed in another thread. plenty of options to legally keep the ms.

 

STS is the class that requires stock ecu box, Pretty sure we can blame Andy Hollis for that non-sense. I say run it as is... If you end up going to regional events, then worry about putting the think in a mazda box... But even then, no one is going to care unless you're fast enough to get protested. STS is lame anyway, get turbo, run SSM

 

as long as u can fit teh MS in the stock box, you are good to go. You can ask the STS drivers if it is a problem if it is not the correct size yet.

 

ez:

 

Andy Hollis used to STS2 in a 1.6L Miata, so I don't why he would be to blame. He was trying to find a legal way to use a signal modifer or ECU. Then someone came out with a MS that fits into the factory box.

 

I know there are a few guys over at Miata.net that make STS legal MS in the stock ECU housing and run it in MAF mode instead of speed density. You can put a MS in the stock ECU housing but if there's a MAP sensor feed going to the box, then it's not STS legal. Regardless, I have no intentions on ever running in MAF mode.

I got the MSPNP because I planned on turboing the car. I wanted to do it step by step (i.e MS -> WB - > VTPS -> Injectors -> turbo) but now that I'm really getting into auto-x I'm debating whether or not to sell the turbo related parts to fund suspension parts. And then when it's time to turbo, I just buy the MS again and jump over to SSM. I like to have some form of order to my madness.

 

Keep the MS.
No one is going to care until you get FTD or beat one of the good 'ol boys.

 

The more that I look at the facts, the less keeping the MSPNP makes sense.
1. It's not legal in the case I ever really got serious into auto-x. I would spend all this time learning to drive my car as it was only to have to change back to stock in real competition.
2. The extra 10hp or tq (if that) from the MS is not going to improve my times more than a suspension upgrade.
3. There are better versions of the MS out there. The MSPNP is great to start out with but now that I'm more familiar with the MS, I'd rather have a DIYPNP or MS3.

I'm trying to find a legitimate case for keeping the MSPNP for my particular situation but I just can't find one.

 

autox classing for fun is stupid? thats a huge one.

 

Yes, I'll give you that.

I guess it comes down to how serious I am about auto-x. If I ever want to really compete beyond the local events, then I should go legit from the start. If I just want to have fun, I should just keep the MS. Hmmm... I need to go to my cave and ponder...

 

I woldn't give up a MS in order to stay in a arbitrary class for autxoing. I'm in SSM, think I give a ----? no.

I mean hell, adding a sway bar puts you into CS or something crazy that you'll never win...so unless youre building a dedicated autox ar and want to compete for realsies, just do your thing.

 

If I was already turbo'd, I wouldn't care either. There's no way i would remove a turbo to fit in some class. It would be more practical to buy another Miata to run in a class than to remove a turbo.

Unfortunately, I don't have a turbo so it's not an easy decision. I know I can get decent money for my MSPNP, injectors and VTPS, which I can then use to upgrade the suspension. That's why it's a tough decision.

 

If you've just done your first autox, then you're a long way from needing to worry about your car being legal for nationals

Leave the MS in your car for now, but tell your competitors about it. Assuming you're not beating them (and I'd be surprised if you were, given it's your first event) they probably won't care. If they do care, then put "STR", "CSP", "SSM", or "OSP" (my favorite local class -- may not exist in your area) on the side of the car and mentally compare your times to the times in STS. It will likely take you at least a couple years to get fast enough to care about points (and more than that for national level events), use that time to think about what you want out the car and how best to prepare it.

--Ian

 

Now that's a good idea... I can just run CSP if it bothers them but compare my times to the STS guys. Thanks.

 

If you ever get really serious about autoX, just get buddy-buddy with a local or semi-local driver that already has a competitive car. Usually co-drives for the season can be arranged by splitting the cost of consumables.