ST3 Fastest Options?
 

Ok, so ST3 Miata with Turbo BP motor. Tuned for a flat HP curve. Also, what would the best aero be for this power level? 4" splitter / GT250?

2250lb with driver
I take the -.4 Non-Production Vehicle mod for fastback roof and drop floor / frame rails

So here are some options

Option1
229hp
Hoosier A7 245/40/15

Option2
222hp
Hoosier A7 275/35/15 (15X11 WHEELS)

Option3
264hp
Toyo RR 245/40/15

Option mod
Quaife Sequential
-20hp ish

What do you think the fastest option would be?

ST3 aero is quite a bit more open than 4/5. I'd say 4-5" splitter, with ramps in it. You'll want either an aggressive foil or run a dual-element rear wing with a front setup like that(GT250/Elan foils aren't enough by themselves). This also assumes you're running an airdam or a front bumper that removes the typical miata under-cut shape.

For the options of power, it can really depend on the track and if you're doing ST or TT. I wouldn't want to race the ST3 Vettes that have ~340rwhp peak/325 avg with just ~230 avg hp, even at the extreme weight differences...... they're guna get to that next braking zoned before you the majority of the time. BUT for the sake of keyboard bench racing..... Option 1 :party:

I like the big credit to the RR, ~40hp is a LOT... but a 245/40 Hoosier on 10 is really really hard to beat.

Option 4: ballast up to 2400 and run 245 RR at 285whp

If I was spending my own money, it'd be on Toyos, but since its your money, A7 for sure.

I'm in a similar boat and I'm planning on doing something like option 3 to help keep running costs down, but I'm also likely going to be wildly outclassed/undreprepped. Curious to see everyone's input on this.

Ok, Assuming TT instead of ST, aka - outright laptime vs best for W2W what would you do?

These guys don't have good things to say about the quaife sequential.

Are they talking about a FWD transaxle or a RWD transmission? "K series Honda" makes me think the first and I wonder if the RWD trans is a different story.

I'm not actually a lawyer, but I do enjoy playing Devil's Advocate :)

The QBE60G in the three different Supermiata time attack cars held up to ~440whp like a tank and still going. /shrug

Depends on the tracks. Where do you race and what track(s) do you want to optimize your setup for?
Keep in mind that aero will have a significant drag penalty.

So how much time is saved with that? Any thoughts?

Agreed. I would say best overall though. I'm just too lazy (hey at least I'm honest) to make large aero changes per track.

So generally what I would call medium speed tracks

Buttonwillow
Chuckwalla
Willow springs
Laguna Seca
Sears Point
Thunderhill
etc...

Going with Option 5 - 2400lbs ~245avg 245 A7s

Hitting the 2400lb mark nets back +0.1 on the ratio. It's also a super common weight with track miatas, with hundreds of us running that weight, that way you can copy/paste suspension/prep setups. The 245 A7s can certainly handle that weight and power and I don't think the 275s would be worth losing the +0.3 from the <266mm. The rolling resistance differences between 245 and 275 at that power could be a wash depending on the track. If there wasn't a 0.3 gain between the two I bet the 275s would be faster at almost all tracks.

I don't know enough about west coast tracks to properly comment on them, other than maybe Laguna Seca..... that's a power track because of the "digs".

Agreed on the 245's I think. I have them as well, so that's a big plus. I think my biggest place for additional speed is aero. Right now I have a 4" splitter and a GT250 wing. I'm thinking I should go to 5" and make it a bit wider than the nose. For TT I could go up to 12" wider than the nose as I read the rules so I could add some fences. That would need to be removeable. For underneath some ramps on each side would be an easy add. Also thinking of adding a center ramp like what Passey did on HyperMiata on his 2017 splitter. It will make the engine bay a bit messy though. I already have 5 hood vents, so that's not an issue for the extra air. For the rear wing I could add either a GT1000 or a 9 lives Mega with the dual element.

I'm not sure how much aero the ~230hp can support before it becomes detrimental? I know that will differ on tracks. AKA Willow Springs vs Streets of Willow. I'd like to come up with something of a happy medium if that exists that I can run everywhere with minor tuning for balance.

Air doesn't care how much power you have! That being said, the drag numbers on these setups are pretty minimal. There isn't much of an HP requirement to push these new components through the air. Take a peek at the info here: https://9livesracing.com/pages/cfd-testing

If I had a full-tilt ST3 miata I'd be going with the carbon wang over the dual element, it's less drag for the same downforce. It's a Riley Motorsports piece, designed by Morlind Engineering, same guy that was with Elan when they developed the aluminum foil.
https://9livesracing.com/collections...ts/carbon-wing

These guys are pretty efficient and I can dig up the NA CFD on them if you really want. They're what you want if you've got big downforce out back.
https://9livesracing.com/products/ni...32911812657229


For any 9LR product you're (or anyone on miataturbo) welcome to use my discount code: marcussaiditwascool

The 9livesracing carbon wing is actually the most expensive wing of the bunch. With endplates and mounts it ~3200.
I can get a GT1000 for $2250 new and $900 used (used is a swan neck, so harder to mount)
AJ Hartman 14" cord is $2100 with end plates

Hah yeah..... but this is your money and not mine! :rofl: Riley's CF is certainly different than the stuff from China on the GT1000 and AJ's is good shit and homemade so he has tiny overhead. I think AJ's is less aggressive too, can't remember tho.

If you want more of a $$ to performance, the dual-element 9LR setup is hard to beat.

#3, all day

~35whp in w2w is huge.

Best TT setup is often the one with the highest min corner speeds.
You'll struggle to find a clean lap but when you do, you'll be fast.

Best ST setup is often the one with the highest acceleration rate
You'll be quick enough to hold up harder cornering cars in the turns then beat then to the next braking zone on the following straight. Track position wins w2w, not min cornering speed.