Ok, so I saw a thread which listed the pros and cons of the NC as a track beast, weak points, fixes, sources for better parts to swap in, etc ... and now I am looking for it for some info, it is nowhere to be found. Or, nowhere I can find it. Search doesn't do it for me, browsing this forum doesn't throw up any thread titles that look like they match.

As I remember it, it explicitly said something like 'we all know what it takes to make an NA/NB into a race car, it is about time someone set it out for the NC' ...

I am almost certain I saw it here, and in the last month or three, say this year for safety.

Can anyone put me out of my misery? A friend is having issues with his NC racecar, and IIRC there was a reference in that thread that might be quite useful.

Thanks in advance!

 

Was it this one?
https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep...pde-use-95280/

 

Glad you found it. I forgot I started that thread!

I'm actually going back to this now, because as much I as love the ND, I can't imagine spending the money, then all the extras and using it for dual-duty.

 

Details?

Funny timing. I just bought another NC a few weeks ago. This one was already full track prepped... Ohlins revalved for 700/400, OS Giken, lightweight hardtop, blackbird gt3 bar, gutted and 300lb lighter than my last NC. Damn this car is fun. I can't wait to Haltech and 2.5 swap it but I'm trying not to get distracted from finishing my NB build first.

 

Thanks Calvin!! Yes, that is it, not quite what I remembered, but that is my memory playing tricks on me - not the first time, won't be the last!.

JP, not really mine to give, let's just say that a modded diff failed. That new car sounds a blast!

 

If I had to start over I think i'd start with an NC. My NA has been great, and it fulfilled the need I had in college (cheap commuter that I could also learn and bomb around in) but I need something just a bit more civilized on the street now. If I ever bin it I may end up with an NC or maybe a boxster...

 

I've been wanting to build an NC for wheel to wheel for a bit now. Something like ST4/ST5 or Gridlife Touring Cup.

They're getting really cheap and the 2.5 swap is easy.

 

If NA/NB Miata's get out classed (or I wad mine up), I can definately see a 2.5 NC being a good car for GLTC with some future proofing on top.

 

It's already a little tough for an NA/NB to hang as it is. If I was really trying to optimize at 2251lbs min weight for 225 hoosier on 15x9.5" and a wing/splitter/airdam, that takes 175WHP which is like all in with a built VVT with 11:1 pistons, decked head, e85 and the works.

I can't even get to that type of minimum weight since I'm a bigger dude, even 2300 would take a lot of work so I'd need close to 180WHP to be on the edge.

What sounds much better is 2755lbs and 214WHP cap with a worked 2.5l swap in an NC. At that weight you can use 245mm hoosiers on a 17x9 and wing/splitter/airdam combo and you'll be pulling pretty hard on the big end of longer straights compared to the lighter builds.

 

Lots of people hate on the NC, but I think they are great cars. My buddy just picked up a 09 with 80k miles, club package, for $9k from a dealer.. super clean and perfect car. I have well over $9k in my poor old NA at this point and it makes me think (though my car is way faster in every conceivable way), the NC is just nice to ride in, handles great, doesn't feel at all heavy, and seems like a fantastic platform for some boost.

If I weren't so attached to my NA I'd consider jumping ship, but it really isn't an option.

 

I'm pretty close on the power. Weight is yet to be determined unit I cage it this winter. Looking at some of the other builds going on, I fear 175-180whp NA Miata's aren't going to cut it in the future. Time will tell. I'm a long way off on build and skill.

 

We bought another NC end of last year to show how much bang for the buck you can get out of these cars without going overboard on the budget. Car was $5k, did a junkyard 2.5 swap with Grassroots Motorsports Magazine over a weekend, plus the usual suspects; coilovers, sways, wider rubber, intake/exhaust, and have been mopping up with it ever since. Tons of fun to drive and it's quick. The NC is just hitting that sweet low-spot in price where it's just the logical choice for the next track, autocross or just fun build.

Project thread is here

 

Bryan, y'all are giving me very bad ideas when it comes to my daily driver NC. Seems I'm going to *have* to 2.5 swap it now...

 

Subscribed to the NC thread. Just bought this former Cup car. Just got a CCP hardtop for it. I’ll shake it down for the first time this weekend at Road Atlanta. Bringing my NB too.

 

They are such a value until you end up at this point.

 

eflove - I've love to know the details - either here on in the NC build threat linked above. Thx.

 

It's a long list but the points are...
less than 2300lbs
275's
2.3 with 2.5 head making 700whp
sequiential trans
motec bits

You can see more info at https://www.facebook.com/NCHAMR/

 

I love the in-car of this thing. It's so ignorant. You are my hero.

 

WOW

 

Well! This thread has developed a life of its own, quite removed from my initial question in the OP.

Modz, please feel free to edit the thread title as appropriate.