5 replies to this topic

[GaryR]

I have been racing 911's for several years and am buying an SM to run in some long enduros with friends and maybe some SCCA and NASA races. I have a car in my price range fairly local that looks good, but I really have no idea what to look for. So far all I know is from the ad;

 

"1997 Spec Miata Race Car, 69,000 miles on chassis, 1.8 Litre, Torsen Diff, awesome Planet Miata cage, Saving Auto Center Built Engine & Chassis Prep, very nicely setup and clean car, 2 sets of wheels, 1 used set Hoosier R6s, 1 set of brand new Toyo RA1, spares include new Hawk Pads in box, new Front & Rear rotors. Ready to race. SCCA log book. 1:02s at Lime Rock Park. "

 

What should I be looking for? Car is in a snowed in trailer but he will start/run it while i'm there. I just ordered Dave's ver. #2 book but i'm going to look at this tomorrow.

 

Thank you for any help, i'll keep looking around here also.

 

[Ron Alan]

Tough crowd here! Actually there are tons of threads here asking the same questions...hopefully you have tried the search option! 

 

If your out to have fun, race with whoever runs the same pace as you, then buy something that has been raced recently(more likely to have current dated items that wont need to be replaced) and any gen car that fits your budget. If you plan on winning soon and will do anything to get there...do more research! I believe close to you is a very strong SSM group(1.6 cars only)that you might find attractive.

[Brandon]

Gary,

Send me a PM with your contact details and I'll be happy to answer any/all questions you have about the class or even that car in particular.

 

I'm in North Jersey and also saw the post on Craig's List and considered making the drive to give it a once-over myself but I'd be happy to give you a hand in looking it over with you if you'd like.

 

Hope I can help!

Brandon

[Jeff Longo]

Gary, Send me a pm or FB. I may know the car.

Welcome !

 

Jeff

[Jamz14]

Lets talk about this 97 openly.

[RazerX]

If you don't care about 1.6/1.8/NA/NB parity and this is to get started here is a very short list.

 

Check mechanical

Do a compression and leakdown on the engine.  compression should be at min 170 across the board

Look under the car, most Miata's don't leak oil if they are properly maintained.  Oil leaking down from the on top of the bellhousing indicated bad valve cover seal, crank angle sensor seal or possible head gasket(not good)

Oil on the bottom of the tranny and out the hole at the bottom indicates possible rear engine main seal is leaking which will eventually cause other problems like clutch replacement. Diffs if they have good seals should not leak and should be dry everywhere.

Check hub bearing on each corner.  That is extra $$ and usually requires the setup to rechecked (it shouldn't change but stuff happens)

 

Ask for setup measurements that it can make, getting a SM that can only make 2 degrees camber on the front is asking for frustration.  it needs to make 2.7+ IMHO

 

Looks for frame damage wrinkles in the trunk by wheel arches and on "shelves" in front of the firewall. 

 

Check belts, nets, seat(if you can fit and like it) if they are currently legal, replacing those can be hugely expensive relative to the car price.

 

Does it have aftermarket oil pressure, water temp gauges?  Not required but a very nice to have along with shift lights or data acquisition. 

 

good luck and welcome to the party