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Jim Drago's Blog > 2012 Sm Build

Posted Jim Drago on 11-12-2011 09:59 AM

I sold my 2011 cars To Jeff Rothstein and Pat McGinnis.. So that leaves me with no car for 2012 . So it is that time again.. I decided to blog the build of the new car... I will get some pictures together and post them all the way through..My last two cars have been white donors that were not full tub up builds like all of my customer cars.. This time i d...
  • Mike Collins, Ron Alan, juliancates and 7 others like this

Alan's OCD '03 SM buid > Engine, Powder coating, and more

Posted Adax on 10-08-2013 03:05 PM

As everyone who races one knows, a Spec Miata engine is important. Races are extremely close and an extra HP or two can mean the difference between podium and paddock. A good one is also quite expensive so realiablity must also be factored into the decision. You can buy running race cars for the price of a pro engine. Since the inception of this project I...
  • Danny Steyn, CWright, Ryan Roberson and 2 others like this

Another Chris Haldeman creation in the works > Sand and Buff Sand and Buff

Posted MPR22 on 11-28-2011 01:56 PM

Chris and I spend a couple of hours in the morning wet sanding and buffing the new paint job.  The temperatures were very cold and the clear is very soft.  Chris works over the car so carefully he knows just when he should stop before the heat builds and hazes the finish.  Another two to three hours later and we have the car out for final inspection befor...
  • Gary Norris, chris haldeman and tLinder like this

Starting from Scratch New VVT build > Setting Diff Backlash and Preload

Posted FTodaro on 12-23-2015 07:55 PM

I bought the tools years ago and never jumped into learning how to Lash a diff and set the preload on the carrier bearings. This is not a full blown rebuild. I did not change the Pinion bearings. I simply swapped out an open diff and put a Torsen unit in it. So I reused the all the bearings and the original ring and pinion.
I will endeavor to do the entir...
  • Xav and speedengineer like this

Alan's OCD '03 SM buid > Wiring

Posted Adax on 09-22-2013 09:20 AM

Sorry for the time since my last entry. Work has picked up over the summer and when I have a free evening I spend it on the car.After spending a few years under the OPM tent a several things become obvious. Most are best not shared here but one is that the crew spends more time trouble-shooting electrical problems than anything other than changing tires....
  • Jeff Wasilko and Derrick Ambrose like this

Another Chris Haldeman creation in the works > As you can tell Chris knows what he is doing

Posted MPR22 on 11-28-2011 02:12 PM

Chris worked so hard on this car.  I can't thank him enough, since JP3 finished the build a year ago I wanted to paint it. JP3 made me hold off until I got another season under my belt and he was spot on.  The only part of the car that didn't get damaged was the rear deck.   You can see on some of the photos we didn't repair everything to like...
  • Gary Norris and tLinder like this

Dr.Dan's Blog > things to do

Posted Dr.Dan on 02-22-2011 09:33 AM

next step is to remove the clutch pack and see if it's out of balance. That will slow me down some because I don't want to buy new stuff if the old is ok. So, I won't have purchased replacement parts yet. Does not look like I'll make the season opener, due to other obligations and no time to work on the car.
  • tahoez likes this

davecarama's Blog > Event #1 Complete (Instructor Clinic)

Posted davecarama on 02-19-2011 07:50 PM

Well event #1 is done. Instructor clinic at the local track. They do it every year, and until today, I thought it was mandatory in order to instruct with this particular group... turns out no it is not.I like the clinics though, and this one is not only free, but you actually use their cars, so hey, how can you go wrong with that! Spec SEC Racing (SEC...
  • RacerX likes this

Starting from Scratch New VVT build > VVT Completed

Posted FTodaro on 12-15-2015 07:22 PM

I installed the drivetrain. For me doing the motor diff and transmission is pretty straight forward. Once I have the weight in the car, I added my ballast and tightened down the suspension, at the bushings so not to have any bind.

The car is done but for getting the wrap done and an alignment. Car runs fine and all electrical is working. The only part on...
  • speedengineer likes this

Alan's OCD '03 SM buid > Final Entry

Posted Adax on 09-05-2014 03:36 PM

I'm sorry for the delay in wrapping up this build blog. There are a number of reasons for the delay but the main one is that I broke my right arm and ruptured a tendon in my thumb snowboarding. Recovery has been quite long and not having use of my right hand has impacted all aspects of personal and professional daily life. Fortunately I have a excellent s...
  • Alberto likes this

The Jordan's race Blog > Running Both Sanctioning Bodies.... SCCA here we come....

Posted Joe (dad) Jordan on 06-06-2013 09:51 AM

We decided it was time to try SCCA racing in November we went to Firebird raceway and competed in a SCCA regional. We ran Spec Miata and STL to make sure he would get enough races to get a National license. Our intention was to run SCCA Nationals with the hope to qualify for the 50th SCCA Runoffs.   Unfortunately not much Spec Miata competition at the Fir...
  • Sampson Racing Radios likes this

Tom Hampton Local Blog > New Intake

Posted Tom Hampton on 06-10-2012 10:48 PM

So, its been a very long time since I had anything to post!  Months and months.  Unfortunately, this same dearth in posts represents a similar dearth in actual activity on or with the racecar.  I won’t bore you with the excuses…lots of work related things.   Anyway, I bought an SP Induction Systems SPX2 intake, and finally got a chance to install it....
  • dstevens likes this

Tom Hampton Local Blog > Real Decals

Posted Tom Hampton on 12-18-2011 08:45 PM

She is done.  Again, Chris comes H. through.  He did a great job cutting my vinyl for me.  I understand he had a couple hicups with his new cutter and the large rolls of black and silver.  I sent him the files to be cut last Friday, he had them cut by Wednesday.  I’ve been putting them on for the last two days. I used Window cleaner to let them slide, but...
  • chris haldeman likes this

Tom Hampton Local Blog > Decals

Posted Tom Hampton on 12-04-2011 03:26 PM

I seem to have contracted a cold over Thanksgiving, so I’m laying low this weekend.  I figured I might as well start working on the graphics set for the car, until I feel human again.  I’ve been using Inkscape (inkscape.org) to do all the decal designs.  Its an awesome tool for vector graphics work (and free to boot).http://www.tomhampton.info/wp-content/...
  • juliancates likes this

Sampson Racing Radios' Blog > Successfully Capturing the 2011 NASA SoCal SM Championship Title

Posted Sampson Racing Radios on 11-14-2011 04:18 PM

NASA @ Buttonwillow - November 5~6, 2011================================The first winter storm blowing through central California threathened to make the final event of the season a difficult affair.  Dedicated drivers and supporters who showed up at Buttonwillow Racway were rewarded with gorgeous sunny and cool conditions, essentially perfect race weathe...
  • Mark likes this

Jay's 96 SM Build > Where we are at today

Posted JayF on 12-24-2010 11:48 AM

So I have uploaded the pictures I've got so far.  I pulled the old motor out, cleaned up the engine bay and resprayed it.  I am using Krylon Gloss gray spray for the engine bay and interior per a recommendation by Planet Miata.  So far it has worked out great.  I replaced all of the common M6x1 10mm bolts on the car with all new hardware to clean thin...
  • RacerX and john gerbracht like this

davecarama's Blog > Dave's 2011 Track Time

Posted davecarama on 12-23-2010 02:04 PM

Why I am writing:  Well crap. I do enough events, and see enough cool chit on the track that I figure I'll put all of my stories in one common place. I This year, I have big plans... I want to win TTE for NASA Mid Atlantic, Get my comp license, and race in at least one 12+ hour race (in a car, karting is "Been There Done That" at this point)....
  • RacerX likes this

davecarama's Blog > SATT Shenandoah Circuit 4/16

Posted davecarama on 07-18-2011 08:48 AM

I have not been instructing much this year. Mainly because whenever there are events close by, I have had other commitments. But this event fell right at a time when my wife would be out of town, and I had nothing else to do besides mow my lawn! (and I can skip mowing my lawn for track days, right?)Shenandoah is one of my all time favorite tracks. Eve...
  • RacerX likes this

Tom Hampton Local Blog > Clutch / Transmission Complete

Posted Tom Hampton on 05-09-2011 09:10 PM

So, step 1: clean the transmission.  Engine degreaser, brash brush, some elbow grease.  All clean.  The main thing to watch out for here is to close up the speedo opening, and the top of the turret.  You don’t want to get any water down in these.  I stuffed the openings with absorbent towels, and then taped over the opening with 1 1/2″ masking tape.  Then...
  • ndrewoods likes this