factory shop manual

Going to to school for license this April,trying to get ready to race. What does everyone use for required factory shop manual?

If I remember correctly the Mazda factory shop manual is quite pricy. I had a copy shop double side copy a friends Mazda manual for something like $35.00. If you were in WI you could copy mine.

Going to to school for license this April,trying to get ready to race. What does everyone use for required factory shop manual?

You can find them on line or someone will send you a copy. I have them for the 99 and 01+, someone on here can email it to you.

The good folks at 5X Racing have you covered

https://5xracing.com...op-manuals.html

I have an original FSM that the previous owner of my 1991 gave me. It's very handy when working on the car. I carry it with me to every event. In 17 years of racing, in the SCCA and NASA, never once have I been asked to produce it. Isn't there a PDF version that can be downloaded to your phone?

A PDF or access on line is sufficient. For sure the original, printed factory manuals are expensive especially if complete. Look to spend $200-300 + . I have both FSM for the 1990-93 cars and the 1999-2000 cars. I like the print quality of the diagrams in the manuals which can be hard to see in a PDF. Incidentally I found some of the common steps to engine rebuild easier to follow for the 90-93 manual than the 99. Earlier on I think more time was put in to detail! Once the computer came along in the car it exploded to a massive amount of info.

I wouldn't sweat not having a hard copy. In all honesty I think the access to the FSM is enough. That provision is for scrutineers which is only going to happen if you are running with the big dogs right off the bat. Even then SM is such a well known class I think most tear downs or parts pulling are going to have specs on hand for the officials.But in racing preparation is key and it's a good thing u read that u need it as it's all in the details! Good luck with the school.


Cal

I only have the PDF. I kind of think that rule in SM is dated and should probably be updated/removed.

I only have the PDF. I kind of think that rule in SM is dated and should probably be updated/removed.

 

Agreed

Thanks I'll check it out online.

I'll chime in here. This is just me but I think most tech guys who normally handle SM will agree. I'm ok with an on line manual. BUT, don't expect me to look at your cell phone to try to verify a spec. It needs to be on your computer, not mine. And it needs to be searchable. If I can't find it, then you will need to locate the spec. And you need to know where to find it (download it). Not all tracks have wireless.

 

And what makes anyone think this should be removed. We (tech) can't be expected to know the specs on your year model Miata just as we don't know the specs on T1, T2, T3, prod, etc. I know you think everyone knows everything about Miatas, but we don't.

 

And I do appreciate you giving me an easy post qualifying impound all compliance item. Love all the neat ideas I get here.

 

Have fun at VIR this weekend. I'm down at Southern National for a CARS Tour Super Late and Late Model stock race. See you at Road Atlanta next weekend..

How many times per year is someone in SM asked by tech to provide a manual? And for what, exactly?? I’m not necessarily advocating that the rule be stricken but certainly a very limited spec class IS different than the rest, particularly where most any meaningful spec is spelled out in the GCR or not in the FSM anyway. Far more sensible, given the very few versions, for someone to donate copies to their local club for use by all. I can’t think of many things so pointless as asking every new SM racer to print a stack of unbound hardcopy manuals just to tote them to the track where they will very likely never be needed.

How many times per year is someone in SM asked by tech to provide a manual? And for what, exactly?? I’m not necessarily advocating that the rule be stricken but certainly a very limited spec class IS different than the rest, particularly where most any meaningful spec is spelled out in the GCR or not in the FSM anyway. Far more sensible, given the very few versions, for someone to donate copies to their local club for use by all. I can’t think of many things so pointless as asking every new SM racer to print a stack of unbound hardcopy manuals just to tote them to the track where they will very likely never be needed.

Steve I think one of the reasons to have the manual is if there is an allegation that something on your car is not right, that you might find the answer or information to settle the dispute or if you happen to have to do a tear off that you would have the specs to replace it. Now having said that I have never needed it or been asked to provide it. I have had a need for the rule book however.   

Frank, I’m not disputing what you’ve said, but in the long shot scenario that something actually comes up that could be settled with the FSM, I think that a PDF on my phone is perfectly adequate. (I don’t recall my paper copies, which I do have BTW, being particularly searchable ) It is not as if there are frequent log jams in SM tech because nobody brought their manual.

The reason I think the rule should be removed is in the interest of new racers. Asking new drivers to find a service manual for a 30 year old car isn't reasonable. Getting a DQ for not having it would be awful. The reason I only have the PDFs from 5X is because I have no idea where to find a FSM for a 1990 Miata. Only a Haynes manual can be purchased but that isn't a Mazda manual. In fact 5X racing PDFs don't even include 1990, so at the moment I don't know how to comply with this rule.

I found this on Ebay $8.99.https://www.ebay.com...497.m4902.l9144