21 replies to this topic

[Spettro]

Hello, new to the board, been tracking a 95M Miata for about 9 months now and I want to move to SM with NASA nor-cal/SCCA sf region in 2014. I've been doing a lot of reading, so hopefully nothing I ask comes off as insanely stupid, but if it does I appologize I don't want to make any enemies right off the bat. I just feel bad pestering my friend Ron constantly when I don't understand something.

 

I will be using a 99 car for next year for reference, not the 95, just to eliminate confusion.

 

I had a couple of questions I just couldn't seem to figure out exactly even after looking through the NASA rule book PDF online, again I really appologize if I happened to miss it, I know how annoying it is when new guys ask stupid questions on forums.

 

1) I've been told conflicting information about the exhaust manifold I can use on a 99 car. Is it legal to use the 01+ OEM manifold or do I need to try and source a 99 federal manifold or even a 99 CA manifold and gut the pre-cat? I've been told more times the 01+ is okay, but I want to confirm before buying one.

 

2) I've read that Mazda Comp engine mounts are allowed, but are those the only approved aftermarket engine mount? This question is assuming the mount of choice does not change the engine's mounting location to gain a weight or center of gravity advantage by lowering the engine for example.

 

3) Same question for differential mounts, as long as it doesn't change the mounting location can I run any material I desire? Or am I only allowed to use Mazda Comp differential mounts?.

 

4) Is any shifter allowed? I could swear some of the SM onboards I watch guys are using short shifters, but I didn't see anything specifically that said it was allowed or not.

 

5) Finally (for now), my current seat isn't going to be going in my new car, so I'm looking for recommendations/part numbers for seats that are known to fit in a caged SM. I want to run a halo seat, so I've seen the Sparco seat in a lot of cars, as well as a Racetech, and the Recaro Pro. Would I be wise to look at these seats? I'm a 32 waist so fitment shouldn't be an issue for me. I'm hoping to avoid having to remove the factory seat mounting points as I already have a very nice side mount seat bracket that bolts to them.

 

Thank you.

[Bench Racer]

Welcome to the world of Spec Miata sick-o's.

 

Reference to stupid questions. The only stupid question anyone can ask is a question they know the answer to.

 

My answers are relative to the SCCA General Competitiopn Rules which may be found on the SCCA site. 

 

1. I race a 1990 so will not answer this question.

 

2. Mazda Motor Sports...........

 

3. Mazda Motor Sports...........

 

4. NO, NO, NO. Keep in mind, this is a spec class and there is an unwritten rule that holds true. If it (rule book) don't say you can, you can't.

 

5. Sit in several different seats of your choice ideally mounted in cars. What ever you do, install the quick disconnect steering wheel and seat in a comfortable position for you, then build the roll cage or have someone build you roll cage.

 

Have Fun

David Dewhurst 

[Spettro]

Thank you. I plan to go sit in all of the seats mentioned, I was just curious if anyone knew for a fact the exact seat models that will fit. I intend to have the cage built around the seat position, but for example my currently used Cobra Sebring Pro seat has such a large halo (it's meant more for 4 door touring cars than Miatas) that it hits the hard top and thus I'd never be able to get the bars that run forward from the main hoop to the fire wall over the seat's halo. I think the Sparco Pro Adv is the one I usually see in SM's, but I don't know the model of the Racetech I always see for example, I just know it's a Racetech.

 

I guess if I can just find out about the 01+ manifold being allowed on the 99 engine and car I'll be out of everyone's hair for a while hopefully. All I was able to find in the NASA rule book was 13.5.1 which only states "the stock down pipe must be used". So I don't know if that includes the manifold or not. Would be pretty sad if all the SM's in CA had to use the CA pre-cat manifold when everywhere else in the country doesn't have to.

 

Edit: I finally found the SCCA rule book pdf online, it says: "The 1999-05 Miatas with California emissions equipment may substitute the Federal OEM exhaust manifold and ECU for the OEM CA exhaust manifold and catalytic converter." But that still doesn't really answer my question because I thought the fedeal 99-00 exhaust manifolds were cast iron block style ones and the 01-05's were a tubular style, but SCCA is making it sound like there is no difference. I just want to make sure I don't buy something and then show up for the first race and get told to go home because I built my car wrong.

[Michael Novak]

You have to run the correct year manifold either a CA or FED.

[chris haldeman]

Answers for you
1) the 99 must use the cast manifold. 01up is not legal
2) Mazda mounts only!!
3) comp rear mounts have not been approved. Only stock rear diff mounts allowed
4) stock shifter only
5) try before you buy!!

[Spettro]

You have to run the correct year manifold either a CA or FED.

That sucks. Sourcing a 99 federal cast iron block-type manifold where I live is imposible.

 

Answers for you
1) the 99 must use the cast manifold. 01up is not legal
2) Mazda mounts only!!
3) comp rear mounts have not been approved. Only stock rear diff mounts allowed
4) stock shifter only
5) try before you buy!!

Thank you, like I said I'm able to try myself in the seat in terms of fitment, but I can't put the seat in the car to see if it will fit the car before I buy it, that's why I'm wondering what other guys are running.

[Johnny D]

Car didn't come with an engine?

Where u at?

J~

[Spettro]

Car didn't come with an engine?

Where u at?

J~

The car has an engine, but the previous owner was an autocrosser (how one enjoys dodging cones I'll never know...) so he replaced the OEM exhaust manifold with an aftermarket header that's not going to be legal to use for SM. I'm from the Concord area, you and I met at the recent NCRC weekend. I had the purple car with the white roof and rear bumper.

[RazerX]

Hi Spettro,

 

I run many of the Norcal NASA events and look forward to see you out there with us loonies.  

 

David 

[James York]

That sucks. Sourcing a 99 federal cast iron block-type manifold where I live is imposible.

 

Thank you, like I said I'm able to try myself in the seat in terms of fitment, but I can't put the seat in the car to see if it will fit the car before I buy it, that's why I'm wondering what other guys are running.

 

Call Jim at East Street.  If for some reason, your 99 doesn't have stock exhaust manifold, I bet he can get you one.

[Johnny D]

Oh, Hey,

Call Mike Haag, He's waaaaaayyyyyyyyy over in Martinez from you.

Pretty sure he's got one or can get one.

http://www.haagperformance.com/

J~

[Spettro]

Hi Spettro,

 

I run many of the Norcal NASA events and look forward to see you out there with us loonies.  

 

David 

Hopefully I can make it out there, trying to get the car together in ~4 months with a limited budget should be interesting.

 

Call Jim at East Street.  If for some reason, your 99 doesn't have stock exhaust manifold, I bet he can get you one.

I'll keep him in mind if local SM sources fall through, thanks.

 

Oh, Hey,

Call Mike Haag, He's waaaaaayyyyyyyyy over in Martinez from you.

Pretty sure he's got one or can get one.

http://www.haagperformance.com/

J~

Yeah good thought, I know Mike Haag, his shop is 5 minutes from my house. I figured I'd try him if Ron doesn't happen to have one lying around. If you know Dante too (he has a black NA Miata with M Service on the side of it) I used to work for him. It was sort of inevitable I'd end up in SM considering how many people I know who do it.

[Johnny D]

Yep,

Haag just did my engine and I had to come up with a new core/head. Thank you CL.

So he's got my old or my CL one.

The manifold I think is the same, it's the down pipe (cat delete) is what you need that's fed.

J~

[Spettro]

Yep,

Haag just did my engine and I had to come up with a new core/head. Thank you CL.

So he's got my old or my CL one.

The manifold I think is the same, it's the down pipe (cat delete) is what you need that's fed.

J~

Ok thanks. Guess I'll have to get hunting so I have one when the time comes to pull the engine and replace everything on it to prep to battle for last place on the grid....

[Ron Alan]

Not sure who this guy Ron is if he couldn't answer these simple questions

 

David above was the red with white car you were matching times with last weekend! 

[Spettro]

Not sure who this guy Ron is if he couldn't answer these simple questions

 

David above was the red with white car you were matching times with last weekend! 

I never said you couldn't answer them I just feel bad pestering you all the time haha.

[davew]

Not only are short shifters not allowed, they cause missed shifts.

 

New driver spent 3 days on track. Constantly missing shifts. Removed short shifter installed oem shifter, no missed shifts in 2 days

 

Dave

[Spettro]

Not only are short shifters not allowed, they cause missed shifts.

 

New driver spent 3 days on track. Constantly missing shifts. Removed short shifter installed oem shifter, no missed shifts in 2 days

 

Dave

I planned to add an extention to get the knob closer to the height of my hand on the steering wheel, thus making the throw distance and gate seperation the same with the added height of the shifter. But I guess if I'm going to get DQ'd from the races at tech for it then I won't.

[Keith Novak]

Replacing the shfiter isn't allowed but replacing the shift knob is:

[Blake Thompson]

Replacing the shfiter isn't allowed but replacing the shift knob is:

 

Where do the batteries go in that thing?