43 replies to this topic

[leisurehound]

Thanks guys.  

 

One further question. Since this is my first race car that has fenders and actually started as a road car, to remove the side airbags in the seats, its just a simple unplug the connectors under the seat, no?  The prep shop will do the steering wheel airbag & quick release install, but I'm doing the other stripping.  Googling 'accidental airbag deployment' does not show friendly images...

 

Tim

[Mike Collins]

Unhook the battery first.  The airbags will only deploy under sudden deceleration.  The connections are just plug and play.

[Bench Racer]

Tim, procure a Miata Factory Shop Manual and MANY things you will need for to know for stripping (and repair) are in the manual. You know the ol comericals about "Priceless".

[leisurehound]

Thanks.  Have one on order from Mazdaspeed as well as one of the online bootlegs.

 

See you guys at the races.  Come on out to Laguna next year.  It is as fabulous as they say.

 

Tim

[leisurehound]

I will make the submission.
 

Any update on this submission? Haven't seen the parts approved in fastrak.

[skeeler]

I know a guy selling a T4/SM5 now because he is building another one...  great cars.  I also know where another former Playboy now SM5 is just sitting if someone wants details hit me up.  Not a classified just know where some cars are sitting....

 

So Mike, what's the going price for a mid-level SM5?  Also since the engines are sealed and the suspension is specified, are cars all pretty evenly capable?  What, if anything, separates a front-running car from a back-marker?

[Mike Collins]

So Mike, what's the going price for a mid-level SM5?  Also since the engines are sealed and the suspension is specified, are cars all pretty evenly capable?  What, if anything, separates a front-running car from a back-marker?

25k for a middle SM5.  I am building one now for under 20K and have seen ones built for over 40k... not much different than SM.  Performance wise they are all the same bottom to top...

[skeeler]

Mike, thanks for your reply.  25 k$ is consistent with what I was guessing.

[Joe Cooley]

Pertaining to this thread

 

Published in this month's Fastrack

 

Allow 2009-12 RX8 Hubs on 2006-08 and 2009-13 MX-5 Miata
Thank you for your request. Add to specification line for Mazda MX5 06-08, 09-13: 2009-2012 Mazda RX8 front hubs allowed. 

[MitchBend2]

FYI-SCCA Racing memo regarding 06-08 MX 5 wheels in T4

 

SCCA RM 14-14  5/29/14

Effective immediately:

In T4, Mazda MX 5 (06-08)  (2006-2013 factory wheels are allowed)

[NPiekarski]

Pardon my lack of knowledge in the Touring rules but curious. Other than running the MSR suspension kit listed, what is everyone finding to be the spring and shock setup that works best? Do you need to run the stock sway bar and stock springs (non mx5 cup springs) and any non-adjustable shock? I see for 2017 you can run the SM5 shock package.

[davew]

The spring/shock/sway bar rules are being rewriten to actually make sense. What will end up being "THE" package will be the SM5 shocks, only available as a kit from Mazda. With SM5/Cup sway bars, they are the same. And Cup springs. You will get the 100 pound penalty, but this is the best setup. You will need to design a perch for the top of the spring and modify the threaded lower spring pearch to fit the cup spring.

 

I was told in January that the Touring committee is working on the rewrite so it is actually understandable and with parts that are currently available. Several parts from the MSR kit are no longer available. Plus it is expensive for what it really is.

[ner88]

So, I have to ask....Why not the RX8 for T4 over the MX5??

[chris haldeman]

Weight and restrictor plate needed for the rx8
I also feel the max camber rule will hurt the heavy car that must run the same width tire. Just guessing from my limited experience with the rx8.

[chris haldeman]

That said I feel both the mx5 and rx8 should be able to be competitive

[Jim Drago]

So, I have to ask....Why not the RX8 for T4 over the MX5??

pounds  and Mid Ohio not a good combo

[Jesse Prather]

Running an MX5 in EP the main issues were the front hubs, of course, and good cooling.  These engine's do NOT like to get hot.  When the head warps the cam journal warps very badly and the head is junk.  That being said, the engine has been very reliable since the CRB gave us alternate rods and we shift at 8100 every shift.  Great engines once you figure them out and how to make power.  I'm well into the 200's wheel hp now in EP trim.

 

The STL MX5 is also a good package with great power although a bit heavy for the class.  Still can't figure out why they don't just pull some weight off of the RWD cars in that class.   That's another topic. 

[Jim Drago]

Running an MX5 in EP the main issues were the front hubs, of course, and good cooling.  These engine's do NOT like to get hot.  When the head warps the cam journal warps very badly and the head is junk.  That being said, the engine has been very reliable since the CRB gave us alternate rods and we shift at 8100 every shift.  Great engines once you figure them out and how to make power.  I'm well into the 200's wheel hp now in EP trim.

 

The STL MX5 is also a good package with great power although a bit heavy for the class.  Still can't figure out why they don't just pull some weight off of the RWD cars in that class.   That's another topic. 

 

I am 3/4 of the way through my T4 build.. Just tubbed out the back yesterday..  I built a triple pass radiator for it as well. Hoping it is a good package at Mid Ohio.

 

here are some pictures of rear bulkhead we made

 

 

 

 

[Joe Cooley]

 

I am 3/4 of the way through my T4 build.. Just tubbed out the back yesterday..  I built a triple pass radiator for it as well. Hoping it is a good package at Mid Ohio.

 

here are some pictures of rear bulkhead we made

 

 

 

 

 

 

That came out great.  Didn't like how messy mine was back there.

 

Not directed at you Jim but everyone building a T4 MX5 just needs to read the rules.  They are confusing but have gotten way better over the last year.  I had the wrong springs on my car last year.  thought they were the correct ones but in fact they were the SM5 springs(which aren't nearly as stiff as the cup springs).  My bad as I had told others to be wary of making the same mistake and I did the same thing by trusting the previous owner/builder.  The most consistent issue I've seen has been around that SM5 suspension.  The other problem is the Cup Header.  I've seen a number of T4 cars running the header which isn't legal either.  

[Jim Drago]

That came out great.  Didn't like how messy mine was back there.

 

Not directed at you Jim but everyone building a T4 MX5 just needs to read the rules.  They are confusing but have gotten way better over the last year.  I had the wrong springs on my car last year.  thought they were the correct ones but in fact they were the SM5 springs(which aren't nearly as stiff as the cup springs).  My bad as I had told others to be wary of making the same mistake and I did the same thing by trusting the previous owner/builder.  The most consistent issue I've seen has been around that SM5 suspension.  The other problem is the Cup Header.  I've seen a number of T4 cars running the header which isn't legal either.  

very true.. also the cars were artificial "fast " as they were running 100 lbs light with SM5 spring kit thinking is was the MSR option which it isn't.. The Sm5 suspension option is available now at 75 lb weight adder