95 replies to this topic

[Bench Racer]

You've been doing DE days. Do you have any acquaintance who own a Spec Miata? If not find some at your local track, hang and learn a bit first hand. Most Spec Miata folks are pretty open with info referencing their car and other models. On line search the SCCA site for the printable GCR (General Competition Rules) read them inside out arming yourself with knowledge. There is a specific section Spec Miata Category Specifications for the car. As your referencing the GCR you'll find other sections with mandatory info. 

 

Your first name would be?

 

Have Fun

David

[av8tor]

"If you're going thru two transmissions per year, you're doing it wrong. Same with an engine per year."

 

I just had a failure in a rebuilt transmission that had 3 years (4900 track miles and 114 hours on it). The engine has more hours/miles on it.

 

Mazda stuff is pretty reliable and stands up well to the abuse we give.

 

 - If you race 12 weekends a year you are putting 100hrs a year on your equipment, more if you do any enduro events.  You can race 4 weekends a year and your motors and transmissions will last 3 years.  It is not about how long it can sit in the chassis, it is all about how many times it can rotate at WOT.

[Bench Racer]

 Add an engine and 2 transmissions per year and that is another $7000.  

Once we say it, it's out there.

 

I'm here to tell you, my Pro engine and 2003 23,000 mile salvage yard transmission has way more than 12 weekends on them. Yes, I have a Pro rebuilt transmission for a spare, but it wasn't procured at the get-go. If your a crappy shifter a transmission can be ruined in a couple weekends. The name of the game for someone looking for info is to provide realistic info and not scare the $hit out of them. 

[Brandon]

Hey Qyxz - I sent you a PM with my contact details.

 

You've got a lot of questions and most answers to them will lead to even more questions!

Time to sit and drink with a group of folks who've been around the block themselves it looks like.

Not that we've ever needed a reason to sit, drink, & bench race ever, right guys/gals?

Anyone else in the NJ area up for an evening of beers to guide Qyxz on the path he wants?

[Jamz14]

If you want to save a bit of money run NASA.

[LarryKing]

"It's cheaper than a mistress."

 

Really? For comparison sake, how much do you spend on your mistress per year Frank? What's a ballpark?

 

(I'm guessing a 1999 mistress cost more than a 1990 mistress)

[Jeff Wasilko]

 

"If you're going thru two transmissions per year, you're doing it wrong. Same with an engine per year."

 

I just had a failure in a rebuilt transmission that had 3 years (4900 track miles and 114 hours on it). The engine has more hours/miles on it.

 

Mazda stuff is pretty reliable and stands up well to the abuse we give.

 

 - If you race 12 weekends a year you are putting 100hrs a year on your equipment, more if you do any enduro events.  You can race 4 weekends a year and your motors and transmissions will last 3 years.  It is not about how long it can sit in the chassis, it is all about how many times it can rotate at WOT.

 

 

I'm not sure how you're doing your math....

 

It's unlikely you're running the car 8.3 hours a weekend, even if you're double-dipping (that's what 100 hours/12 works out to).

 

Most regional races are 20-ish minutes. Let's say 25. In our region it's a qual and 3 races, generally. Sometimes qual and 4 races.

 

That's 20-25 running hours per year.

 

If you double-dip you might be at 40-50 hours a year.

 

I'm on the track 30-45 days a year.

[Qyxz]

This has been hugely helpful so big thanks for everyone who has given some input. 

 

Does anyone know of a good Miata shop in the North Jersey/Central Jersey area?

 

Btw, for those asking, my name is Mike.  I usually try to keep all personal details off public forums, but you guys don't seem like you're the type to hunt me down and kill me (at least not off track). 

[ChrisA]

"It's cheaper than a mistress."

 

Really? For comparison sake, how much do you spend on your mistress per year Frank? What's a ballpark?

 

(I'm guessing a 1999 mistress cost more than a 1990 mistress)

 

A 1999 mistress may land you in jail. That's rather pricey!!

[Todd Green]

+1 on motor and tranny lasting much longer (like many years).  Highly recommend Mark Bennett (aka Saul Speedwell) for building your tranny.  I'm going on my 4th year and it still shifts like butter.  (10+ weekends a year, double dipping.)  On the opposite end, we have a ~140k mile junk yard tranny in our econo-enduro car and it shifts like crap (always has), but has run 2+ years of sprints and 3 six-hour enduros.  Something's wrong if you are going through multiple transmissions per year in my experience.

 

Also as you've seen tires are a major cost in racing.  In addition to tire pile diving, check with the winners of races (or other competitors).  They win free tires and often sell their take-offs cheaply or you can get lucky and they'll give you a(n older) set.  Also, there are companies that specialize in selling take offs.  Just realize that older tires can greatly change the handling of your car and you can chase setup etc.

 

WRT annual cost, the only way you'll know is by planning a budget.  You can be as frugal or extravagant as you want to be. $10K is possible, but you'll not be running on stickers every weekend and sitting next to Danny in 1st class.   Finally, consider buying a ride on a (budget) team in enduros if you want a ton of seat time for minimal cost/investment to see if racing is for you. (Might consider WRL/Chumpcar/etc., research the team 1st.)

[av8tor]

I'm not sure how you're doing your math....

 

It's unlikely you're running the car 8.3 hours a weekend, even if you're double-dipping (that's what 100 hours/12 works out to).

 

Most regional races are 20-ish minutes. Let's say 25. In our region it's a qual and 3 races, generally. Sometimes qual and 4 races.

 

That's 20-25 running hours per year.

 

If you double-dip you might be at 40-50 hours a year.

 

I'm on the track 30-45 days a year.

I give up, my advice is to have fun and follow Jeff's guidelines for how long everything should last and how many hours you will put on your car.  Besides, Jeff's program doesn't cost nearly as much money for engines and transmissions which is a huge plus.

Kevin

121

[Johnny D]

I give up, my advice is to have fun and follow Jeff's guidelines for how long everything should last and how many hours you will put on your car.  Besides, Jeff's program doesn't cost nearly as much money for engines and transmissions which is a huge plus.
Kevin
121

YMMV
J~

[av8tor]

Once we say it, it's out there.

 

I'm here to tell you, my Pro engine and 2003 23,000 mile salvage yard transmission has way more than 12 weekends on them. Yes, I have a Pro rebuilt transmission for a spare, but it wasn't procured at the get-go. If your a crappy shifter a transmission can be ruined in a couple weekends. The name of the game for someone looking for info is to provide realistic info and not scare the $hit out of them. 

I want to find a couple of 23000 mile salvage yard transmissions!!  

[Bench Racer]

I want to find a couple of 23000 mile salvage yard transmissions!!  

Took a quick search and found 99 plus transmissions, 2,904, 31,000, 1,000, 33,000, 39,000 miles.

 

By the same token, Dave will let you know that many slightly used street transmissions require some help.

[Danny Steyn]

This idea of buying a car at the track is interesting.  Having it pass race scrutineering is pretty enticing, since I won't really know what is spec right now.  Is it common that people sell cars at races?  What do I do, just show up to the next event at my local track day and see if anyone has something for sale? 

 

Everything is ALWAYS for sale. I have been approached many times to ask if I would sell my car. I am sure this has happened to many drivers. The faster the car, and the prettier the car, the more often it happens. On a few occasions I was offered enough to close the deal right there. 

 

That being said, here are a few simple truths about this class of SM

• You can have a ton of fun racing in the mid pack on a shoe string budget - you do not need to spend money to have fun
• Get your learning done on a cheap car. We are all prone to over driving and making mistakes when we start out
• At the front of the class, the car prep is pretty equal and they are all spending money.
• If you want to know how good you really are, you will need a competitive car
• Speed costs Money - there is NO WAY AROUND THIS TRUTH.
• Tires - ah yes Tires. Each track will have its preference. Some like stickers, others like cords. You will do lots of asking and note taking, playing on test day with different tires and tire pressures / setups, studying data.
• Setups - we all drive differently so you need to find the setup that works for you. The setup that works for Bolanos most definitely will not work for me. This takes time, adjustments, note taking, data study etc.
• Renting a good car is a great way to find out what a car should feel like. 
• If you decide to build your own car, you will be trying to get right what others have taken 100 builds to get right. What these experts have forgotten is more than you will likely ever know. 

[av8tor]

Took a quick search and found 99 plus transmissions, 2,904, 31,000, 1,000, 33,000, 39,000 miles.

 

By the same token, Dave will let you know that many slightly used street transmissions require some help.

I need to search harder, I haven't found one with less than 80XXX in the last year.  They are all a crap shoot,..

[Jim Drago]

Took a quick search and found 99 plus transmissions, 2,904, 31,000, 1,000, 33,000, 39,000 miles.

 

By the same token, Dave will let you know that many slightly used street transmissions require some help.

Mileage is not neccesarily the best indicator on transmission health.  We also keep our low mileage units for people who dont want rebuilt.. but have seen many low mileage transmissions in bad shape ( likely holding shifter) and many 100k plus units that look new. 

[davew]

Has this thread gone on tangents. What started as a guy asking for advice has gone to arguments about long division and transmission life expectancy.

 

I agree with Jim, I have seen low milage late model transmissions that are just plain worn out inside. Yet a high miles, 1.6 trans can look beautiful inside. Just as transmission failure is 99% driver controlled, so is donor trans condition. You never know until you open it up. I have seen guys go through a trans in 3+ years. And others can not get 3 days. I have also seen the trans abusers turn into the guys who get 3 years.

 

Another option for may be to run with one of the prep shops. I am not in your area, so I am not trying to sell you my services. Figure the cost of acquiring and storing spare parts, purchasing and maintaining a truck and trailer versus the cost of having someone else do the dirty work. You may find that you can race for several years before reaching the tipping point.

 

Welcome to the madness

Dave

[Tom Hampton]

I need to search harder, I haven't found one with less than 80XXX in the last year.  They are all a crap shoot,..

www.car-part.com is one resource.

[Johnny D]

Has this thread gone on tangents.

Never happens


Too far Kevin?
http://treasurecoast...ansmission.html

J~