Looking to turn my 94 Miata into a spec Miata for NASA and SCCA
#1
Posted 06-06-2011 05:11 PM
My name is Ray and I have a 94 Miata that i bought for my son awhile back. There is something wrong wiith the engine but not sure what and have not had a chance to look at it. It is just sitting under a car cover not doing anything.
I have raced before on dirt oval running a 410 Sprintcar and love all forms of motorsports. I recently work as a corner marshal at the recently re-opened Memphis International Raceway durning an event put on by the Porche group. Well, I was really enjoying it as have really been wanting to get back into racing but didnt want to spend every dollar I had on it. (again!!!) I seen this really nice silver miata with flourecnt green wheels and trim really taking the corners and OMG it looked like a blast!!!
Well... Needless to say I have put 2 and 2 together. (Idle willing Miata + ready owner) did alittle research and found the NASA cite, talked with Mike Taylor and he lead me here!
I need alot of information on everything! I want to turn my Miata into a spec Miata racecar. Cage, motor, trans, parts, etc I guess I am asking for help.
Thanks,
Ray
#2
Posted 06-06-2011 05:33 PM
1. Get a rulebook. Better, yet get both.
2. Someone's going to tell you that buying an already built car is cheaper. It is, and it definately takes less time. Decide what your goals are.
3. If you're still reading, get Dave Wheeler's Spec Miata Constructor's Manual (http://www.advanced-...&products_id=42)
4. There are a few of us who are blogging our builds. Read them....mine's in my signature. Its as accurate of a picture as I can tell about what it takes.
5. Read everything you can in the garage section here and at specmiata.com. This site is only about 6 months old. The other site has 10 years of archives.
6. You've already done this...but, go to the track and meet current drivers.
7. Rent one, two, or several. There are lots of places that rent SpecMiata racecars for track-days, HPDE, and even races. I paid between $300-$500 per day.
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#3
Posted 06-06-2011 07:45 PM
You need to evaluate your goals. Are you planning to race regions or make a run at being a national contender. My wallet and time doesn't allow for me to chase the national desires, so I'm pretty comfortable being a good running regional guy. One good thing about SM is that there is currently room for both types of racer in the class. Remember that the balance on this site are more hard core national people, but there are still enough of us regional only guys here to give you the other perspective.
What I did.
Read, read and re-read the rule book (and you'll still have questions). My oval buddies laugh when they see how big our rule book is.
Found car with no rust and blown motor. Happened to be a 1994.
Found hard top on craigslist and spent more on that than I did the whole car.
Hired race shop to do my cage. Safer. They had experience having done 11 Miatas before mine. They knew exactly what to do to make a "tall guy" cage. Ordered a custom fit aluminum seat from Ultrashield.
Stripped the car myself.
Bought the Advanced Autosports build guide for around $20. So many great tips in there. How to run the cut off wiring, where to mount the door handles, starting points for the springs, toe and camber. Worth the money.
Ordered as much as I could from the vendors who support this site. Thought they'd be valuable resources later. Always good at sharing advice.
Got signed up with Mazdaspeed for the discount on stock parts.
Bought a crate motor from Mazdaspeed for like $2,200 bucks.
Found a local Miata racer who was good for advice and a little wrenching (thanks again Dave Lewis).
Ordered rims and tires.
Built, setup and went racing.
Worried about getting fast in year(s) two, three and now four. Going through the car now to replace wearing stuff and find some speed.
Welcome to the obsession.
#4
Posted 06-06-2011 09:09 PM
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#5
Posted 06-07-2011 01:43 PM
#6
Posted 06-08-2011 11:18 AM
#7
Posted 06-08-2011 11:32 AM
I have ordered the book! I am so excited and can't wait to get it I feel like a kid at christmas!!! I have been reading the rule books and looking at blogs! Thanks for all your guidance thus far guys!
I know how ya feel, I was the same way. Feel free to drop me a email if you have any NASA specific related questions but if you build for either you should be fine, only a few minor differences.
#8
Posted 06-08-2011 12:18 PM
I have ordered the book! I am so excited and can't wait to get it I feel like a kid at christmas!!! I have been reading the rule books and looking at blogs! Thanks for all your guidance thus far guys!
Just the book? How the heck did you manage that? Are you sure you're hooked?
His site is like what I imagine a crack dealer's web site would be like to resist! I don't know what to do with a site like Dave's that is: "Here's practically everything you need to build a SpecMiata. Buy as much as you like."
Plus, Dave has such a good job selecting only top quality parts, and his own custom offerings are top notch, too. You can practically just randomly click 7 things and everything will be something that you will need, and the version of it that you want. How am I supposed to resist just handing over my 401k in exchange for 1 (or 4) of everything? I can't go onto Dave's site without ordering at least $200 worth of stuff. And there have been a couple orders that have had 4 digits on the left.
At this point, I justify it by saying that I'm keeping the shipping costs down to a resonable percentage of the total purchase.
Even when I ordered the book, I ordered like 6 others at the same time. Seriously, one book...that's way too much self-control in my book!!
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
#9
Posted 06-08-2011 12:50 PM
http://www.advanced-..._miata_in_a_box
If you think you are going to start building soon, join Mazdaspeed. Good factory parts prices on most things and they are great supporters of the class. They'll give you a year to build the car then you need to show two races a year to keep your membership active. It's free, all you do is send them a picture of your car. The gang at Mazdaspeed rocks.
http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/
I've spent the most at Mazdaspeed, then NAPA, then other bits all around, some with Wheeler, some with Saferacer and a few others on the site. I have enough of the non Miata specific items, built my own cage (though not exactly pleased with the headroom, may get a kit instead of redesigning), had AIM data previously, a seat and most of the safety bits. I have some stream of conscious thoughts I post at the link in the sig, though at times more about the tools and process rather than the actual car. I just added AC TIG to my welding shop and while I was telling my wife what a great deal I got, all she could say is "are you going to finish that car and get it on the track anytime soon?"
#10
Posted 06-08-2011 01:46 PM
For anybody out there looking for a good starter car; I have a customer who has not raced in 2 years and does not plan on racing in the next couple due to work/family commitments. The car is a 1.6 that we have maintained the last 4 years. We did not build the car. AUtopower cage with some extra bars, kirkey seat, older AIM mychron data, fire system, camera mount.
Could use some TLC and updates. But a good solid car. Can't buy the parts for the $7500 he wants for it. I'll get some pix and an ad put in the classified in the next day or so.
Dave
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#11
Posted 06-17-2011 12:14 PM
#12
Posted 07-09-2011 11:33 AM
You're in a pretty good town for support, there are a couple of great resources in the Memphis area.
Of course Jim Drago at Eaststreet, Jim buys every Miata he can find at auctions and builds some of the best SM's around. He was huge in helping me build my car.
And Mike Hoover at Fab-Auto, Mike is awsome for most build help, bushings, bearings Etc... And he is the man when it comes to Trans and Diff work...
Check out you PM for their contact info.
Having driven Memphis a few times let me tell you it is even better than you think... Get that car doen and get to Barber, Road Atlanta and Hallett - they are all easy drives from the Memphis area and are some of the best tracks...
Mark Zwolle
SM 54
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