Dallas Man in need of (relatively) cheap & effective track tool
#1
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I am Chris, and I like to race things, but I have worked myself into a corner.
Why a miata?
I have a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 that I daily drive and have used as a track tool in the past, but its been nearly two years since I have been on the track and it itches like a rash. I love the speed3 as is, it makes a great daily, but its a 375whp (330whp on my road course tune) front wheel drive beast that with that much power, gets classed into TTB or higher, which neither myself or the car will be competitive in. And as much fun as wrestling the wagon around turns is, I really want to get into something RWD and lighter.
So I am in search of something that isn't my daily driver that I can drive to the track (HPDE & TT events) and have fun with and learn in for now with minimal changes, but with room to grow in the future. My only fear is with a sticky miata in stock power, not learning good habits with throttle control, which is something I had issues with on motorcycles.
Why this forum?
Because I have been lurking miata forums for a long time and this one seems to have the best collection of track rats, turbo or not.
What miata am I looking at?
Been browsing 1999-2002 6 speeds. These seem to be the sweet spot for stockish potential and future capability. Mostly the beefier 6 speed and the torsen LSD are the reasons, though I can't lie, aesthetically I like the lines of the NB better than the NA. Open to suggestions though.
Here is what I need though: I am looking for someone in the Dallas area that has an NB, with a roll bar, race seat & side mount rails or similar that I can plant my *** in with a helmet on for a broomstick test. I am 6'5" with a 37" inseam, and I want to make sure that I will be able to pass safety in my very own miata should I purchase one. It would suck to find out after purchase and modification.
Why a miata?
I have a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 that I daily drive and have used as a track tool in the past, but its been nearly two years since I have been on the track and it itches like a rash. I love the speed3 as is, it makes a great daily, but its a 375whp (330whp on my road course tune) front wheel drive beast that with that much power, gets classed into TTB or higher, which neither myself or the car will be competitive in. And as much fun as wrestling the wagon around turns is, I really want to get into something RWD and lighter.
So I am in search of something that isn't my daily driver that I can drive to the track (HPDE & TT events) and have fun with and learn in for now with minimal changes, but with room to grow in the future. My only fear is with a sticky miata in stock power, not learning good habits with throttle control, which is something I had issues with on motorcycles.
Why this forum?
Because I have been lurking miata forums for a long time and this one seems to have the best collection of track rats, turbo or not.
What miata am I looking at?
Been browsing 1999-2002 6 speeds. These seem to be the sweet spot for stockish potential and future capability. Mostly the beefier 6 speed and the torsen LSD are the reasons, though I can't lie, aesthetically I like the lines of the NB better than the NA. Open to suggestions though.
Here is what I need though: I am looking for someone in the Dallas area that has an NB, with a roll bar, race seat & side mount rails or similar that I can plant my *** in with a helmet on for a broomstick test. I am 6'5" with a 37" inseam, and I want to make sure that I will be able to pass safety in my very own miata should I purchase one. It would suck to find out after purchase and modification.
#3
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Welcome.
I hate to say it, but I bought my NB because I like it more than the NA as far as looks goes. It's also a bit harder to mod the NB over the NA.
If I could go back, I probably would have bought a NA though. I just purchased a six speed transmission from a guy in Houston for 425. So I got it for a helluva a deal, however I'm having issues with finding the right rear end for it. NB's have a 4.3:1, and a 4.1:1 which is pretty high, adding the six speed in the mix doesn't make it any better.
Whoops, anyway, NA's are cheaper, and easier to mod. Especially since MS is readily available in the classifieds, whereas I, (I've got an 03) finding a used MS for my year has been virtually impossible.
I hate to say it, but I bought my NB because I like it more than the NA as far as looks goes. It's also a bit harder to mod the NB over the NA.
If I could go back, I probably would have bought a NA though. I just purchased a six speed transmission from a guy in Houston for 425. So I got it for a helluva a deal, however I'm having issues with finding the right rear end for it. NB's have a 4.3:1, and a 4.1:1 which is pretty high, adding the six speed in the mix doesn't make it any better.
Whoops, anyway, NA's are cheaper, and easier to mod. Especially since MS is readily available in the classifieds, whereas I, (I've got an 03) finding a used MS for my year has been virtually impossible.
#6
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1990 Mazda Miata Red 5 Speed Manual Low 67K Mileage
Welcome.
I hate to say it, but I bought my NB because I like it more than the NA as far as looks goes. It's also a bit harder to mod the NB over the NA.
If I could go back, I probably would have bought a NA though. I just purchased a six speed transmission from a guy in Houston for 425. So I got it for a helluva a deal, however I'm having issues with finding the right rear end for it. NB's have a 4.3:1, and a 4.1:1 which is pretty high, adding the six speed in the mix doesn't make it any better.
Whoops, anyway, NA's are cheaper, and easier to mod. Especially since MS is readily available in the classifieds, whereas I, (I've got an 03) finding a used MS for my year has been virtually impossible.
I hate to say it, but I bought my NB because I like it more than the NA as far as looks goes. It's also a bit harder to mod the NB over the NA.
If I could go back, I probably would have bought a NA though. I just purchased a six speed transmission from a guy in Houston for 425. So I got it for a helluva a deal, however I'm having issues with finding the right rear end for it. NB's have a 4.3:1, and a 4.1:1 which is pretty high, adding the six speed in the mix doesn't make it any better.
Whoops, anyway, NA's are cheaper, and easier to mod. Especially since MS is readily available in the classifieds, whereas I, (I've got an 03) finding a used MS for my year has been virtually impossible.
Do you regret getting the NB over an NA and would actually do it differently if you had a chance?
#8
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iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,884
Total Cats: 3,075
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I run Kirkeys with the rear bolted straight to the floor and it get s me under my HD M2 Sport with just a little to spare. 6'1"
My buddy did a 2" drop floor on his driver's side for his headroom.
My buddy did a 2" drop floor on his driver's side for his headroom.
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