^^^^^ this is pretty much why I saterted this thread.

To get feedback from people familiar with the platform and find out if the chassis can handle more power.

Trying to do 57s and 58s in a 250hp, 3200lb car on 275 R7s equates to apretty high rate of consumables.
I wanted to find something as light weight as possible to slow down the consumption of consumables. I evaluated the Elise, AP, FD and the NB. They all have their pros and cons.

For me, the biggest consumable expense is tires and a concern (with the NB), is bearings and hubs.

I can engineer my way around most other things.

I have lots of experience racing an S2000 and at even the lowest weight, you are looking at 255s or 275s.
We were breaking hubs and diffs on a regular basis and the trans was also pretty weak.
Furthermore, that car has horrble steering feel.

If money was no object, I would look into an FD swap and build it straight for ST2/ES, but money IS an issue, so I want to build for a class that is economical enough to seee the project through as well as be competitive in said class.

I know my way around a toolbox as I am an engineer in the marine industry, so more than happy to do as much as I can myself.
I used to be an aircraft tech in the military, so I spent a lot of time fabbing sheetmetal structures, etc.
sadly, I dont weld, so need to be 'partnered' up with a shop who is hopefully willng to give me a little bit of a break.

Location wise, im all over the west coast, primarily in so cal.

 

I came from another platform with expensive consumables. The cost of tires was the biggest allure.

Instead of doing a ground up build I bought something the was pretty well sorted. https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep...56/#post720556 I then proceeded to go overboard as I do with most things. Looking back I think the car would give the best bang for the buck without the wide body kit or the 300whp motor. Sticking with 225 tires and a 230whp motor would still be a blast. I just had to make something to stomp my old Porsche buddies so I got carried away.

While nobody can dispute the allure of a K24 motor the NB VVT motor with a Rotrex is a potent and reliable foundation. Find a car for sale with the largest percentage of stuff that saves you time/money and things that you like and build from there. Stick with your xx,xxx budget and go have some fun.

 

Thats exactly the plan.

There is one other variable and that is speed.

Essentially the formula is speed vs dollars. Whats gonna gve me the lowest lap time while spending as least as possible.
And, as you mentioned, the cost of tires is a big allure.

Im gonna start just around the 230whp for ST3 and probably move to 260ish for ST2.

D

 

Look for a caged rolling shell, swap a K24, buy 949 Gig grip kit and have fun on the track...

The cheap way !

 

I've already turned him onto a caged, rolling ex SM NA here in northern California.

He's already 40% there!

 

So call back Emilio and get yourself BGK and 6UL! Want cheap brakes option, wilwood 11.75''kit...

 

Picking it up tomorrow.

 

The aluminum LFX from the Camaro makes 323hp and weighs very little. V8Roadsters has a kit, as was mentioned earlier. There are threads about it here.

 

Maybe just keep your sorted 350z?

$500 difference in tires how often? How many sets per year? Track fees, hotels etc all cost the same no matter if you're running a Porsche or Miata.

I'm guessing you'll take a big loss on selling your current car, mis-budget the Miata build (everyone does) and it will take YEARS of track use to make up the difference in consumables. And you'll be driving a miata.

 

Hell ya!

 

The 350 isnt my car.
I was just seeing if we could work something out for the 25hr.
When I saw the rate of *consumables vs. laptime* then I started scratching my head.

I kept thinking: I can do better.

And thats where it stands now.

D

 

I'm late to the party here but we've already spoken over the phone.

TT3/ST3 is ultimately where we want to end up with our test car too, it's the perfect combo. Let me know if you have any other questions as this progresses.

 

So, left San Diego Friday night, drove till 3am, turned around and got everything dropped off by last night.

It was a long *** drive...


Car is ok I think. Definitely banged some fenders in its past life....
But all straight and no damage.
Guy threw in a couple of Torsens as well.

I'm gonna get rid of the factory top and buy a lightweight carbon one.
Getting rid of the spec miata Bilsteins and putting in Xidas.

So, gonna be looking for carbon fenders, hood, top.
All suspension arms (can't decide whether to go heim joint or delrin)
Front subframe and all the kit parts are already sorted.

NB2 ABS module, wheel sensors, knuckles are on the way to me, just need to locate NB ABS rear knuckles and probably going to FM for their hubs (unless I find something better)

MSM steering rack sorted.

Also looking for a complete wiring diagram for the car.

May the party begin!

D

 

a carbon hood is a waste of money... the stock one weighs nothing


Good luck- start a build thread please!

 

Congrats, sounds like a perfect platform.

 

Sounds like the start of another great build in San Diego!

 

After driving til 3 in the morning, this is what greeted me on Satuarday morning:


After realizing that this car didnt have the original paint and after some negotiation, I loaded her up, turned around and headed straight back to San Diego for another 600 miles.



Said hi to some friends along the way and got som 'inspiration'

Decided to hit a much needed wash before packing her away


Couldnt stay away for too long, so tonight I removed some more parts to get her ready



Oh yea

 

Shop looks like AWR?

 

Nooope

Where you in san diego?

 

So glad to see it with the dust knocked off!
Very excited to see how this progresses.