Am I going too far? Is this cruel?

**TurboDuane** · 10-12-2007, 09:34 AM

I've re-tuned the '97 last night. I lowered the boost to 8psi, the lowest I can w/o disconnecting the wastegate. I then pulled just a little timing in the boosted rows. Now this might have been where I should have stopped, but I'm really scared that my boy needs time to get adjusted to this car, and he's proven to be a show-off.

Then I went a little farther and moved the red-line to 5300 rpm. Now the car has nice acceleration, not too much, but mildly stronger than stock. He can't get much over 100 mph due to the limiter, and it will take him a while, due to the pulled timing and low boost.

Did I go too far with the redline limit?

**POS Racing** · 10-12-2007, 09:37 AM

Does he have a history of smashing cars??

Or are you just having second thoughts about giving him the car??

**Titus** · 10-12-2007, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

I've re-tuned the '97 last night. I lowered the boost to 8psi, the lowest I can w/o disconnecting the wastegate. I then pulled just a little timing in the boosted rows. Now this might have been where I should have stopped, but I'm really scared that my boy needs time to get adjusted to this car, and he's proven to be a show-off.

Then I went a little farther and moved the red-line to 5300 rpm. Now the car has nice acceleration, not too much, but mildly stronger than stock. He can't get much over 100 mph due to the limiter, and it will take him a while, due to the pulled timing and low boost.

Did I go too far with the redline limit?

That sounds like it may be a little too low. Where does the turbo fully spool?

**altiain** · 10-12-2007, 09:41 AM

Maybe a turbo Miata isn't the right car for him right now, neutered or not. You seem to be seriously concerned about his maturity level and ability to stay out of trouble with the car. That tells me that either he isn't ready for the car, or you're not ready to give it to him.

I'd suggest you buy him a some old beater econocar with 100hp, and let him drive that for 6 months to a year without incident to prove to you that he's mature enough to deserve the Miata. Give him a realistic goal (like no tickets or at fault accidents for a year), let him earn it, and then follow through on your end of the bargain if he meets the expectations you set for him.

**CosmosMpower** · 10-12-2007, 09:41 AM

Sounds like a lot of trouble, I would've just left it alone and bought him a beater 1.6L car.

**Titus** · 10-12-2007, 09:47 AM

Perhaps the '93 Dakota FOR SALE in your signature for daily driving, but let him use the Miata at the strip with you present. Then as Iain proposed, he earns full time use of the Miata. I had a car taken away from me when I was 16 because my dad didn't trust me with it and I got over it.

**TurboDuane** · 10-12-2007, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Does he have a history of smashing cars??

Or are you just having second thoughts about giving him the car??

He's been driving since June 13, 2007, so far no accidents or tickets. I'm not having second thoughts, but I see a lot of me in him, and know that I got myself into trouble at his age, and worry about that for him.

He's definatly going to get the car, I just want to introduce it to him in stages, so he doesn't get "behind" the car in driving situations. If I give him all the power, then I would feel he could become a statistic like Hulk Hogans kid. As I stated in another thread, when he gets the pressure to race, and he will, he can take it to the track, whereby I'll unleash the power (bwahahaha) for the track events, hopefully quinching his potential desire and/or the pressure to street race.

TD

**TurboDuane** · 10-12-2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Titus

Perhaps the '93 Dakota FOR SALE in your signature for daily driving, but let him use the Miata at the strip with you present. Then as Iain proposed, he earns full time use of the Miata. I had a car taken away from me when I was 16 because my dad didn't trust me with it and I got over it.

The '93 Dakota, has been his daily for 4 months, and he's done very well with it. That truck is a REAL Beater too, butt ugly, but runs well. He's really excited about getting the Miata, and he hasn't given me any reason to deny him, it's just the age he's at that makes me nervious.

I feel like my other option is to sell the '97, which I'll proably take a beating on, and buy something I'm not as comfortable with mechanically. He wants an old-school muscle car for Graduation which I've been nervious about. At least with this car I can control the power available to him.

**trickyrix** · 10-12-2007, 10:20 AM

I did fine when I was 16 - and I had a 5.0 Mustang. I'm not gonna lie to you, I got my share of speeding tickets but, even in hindsight, I never went out and did anything really stupid in that car. I had my learner's permit the second I turned 15, and my folks let me drive everywhere. Even before that (13-14), my dad would take me out in the country and let me drive to practice up on my stick-shifting... so I had a lot of experience under my belt when I got my 'Stang.

Sounds like he's done well so far, so I bet he'll be fine. Definitely take him out and let him get a feel for the car in an autocross setting or something - that'll build everyone's confidence in his skills...

**Sharpie** · 10-12-2007, 10:32 AM

I don't think you went too far at all. As he drives it, you can increase the rev limiter, increase the boost, etc. He should learn the car in stages.

Just follow what boards he joins, www.turbomiata.net could help him reverse your "fixes" quickly. I think your idea of taking out the keypad is a good idea too. I also think you should drive the car weekly and make sure to listen for noises, etc. that he may miss.

Congrats to you and your son.

**bnordin** · 10-12-2007, 10:45 AM

Chris, my 17 yr old, loves to drive my 90 1.6. The Miata was originally designed to be a fun light car that was quick and sure on it's feet. More the perception of speed than balls to the wall speed. After 18 years of driving the Miata, it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it. Taking the HP out of your car will not deminish his driving experience and will probably make him a better driver. Did I mention you sleeping better at night?

**TurboDuane** · 10-12-2007, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Sharpie

I don't think you went too far at all. As he drives it, you can increase the rev limiter, increase the boost, etc. He should learn the car in stages.

Just follow what boards he joins, www.turbomiata.net could help him reverse your "fixes" quickly. I think your idea of taking out the keypad is a good idea too. I also think you should drive the car weekly and make sure to listen for noises, etc. that he may miss.

Congrats to you and your son.

Thats a good idea, plus it will ensure that he hasn't found and made changes.

**CosmosMpower** · 10-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

hopefully quinching his potential desire and/or the pressure to street race.

TD

It hasn't been that long since I was a teenager and my honest opinion is that while doing track days, autocross, going to the drag strip will help him learn the car and get some of the urge to race out it won't be enough. Street racing isn't always just about driving the car fast but more about ego at that time and moment when some ahole pulls up next to you and taunts you.

I went to the drag strip a lot in high school but it was still hard to have restraint being that age and having a turbo car when some meat head in a mustang GT wants to start something. That being said even if you detuned the car to a stock 1.6L you might as easily go out and race some other slow car. I learned my lesson after a few close calls, thankfully I never hurt anyone or went to jail.

**icepenguin66** · 10-12-2007, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

He's been driving since June 13, 2007, so far no accidents or tickets. I'm not having second thoughts, but I see a lot of me in him, and know that I got myself into trouble at his age, and worry about that for him.

He's definatly going to get the car, I just want to introduce it to him in stages, so he doesn't get "behind" the car in driving situations. If I give him all the power, then I would feel he could become a statistic like Hulk Hogans kid. As I stated in another thread, when he gets the pressure to race, and he will, he can take it to the track, whereby I'll unleash the power (bwahahaha) for the track events, hopefully quinching his potential desire and/or the pressure to street race.

TD

Yeah, but just about every kid wrecks their first car, whether it be their fault or just lack of experience to avoid it.

**Radio-Active** · 10-12-2007, 06:16 PM

In all of this, how about investing some time and money on performance driveing courses. Find a place with a slicked down tar mack and teach him the ins and outs of incliment weather driving and how to correct for ice and snow. He'll be better off than 99% of the idiots on the interstate right now.

**synaptik** · 10-12-2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Radio-Active

In all of this, how about investing some time and money on performance driveing courses. Find a place with a slicked down tar mack and teach him the ins and outs of incliment weather driving and how to correct for ice and snow. He'll be better off than 99% of the idiots on the interstate right now.

now there is a great idea .... would make him 10x better than most texas drivers

not speaking of anyone on here of course ...................

**cam76034** · 10-12-2007, 06:41 PM

You have to cover EACH and EVERY little thing when it comes to teaching common sense on the road.
For example: When backing out of the driveway, it is not necessary to accelerate. Usually the engine idle will be good enough. (1st daughter smashed my buddy's pickup this way)
Or, if a kitten, puppy, bunny, squirrel, etc...runs in front of you, you do not swerve off the road...you keep on driving straight ahead.

IOTW, the things we automatically take for granted need to be instilled on the younger ones.

**synaptik** · 10-12-2007, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by cam76034

IOTW, the things we automatically take for granted need to be instilled on the younger ones.

heh and reinstilled in some of the older folks .... an old lady drove through a house up the street from me the other day ... she confused her brake and gas pedals she almost made it into the 2nd house she hit too but it was brick ... and there were ruts in the grass where she was still trying to accelerate

**cam76034** · 10-12-2007, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by synaptik

heh and reinstilled in some of the older folks .... an old lady drove through a house up the street from me the other day ... she confused her brake and gas pedals she almost made it into the 2nd house she hit too but it was brick ... and there were ruts in the grass where she was still trying to accelerate

So what's yer point, whippersnapper?

**synaptik** · 10-12-2007, 06:58 PM

im off my soap box now

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