What a rookie...

Okay, folks...I am going to admit how much of a novice I am at this car thing, even though I've put 45K on my 2001 Miata...I have never done a thing to the car other than routine maintenance and am in no way a mechanic. However, I am thinking that I'd like to start down the long road of making the car a bit faster and more fun to drive...Please be gentle and give me some recommendations for where to start.
In the interest of having a goal or finishing point, I'd someday like to do a little autocross and maybe even some open track driving, but as for now I'd just like to make some basic improvements for my street driving...Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

You don't have to change a thing to autocross. If you change the car, you change the class you will have to compete in when you autocross, and that can be a steep and slippery slope. Few cars are so autocross ready.

You can change a few things and still be stock legal:

EXHAUST from the cat back - in other words, the tailpipe and muffler. There are plenty of systems around that are popular. I have the enthuza that has a lower pitch than most. A nice exhaust note always add to the smiles per mile.

SHOCKS as long as they mount in the same place as the OEM. KYB AGX's are very popular. They are adjustable and reasonably priced.

Both of these mods are fairly simple. I'm no wrench and I did the exhaust while running a temp of 101! The shocks are a popular item for a techday. There are some tricks that make it easier, but air tools and a couple of extra hands make it go faster.

Best way for you to make some basic improvements for your street driving is to work on the driver. ;)

I'll second onethang's suggestions. A set of good performance shocks (KYB AGXs or Konis) and an alignment will wake up the supsension, and a nice catback exhaust may not add much power, but it will make the car feel and sound faster. :wink:

If you're interested in autocrossing, come on out to an event! Even if you aren't ready to drive, you can certainly come out and watch, and catch a ride with some of us. You'll find that the Miata is a car that doesn't really need much to be a very capable autocross car.

Thanks for the input guys...another really sill question--what do you recommend for the best "instructions" for doing an exhaust replacement?

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Originally Posted by roadsoundlover

Thanks for the input guys...another really sill question--what do you recommend for the best "instructions" for doing an exhaust replacement?

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None really needed. It is a bolt-on replacement.

You'll need some soapy water, penetrationg oil to loosen the old bolts and a 12mm or 14mm set of wrenches.

1. Make sure exhaust is cool to the touch.
2. Spray bolts with lubricant and let them sit over night or at least an hour.
3. Loosen bolts that connect the cat-back to the mid-pipe.
(It will be obvious what bolts when you see the new part.)
4. Wet the exhaust hangers with the soapy water.
(The rubber things that hold the exhaust on)
5. Slipe exhaust off old hangers.

Installation is reverse of removal.

This is an easy swap in about 20-30 minutes.

And by lubricant he means PB Blaster... it works where WD-40 doesn't...

Do you guys recommend adding a cold air intake assembly? I've heard this is a nice way to 'open up' the breathing of the car, but haven't really seen much in the way of discussion on this forum. Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by roadsoundlover

Do you guys recommend adding a cold air intake assembly?

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I don't know much about their benefit (or lack of), but that is one thing that will knock you out of stock class at an Autocross event. Most all of the guys running in CSP have an aftermarket intake.

I like my Racing Beat intake and think it's a good compliment to my header and exhaust. The Monster Flow intake seems to be popular with NB owners though.

However, unlike some of the guys on this forum I don't AutoX. If I did AutoX, I have no desire to go to a competitive level so I won't let a rule book dictate what I do to my car.

Neither way is wrong, just a matter of preference. If you plan on AutoXing a lot and maybe even on a national level, I'd stick by the rules.
If not, do what you want to your car. You can still AutoX but you may be racing against more heavily modified cars. When I've AutoXed, I just tried to make more personal improvements and have fun tossing my car around.

Again, I stress, This is my preference and others have theirs. Neither is wrong. Find your own path.

I agree with Black Roadster, if you don't plan to autocross with SCCA or ER at a competitive level buy whatever you want. Those mods will make the car more fun to drive on the street and at an autocross.

Also there are plenty of options for autocrossing where basic bolt-ons won't be a penalty like S2000 and BMWCCA. Everybody has to race against Duane and his turbo miata in the Miata class at S2K events.

Okay, I've been researching all afternoon and have decided that my two best options would be the Racing Beat and the Monster Flow (esp. since I don't want to cut a hole in my firewall!)...who's got a preference and why??
My MiataPants are starting to go a little crazy--I want some new sounds and power!!!

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Originally Posted by roadsoundlover

Okay, I've been researching all afternoon and have decided that my two best options would be the Racing Beat and the Monster Flow (esp. since I don't want to cut a hole in my firewall!)...who's got a preference and why??
My MiataPants are starting to go a little crazy--I want some new sounds and power!!!

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If you want sound, all the monster flow cars I've heard have a ton of intake noise.

I do want a little growl, but nothing that makes me look like I WANT to race...my buddy has a nice Mustang GT, but he got a Borla exhaust put on and even HE can't stand to hit the gas very hard...I just want a nice little throaty noise...sounds like the Monster Flow might have TOO much sound??

I really recommend hearing some car's before you buy as different combo's sound very different. It will come down to what sound you like, or go by HP increase numbers. I'm sure you can find some dyno tests on the internet. I have a AIM Intake System, Borla dual exhaust combo that woke up my 99' pretty good. I loved the sound, deep, not to buzzy. I'm not sure what you meant about cutting the firewall, I had no cutting. You might want to spend a day running around to various owners and getting a feel for some different combos. Throw a BBQ, you might be surprised how many show up! (can you tell I'm thinking about BBQ for dinner tonight?)

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Originally Posted by SilverToy

I'm not sure what you meant about cutting the firewall, I had no cutting.

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I believe he is referring to the Randall Cowl intake. It is believed by many to be the most effective intake available for the Miata, and Flyin'Miata has seen a 5 mph gain on the dyno. The thing that scares most away is the need to cut a whole in the firewall.

That does look sweet. I may have gone for that if I would have looked longer-Another reason to see/hear/feel different set-up's.

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Originally Posted by Titus

I believe he is referring to the Randall Cowl intake. It is believed by many to be the most effective intake available for the Miata, and Flyin'Miata has seen a 5 mph gain on the dyno. The thing that scares most away is the need to cut a whole in the firewall.

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That is exactly what I was talking about...I'm not into doing that much work to be honest...and I don't want to farm this out to someone else...I'll definitely see what is out there...will anyone be going to the Wednesday night coffee clutch??

I can make it.

I had a generic intake and switched to the MonsterFlow, I really like the sound but as mentioned it is sorta loud....if you don't like it loud when you get on it you might wanna check out another option or just stay stock.
Also the Roadster Sport 3 muffler sounds great if you are thinking of doing that, and it only takes about 15 minutes to install.