Reply With Quotegood advice.Originally Posted by wrx74
Most of us that are addicted to Autocross will tell you "Don't spend money on the car until you have done a few events." ( You probably won't listen - we didn't either! )
Once you try it, you'll realize - TIRES!!! are MOST IMPORTANT.
You will likely improve with each event you attend - more than any modifications you make.
good advice.
Cory
2006 Mazda MX-5 GT (SOLD)
1999 Mazda Miata (FOR SALE)
2004 Chevrolet Z06/Z16
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 650
I have bought parts for customer cars at work from Mazda Heaven before. We get a solid discount on OEM through work as well. Its the aftermarket toys I dont have a discount on. dangit! lol
So stop farting around with the car and just go play. I like it! Im sure my wife will too. haha
Yup, drive it for a bit before you start changing stuff, other than obvious mechanical and wear items. Even tires, which are the best upgrade bang-for-buck, should wait till you know what wheels you'll run. Miata radiators and fans are notorious for fragility when they get really old, and oil leaks from the camshaft-angle-sensor are common and troublesome, but easy to fix. New spark plugs and wires seem to do amazing things for these motors, and NGK Blue wires are the hands-down favorite.
Heater hoses between the firewall and engine are also common problem areas that can be fixed really easily/cheaply. I'd change the tranny and diff fluid too, since they are easy and make a noticeable difference. There are a dozen-or-so other things people generally do to newly-acquired NA's to get them autox-ready, but that is a good day's work that should get you rolling and give you a chance to get to know the car better.
There are so many Miata enthusiasts in DFW that I'd highly-recommend looking for local used parts first when upgrading the car, especially since you're looking to keep it affordable more than you are looking for ultimate performance. As you get to know some of the folks on the boards and at Miata GTG's, I think you'll find almost any go-fast parts you want for good prices, since lots of track and autox guys are always upgrading their cars.
So, the proven method is 1) Get her runnin' good 2) Show up to some events 3)Have fun and let your ACTUAL experiences dictate what you do to the car; you'll know what you need as you reach the limitations of the stock car.
Good luck!
Polished Turd Racing
Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."
Thanks for the advice. Well taken.
I'd kinda like to see that big blue thing in your avatar run at an event...
Yeah, me too. One day... One day.
I can buy a stock NA Miata, and be more competitive, for less than what it would cost to make the suspension 1/2 way competitive on that truck. lol
I have been building that truck for 4 years. Plan to be finished next year.
I plan to paint my Miata just the same as the Jimmy though. heh
Here is it running
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11T00mbfemM
And this is what it looked like ayear ago. lol
An old wheel once told me....."If you can't drive it stock, you can't drive it modified"
Good advice, be very selective on the parts you throw at it.
They may be the wrong ones. :slow:
I'm the other newbie NA owner. Thanks for all the great advice. I'll post a few pictures of my 90 showing before and after paint. Here's a video my wife shot using a phone a couple days after buying it. My current avatar shows it "coming home."
My car has yet to arrive, so there will be no events yet for me to attend. Dangit. Soon I plan to be out there sqeeling tires with the gang!
Oh and maybe I'll make my own video in our shop parking lot! lol
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