Stroker Engine

[Billy Blaze]

Thanks Screamin,... I am looking forward to the upgrades!!!

[POS Racing]

I like the ideal of a big horsepower engine! So I got some R Compound race tires and the trailer! Look for me at the next S2K autocross! With a 429 I'll show those pesky Miatas!

[Billy Blaze]

WOW thats a kick a** car!!!!!

[bio243]

there's one thing that stands out to me here... were you autocrossing all these domestics? or are you interested in drag racing, or both?...i don't know what you're pocket book looks like, probably not as bad as mine, but if you're looking for something cheap to make it feel fast in the quarter mile, nitrous is a blast. only real problems you'll have is clutch and traction. other than that it's a lot of fun. but be warned, nitrous is not allowed on an autocross course so if that's what you're wanting to do, i would look elsewhere for power.

[black roadster]

I think what Merv was refering to is the best upgrade is to upgrade the "nut behind the wheel". All the mods won't help you unless you can get the most out of them. Get track time. A "good" driver is fast in ANY car. If your "experience" is street driving or drag strip, you don't know how to drive. No offence meant but it is the truth.

There is no substitute for seat time.

That being said, I can appreciate wanting to modify a Miata. I've certainly made mine "mine". In my experience, the best way to mod a Miata is in this order.

1. lots of seat time (Track Events, AutoX with qualified instructors)
2. sticky tires w/ lightweight rims
3. sways
4. limited slip differential
5. suspension (shocks, springs)
6. breathing (intake, exhaust)
7. Forced Induction

Listen to the folks on this board. Merv especially. Merv is one of the best and fastest drivers I know. He can kick many more powerful cars ass on a track in a Miata with stock HP. There is a lot of experience coming from most of these folks and most of them know how to drive and drive FAST.

The stroker is a waste of money IMHO. Go with the upgrades listed above in the order that I suggested and you will have spent your money in the wisest, and likely most satisfying fashion.

I've been into this Miata thing for 6+ years. Merv has been driving since the begining (1989) and raced them for almost that long.

He is a great guy to learn from.

[Billy Blaze]

Mostly street racing but not against anyone but myself mostly, and not straights, I preffer twisty roads. I learned how to ride motorcylces and motocross since 1979 got my first hot rod when I turned 16 I am 37 now,...I am not the best but someone telling me I dont know how to drive is just presumptuous, without seeing me drive or even know anything about me.
Not that I offend easily but I do know there are people out there that think they know it all....I tend to avoid those types as to keep from knocking the crap out of them....lol

I am sure I have much to learn and even have a very open mind and love to share my experiences in fields I consider myself an expert in with others....but there is a thing called being diplomatic and tactful.

I appreciate your advice on the upgrades, you guys have given me a lot to think about.

[Flyin96M]

Ok I agree with Merv in that get a good feel for your car in stock form. Having been where you are I would look at suspension upgrades first so the car can handle the power when it comes. Upgrade the clutch and skip the flywheel unless you have the extra $$.

As for the stroker you won't get any gains with it alone. You will need to get a stand alone ECU to take full advantage of it and there are also different kits fot FI and NA. The NA kit I think has 11:1 compression and is not FI friendly.

Honestly I think you would be very happy with a good FI kit and they can supply more power then the stock drive line can handle. You can upgrade the rear end, but there are no "good" trans upgrades and they tend to protest at the 240-250 rwhp mark. My third gear is whining like a little...well you know.

It seems that the 210-220 rwhp mark seems to be a pretty good compromise in reliability and power for the Miata. You also need to look at the fact that you have a 99 and live in Texas so a full stand alone is out of the question due to emissions. Contact Gary at Track Dog Racing and ask for a demo, not in his beast but in a normal SC'ed car.

[Billy Blaze]

Yes that is a concern of mine since this car will be driven on the streets more than on the track I need it to be legal as well.

I am looking for as much as I can get away with and still be legal.

[MadMerv]

[quote="Billy Boy Blaze"]I am not the best but someone telling me I dont know how to drive is just presumptuous, without seeing me drive or even know anything about me.
Not that I offend easily but I do know there are people out there that think they know it all....I tend to avoid those types as to keep from knocking the crap out of them....quote]

I didn't tell you that you didn't know how to drive, HOWEVER, your priorities are in the WRONG place and I was just explaining why. Since you obviously don't know who I am either, perhaps I should point out a few of my credentials:

Driving Miatas since 1989
Owned fifteen of them
Have just under 600,000 miles in them
Autocross 1990-1995
Track events 1989-present
Only driver to win "hot laps" at three MCA National Events
Road racing 1995-present
Showroom Stock 1995-1999
Spec Miata 2000-present
2000 SCCA SW Division Winner
Numerous track records
First member at Motorsport Ranch
Creator of "Miatas at Motorsport Ranch" track events I, II, and III

As for the last part of the quote above, typical macho he-man . Me, I'm just a kid who hasn't ever grown up....and I like it that way just fine :)
"Mad" Merv

[Billy Blaze]

Thats pretty impressive Merv, I am sure I could learn a lot from you,... maybe our comunication kind of broke down a little...or maybe I just didnt understand what you were trying to say.
I appreciate you trying to help me get my priorities straight as far as what the car needs,... these are long term goals anyhow.
I am looking first off to get the car sound and in doing so I am driving the crap out of it to get the feel of the car.

Let start over, what do you say?

[Treibenschnell]

First member at Motorsport Ranch

Nice! That must've been one helluva long line you were at the head of!



Damn... ended my sentence in a prepositional phrase...

[MadMerv]

Let start over, what do you say?

DEAL :)

[MadMerv]

First member at Motorsport Ranch

Nice! That must've been one helluva long line you were at the head of!

Actually, there was no line at all, nor a track! Jack had sent out some feelers early in 97, IIRC. He was ten minutes from my house, and was thinking of doing something that I had also wanted to do....build a track. Actually, he had already purchased the land. We met, and I began helping around the place. At one point, I went part-time at my day job, and spent the rest of the time at The Ranch for a partial sponsorship/advertising contract on my SSB Miata. At that point, I wanted to show my faith in the project and paid for the first membership, six months before we poured the first asphalt! Once we officially opened, differences in philosophy ended our agreement and I went back to work full time. The rest is history.....

[Screamin'Screw]

I would love to know what the first day of operations was like. That must have been an experience.

[black roadster]

What about the track before it was paved? WRC baby!!!

[Treibenschnell]

What about the track before it was paved? WRC baby!!!

Are there photos of the build-up? That would be interesting.

[Billy Blaze]

Damn I wish I was rich
I guess I will have to settle for being talented

[Billy Blaze]

I was watching some auto auction show last night at this place I host Karaoke....man they had some sweet cars on there and very unusual

[MadMerv]

I would love to know what the first day of operations was like. That must have been an experience.

It was pretty hectic. Jack had been out of town for a few days and we still didn't have any of the paperwork set up, so I finally jumped in and set it all up with tech sheets, rules, regs, membership cards, and a filing system. Luckily, I was ready in time. By then we actually had members, but none had any info, so it took awhile to get that done, but there weren't too many people that day. More curious "lookers" than anything else. It was tough having to take people for touring laps in my Miata....

[MadMerv]

What about the track before it was paved? WRC baby!!!

That was a NO-NO once it was graded....