Bought a Miata - now where do I start to make it a streetable track rocket?

Always wanted a track-dedicated car and just bought a Miata because of the fancy red leather interior.

It already has Bilstein shocks on it (those are hard as hell and work fantastic in the corners, huge fun). Brakes are a joke, they have to get upgraded. I love my head so I'll install integrated roll bars on it ("Audi TT style"). The exhaust and manifold is getting replaced with aftermarket stuff, should give a squirt more power. Not sure about turbo-kits giving it 200 hp from Flyin' Miata - don't know how much lag it will get? I hate lag.


Where do I go from what I already have? Bilstein shocks and stock car.


It's one of 300 special editions made for the Canadian market or something, I think that's why the color combo.



Great fun as it is but I'm sure there's potential, don't hold your breath and spill it
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This is a good as place as any to start. But for any serious track work, step one is to upgrade the suspesion.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/index.php

Dale

 

Roll cage, drop it on some 15's, gut the interior.

 

Aha, I was looking for a Miata forum. Thanks for the link.

Hardcore? Rollcage will come.

 

If you really want fun build it to spec Miata specs.

May not be the fastest track rocket but you'll have something that can enter events.

 

Spec Miata is why I was looking for used Miatas in the first place. How much do you think it is for a complete Spec Miata conversion from a stock car...?

 

I think Dale S did this recently; I would bet you could do it for <$5k even if you need the hard top.

 

Go for a www.fastforwardsuperchargers.com . No lag, lots of torque. For about $4500 you will be at around 200 RWHP (installed). Nice leather!
BT

 

Also, just like speakers making a big difference in car audio, I'd recommend a set of Falken Azenis RT615 tires for the best grip within a reasonable budget. Great prices at www.edgeracing.com.

BT

 

Great advice guys Thank you a lot. I am using Google to gather more Spec Miata information.

 

My daily driver is a Miata, too. Great car, although I don't have any money to tinker around with it. A colleague of mine with whom I used to work building formula cars was big into turbos (drove a MAD 80's Passat with a couple of hundred horses under the hood). Haven't heard of him for a long time, but he wanted to drop some V6 in a Miata and boost it to 600hp.

 

leave the car stock as I think you guys have some really crazy strict laws with modifications - I have a couple of customers out that way

I like your avatar - I think there is a member on the so.cal fourm who has a TA27 RHD one from japan - its unrestored and its a TOSCO version.

 

Show up to some local Miata meets or track days to talk to the owners and check out their modifications. I find that to be the best way to start building a track car. Most owners are very helpful in the Miata community and would offer you their advice and even give you rides on their cars so you will know how the mods feel like. Sounds like great fun.

 

I had a supercharged 91...lowered on KYB 8 way adjustables and put on some lightweight rims from www.949racing.com and got some roll bars. These NA Miata's are great fun when they have some juice.

 

Thanks Mine suffers a bit from the former owner's backyard respray... needs new paint urgently!

 

Sell it and buy an Exige

 

For Exige money, I'd get a Evo instead - and trash it around winter times too!




Thanks again for the words, guys.

 

Yeah no doubt. I'm just busting your balls anyways......nice car BTW

 

I know the TUV in germany are a unfair when it comes to modifications with any thing for street use - if you want to get performance upgrades for it I have a list of stock parts from the AE86 you can use.

 

I have a 96 Miata w/ Jackson Racing Supercharger and all the other frills. Sways, exhaust are 1st to replace for you. I like RSpeed. Get a stut tower brace to go around your SC. I went w/ Yokohama sticky street tires like all my other sports cars but the Ferrari. The Miata is a sweet pocket rocket w/ perfect balance. Enjoy.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks. Sounds like you're enjoying yours very much.

 

Done any mods yet?

 

I have ordered a low-mileage engine, and am speaking to local tuners for a turbo set-up. I have EBC break upgrades mounted, roll-over bar and complete new exhaust system on the way from England too.

Next step is to get cheap very lightweight bucket seats. Then I'll stopp. For a short while.

 

Could we get photos???

 

Still looks like the pictures in the first thread. Will take pictures and post if wheels taken off (pic of the breakes). I would like to wait to the end result though. I have some rust that's gonna be fixed with a dent and it's getting a new layer of paint.