OT: Performance upgrades for Competition Miata

[JDM FACTOR]

I thought I'd throw it out there in case you guys know any relatively cheap performance upgrades I can do to a 1.8L 2000 Spec Miata. The engine is bone stock, other than a clutch/flywheel and drivetrain components.

If you guys know anything, I'd appreciate it. Again, it's a 1.8L not a 1.6L

Thanks,

Jonathon

[98spec022]

?

:p

[JDM FACTOR]

haha aside from it being a piece of crap...it's a rental for the team and want to make it...somewhat better.

[stinkycheezmonky]

Do shocks/springs count as "drivetrain components" to you? If not (as they shouldn't) those should be on your list. And tires. Short of throwing a turbo on the motor, you're not going to make it much faster.

[JDM FACTOR]

I should have been more specific sorry. When I mean performance mods, stuff that I can get away with for running under SM class. We are currently running different spring/shock combo but the motor is completely stock.

I was thinking about changing out the final drive to something shorter, the car just sits at a neutral speed especially at daytona and unless you catch a miracle draft, the car will not see over 115-119 mph off the banking...sad. Either a final drive to get it past that low torque lump past 115 or I was thinking just some basic head work, but how much difference will that do if the bottom end is bone stock?

Getting to tire options, we always ran hoosier SO3's but I haven't tried the new R6 compounds on that car. Anyone have good results with the toyo R888's compared to the hoosiers?

[Dave_B]

Jonathan, what happened to the Star/Formula Mazda stuff?

[stinkycheezmonky]

R888s<<<R6s. That will be a major fail situation.

[Dainbramage]

Are you wanting to stay SM legal, or did you just buy a SM and are looking to improve on the platform?
A6's are going to be worth 1-2 seconds over the triple 8's or the ra1's, and you can switch back to the RA1's for the SM races.

Not legal:
Engine: a decent header, a coldside intake, mazdaspeed intake cam, and some tuning should get you around 130-135whp. Not alot, but it'll get you around the track ok. Got a little more money? Bolt on a Rotrex for about 160whp out of the box with no other mods.
Suspension: Depends if you know what your doing with it. If you do you'll know you want to improve, and you'll know what to do there. If not, leave it alone, it's not a horrible setup.
Brakes: they're fine unless you go big hp
I think you're biggest improvement is going to be tires, weight, and adding a few extra ponies.

Legal:
You're going to spend a whole lot of money to go a little bit faster.
Pro motor $5000 = 125ish whp
REM all transmission, hubs, diff, cv, etcc.... $2000
among varous other expensive things

*cliff notes: depends on what your goals are and what you want to do