Weevils 94 MX5 Clubman track hack

[evil_weevil]

So,
in related car news, work has decided to reward me and send me on a Lotus drive day at 'the farm'

cannot wait!

and also cannot wait for MRA sunday

[evil_weevil]

So,
MRA been and gone.

was with super TT class B
wasnt feeling it which wasnt good

qualifying wasnt the best, tyre pressures too high and did a 1.14.4

race two car didnt feel quick at all.
got held up, and one thing I dont like is when someone doesnt make the grid for the start, that spot should be left empty on the grid, yet in race 1, 2 spots were free to people moved up. so people I was quicker than in qual, started before me and held me up.
got around 1 or 2 but still.

race 2 was awesome. had a massive close call, dived under brakes at fish hook against a 206/306 gti pug. got crossed up, I swear I could have touched his bonnet if my window was down! infact in the video it looks like we touch.

again, I just lack straight line speed.

thinking of buying this as an upgrade...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/99-00-01-02- ... 3a6f5c375a

thoughts?

[Guran]

More power?! It's a slippery slope this chequebook racing game.

Chris, I don't see your name listed in Race 3 - did you need to leave early or something?

http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/resul ... /2012.WAKE

[manga_blue]

I agonised over the same idea a few years ago when I rebuilt my NA8 engine and I still don't know whether or not I made the right choice.

With some cams and DIY work on the NA8 head you'll get more power up high than a stockish VVT head but it's a fair bit of work and it's not really cheap in the end. You can do the VVT engine swap in a day, plus however long it takes to do whatever you decide for an ECU.

Where the VVT engines work best are the short tracks like Wakie and Winton. With much better torque down low stock NB8Bs get away from me at the start of the straights but I reel them in at the end. If you add a good exhaust, ECU and CAI then I'm no match for them. Hellmun is doing 1:09s at Wakie on a pretty lightly modded NB8B engine, but his driver and suspension tuning is pretty outstanding.

Probably worth mentioning that I drive mine as a screamer, almost always taking it up to 7,500 and I really like that feeling. From memory you're more conservative with the engine and the VVT might suit your style better.

[evil_weevil]

Bryan,

Yeah mate - the trophy MX5 race I had a DNF.
the factory oil pressure guage said I had about 3 bar, but my aftermarket one suddenly dropped down below 2 bar, and slowly dropping.
noticed it did that after the fish hook so came straight in.

oil level is perfect, no leaks, nothing in exhaust.

unsure if loose wire somewhere or not - did not want to take the chance!!!
so we called it a day.

chequebook racer? no, I do what I can myself. and if I were to get that engine, I'll be doing it with a mate or 2 with beer. Beer helps!!!

Thanks for the reply MB,
yeah Mark is crazy fast for what he has!! Think he mentioned he has 95-100rwkw

I think Im going to have a long hard think about this, Ive talked about it and thought about it before!! but I just never follow through.
now is the time as I wont be racing till after July in my 5.

[evil_weevil]

[evil_weevil]

So..
is the MX5 up for sale?
had fun with the cars below today. REALLY want an Evora S however the Elise is certainly a great car and I think realistically its a good move.
now to sell a kidney and a liver...

cliffs...
evora s = WICKED!! no lag (obviously as supercharged) awesome handling, great brakes. great turn in and grip also

evora ips = meh. straight line is fast. cornering very loose, steering is TOO sharp and direct. auto shifts REAL quick although when u leave it in auto mode and it feels you are driving really aggresivly it'll change to sport shift which catches you out as next thing it doesnt shift and wants you to shift so you bounce on limiter.

elise = do want. really just a more lighter, powerful, better, expensive MX5
I felt at home with the elise.

also funny when you catch people in the elise and they are in the evora haha

2eleven = didnt get to drive but OMG. the acceleration, braking and speed is just mind blowing. Was great having a real true aussie race car driver like Geoff Brabham behind the wheel

[evil_weevil]

minor update...

few weeks back did a comp test just to see how the old girl was running - 170 - 175 between all 4.

Sunday I replaced both thermostats to 82 degree ones, fixed the wiring to my oil pressure gauge and cleaned up the spark plugs as were black as. Also gave my rear bumper a massive clean with degreaser and heavy duty car wash - that was dirty as from the exhaust and running rich.

Just waiting for these to arrive from the USA
http://www.corksport.com/mazdaspeed-mot ... miata.html

while fittem them will take my extractors off and try and make some clearance under there to get rid of this rattle/vibration during st and 2nd gear - hoping the engine mounts will fix this anyway!

the wife has given me permission to do a supersprint in March for a test run basically, with SSCc at Wakefield..

then car will be retired for a few months from motorsport while preparing for my first child due in May. Rosie (MX5) will just be dríven on weekends around Old Pac, might even try and ctach up with some MX5 forum meets too while I can. (cough re99ie cough!)

if all goes well will be at MRA in July for round 3.

[manga_blue]

the wife has given me permission to do a supersprint in March for a test run basically, with SSCc at Wakefield..

What's the date for that one, evil? We've got virtually identical cars and identical times at Wakie. Could be interesting.

[evil_weevil]

11th March

I havent got the sup or entry forms yet. I'll shoot you a pm when I do

[evil_weevil]

well that was quick!

paid for my mounts friday, arrived today woo hoo

[evil_weevil]

so changed the engine mounts this arvo,
passenger side real easy, drivers side can DIAF!!!
that took the longest.
beer helped.



and old vs new



all thats left to do is put the extractors back in, under tray and she is good to go

[NitroDann]

I did both of my mounts today under in 20 mins.

7 mins for passenger side, I timed it, that included a little welding also. Its all practice, Ive broken them 3 times now so Ive had plenty!

Dann

[evil_weevil]

well....
I should have got you to do them then!!!
but then I wouldnt have been as drunk.

thats the problem with me and working on cars - takes me longer so I drink more!
haha

[NitroDann]

Nah but it gives you an idea how right you are about how much more of a bastard the drivers side is, took twice as long.

Dann