STS2 Miata Build Part Deux - 2008
- Thread starter aMaff
- Start date
so, 3 steps forwards, 1 back.
So, we finally have a GOOD exhaust on the car. The 1 I had the supertrapp on was kinda junk. The stock flange was a big restriction, as was the crush bent pipe. I bought a new 2.25" flange, a 2.25" straight through dynomax muffler (basically a 2.25" perforated tube w/ some packing around the outside of it and a casing around everything), and a 45* mandrel bend. I didn't think the original exhaust was that bad, but the car has come alive engine wise. Throttle response is WAY better now, and I'm very happy with how the car is driving. Looks like 160k on a miata engine is just getting broken in
Couple of pics. I painted it w/ some high temp (1200 degree) flat black. Looks hawt, and only weighs 5.5 lbs! I have to thank Kevin (kcbhiw) for the excellent workmanship in getting that piece together.
I used to get back in the protege after a race weekend and go "yay, torque!" Now the miata feels stronger than the Pro. Some dyno time will have the final say in whether or not that's accurate, but the P5s also about 5-600 lbs heavier.
That brings me to my next point. Got the car corner balanced and aligned by a shop specializing in F500s and more recently Spec Miatas. Apparently my eyeballed alignment wasn't even close (no I didn't measure, just went off of the marks I made when I pulled everything apart). It had about 1 1/8" toe out on the front. The rear was 0 though, right on the money, which was pure luck. I also had my corner weights nearly perfect. Only required about 2 or 3 small adjustments. Apparently I actually measured pretty well when I set my ride heights. The car's a dream to drive hard now. Oddly enough, I've found that with the suspension this stiff, you lose a lot of the regular feed back you get in 'normal' driving. IE, it no longer squats in acceleration, and barely rolls through your average sweeper you'd encounter on the street. It almost feels number. HOWEVER, once you start pushing and dive bombing a couple corners, the car absolutely comes alive. Extremely predictable and well balanced, and very communicative (what with the spring rates and poly bushings). It's going to take a little time to get my driving anywhere near the limits of this car.
3rd positive: the brake combo I went with feels great. Very easy to modulate, unlike the HP+s that would get out of control after about 3 runs, and very good feel, unlike the HPSs. Kudos to Carbotec and EBC
Now the step backwards: The transmission I swapped in is junk. It doesn't really like 2nd or 4th, and if I'm not careful engaging those two, it tends to spit them out. I've replaced the seals and fluid in the original transmission and cleaned it up as much as I care to, and it's ready to go back in. It only took a few hours to get the 'new' one out today. The 2nd time you do something like this, it gets a hell of a lot easier lol. That's it for now. The new trans should be in tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. I can't wait to just have the car ready to go. I'm so close! First event's in 2 weekends. I'm so stoked (alright)
So, we finally have a GOOD exhaust on the car. The 1 I had the supertrapp on was kinda junk. The stock flange was a big restriction, as was the crush bent pipe. I bought a new 2.25" flange, a 2.25" straight through dynomax muffler (basically a 2.25" perforated tube w/ some packing around the outside of it and a casing around everything), and a 45* mandrel bend. I didn't think the original exhaust was that bad, but the car has come alive engine wise. Throttle response is WAY better now, and I'm very happy with how the car is driving. Looks like 160k on a miata engine is just getting broken in
Couple of pics. I painted it w/ some high temp (1200 degree) flat black. Looks hawt, and only weighs 5.5 lbs! I have to thank Kevin (kcbhiw) for the excellent workmanship in getting that piece together.
I used to get back in the protege after a race weekend and go "yay, torque!" Now the miata feels stronger than the Pro. Some dyno time will have the final say in whether or not that's accurate, but the P5s also about 5-600 lbs heavier.
That brings me to my next point. Got the car corner balanced and aligned by a shop specializing in F500s and more recently Spec Miatas. Apparently my eyeballed alignment wasn't even close (no I didn't measure, just went off of the marks I made when I pulled everything apart). It had about 1 1/8" toe out on the front. The rear was 0 though, right on the money, which was pure luck. I also had my corner weights nearly perfect. Only required about 2 or 3 small adjustments. Apparently I actually measured pretty well when I set my ride heights. The car's a dream to drive hard now. Oddly enough, I've found that with the suspension this stiff, you lose a lot of the regular feed back you get in 'normal' driving. IE, it no longer squats in acceleration, and barely rolls through your average sweeper you'd encounter on the street. It almost feels number. HOWEVER, once you start pushing and dive bombing a couple corners, the car absolutely comes alive. Extremely predictable and well balanced, and very communicative (what with the spring rates and poly bushings). It's going to take a little time to get my driving anywhere near the limits of this car.
3rd positive: the brake combo I went with feels great. Very easy to modulate, unlike the HP+s that would get out of control after about 3 runs, and very good feel, unlike the HPSs. Kudos to Carbotec and EBC
Now the step backwards: The transmission I swapped in is junk. It doesn't really like 2nd or 4th, and if I'm not careful engaging those two, it tends to spit them out. I've replaced the seals and fluid in the original transmission and cleaned it up as much as I care to, and it's ready to go back in. It only took a few hours to get the 'new' one out today. The 2nd time you do something like this, it gets a hell of a lot easier lol. That's it for now. The new trans should be in tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. I can't wait to just have the car ready to go. I'm so close! First event's in 2 weekends. I'm so stoked (alright)
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
nice stuff muff 
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
lol yep, haha! 
SWEET! This is probably the best 'working on a car' night I've had in a while. We got the car 100% together in under an hour and a half. That's transmission, prop shaft, header, exhaust, header blanket, and intake. AND gave all the suspension bolts a once over now that I've put a few miles on the car. I got 'er off the jack stands and went for a ride. I have to say I'm extremely happy with how the car's driving right now. I REALLY want to get a few runs on the dyno to see how we're starting off the season. This car has NEVER run this well.
First event's in 2 Sundays
. I'm ready to go with a week and a half to spare. I'd say the off season's been pretty successful!
First event's in 2 Sundays
. I'm ready to go with a week and a half to spare. I'd say the off season's been pretty successful!Vanimaniac
Member
Good stuff man. Car is looking like it's coming together nicely. I see you are registered for the Dixie Tour. I'm gonna be tirewarming/bringing up the rear in STS2 out there. I've never driven a Miata before. Had a codrive lined up for the last 2 local events in a Miata but both got snowed out. I'm hoping to at least "ride" in a miata this sunday if our event doesn't get snowed out again.
Van
Van
Yup, been meaning to sign up for a good while now lol. My co-driver was over last night lending a hand and he reminded me so I just went ahead and did it.
Damn dude, looks like you've got one helluva trip down there. And also, it looks like Andrew's going to be tire warming for you lol. I'm not familiar with his car, but being a miata, it's gonna be fun. It's my first NT, so I have a feeling the both of us will be fighting for the rear most spots hahaha. I look forward to meeting you. Look for a really loud black Miata haha. And if the list stays the way it is, I should only be a few grid spots over.
See you in grid!
Damn dude, looks like you've got one helluva trip down there. And also, it looks like Andrew's going to be tire warming for you lol. I'm not familiar with his car, but being a miata, it's gonna be fun. It's my first NT, so I have a feeling the both of us will be fighting for the rear most spots hahaha. I look forward to meeting you. Look for a really loud black Miata haha. And if the list stays the way it is, I should only be a few grid spots over.
See you in grid!
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
wheres mah video?
DAMN IT! I'll get some here soon. I need a camera man lol. I can't really haul too much ass in my neighborhood, I'm pretty sure my neighbors already hate me for working on the car / making noise late into the night. Maybe I can get someone to go along when I get the car dyno'd.
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
okie dokie, some idle, revving exhaust notes would be good too
okie dokie, some idle, revving exhaust notes would be good too
*sigh* fine. I'll see what I can do this weekend.
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
dont get snooty, bish...
needy ass. Get me video. Cook me breakfast. Why don't you do that thing like you used to? Do the dishes. Do the laundry. GIVE ME A BREAK, HO!
(crazy)
- :
- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
bahahahaha
Vanimaniac
Member
And also, it looks like Andrew's going to be tire warming for you lol.
See you in grid!
We're gonna switch at registration so that I'm the tirewarmer. I got the offer after he had already registered. Regardless, see ya there!
I am jonesin' really bad for an autocross! (drive2)
Van
