D Prepared Miata Build

[aMaff]

I apparently got the last set of wets, but he's got drys left.
http://grm.racingjunk.com/category/1108/Road_Racing_Tires/post/2075272/Hoosier-Race-Tires.html

 

[bazooka joe]

can't wait to hear your reaction! should be a fun season ahead!

 

[ElZoidberg]

This thread is awesome and I'm enjoying following it very much. Thanks for the great pictures and write-ups. (10)

 

[aMaff]

So, I THINK I'm done spending money for at least a little while...
I picked up an Iron Canyon Miata alignment system today. Honestly, I considered fabbing one up myself because it really wouldn't be that hard, but time, right now, is at a premium. Toe plates have their purpose, but they only let you measure total toe. Since we've made such sweeping changes to the car, I really wanted something that would allow me to set the ENTIRE alignment, including the ability to set your thrust angle and center the steering wheel without guessing, setting it, driving it to see how it does, then coming back in to eye-ball it.

The obvious difference between these and toe plates is that toe plates reference the wheels to one another, but not the chassis. The string system adds in the chassis as a reference, so you can square everything up properly. The price wasn't bad, considering these types of systems often go for $400 and up. And considering I've seen string alignment systems in Grand-Am, SCCA and ALMS paddocks, this type of system is obviously a proven commodity

http://www.saferacer.com/iron-canyon-spec-miata-alignment-system.html?productid=547

 

[aMaff]

It's been a big couple of days.
I got the Miata back last night. She's pretty much dwarfed by the new workshop

(yes, crap cellphone pic... once it's past like, 7:00, the camera on my cell phone suuuuuucks)

There's a few things that need to be done but nothing too serious. It'll need an alignment, I need to mount the new switch panel (pics of that to come), mount the WBO2 controller, install the WBO2 sensor, and, oh yeah, cut off the windshield (probably around the middle of next month). So a lot of small things.

Also, Brown Santa brought me new meaty Hoosier goodness today. 225/45/15 Continental Tire Challenge Wets. They're a little different than the standard Hoosier A6/R6 wet tire, but I think they'll serve me quite well

 

[bullshark524]

awesome man i wish i had a shop that big to work on my car in. actually i just wish i had a shop no matter how big it is

 

[Reitrof]

Looks great Andrew. Keep us posted

 

[aMaff]

Just noticed something interesting. I was about to be upset when I realized that I had 2 different tread patters until I looked at the labeling of the tires. There are different tread pattens for the fronts and rears, and for the fronts, there is a right side and left side mirrored (non symmetrical) tread pattern. How neat is that?

So, this would be a rear tire (either side) on the left hand side, while the right hand one is a Right Front

 

[bazooka joe]

very neat! how about some pics we can enjoy? by the way, you bringing this bad boy to the mitty?

 

[Reitrof]

Won't be street legal I assume unless he trailers it.

 

[aMaff]

very neat! how about some pics we can enjoy? by the way, you bringing this bad boy to the mitty?

Won't be street legal I assume unless he trailers it.

This^^

If it were a different time, I probably *would* trailer it up for the mazda corral, but as things stand, I'll be lucky to actually spend a half day at the track, so probably not.

Also: 99% sure that the windshield is coming off this Saturday. w00t!

 

[aMaff]

A reminder to myself... sorry. I don't have my whiteboard with me

-Remove last of the Airbag harness
-Install WBO2 sensor
-Mount WBO2 controller
-Fab end-cap for MS housing
-Mount MS
-Mount Switch Panel
-Fab up intake.


And once that's done, she'll be ready to run!

 

[aMaff]

Got the fenders, hood and bumper off in prep for ye olde windshield removal. You may ask yourself what the bumper has to do with it, and I'd answer yourself by saying "a few nuts for the fenders are under the bumper". Because that totally makes sense....

 

[aMaff]

A few pictures

The new workshop

Some of the parts taken off so we can make the windshield disappear this weekend

How she sits now:

The engine bay. I really need to clean 19 years of crud build up off, but man it's so sparse! Only thing missing is the intake which I still need to fab up lol

Megasquirt mounting location, under the cowl

A crap pic of the awesome switch panel Kevin (KCBHIW) made up for the car. It will fit there between the uprights on the stock dash-bar, I just need to drill a couple holes and mount it up.

Gratuitous cuteness to distract you from how dirty the car is

 

[aMaff]

Also forgot to update on the weight. We weighed it on a set of setup scales on Monday. With 3 gallons too much gas (21 lbs), the heavier 15s w/ street tires (~45 lb difference between them and the race wheel/tire package total), the heavy RB intake still bolted in, and the whindshield, obviously, still attached, it was ~1845. Swap the wheels and I'm down to 1800. Burn off some gas I'm at ~1780. Take off the windshield and I should be right at minimum weight (1757 lb) with LOTS more places to lose weight (doors, trunk, hood, seat mounts, etc etc etc). I'm very excited about that

 

[not yellow]

ignorant question... but why is the roll bar so tall?

loved following the thread so far, btw!

 

[bazooka joe]

love the cheeks!

 

[aMaff]

Thanks .

Regarding the roll hoop height, I'd rather not type it all out again, but go back to post 212 or so as it's all been hashed out here already

 

[Rockin03mp5]

ignorant question... but why is the roll bar so tall?

loved following the thread so far, btw!

lol.

 

[not yellow]

lol.

don't "lol" me, foo'! hehe... i'll go back and do more research.

edit: gotcha. interestingly, the local race club that sponsors the track days i attend around here has a similar requirement for helmet clearance. except they measure the line from the top of the roll bar to the top of the windshield. makes more sense to measure the line from the top of the roll bar to the top of the front hoop since the windshield provides little protection in the event of a rollover.