MotoIQ drives the Mazda2 with the B-Spec package

[maxuz]

I dunno if anyone out there reads MotoIQ, but you should (it was founded by guys from Sport Compact Car after it folded, including Mazda engineer Dave Coleman). They just did an article on the Mazda2 and Fit with the B-Spec packages that mazda and honda are offering.

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_arti...to-release-b-segment-racers.aspx#Comment12182

Mike Kojima's driving impressions of both the stock 2 and the b-spec 2 were pretty encouraging, i thought.

 

[Slow Paul]

Very cool read, thanks for that!!!

 

[maxuz]

Coleman also has a Miatabusa Project Car on the site that's about the coolest thing ever.

 

[maxuz]

Just got an email today from Mazdaspeed Motorsports:

B-Spec / Mazda 2
The B-Spec Mazda 2 kits should be available in late January, 2012. Final pricing is not available yet but it's expected to be under $2600. Additional information on pricing and availablility will soon be available at our website, or call 800-435-2508.

So that's exciting. I wonder what all the less-than-$2600 will get you.

 

[Slow Paul]

My guess is the Bilstein PSS kit and a set of 5Zigen FNOR1C's.

 

[CorkSport]

There is a bit more than the suspension in the b-spec kit

http://www.corksport.com/images/add_content/Mazda-2-B-Spec-Flier.pdf

Oil cooler, swaybars, A/C delete, etc

-Derrick

 

[maxuz]

Oh crap, awesome post, Corksport.

Thought it was interesting that they mounted their rear torsion bar outside of the beam (you can see it in a couple of the MotoIQ pics).

also, any clue on whether that Bilstein set is the same one corksport is selling? based on the description i'd guess so.

 

[Slow Paul]

Thanks for that post Derrick! It seems like you get quite a bit for the price. I saw the sway bar in question too on the MotoIQ site. It seems interesting. As for the coilovers, all Bilstein offers is the PSS kit. These are the same coilovers used on the Mazdaspeed 2 and the Hale Motorsports 2. Same ones CorkSport sells, albeit with different springs it seems.

 

[CorkSport]

Oh crap, awesome post, Corksport.

Thought it was interesting that they mounted their rear torsion bar outside of the beam (you can see it in a couple of the MotoIQ pics).

also, any clue on whether that Bilstein set is the same one corksport is selling? based on the description i'd guess so.

It should be the same kit. There has been no final word on the springs yet. I think they may stick with what the kit comes with from what I have heard but you never know.

-Derrick

 

[CorkSport]

The B-Spec Mazda flier was something that was released at the PRI show this year. They also talked about it http://cdn.livestream.com/embed/gor...eight=340&width=560&autoPlay=false&mute=false

-Derrick

 

[c_thur]

Warning the audio is a little loud and harsh on that, but that was a great clip. Thanks for the link!

 

[CorkSport]

Sorry, I forgot to mention look out for the Audio.

 

[atekt]

Great read, thanks for the link. Im excited for the B spec kit to be released.

 

[zps2004]

From looking at it, I don't think the rear bar is to stiffin the torsion bar. It has rod ends on each end. If you wanted to design one like that you would have solid ends, not rod ends. The reason i believe they put it on was to prevent the rear from toeing out while loaded. I was wondering about the effects of that given the rear suspension design, but I have been busy workin on other cars to do anything will the 2. Still love it though. So yea, that is my guess, to prevent the rear from toeing out while loaded in a turn.

 

[Slow Paul]

Now that I think about it, that makes sense. I was looking under my 2 the other day to see just how easy it would be to make a similar unit to the one on the B-Spec 2.

 

[zps2004]

Super easy. Threaded rod ends will take up any lack of tolerance. So it is basically it is just a rod with threaded ends. This makes me want to think of a way to check to see if there is a toeing out issue. Then again with a stock car it would just help. I need sticky tires though to really show off the toeing effect.

 

[davesm72]

I am not in the loop, but I am pretty close. This is what I was told by people who should know.

The test done, included some revalved Bilsteins and some slightly stiffer real race springs. The rear bar shown in the pix was built by Tri-Point and is used to change toe in/out.

You can also see in one of the interior shots that the battery has been relocated to the trucnk. Legal for NASA but not for SCCA B-Spec.

The Mazda kit is supposed to include: Shocks, struts, coil over springs, rear sway bar, Goodridge brake line kit, front Hawk pads, a/c delete kit (stock parts for non a/c cars delivered to Canada), and oil cooler kit (stock parts for cars delivered to Mexico).

Safety equipment is not included. I have my beta cage ready to install. Wheels and tires are not included. BFG has announced a contingency program for B-Spec cars running in SSC.

We are alligning the car now, then install the oil cooler, and we are ready to head to Sebring for next weekend. Then Homestead the following weekend.

If you are in the area, stop by and see the green Allien.

Dave

 

[atekt]

I am not in the loop, but I am pretty close. This is what I was told by people who should know.

The test done, included some revalved Bilsteins and some slightly stiffer real race springs. The rear bar shown in the pix was built by Tri-Point and is used to change toe in/out.

You can also see in one of the interior shots that the battery has been relocated to the trucnk. Legal for NASA but not for SCCA B-Spec.

The Mazda kit is supposed to include: Shocks, struts, coil over springs, rear sway bar, Goodridge brake line kit, front Hawk pads, a/c delete kit (stock parts for non a/c cars delivered to
Canada), and oil cooler kit (stock parts for cars delivered to Mexico).

Safety equipment is not included. I have my beta cage ready to install. Wheels and tires are not included. BFG has announced a contingency program for B-Spec cars running in SSC.

We are alligning the car now, then install the oil cooler, and we are ready to head to Sebring for next weekend. Then Homestead the following weekend.

If you are in the area, stop by and see the green Allien.

Dave

Do you have any current pictures of the car?

 

[CorkSport]

I stole this off their facebook page

 

[Slow Paul]

Good lookin' racecar!