Who Autocrosses their MP3...

[apexlater]

I'm in the process of prepping my MP3 for next season in GS. I was wondering if anyone else has set up their car, stock or not and how it does. Right now I'm just working with the alignment.

Panel filter, race-pipe, and obviously race rims and tires will be right before the season starts. I haven't seen anyone post about the MP3 but all the other Proteges have alot of folks racing.

 

[Matthew]

i dont autocross yet, and incidently i dont have a mp3, but i do have a group buy going on for suspension parts (see my sig) iuf youre interested...

 

[dolphin]

apexlater,
If you do a search for autocross and my user name, there are a lot of threads from a few years ago about autocrossing the MP3. We have been running it in a local PAXed street tire class mostly. The MP3 is very course dependent. If it is a twisty course that will let you maintain your momentum, then the MP3 does very well. At the first course that my daughter ran in over a year, she was just bearly beaten (less than half a second) by a DS SRT-4 both on street tires.

I did run 225/50-15 in FSP once or twice. I have not really looked for "R" tires for either it or the MSP. I think if you look in the MSP thread one of the "R" tires will just bearly fit with a light rub. I can't find it right now.

Here a few threads on autocrossing the MP3.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/show...light=autocross
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/show...light=autocross
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/show...light=autocross
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/show...light=autocross

Hope something here helps you. Good luck.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

[MalkavianMP3]

Apexlater, I also autox and if I remember correctly, you can't have any exhaust mods in GS or you'll be in STS/STX or a prepared class(most likely FSP). The MP3 is extremely competitive in the STS division. I ran in that class with just Ground Control height-adjustment sleeves. The original dunlop tires kept me competitive, but when I switched to my current tires I lost a lot of grip. I currently run Sumitomo Htrz IIs in 215/45R17. I haven't been to an autox in almost year now, so I'm not completely up to date on the rulebook.

 

[AZDriftR]

im planning on running STX in my ES, but im not quite sure what class i qualify for?.. and so far ive noticed the proteges are very competitive..but i really need some better tires. Are you going to the 4th and the 5th of december event at turner field? im hoping to bring out my car, it would be great to see an MP3 out and around, or are you racing the ITR again?

 

[dmitrik4]

some exhaust mods are legal in solo2 stock class. basically, anything from the cat back is free. in STS, headers and exhaust are allowed as long as the stock cats are maintained. in STX, you just need to have a cat w/in 6" of the original position of the last cat in the system.

apexlater, if you're just starting out in autoX, i'd recommend to wait on the R-compounds for the first season or two. you'll be slower, but you'll learn more and will be quicker later. just my $.02

there's not much you can do w.r.t. the alignment settings on the stock suspension. you can fiddle w/ the toe, but that's it. i'd say set it to 0 all around.

AZ, why are you running STX? do you have an LSD or high-flow cat installed? if not, stay in STS since you'll be much more competitive there.

 

[AZDriftR]

dmitrik4-i dont have a high flow cat or a LSD. so STS is what my car would be grouped in huh?

 

[apexlater]

This is my 2nd season Auto-Xing so the tires aren't an issue. and yes the exhaust is free from the cat-back in stock class, you could bolt on a gutter on the end of the cat and that would be legal.

I will be running the MP3 both Sat. and Sun. I'll have it set up with 1/8th toe out in the front and 0 toe in the rear and see how that does. I run 0 all the way around for my commute. I don't imagine I'll need toe out in the rear since the car is fairly neutral as it is, so tire pressures will be where I will do most of my monkeying this weekend. I'm running on 205-40-17 Kumho MXs so they should be sticky enough until next season for the R-comps.

AZD--what do you have done to your car? then we can classify your car easier. You ran really well at the last event, even though we had to dodge fish out there! BTW, what exhaust do you have? Sounds really good.

 

[AZDriftR]

AZD--what do you have done to your car? then we can classify your car easier. You ran really well at the last event, even though we had to dodge fish out there! BTW, what exhaust do you have? Sounds really good.

all my mods are in my sig. i have a custom exhaust from a guy in snellville named Paul.. he is the s***! it sound better because i dont have a huge 4 in muffler, its 2.25 piping to a 3in muffler

 

[300ZX_PWNS_ALL]

why in the hell would you autox a mazda..........are u retarded.....get a nissan

 

[apexlater]

well considering Mazdas have great suspension geometry...and I pwn one. I think the MP3 will be infinitely more fun to auto-x than my WRX ever was.

 

[apexlater]

AZD -- well, you seem to be allowed into STS, although I'm not entirely sure about the motor mounts. Technically they are supposed to be from the car manufactures performance division, but nobody is going to know or care.

How much did you get the exhaust for? I need to free up the air and weight back there, plus your's sounds so schweeeet.

300ZX -- yes I am retarded...you pwned me. (second)

 

[SilentSno]

The MP3 is a great autocrosser. I was placed into the STS class locally here. Needless to say its true to what they say, its 90% driver, 10% car, because they are way more horsepowered cars that don't beat me too often, and if they do its barely. We have some smaller courses which help me out since the MP3 isn't a HP beast.

My setup is in my sig. The azenis mad a big difference.

 

[AZDriftR]

AZD -- well, you seem to be allowed into STS, although I'm not entirely sure about the motor mounts. Technically they are supposed to be from the car manufactures performance division, but nobody is going to know or care.

How much did you get the exhaust for? I need to free up the air and weight back there, plus your's sounds so schweeeet.

i got the whole catback for $200 installed!!!! with the smallest DTM muffler they had a 3" ( i hate big mufflers).. all you have to do is know paul, i.e. go in with me and you can have it for the same price... he is a cool mother ******.. plus you might see some of his autox'ers/drag cars around
(cool)... just pm me if you wanna go sometime.

 

[dmitrik4]

i think the AWR mounts are ok since they are sold by MM (which i think could reasonably considered to be Mazda's "performance division"). of course, they're sold by AWR as well, but the rule doesn't say the manuf has to be the exclusive source.

i don't think i'd feel guilty using them...but i'd probably have to re-read the rule.

 

[apexlater]

from the rule book:

"Engine mounts may be replaced, but must attach in the factory location(s) without additional modification or changes. Engine position may not be changed. The amount of metal in a replacement mount may not be increased relative to the amount of metal found in a stock mount for the particular application. Solid metal mounts are specifically prohibited. Any non-metallic inserts may be used."

so I guess they are legal. I remember last year reading that they had to be from the manufactures performance division, but I guess its free now.

AZD--I may have to take that offer to cruise up there with you. I was hoping to get a straight pipe from the cat and if it was too loud maybe get a race muffler to get the decibels down. I was also looking at spending no more than $100. Is yours mandrel bent? if so that is a great price.

 

[AZDriftR]

from the rule book:

AZD--I may have to take that offer to cruise up there with you. I was hoping to get a straight pipe from the cat and if it was too loud maybe get a race muffler to get the decibels down. I was also looking at spending no more than $100. Is yours mandrel bent? if so that is a great price.

nope not mandrel bent. but still very good quality and he backs up everything he does, so if there is ever a problem its fixed for free!... that straight pipe sounds cool, how would that work with the stock exhaust route, would it be like the SCCA touring cars and come out the side?

 

[apexlater]

well, I'm thinking of routing it mostly in the stock location and either come out the side just in front of the right rear wheel or just have a turn down right before the sway bar. Either way I am going to probably have to make a new hanger location for it. I'm probably going to keep it the stock 2.5" but I just want it a little louder and to save the weight. I know its not much, but every bit counts. and as long as it is relatively straight or with little bends it should flow just fine.

I have removed the whole cat-back and drove up and down the street and it sounded great. So I'm guessing I can get away without a muffler and just put the stock one back on if my wife complains too much.

 

[mp3moose]

I run in SM.

 

[AZDriftR]

i went to register for the 4th 5th event and i cant seem to register for novice again... what the hell do i do to register for novice???? i did it last time with a link from a member but now that link doesnt work...