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June 21, 2009 10:24 a.m. confuZion3 Dork

I'm looking at a list of upgrades that I'd like to throw at the Miata here in a few weeks (before the next track day). Here is the list. Help me decide.

FM frame rails. Stiffer car = better handling, right?

Sway bars.

New seats. I need some input on what to get here. I don't want to spend a lot of money on them.

Harness. I'd probably want to get the new seats first, eh?

Wheels / Tires. This upgrade always falls just outside of my budget. However, the Falkens are at the end of their useful lives and I've always wanted some proper track tires (R Comps!). Anybody know where I can find a good deal on maybe a used set?

Thanks for the input! Feel free to add more fun upgrades. Can't do FI now. It's probably cheaper to buy a Mustang anyway lol.
June 21, 2009 10:51 a.m. pigeon Reader

Do you have a rollbar already? If not put that on the list first - makes the car stiffer gives someplace to mount the harness and keeps you intact if you ever put the dirty side up.
June 21, 2009 11:01 a.m. petegossett Dork

Me personally, I'd do it in this order:

Rollbar -> Harness -> Racing seat -> Track-compound Brake Pads -> R-comps -> Coliovers/Springs/Shocks -> Adjustable Swaybars -> Bolt-on engine/exhaust performance parts -> Further lightening/stiffening
June 21, 2009 11:21 a.m. confuZion3 Dork

I got the Hardcore Harddog bar. I love it! I am about to order some tires right now for the car since I won't have much rubber to roll on if I don't. This one is a necessity.

I think you guys are right though -- safety items first (especially ones that make me more comfortable). Think I should just get one seat and harness? I could leave the OEM passenger seat in the car. It would look stupid though.

What should I do about tires? Should I go with some cheapo OEMs and get some R-Comps for fun times? Or go all out on both ends and hold off for a little while longer on the R-Comps? Decisions, decisions.
June 21, 2009 11:27 a.m. White_and_Nerdy New Reader

Around here, groups that hold track days require equivalent seating and safety equipment for both driver and instructor. That means you'd have to install a harness AND racing seat for the passenger side if you do the driver's side. YMMV depending on who you run with.

Go to some road races and see if some of those guys have some cast-off R-compounds you can snag for cheap or free. Many of them will throw away half used tires because they've lost the edge of grip they need to win races. Since you're not racing, that doesn't matter so much.

Agreed on the brake pads, too. Doesn't seem important, especially if what you have now is working out. But someday you'll get fast enough and hard enough on the brakes that you'll run out of brakes at the track, which could lead to you not being able to stay on the track. Just trust me on this one. (Fortunately I had some grass to run off into instead of a concrete wall...)
June 21, 2009 12:00 p.m. confuZion3 Dork

I don't have instructors ride along anymore. I soloed off last year with the club I do time trials with. But you're right, should I ever want an instructor to take a few laps with me I would need to have equal equipment. I'll remember that when it comes time do do the interior.

Although I may start showing up to track days with only one seat in the car. Removing that seat yields a lot of extra storage space!
June 21, 2009 12:24 p.m. Dorsai New Reader

Probably the biggest bang you'll see for your buck is upgraded sways and tires. Buying a roll bar for safety is great, I've got one on mine, but I figure handling and stopping to avoid accidents comes first.

Re the tires - Rcomps are great, but you'll learn more about driving autocross if you stay on good streets a while first. I'd search here of course first, CL and Ebay as well, local SCCA/NASA boards, Clubroadster.net, miata.net, etc. What you buy first in these terms is whatever suits your car at the best price, since you never know what might pop up. I'd bet 90% of those reading this have seen some part or other pop up for a couple of hundred bucks or less that was a huge deal - when they didn't have the cash in hand to jump on it.
June 21, 2009 12:50 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Reader

Tires first since you need them anyway. After that the best bang for buck would be sways. Buy some of these or similar adjustable links and you can put 99-05 sways on a 90-97. Did you know some of the later sways are much fatter stock than the earlier ones and people just throw them away after an upgrade?
June 21, 2009 2:52 p.m. mw Reader

Since you are buying tires, I would buy cheaper street tires and spend the money on R's. You probably don't reach the limit on the street anyway. I would also buy a cheap kirkey seat ($100 from summit) and just bolt it in for track days along with a set of expired harnesses for cheap. This will keep you planted which make a huge difference when your driving.

This is assuming you are looking to go fastest for the least amount of money.
June 21, 2009 3:44 p.m. confuZion3 Dork

I just bought another set of Falken Azenis 615s. They served me well before and they were dirt-cheap at Discount Tire ($305 shipped). And I like to keep the limit as far away as possible just in case I need to do something like stop quickly or swerve. I think I'll find a cheap-o set of 15" wheels and throw the used R-Comps on them. I've been doing track days and auto-x for five years lol. Never drove on a set of Rs. I'll find a spec Miata race and go there one weekend. It must be a hoot to watch anyway.

I like the idea of the cheap seat-swap with the harness idea.

So, I think this might be the order. Seat / Harness (one) - Tires - Sway bar - Repair sway bar mount after it snaps at first track day. Or something like that.

Thanks guys!