Miata Stuff - 230whp has been fun, but now I want 300whp...options?

Thanks guys! I'll improve what I have now first, and then look into more power. I'm not going to be going on track very often, mostly street, but I would like to go to the track maybe a couple times a year. I have limited time to track, and then also don't have a tow vehicle so I need to make sure I don't break my car on track or I'll be waiting for a tow.

WonkoTheSane said:

I'll add to that, if you're in driving distance of New England, let me know and I'll show you the best track time for dollar options around here, and I can instruct you when you get there :)

I'm actually not too far from New England! I'm in the Philly area, so any track options would be appreciated.

In reply to Japanspec :

There's New Jersey Motorsports Park that isn't too far away from you, plus there is Pitt Race, Summit Point and Watkins Glen if you're willing to travel a bit further. Plus probably a whole bunch of others I'm not aware of (yet).

In reply to Japanspec :

Oh cool, you've got heaps of choices!  My personal limit is around 3 hours away to do in one day (without an overnight).  Makes for a long day, it's doable.

That means that most of my favorite new England tracks will be a touch outta reach for a day trip (Palmer, NYST, Lime Rock, Thompson, etc. Will probably be 4+ hours depending on exactly where you're starting from).

That said, Pocono and NJMP are in your back yard!

In NE, I'd look up Mass Tuning Trackfest on motorsportsreg.com. they're my favorite group in the area, though there's a few others out this way that are good to run with. Out at NYST, Dog House has a good track time to dollar ratio.  I also instruct with NASA NE, who spends a lot of time at NJMP, but they're on the pricier side for track days.  Their program is excellent, though.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Most BMW transmissions feature integral bellhousings, so an adaptor ring is used.
The KMiata site has docs that discuss transmission choices, pros/cons, etc. 

Thanks Boxhead and Wonko! How is englishtown raceway park? I know they do some drifting there, and have a road course. Never really see them mentioned here though.

In reply to Japanspec :

I haven't been there yet, but I had a student at Palmer last year say it's a fun little track, but more like a go-kart track than a car track. I think it's like 4.5 hours from me, so I haven't been.  I'm unlikely to get there, if I'm going to drive that far, it'll be for NJMP.

Japanspec said:

Thanks Boxhead and Wonko! How is englishtown raceway park? I know they do some drifting there, and have a road course. Never really see them mentioned here though.

Englishtown Raceway Park is pretty tiny, Wonko's description of it as more of a go-kart track is spot-on.

Gotcha, thanks guys! Interesting that its tiny yet they still do drifting and road courses there (so I've heard).

In reply to Japanspec :

Personally I do not think a "tiny" track is a bad thing when you're starting out learning (and shaking down your car on track).

It can not be overstressed (heh) how much harder it is on a car to do even 1 session of track work vs street miles. It's about 20 minutes of full throttle or as close as you can get to it. I'd turn down the boost if you can and make sure you have good quality brake fluid and a recent bleed.

I'm no way trying to deter you, nothing beats seat time - just gotta get out there and get some track time! 

accordionfolder said:

In reply to Japanspec :

Personally I do not think a "tiny" track is a bad thing when you're starting out learning (and shaking down your car on track).

It can not be overstressed (heh) how much harder it is on a car to do even 1 session of track work vs street miles. It's about 20 minutes of full throttle or as close as you can get to it. I'd turn down the boost if you can and make sure you have good quality brake fluid and a recent bleed.

I'm no way trying to deter you, nothing beats seat time - just gotta get out there and get some track time! 

Thank you! Yeah, I've heard its more difficult to keep a turbo car "together" on the track mechanically. I turbo'd the car originally with no intentions of tracking, so I'm hoping when I do get a chance to track it, I can use some mechanical empathy to keep everything together and upgrade whatever needs to be from there.

In reply to Japanspec :

Most turbo issues, track or street, stem from the fact that people have the boost turned up to 11,  the set up isn't well done and or both.

Tom1200 said:

In reply to Japanspec :

Most turbo issues, track or street, stem from the fact that people have the boost turned up to 11,  the set up isn't well done and or both.

Also, with turbo cars, you start to run into some fun fatigue issues.  For example, on the SR20 we were using for endurance racing, the studs that hold the turbo to the manifold fatigued after too many heat cycles, and just snapped.  The turbo was only held on by one, effectively.   Turns out brake boosters don't like being hit directly with fire.  Who knew?

In reply to WonkoTheSane :

Yeah - anytime I read about "I'm trying to get my turbo car to survive FULL sessions on track" (much less endurance racing) it's

"Everything be too hot yo"

Turbos - they make it warm.

Tom1200 said:

In reply to Japanspec :

Most turbo issues, track or street, stem from the fact that people have the boost turned up to 11,  the set up isn't well done and or both.

That makes sense. Sounds like having a low boost tune option is good for the track.