THSCC Forums

I’ve had a couple of offers on the Miata in the last few days and I’m seriously entertaining the idea of selling it. If I do, what would be a good choice for an auto-x car with an eye towards national competition? I’m trying to keep the initial budget under $8k while realizing that I would probably dump more into it over the course of next year. If I could get a car capable of running mid-pack in a slightly underdeveloped form with an eye towards the top 5 should the car be fully developed, I would be very happy. Assuming my driving improves, of course...

Anyway, here are my current thoughts:

93-94 ES MR2:
pros:
proven winner
fun rwd/mid-engine layout
large knowledge base to pull from
reliable
fun chasing Jim P. around next year
cons:
no-fun chasing Jim P. around ‘cause he’ll probably school me
can’t think of any others???

89-91 STS Civic Si:
pros:
proven winner
large knowledge base to pull from
reliable
can develop over time as money allows
cons:
no-fun fwd/front-engine layout
potentially outclassed by a certain fully developed Celica
potential money sink fully developing car
low potential resale value

87-91 DSP 325is:
pros:
mostly reliable
fun rwd layout
can develop over time as money allows
good potential SM candidate in the future???
good local competition
cons:
potential money sink fully developing car (esp. in SM)
parts a bit more expensive

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim - interesting discussion. One comment about the DSP E30 - it is not a good candidate for SM. I have some plans slowly brewing for an SM E30, and DSP #32 would be for sale for only more than your target price if I decide to do it. My E30 is not fully prepared, however!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Why not? The current fast guys seem to be driving E36 M3's. With a motor swap and some engine tuning, you could be there power-wise. Is the chassis just not as competitive even though it seems to be a couple of hundred pounds lighter? Or am I off on my weight figures?

I know this is tongue in cheek here, but actually consider this a BIG plus. Back when I was choosing an autocross car, one of the many reasons I picked the car I did (Miata R) is that I could chase Eric Peterson in [then] BS and really be able to measure my improvement. It's a big plus if you think you are headed for national competition to be able to chase a national level driver.

My suggestion... whatever you do, stick with a stock class. Anything higher is talking LOTS and LOTS of money (dunno how much) to be nationally compeditive. I'd bet few National SP trophy winners drive their cars to an event. The folks running national stuff these days could speak to that better than I.

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

Actually, what I'd really love to do it get an old 914 (hmmm, I guess that's redundant) and stuff a N/A 3.0L 911 motor in it. I think that would make a good SM2 car but I don't have the time or inclination to put something like that together. Not to mention not wanting to invest the $$$ in something like that.

Anyway, back to reality...

Uhhh, how about an early M1 Miata with 1.8L engine for CSP, SM2 ?

Certain VW rabbits do well in FSP (now that they moved Taka's Celica out of the class) and SM. Toyota Supra for SM. Probe/MX6 for GS. MX3 for CSP. Suzuki Swift for STS.
Buying whatever you'd like for the street and renting a co-drive.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

I don't think with the current tire situation that the Miatas will ever be fully competitive in SM2. As the class develops, I think they are going to get stomped. But I could be wrong...

I thought about stripping/selling the turbo and running CSP but it would probably be easier to just buy a new car. I haven't thrown out the idea of getting another Miata for that but I'm kinda get sick of Miatas. I have a similar disease to Les'. ADD with cars...



Believe it or not, I've done a ton of research into that one. I might just do it but those things are stinkin' hard to find. All the ones I've found have been northern cars (or Canadian) and I really don't want to go there... And if I remember correctly, Rob K. might have mentioned this idea in the past so that pretty much rules that out!!! Just kidding Rob! He might have been talking about another car, I forget...

As Diane mentioned, I am currently leaning towards a stock class just for the least amount of hassle which at this point leads me directly to the MR2. And having Jim P. to kick me around sure doesn't hurt...

Jim F.

I think he meant that the DSP E30 "as is" wouldnt be a good SM candidate. Doing and engine swap means the DSP E30 is no longer DSP.

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'88 bmw 535is
'98 honda civic ex

A first gen R package Miata may be a good choice for CS, it's just that no one is willing to take the chance and try it out.

It's over budget, but a '99 Sport Miata can be easily found and is only $10,000, pretty mucha winner out of the box with a bigger fornt bar and sticky tires. Add shocks to make it a hair better and more predictable.

Run F-Stock and get a used Camaro, they are plentiful and pretty much any of the Z28's are a sure thing.

Scott

I got that part. I meant I could run it in DSP for a while and then move it into SM with the engine swap.

The funny thing is I came --><-- that close to buying a 94R at the beginning of the year for precisely that. 2 days later I stumbled across the turbo car and couldn't pass it up.



That would be an ideal car for sure but, as you say, a bit over budget. I think I'd rather do an MR2 if I was going to stay stock anyway.



<shudder> Lets not go there either!

I have entertained the idea of doing an ESP Mustang, though. I'm not sure how competitive it would be but it could be fun. An '89-'93 LX model with the right trimmings could possibly work. Ryan, Vincent and Art, can you hear me knocking???

Jim

[quote="JamesFeinberg']I got that part. I meant I could run it in DSP for a while and then move it into SM with the engine swap.[/quote]

Listen to people that have experience at the national level...stay away from the prepared classes. I will repeat it one more time, stay away from the prepared classes. If you do not believe me, take a tour of the pit area at a national level event. Your budget might get you a motor in SM. If you find a national level non-stock car that was driven to an event, it is not even mid-pack.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Sorry, I should have elaborated. A 325 is at least 200# heavier than an early 318i (like Matt is building). The 318i is the car or choice for a SM E30. If you start with a good DSP car it will be a 325 with extra insulation, power windows, and a sunroof. You can't ditch that stuff when you go to SM.

My dream-car that may someday become reality: 1985 318i with an OBD-1 3.2l M3 motor with cams, same suspension as my car has now but with some improvements that are legal in SM. Should be about 300 crank HP and about 2500lbs. Plus it would make a fantastic track car.

But would it be nationally competitive in SM? I dunno.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

edit: Mike beat me to it.

For the budget and rwd preference, how about an ES 944? I've heard somewhere that's the car to have... I think somebody in the club is selling one, too, but I can't quite remember who?

Terry Baker is heving a hell of a time making his car better than an E36. The E36 suspension is that superior (rear suspension).

That said, for Mikes dream car, he would be better off with the earlier 3.0l motor so he could supercharge it. That will add a little weight up front but make a ton more power, and it will have better low end.

Scott