SCCAForums.com

autoxgod:

I'm not a Mazda dealer and I don't play one on TV.  I'm just HS fodder until I can get into something competitive.

Jim

By the looks of this thread, it seems that HS is plenty competitive and seems like it will be an interesting '07

Hmm.....hard to say.

-The 3i (2liter) has a lower power and tq to weight ratio, but weighs like 120lbs less. 
-The i is also available with the 16x6.5 wheels or the 15x6s. So....the i model COULD cram a 245/45-16 on a 6.5 inch wheel. and a 225/50-16 on the back and get really good stick. The s model could do the same as well.
-The gearboxes are the same and the suspension are as well I believe.
-Does the s have stiffer anything? bars? springs?
-The s comes with standard ABS and it's an option on the i. Would you get it without for weight?
-Are SSRs still available in a 16x6.5 with that funky 5x114 bolt patern? What about any aftermarket 17x6.5? Have to go full custom there?

(on another tangent now.......)
The corolla xrs also would need custom wheels in that 16x6 size. Will those wheels be big enough to get good grip? It's supposed to weigh about the same as the MZ3i +/-a few pounds. And it has ~165hp and like 127tq. I called and Toyota shows about 5 strut bolts for the corollas. Will one of them get more camber? Is it legal?

What about that 99-00 Si? Why is it worse than either car above? And Alan Dahl said his Audi was NOT prepped much at all. What would it do with custom double adjustable shocks? It did have a 2.8L V6 so its got a LOT of power and launching capability.

Any more opinions?

I saw a nice 1995 Audi 90 2.8L like Alan's old car in Corpus Christi, TX a few months back in NICE comdition....so they're still out there.

David Hedderick

davebs14:

I saw a nice 1995 Audi 90 2.8L like Alan's old car in Corpus Christi, TX a few months back in NICE comdition....so they're still out there.

David Hedderick

That Audi must of been at the dealer getting all new parts on it....Ask Alan about the cost of running his car...$OUCH$.

FM 

mattm:

Anyone think a 318i would do well in '07?

Bump.

mattm:

mattm:

Anyone think a 318i would do well in '07?

Bump.

Yes but only with you behind the wheel.

Jim

mattm:

mattm:

Anyone think a 318i would do well in '07?

Bump.

Yes but only with you behind the wheel.

Jim

fastmike:

So...WHICH Mazda 3 is the fast..uh...best HS autox'er?
FM

I was parked next to the owner of the 3 at Nationals, I think it was Mark, well actually its his wife's car, and he indicated that the i might be better because there is less inside wheel spinnage out of turns versus the torquier 2.3.  It also looks to weigh over 100 pounds less based on the Internet information. 

FWIW

davebs14:

(on another tangent now.......)
The corolla xrs also would need custom wheels in that 16x6 size. Will those wheels be big enough to get good grip? It's supposed to weigh about the same as the MZ3i +/-a few pounds. And it has ~165hp and like 127tq. I called and Toyota shows about 5 strut bolts for the corollas. Will one of them get more camber? Is it legal?

What about that 99-00 Si? Why is it worse than either car above? And Alan Dahl said his Audi was NOT prepped much at all. What would it do with custom double adjustable shocks? It did have a 2.8L V6 so its got a LOT of power and launching capability.

Any more opinions?

I saw a nice 1995 Audi 90 2.8L like Alan's old car in Corpus Christi, TX a few months back in NICE comdition....so they're still out there.

David Hedderick

I'll bet that the TSB for strut bolts exists for the Corolla.  Audi 90's are also great and Dahl proved it to be fast enough.  99-00 Civic Si's are also a possible contender.  There have been a few running around a while back and they were very quick.

Anyone see Tacoma pickups on R tires? Chevy S10's?  Mitsu 323 GTX?

Jim

autoxgod:

Yes but only with you behind the wheel. Jim

Well, thanks. But, the car drives itself (right into that pylon on the South Course in '05).

Test drove a 2.3L Mazda 3 tonight and it does have torque and TONS of sustained sweeper grip. WOW! But it had 50 miles on the car so the engine felt tight still. I'll have to drive a 2L i model to see how it feels. I bet on a power course the XRS would kill both cars, but I still gotta wonder about the 6in wide wheels.

Overall the brakes on the 3s are awesome, the power is great but not substantial over the mini like the corolla (maybe the toyota just felt faster).

David     

davebs14:

-Are SSRs still available in a 16x6.5 with that funky 5x114 bolt patern?

Nope.  But there will probably be another fairly lightweight, fairly inexpensive option soon...

autoxgod:

I'll bet that the TSB for strut bolts exists for the Corolla.  Audi 90's are also great and Dahl proved it to be fast enough.  99-00 Civic Si's are also a possible contender.  There have been a few running around a while back and they were very quick.

Anyone see Tacoma pickups on R tires? Chevy S10's?  Mitsu 323 GTX?

Jim

Tacoma...S-10.....Huh?  Jim I am starting to worry about you.  323GTX....probably won't find one of those unless it has been stored and you will pay triple the value of the car.

Talking about lightweight wheels......how about the new SSR's for mine.  Shave 10.0lbs off the wheels, they weigh 8.8lbs. 

That's a nice wheel choice Scott.  I'll bet that helps a bit and probably feels a lot better too.  Guess who used to have a 323 GTX?  Up in the land of cheese I remember a very fast guy had one and another fast guy had or may still have one. 

Whatever the case, HS is getting to be more fun all the time.  I like having a lot of folks interested in it.  There's so many new people looking at non-MINI alternatives right now but who knows who will take their cars out to play on the Divisional or National scene.  I hear a lot of talk but haven't seen the action and it's always a maybe and a we'll see response.  Topeka only had 22 entrants this year so who knows if it'll actually grow.  I'd like to see more people take these non-MINI choices just to see how they do.

Subaru's, MINI's, Hondas, Mazdas, BMW's, Audi's, Chevy's, Toyota's and who knows what else.  I'd say HS has just about the greatest diversity of competitive car choices than any other Stock class.

Jim

323GTX....probably won't find one of those unless it has been stored and you will pay triple the value of the car.

Karter has one in the driveway.  It was his first AX car.

autoxgod:

That's a nice wheel choice Scott.  I'll bet that helps a bit and probably feels a lot better too.  Guess who used to have a 323 GTX?  Up in the land of cheese I remember a very fast guy had one and another fast guy had or may still have one. 

Whatever the case, HS is getting to be more fun all the time.  I like having a lot of folks interested in it.  There's so many new people looking at non-MINI alternatives right now but who knows who will take their cars out to play on the Divisional or National scene.  I hear a lot of talk but haven't seen the action and it's always a maybe and a we'll see response.  Topeka only had 22 entrants this year so who knows if it'll actually grow.  I'd like to see more people take these non-MINI choices just to see how they do.

Subaru's, MINI's, Hondas, Mazdas, BMW's, Audi's, Chevy's, Toyota's and who knows what else.  I'd say HS has just about the greatest diversity of competitive car choices than any other Stock class.

Jim

Scott knows this already but there will be a 2006 Scion tC coming to 2007 Nationals. The biggest advantage this tC has isn't necessarily HP or Torque, it's luxury of having Jack and Scott as the "measuring sticks" all season. Then come out and have fun with the rest of you all. Scott said he had a blast, so I'm really looking foward to joining in on the fun and adding to the diversity.

Results from Cincy Region Cendiv Sept 9th and 10th.

scionsouth:

Scott knows this already but there will be a 2006 Scion tC coming to 2007 Nationals. The biggest advantage this tC has isn't necessarily HP or Torque, it's luxury of having Jack and Scott as the "measuring sticks" all season. Then come out and have fun with the rest of you all. Scott said he had a blast, so I'm really looking foward to joining in on the fun and adding to the diversity.

 

Well look who decided to join us.  Guys, this fellow (Jon) is a better driver than I.  He is really getting this tC thing down.  We have battled all year long against one another.  After driving his car a couple of times this year and getting to drive this weekend....I can tell you, this car ain't no joke.  With the right set up, it TOO could be nationally competitive.  Who knows, I may even be piloting it next year with him at Nat's.

BTW, don't let those results fool you.....Larry skipped 1/2 the course to go that fast j/k Larry.

-sb

Excellent...and welcome Jon to HS competition.  Larry is one of the underestimated driver's out there too.  Not bad for someone who started in Solo 2 events after he retired as an engineer.  I remember meeting him at a Peru event before he even started.  He's come a long way and has already proven to be a contender.  He's put in a lot of seat time to get there.  If Jon comes out with his Tc and Scott brings back the EX, Mark and others with M/3's and the contingent of MINI's, it'll be a great season of fun and laughs.  I also hope we see Matt and Gerry back to give us all something to shoot for.  Many great people keep HS tough.

Keith, Jeff J, Chiles, etc.  geez, how many more can I recognize.  Looking forward to having as many tough battles in HS as possible.

Jim