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jzr:

Jeff,

I don't think there's one clear answer.  Most likely it'll be course dependent.  On a fast and flowing speed-maintenance course, such as the great ones you've helped make our region known for, I  think the 255 may be the way to go.  On a smaller course where there's more acceleration zones, maybe the shorter tire is better.  Have to test both a bit to see.

Has anybody got their STR car together enough that is consistently beating a top-flight ST Civic?

I'd know more if the season would start already! I hope so.

glagola1:

jzr:

Jeff,

I don't think there's one clear answer.  Most likely it'll be course dependent.  On a fast and flowing speed-maintenance course, such as the great ones you've helped make our region known for, I  think the 255 may be the way to go.  On a smaller course where there's more acceleration zones, maybe the shorter tire is better.  Have to test both a bit to see.

Has anybody got their STR car together enough that is consistently beating a top-flight ST Civic?

I'd know more if the season would start already! I hope so.

 Try waiting until mid-April!

---

Colin Fiedler
07 STI
Milwaukee Region
Bridgestone, Racecomp Engineering, Grimmspeed
2008 STU National Champion
www.colinfiedler.com

SerNick:

Brian will be on Motons and OSGiken diff. Not sure what he's doing for rates yet.

Indeed.  Mugen LCA compliance bushings and OS Giken LSD arrived today.  Feels like Christmas with the parts arriving.  The last of the OE diff bearings/etc should should arrive tomorrow along with the pillowball mounts for the Moton shocks.

This is my wife's car, and I am letting her co-driver setup the car.  Spring rates are undecided, but am using 2.25" x 7" Hyperco springs.

Will try to fit the Sparco Pro2000 seat in the car this weekend too.  I saw 2 people on S2KI use this seat, but it seems like it might be a tight fit.

I am sticking to my ST car for this year.  I dropped it off to get the engine rebuilt this week, as I am tired of going through a half qt of oil per event...

I want to get the car ready for the first event on Jan 24th, but we will see.  My civic will hopefully be back up and running for the event the weekend after this one.

---

Brian Bell
ST '89 Civic Si

pinkertonpunk:

glagola1:

jzr:

Jeff,

I don't think there's one clear answer.  Most likely it'll be course dependent.  On a fast and flowing speed-maintenance course, such as the great ones you've helped make our region known for, I  think the 255 may be the way to go.  On a smaller course where there's more acceleration zones, maybe the shorter tire is better.  Have to test both a bit to see.

Has anybody got their STR car together enough that is consistently beating a top-flight ST Civic?

I'd know more if the season would start already! I hope so.

 Try waiting until mid-April!

I would die.... or move. 

jzr:

Jeff,

I don't think there's one clear answer.  Most likely it'll be course dependent.  On a fast and flowing speed-maintenance course, such as the great ones you've helped make our region known for, I  think the 255 may be the way to go.  On a smaller course where there's more acceleration zones, maybe the shorter tire is better.  Have to test both a bit to see.

Has anybody got their STR car together enough that is consistently beating a top-flight ST Civic?

 Hi JRho,

My focus will be on the West Lot and El Toro.  So I am going with the 255's for now, ultimate grip, and higher top speed in 2nd gear.  I know I am giving up acceleration to the S2000's, but that isn't an MX5's advantage, being small and lite weight is, so I will develop the car towards its strengths.  I will know more in the next few months, I will have new tires, and more time in the car, and some great competition to compare to.  My goal, for now, is to at least straight time the top ST Civics, which is always tough to do.  Hopefully, at the next practice, I will be able to test the 245/35/17 Toyo R1R, Max and I are planning on doing a tire swap.

---

Jeff Cawthorne

06 Mazda MX5 - Silver #6 STR
08 Honda Civic Si - Fiji Blue 4 Door

zo7vette:

jzr:

Jeff,

I don't think there's one clear answer.  Most likely it'll be course dependent.  On a fast and flowing speed-maintenance course, such as the great ones you've helped make our region known for, I  think the 255 may be the way to go.  On a smaller course where there's more acceleration zones, maybe the shorter tire is better.  Have to test both a bit to see.

Has anybody got their STR car together enough that is consistently beating a top-flight ST Civic?

 Hi JRho,

My focus will be on the West Lot and El Toro.  So I am going with the 255's for now, ultimate grip, and higher top speed in 2nd gear.  I know I am giving up acceleration to the S2000's, but that isn't an MX5's advantage, being small and lite weight is, so I will develop the car towards its strengths.  I will know more in the next few months, I will have new tires, and more time in the car, and some great competition to compare to.  My goal, for now, is to at least straight time the top ST Civics, which is always tough to do.  Hopefully, at the next practice, I will be able to test the 245/35/17 Toyo R1R, Max and I are planning on doing a tire swap.

 

Jeff - you realize that the S2000 is only 2" wider and thats with the basically STR legal wheels right? As soon as you put on the 17x9's, your MX-5 is the same width as my S2000. There is a 3" difference in wheelbase but its not like we are talking about CRX vs Civic differences here. 

They are basically the exact same car with different powertrains and different weights. It will be fun to see which one comes out on top. Hopefully it works out so that the guy that drives faster is the one who wins not the one who has chosen the right car 

---

Nick Jackson
STR S2000

SerNick:

...It will be fun to see which one comes out on top. Hopefully it works out so that the guy that drives faster is the one who wins not the one who has chosen the right car 

  Pffffft, what's the fun in that?

---

--Jason Rhoades

The weekend of the 24th there is an event at the same site the Dixie Tour.  Marc Osgood will be piloting my old CRX so comparing my times with his will be the first real strong indication of where the car and I are at.  Let's hope it doesn't rain!

glagola1:

The weekend of the 24th there is an event at the same site the Dixie Tour.  Marc Osgood will be piloting my old CRX so comparing my times with his will be the first real strong indication of where the car and I are at.  Let's hope it doesn't rain!

If I can get Brian's car by then, I might have the 328is there as well... 

---

Randall Prince
Atlanta Region SCCA #144 ProSTX BMW 328is
racersmarket.net / imc-group.net

Jeff,

I see you are planning to remove the air conditioning from your NC.  What has to (or can) be removed other than the compressor, condenser, and associated plumbing from underhood?  Does any wiring need to be removed?  How about anything behind the dash?

 Thanks.  

---

Autocross: STR #13 2009 Miata.
HPDE: #144 1995 Miata.
For sale: 2004 Mazadaspeed Miata.

skeeler:

Jeff,

I see you are planning to remove the air conditioning from your NC.  What has to (or can) be removed other than the compressor, condenser, and associated plumbing from underhood?  Does any wiring need to be removed?  How about anything behind the dash?

 Thanks.  

 I haven't done all the homework on this yet.  Only stage 1, removing the underhood parts, I will be ordering the idler pulley and belt very soon.  First stage of removal will be the compressor, add the idler and new belt, and remove all the hoses in the engine compartment.  Stage 2 will be removing the parts in front of the radiator, which will happen when I get the parts, and the time, to remove the front bumper to legalize my AEM cold air intake.  Stage 3 will be researching what needs to be replaced under the dash, on the Civic we saved about 7lbs on the under dash piece.  Not sure on the wiring. 

---

Jeff Cawthorne

06 Mazda MX5 - Silver #6 STR
08 Honda Civic Si - Fiji Blue 4 Door

Thanks for the information.  Please post when you have more to share.

---

Autocross: STR #13 2009 Miata.
HPDE: #144 1995 Miata.
For sale: 2004 Mazadaspeed Miata.

In general, how much will each turn of the coil-over adjuster net? 1/16", 1/8" or? 

---

Jeff Cawthorne

06 Mazda MX5 - Silver #6 STR
08 Honda Civic Si - Fiji Blue 4 Door

Most I've seen are 8 threads per inch, so 1/8"

---

Patrick Washburn
Lucky Lugnut Racing
SoloPro Driving Schools
Red Eye Brewing Co

Some pics of my build:

255 x 4 pic.  Car was a little too low at this event, I raised it 1/4" today, I will keep adjusting until it is just right.  I went up 1/4" for 2 reasons, first was it needed to come up for better clearance with this set-up, on the worn down 255's, it rubbed more than I wanted.  Second, I have new tires to put on, full tread Star Specs, so I needed to make room for more tread.  1/8" for clearance, and an 1/8" for new tires. 

 Pic of the front Koni 30 Series 650lb springs

Pic of the rear Koni 30 Series 350lb springs.  Note the rear bar is present, but has been disconnected, I will be leaving it on for a while, in case I need to loosen it up a bit.

---

Jeff Cawthorne

06 Mazda MX5 - Silver #6 STR
08 Honda Civic Si - Fiji Blue 4 Door