Return Once More

The key was turned. Relays clicked. Dust was shrugged off, and slowly old gears began to come to life. Skills that long lay dormant, some atrophied beyond beyond repair, began to resurface. I ran long and I ran hard. 1989 Honda CRX. 14 inch gas saver tires. 5500 RPM rev limit. 60 horsepower on a good day. Still faster than 99% that go up into the hills. Today was a good day.

Once More into the Fray

Back on the hill with an 89 240sx I helped build. Its not technically a shake down run because the car was dialed in(of sorts) before I got my hands on it. Never-the-less I will be in it for a full week and will be trying to get tune out some of the bugs as prep for the next stage of the build. The car itself is very capable, but built for the smoothest of tracks. Since 35 is almost the complete opposite of that, this current run will be interesting. First up was a 13.06. I'll see what I can do to better that.

Tuesday

Temp: 54 Degrees F
Weather: Clear
Road Condition: Dry
Traffic: Yes, Light
Heat: No
Inhabitants: No
Time in: 13:06.5
Time out: 12:53.5
Average Speed: 63/48 MPH
Top Speed: 89 MPH

Back in the game

After much time was spent watching and waiting, and many nights were spent planning the next wave of attack the next project is starting to take shape. I have the time, the money, and the inclination to get started, all I need is a willing candidate. Only the right one will do. Here is the current proposal set in stages. It is not yet complete, the b rake system has yet to be designed, but it should only take a bit more research to put the finishing touches on this one. The Porsche just needs a clutch before it gets on the street and once it does, it will be the base line vehicle to to beat.

Suspension and Chassis-
Tein Flex Coilovers $1600 M3
Volk Racing TE37v 14x7.5+6 4x114.3 $1600 M3
Volk Racing Lug nuts $160 M3
Dunlop Z1 Star Spec 195/60-14 $450 M3
TC Sportline Front and Rear Strut Bar $200 Mazdatrix
Cusco Lower Arm Bar $110 RX7.com
Braided brake lines $85 Mazdatrix
Steel Frame Rails and Cross Brace $400 Flyingmiata
Power Up-
Bonez High Flow Cat-Vert $315 Rx7.com
Apex'i Dual N1 Exhaust system $1100 Hopupracing
Aluminum Drivshaft $400 Mazdatrix
Interior-
Sparco Pro 2000 Carbon $2000 M3
Nagisa Auto Super Low Seat Rail $200 More-Japan.com
R-Magic Shift Knob $75 R-Magic.jp.com/japan-parts.com
JoyFast GT400 Shift Extender $90 rev9autosport
KG Works Type D Starter $215 rev9autosport
Momo Monte Carlo Steering Wheel ---
Ferrari Horn Button $50 Ebay
B Titanium Steering Wheel Bolts $125 rev9autosprort
Works Bell Quick Release $305 M3
Works Bell Lock $130 M3
Works Bell Short Boss $200 M3
Momo Steering Wheel Hub $60 M3
Exterior-
JoyFast Short Radio Antenna $80 rev9autosport
RE-A Type Side Skirts $300 Shine Auto Project
RE-A GT Type Rear Diffuser $350 Shine Auto Project
Corksport Type CS Front Lip $130 Corksport
Fiber Glass +20mm fenders $260 Maxdatrix
J-Spec Flash to pass lights $220 Corksport
J-Spec GT-R Badge $11x2 Corksport
PIAA 580 Series Fog Light $300 autoaccessoriesgarage.com
($11,232)

Second stage tuning to be added=
Weight reduction of the interior
Simplified Engine and vehicle wiring harness
(*)LED Exterior and Interior lighting $??? Autoillumination
Removal of PWR STR (if applicable)
Removal of A/C Sytstem (if applicable)
Removal of Sun Roof Mechanism (if applicable)
De-Powering Steering rack (if applicable)
(*)Fluid Flush and replace
Dual Alternator Belt Pulley $56 Mazdatrix
Underdrive Pulley $82 Mazdatrix
Water Pump Under Drive Pulley $75 Mazdatrix
(*)Belt $???x2 Kragen
New fan Clutch $230 Mazdatrix
Aluminum Oil Pan $350 Pineappleracing.com
Oil Pan Gasket $31.00 Mazdatrix
Braided Oilcooler Line Kit $215 Maxdatrix
Braided Clutch Line $25 Banzai-racing.com
(*)HKS Type 1 Turbo Timer $160 M3
Apex PFC 86-88 Jumper Kit $315 banzai-racing.com
FC Poly Trans Mounts $45 Banzai-racing.com
FC Poly Engine Mounts $125 Banzai-Racing.com
Apex PFC 1993-1995 RX7 $1100 M3
S4 NA Block off plate kit $30 Banzai-racing.com
Emissions removal including Air Pump
S4 Manual Trans Cross Member $95 Mazdatrix
S4 4.875 Final Drive $950 Mazdatrix
S4 Turbo Throttle Body $200 RX7Club
S3 Turbo Secondary Injectors $200x2 Mazdatrix
(***)S6 1993 RX7 FD torsen Differential $300 RX7Club.com
S5 GXL or GTUs Transmission $300 RX7Club.com
S5 Short Shifter $192 Mazdatrix
(*)APR Custom Front Splitter $375+ aprperformance.com
13B 6 Port Header $287 Mazdatrix
Corksport Radiator panel $60 Corksport
Corksport Fanshroud for bigger radiator $80 Corksport
Samco radiator hose kit $115 Corksport
Koyo Radiator w/rad cap $300 M3/Racing Lab
(***)Aluminum Flywheel, 12 pounds $535 Mazdatrix
(***)Exedy Stage 1 Clutch $260 Mazdatrix
(*)RE-A Type Areo Mirrors $??? FD Newbie
R-Magic Areo FC Hood $1200 FD Newbie
CAS Cover $12 Mazdatrix"
Magnecor Plug Wires $60 Mazdatrix
(*)Rear Wheel Camber Adjusters $140x2 Mazdatrix
(*)Rear Subframe Camber Adjustment $140 Mazdatrix
(*)Urethane Suspension Bushing set $155 Mazdatrix
(*)Rear Swing arm and "Rear Steer" eliminator Bushings $170 Mazdatrix
(*)Rear Subframe Bushings $120 Mazdatrix
Auto Power race Roll Bar $600 Foriegn Auto Tech Millbrae
Willans Harness 4 Pt. 3" harness $300 M3
Braille Carbon Fiber Battery, 6.5 pounds $200 M3/Tirerack
(*)Retune @ Tech3 San Jose
($9,990)

Power Up-
Water Pump $100 Mazdatrix
High pressure Oil pressure sending unit $110 Mazdatrix
Oil Pressure Sending unit $70 Mazdatrix
Pulsation Damper + Seals $160 Mazdatrix
Fuel Pressure Regulator $160 Mazdatrix
Throttle Cable $35 Mazdatrix
Fuel Injector Air Bleeds $50x4 Mazdatrix
Vacuum Hose Spider + Hose $100 Mazdatrix
Air Control Valve $400 Mazdatrix
Turbo Fuel Pump Assembly $340 Mazdatrix
Fuel Level Sending Unit $100 Mazdatrix
Spark Plugs $10x4 Mazdatrix
88 Turbo Rotor Housings $600x2 Mazdatrix
Water bypass plug $5x2 Mazdatrix
Competition Rotor Bearing #140x2 Mazdatrix
RX8 E Shaft $200 Mazdatrix
RX8 Stationary Gears $140x2 Mazdatrix
Stationary gear bearing $35x2 Mazdatrix
Engine Stud Kit $550 Mazdatrix
Non-Turbo 4.5lb Flywheel $550 Mazdatrix
Non-Turbo Clutch for 4.5 Flywheel $1000 Mazdatrix
Balanced RX8 Rotor and Counterweight set $2200 Mazdatrix
Aluminum Housings $1800x3 Mazdatrix
Street porting housings $500 Mazdatrix
Balancing Assembly $300 Mazdatrix
Titanium Bolt replacement $1500
Cahssis Seam Welding $1000
Body Repaint $3000
(*)Fluids
($19,375)

These will be checked off one by one as this develops and each stage will be completed and cataloged before moving to the next. The current goal is the same as the previous, run 8 minutes and 35 seconds on Hwy 35 South through Woodside, though after some other data acquisition not previously entered I believe that this can be achieved easier than I assumed previously and I also think a well tuned Miata can run the course much faster than 8:30. I am to achieve both. And then the final tuning stage with a built MR-S will begin.

Christmas Came Early

After coordinating repairs on the 93 Miata T-Car it was turned over to me for a few hours to do my worst on the home course. It felt great to get back in the car and even better to take it up into the red zone on 35. The road has been repaired in patches since my last excursion up here(April) and the road surface is a mixture of bumpy new asphalt, pitted old concrete, and slippery terafirma pushed onto the road by the wind. To say a horrible job was done is an understatement.

The car felt solid, planted in a way that only a Miata can. It gave confidence in every corner and the straights were managed without issue. The brakes were spot on every time and showed no signs of fade, shifting was direct and precise(if not a little notchy from 2nd to 3rd at high rev). The tires did what the could and didn't give me any grief, nor did they make much noise. I think this is combination of the cold weather and the run being done around 60%. Even with the lighter course speed I could feel the difference in the early 4.3 gearing and the 4.1 I had in my car. The T-Car has proven once again to be a great control for any tests I run, and while the motor is down 20 Horsepower the revs are in the same place they always were, albeit a bit slower in speed. This confirmed that the gearing of the 4.1 car does indeed slow it down, as the 4.3 car could navigate the uphill return section in 3rd gear at the same speed the 4.1 car would be while going back and forth between 2nd and 3rd in each corner. Top speed was not affected, but the car lacked umph(no surprise with a tired 1.6) and I think a good compromise would be a 4.44 in a stock 1.8.

The only complaints were with the driver. Traffic was light and the night was clear bringing the conditions to about as perfect as they were ever going to be at 8PM on a Tuesday. The line was still there, just faintly visible and the braking markers were about the same, though my judge of speed is way off and my feel of the car is just at a basic level. I was braking way too early, turning in way too late at times, and I missed a few apexes. Having been out of the game for a quite a while, this doesn't discourage me, it only makes me want to get back to it even more.

Tuesday

Temp: 57 Deg. F
Weather: Clear
Road Condition: Dry
Traffic: Yes, Light
Heat: No
Inhabitants: No
Time in: 12:33.1
Time out: 12:01.8
Average Speed: 65/50 MPH
Top Speed: 87 MPH

Back in the Saddle

Took a quick run on 35 during the heat wave over the weekend. Construction on the initial 5 mi., all the way to Bella Vista's door step. Road still felt great even with the extra debris, car still felt planted. Braking markers are still there. Over ran a WRX on the way out, and got surprised by a manual converted 7.40i on the way in. Only disappointment was the BMW at Alice's, first time I've had a bad one there.

Monday

Temp: 34 Deg. F
Weather: Clear
Road Condition: Dry, Icy
Traffic: No
Heat: No
Inhabitants: No
Time in: N/A
Time out: N/A
Average Speed: 70/60 MPH
Top Speed: 85 MPH

First Run of the Year

The current setting feels much more precise than the last. The car stays planted where I want it while remaining responsive to any slight input. Heavier wheels are slowing initial acceleration some, but nothing that affects over all performance. Stock suspension is working harder and most likely won't hold up to the abuse of the larger tires. Attempted a short skid pad on Canada after the run, and track temps in the low 40s are not being kind to the summer tires.

Friday

Temp: 41 Deg. F
Weather: Clear/Foggy
Road Condition: Wet, Debris
Traffic: Yes, Light
Heat: No
Inhabitants: No
Time in: N/A
Time out: N/A
Average Speed: 75/60 MPH
Top Speed: 90 MPH

Settings Update

Engine: N/A
Transmission: Stock 4.10 Rear no LSD
Suspension: Stock Springs and Shocks, Beatrush Front, Flying Miata Butterfly Brace and Frame Rails
Wheels and Tires: Volk Racing TE37v 15x8 Ft 15x8.5 Rr, Bridgestone RE-11 205/50 Ft, Kumho ECSTA XS 205/50 Rr
Tire Pressure: 29PSi Front, 26PSi Rear
Exterior: Garage Vary Front lip
Additions: Bride Stradia Seat, Momo Monte Carlo Steering wheel, Works Bell Quick Release Hub, Braille Carbon Fibre 6.5lb Battery
Current Goal: 10:00 Min.
Overall Goal: 8:30 Min.
Current Best: 9:58 Min

Tuesday

Temp: 57 Deg. F
Weather: Clear
Road Condition: Dry, Debris
Traffic: Yes, Light
Heat: No
Inhabitants: Yes
Time in: 11.00.0
Time out: 10.50.5
Average Speed: 75/60 MPH
Top Speed: 95 MPH

First Rain

The first rain of the season came and went this past weekend. It was a small storm with relative low wind speeds and Temperatures that stayed in the 50s. The real beauty of the storm was the timing and the duration, lasting only two and half days. It cleared the roads of congestion and as it departed, left a surreal beauty. With the moon high in the sky Sunday evening, a test run was in order to calculate the distance between a dry run and wet run. Results were discouraging at best, even with light traffic times were too high to even be mentioned on the scale, but the run was not in vain. It confirmed a few small pieces of the strategy to run 35, as well as put the final nail in the coffin for the Sumitomo HTR 200s. I'm looking forward to the next wet run.

Tuesday

Temp: 84 Deg. F
Weather: Clear
Road Condition: Dry
Traffic: Yes, Light
Heat: No
Inhabitants: No
Time in: 11.29.6
Time out: 10.58.7
Average Speed: 80/60 MPH
Top Speed: 93 MPH
(night run)