Goin Racin - NA or NB?

[Shane001]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum, new to racing and new to MX-5's (haven't even dríven one yet!). Guess that makes me a newbie!

I really need some good advice to help me decide which way to go with a car. From what I've read so far I'm pretty sure I've come to the right place

I'm keen to get into motor racing next year with an MX-5. I'm hoping to be able to do the NSW championship and hopefully at least a couple of the enduros.

My biggest problem (like most of us) is budget. Ideally I only have around $12K for a car, but I've already come to the realisation I'll need to stretch this a little.

So should I be looking at an NA or an NB?

What are the pros and cons of either?

Currently I'm looking at a white NB ready to race for around $15K or importing a mid nineties NA to be built to race for around the same money. Both pretty much stock in the engine dept but with full roll cage, seat/harness, lightweight wheels, adjustable suspension & Torsen diff.

Also is it true that a hard top model will be faster on the track than an open roof model?

Any and all advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

Shane

[Alex]

First of all you are only willing to pay $12,000 for a car then extra for the mods (cage, seats...) or does the $12k include mods??

hard to understand what you are saying in the next bit, you are looking for an NB for $15k with cage, seats harness or you have found an NB already and are asking if this is a good price to pay. if you have already found an NB for $15k with seats, cage wheels suspension and torsen that sounds like a good price to me because stock NB's go for more than that generally. If you are looking to find one for this price then good luck, you might be looking for a while.

Hardtop is preferable for the track, better aerodynamics but a bit heavier

hmm as far as the NB vs NA goes it's up to you really, for a race car I would want a NA8 or an NB not an NA6, depends on if you want it to drive on the street as well, because it's illegal to remove airbags for street cars. The NA8 has alot of parts upgraded from the NA6. The later model NB's have ABS which clutters the engine bay, but they have better brakes and a little better chassis than the earlier NB8A. Could take a long time to go through all the pros and cons.
I'm sure the other forum members can help you alot more with this.

[Shane001]

Sorry, should have been clearer. $12K to $15K includes cage etc for the track, but no engine performance mods. The NB exists and is currently for sale, Jap import also so not street registerable. I'm not looking for an Aus street registrable car, too expensive. The NB is a Jap Import already CAM's log booked, the NA will be a Jap import to be built and log booked.

From what I've read the NB is 100 to 150kgs heavier than the NA? How much difference would this make to lap times? Then again the NB's are apparently much 'stiffer', so therefore better handling? This is the sort of info I'm after

And no not looking at the NA6, NA8 or early NB8 only.

Thanks.

[Li7hium]

Come have a gander at the Supersprinting NAs and NBs at Oran Park on Sunday! Most of the people there will be happy to talk to you about the pros and cons for their various set ups!

Matt

[Alex]

hmm interesting issue with weight there

NA8 (hardtop) Kerb: 1002kg
NB8A(hardtop) Kerb: 1048kg
without hardtop both would be 22kg lighter
real weight difference is about 46kg

Other things to consider, power steering? do you want it or not, some don't want it for the track others think the mx-5 power steering isn't that bad
NA chassis can be stiffened using a butterfly brace which only adds 12kg but if you have a full cage it should be very stiff anyway.
I'm waiting for the more experienced forum members to help you out as far as choosing between them goes because I have only ever dríven the NB mx5.

[Boyracer]

Firstly...Don't buy a car and build it up,will cost you a lot more than you think,best to buy one that is built.

If you want to go turbo in the future get a NB.

If you don't want to go turbo get a NA.

My NA race car was 860kg.(no hard top)

My NB SE Turbo race car is 1060kg.(with hard top)

I love the power steering on the NB so I would keep it.

Matildas NA race car will be for sale soon...probably a little bit more than your $12k budget but very close and a great car to start with.

If you want to check out a bunch of MX5 race cars come to Eastern Creek on Sunday or Oran park next weekend.

[Shane001]

Thanks everyone for all your replies and info, keep it coming...

I am hoping to get out to Eastern Creek on Sunday, work permitting... So hopefully I'll be able to drop by and say hi