Best bang for buck track use mod list ...

[RaceTech]

Hi Guys,

Building a NB MX5 for track use although still street regestered id like to be able to drive the car too and from the track.

What would be a good 'track use' mod list for these cars ??

Something along the lines of good bang for buck upgrades that will offer a noticeable difference.

I am planning to turbo the car so 250 rwhp is the goal to wake it up a little.

Appreciate the advice as i am new to MX5 ownership

Cheers !

[RaceTech]

The car is a 1999 NB8A if that helps ...

[MINX]

If you can make it to the next Club track day at Lakeside on Monday 23rd, there wil be plenty of cars to inspect for ideas, and just as many opinions

My vote is for Tyres and Brakes.
And if it is not a DD then add as much lightness as possible.

[Sailor]

Tyres and a wheel alignment will be the very best starting point

[mr2 spyder]

definitely the best tyres you can afford then some decent pads and fluid/oils.

[hks_kansei]

then add as much lightness as possible.

Grumpy old man post below:

It really irks me how people say "add lightness"
You do not add lightness, you remove weight. The only way to "add" a lower weight is if you fill the car with helium.

I know Colin Chapman said it, but then he wasn't exactly an english teacher.




Anyway, to answer the question.

OP, to go faster at the track you need to add fastness and add good drivingness

[MINX]

Oh i forgot because it was so obvious - a good quality roll bar - which also adds stiffyness
eg mx5plus torquebox http://www.mx5plus.com.au/part_list.php?cat=8

[Smokinscotty]

Race seat. This is a good start point as it increases your feel, and you will be able to guage the effectivness of future mods more easily.
Wheel alignment and good oils/pads are more basic service requirements for track use, that you will need to to regularly so not much of a mod.

[manga_blue]

1. Seat time (the only single mod worth more than 10 sec/lap)

2. Roll bar, 3" Harness, race seat

3. Tyres, fluids, pads and wheel alignment

[RaceTech]

Hi all,

Thanks for the prompt replies

Im happy to spend much more than just tyres ...

My list was this, please tell me if i should add anything else ...

15x8 6UL rims
Kumho V70a
Coilover Shocks
Wheels alignment
Race seat/harness
Half rollcage (bolt-in)
Brake pads and braided lines
Strut and swaybars front/rear
Alloy radiator

Anything else worth considering ?

Im no Pro driver but i am a confident track driver and have done many track klms in my other toys. Hope that makes sense

[tbro]

Well, could just say SEARCH.

This shows how much this forum has changed ..

Have you ANY experience doing track days???

Regardless of what your plans are for tracking or racing there are a few must dos.

1/ Full service, all fluids changed and a quality brake fluid to the brakes and clutch.
2/ Brake pads, types isn't an issue for a newby just make sure at least 5mm thickness on pads
3/ Wheel alignment, by a steering specialist, not a tyre shop.
4/ Quality helmet and driving gloves, hard to get used to gloves but when you do you will appreciate them.
5/ Go out and have FUN listen to those in std looking cars leading by example.

Basically you can spend so much money and still be slow. A std suspension NA 1600 with roll bar and on 888s can and does lap Lakeside in the 64 seconds, RACING, not track days where the only pressure is yourself, but fightening with others for position.

BIG HINT if you are a newby, contact Jeff about the Morgan Park day!!!!!!Best dollars you can spend.

[RaceTech]

Thanks, i plan to join the QLD MX5 club and enter the track events..

I am used to driving something alot faster than this car but the MX5 attracted me alot as a cheap track street car with great balance and lightweight so cheap on tyres and brakes and will allow me to track it often and hard with no worries of $$ to repair if i ever hit the wall hard.

My post was more asking if there is any hints and tips MX5 specific that you guys would recommend as im new to this car.

[NitroDann]

pretty standard comment regarding much faster cars.

Stock power NBs have run in the 1:09's at wakefield, 250rwhp is DOUBLE that.

Dann

[Magpie]

What is your budget for 'improvments'?

MX5 Plus offers a track day service at a reasonable price.

As has been said find a good alignment the suites your driving style, there are a few threads on this forum regarding settings. A search of the forum will give opinions on brake pads, tyres and other MX5 specific stuff.

One lesson I learnt on my first track day is fuel up at the nearest service station to the track as the MX5 only has a small tank

Personally the best bang for buck is having the driver loose the weight and not the car.

Then add as much lightness as possible is like saying negative profit as oppossed to a loss

[Hjt]

So much to say, so much that others will add. For a nb8a a brake bias valve does help