Lightyear's SE Replica Track/Road MX-5

Postby **beavis** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:31 pm

Are you saying they cant go faster with a better setup?

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:36 pm

Well, MCA hammerhead ran off the shelf coilovers at WTAC.

Ill paraphrase:

"to prove how good our coilovers are, we will run off the shelf coilovers at WTAC".

I read that statement as :

"to prove how little coilovers matter on a smooth track, we will run off the shelf coilovers at WTAC"

It is an interesting question. Of course some time can be had by spending 100k on coilovers, but how much, is it the best value? Many very very fast cars have zero suspension, think about how quick a superkart is.

Dann

Postby **beavis** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:42 pm

Or, perhaps it's marketing speak for "We are running our own coilover because we are a suspension company and it would be stupid to use another brand"

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:50 pm

Well they could have custom made a proper solution to prove how clever they are, but they instead used a standard coilover.

Why didnt they use a proper custom made one? Is it because their off the shelf silvia coilover is perfect for their 1000kg aero car with 900whp and different suspension geometry, or is it because the damper means ƒü¢k all on a smooth track?

Thats the question I pose.

MrsB · Postby **MrsB** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:12 pm

and the full circuit Dann?

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:14 pm

It hasnt run it yet.

I believe that it has the 2a record everywhere it has run, with the exception of wakefield. I understand that being 2a its more modified than most MX5's, however its a serious class so being a really low dollar build (way under 15k) and so simple, its an amazing achievement for the guys and especially the driver. Its pretty amazing watching it beat 90 cars at an open supersprint, K24 supercharged Exige, Evora S, GTRs, Evos, open wheelers etc etc.

Its an incredible credit to mazda in the 80's (the heyday of jap cars IMO).

Dann

MrsB · Postby **MrsB** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:54 pm

cool - will be interesting to see how it goes - should enter it in WTAC or come play in prodsports as an invited 2a be good to see it up against some more serious competition.

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:04 pm

Completely agree, it did 1.09 flat on north circuit 70whp ago, asking for a run in prodsports would be great, Id imagine some serious competition for them.

Dann

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:37 pm

I don't plan on modifying this car any more than it is. It's a good package and doesn't even hint at overheating even after a full session at 100%. And I think Dann might be right, on a smooth track an expensive shock might not make a huge difference. Having the correct Spring would be enough.
Anyway, pics... I was surprised to see the front springs look more compressed than the rears. I expected the opposite.

image upload no limit

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:41 pm

Ok, just had a closer look. They must be early pics from the day. I kept gradually upping the wing AOA from zero, all the way up to 12 degrees. My quickest lap was at 12 degrees, top speed dropped by about 4 or 5 km/h. I was still going sideways over Lukey, but at a higher speed.

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:49 pm

Compare the surface area of the wing against the front fascia/splitter and you wont be surprised by the splitter being so incredibly powerful.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:18 am

"Off the shelf" is a loose term with MCA reds. Valving and Spring rate are custom for MCA reds.

The only real advantage they could have got from a set of golds are the external canister and separate adjustment.

Given their ability to rebuild the valving to suit prior to Raceday they didn't really need the extra adjustment.

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