MrTurkey's NC3 Track Only Build

[MrTurkey]

Been pottering away waiting on Shockworks NC coilovers to be available.

I have some Whiteline Front Control Arm Upper Bushing Camber For MAZDA MX5 NC ready to go in when I do the coils.

New stuff:
Remove carpets and parcel shelf 'stuff'. Returned factory rollover bar, drivers seat etc for now. Center console also returned to cover up the sharp bits.



I am wondering how much of the PRHT stuff I can remove and still keep the roof attached? I am also looking to get rid of all the crash sensors and airbag stuff, is there any issues with ripping this out and keeping the car working?

Also added a:
RAM Lil Buddy Adhesive Dash Mount with X-Grip RAP-SB-180-UN7U (For use with a spare S7 that I have for laptimer app of choice.

[MrTurkey]

Final Lapdash for the AWDCC on 11/11/18
Here is my best session, pretty happy with a slight improvement on my PB time.


Track: Logic Wodonga
Weather: 20-29 Degrees Celsius

Official Results: http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results/

I had a few issues with getting 3rd gear selected in the final session. Hopefully this is something simple to deal with. Let me know what you think I should do in regards to this. Also when loading on the trailer at the end of the day the coolant pressure relief system seemed to do it's job relieving itself. There is no shelter at this track and I probably need to open the bonnet to let out some heat after each session.

Front right tyre is pretty roasted too after 3 track days at this track. I'll rotate these as it will be fine on the back for a few days yet.

Front left tyre looks like this at the end of the day (3 track days as mentioned):

[Custardtart]

Looks like fun. The tyre in the pic looks very good for 3 events, if the other side is half as good you'll still have plenty of life left in them. It's initially quite surprising how much grip they'll give when the groves have all but dissappeared.

A general observation on the handling looks like a fair bit of understeer. What sways are you on? I'm guessing you're still on standard suspension?

I've found what others told me, i.e.. stiffer sways will help the standard shocks/springs but to go fast you need much stiffer springs, standard front sway and possibly slightly stiffer, and ideally adjustable rear sway bar.
For a track only car I'd be looking at 12/6kg springs minimum. When I was shopping for coil overs I really liked the look of the BC Racing RH series as they used aluminium in the construction which should save a fair bit of weight and is usually only found on shocks twice the price. I'm not sure you need external reservoirs on a light MX5 unless doing serious endurance races.

Do you have any idea on the camber, castor and toe settings? I've tried a few settings and found 1degree of toe out made a good bit of difference to steering feel on turn in compared to 0 degrees I had before. I'm running about 2 degrees camber front and 2.5 degrees rear with 5 degrees castor and just above the legal ride height with a bit of rake.

[MrTurkey]

Looks like fun. The tyre in the pic looks very good for 3 events, if the other side is half as good you'll still have plenty of life left in them. It's initially quite surprising how much grip they'll give when the groves have all but dissappeared.

A general observation on the handling looks like a fair bit of understeer. What sways are you on? I'm guessing you're still on standard suspension?

I've found what others told me, i.e.. stiffer sways will help the standard shocks/springs but to go fast you need much stiffer springs, standard front sway and possibly slightly stiffer, and ideally adjustable rear sway bar.
For a track only car I'd be looking at 12/6kg springs minimum. When I was shopping for coil overs I really liked the look of the BC Racing RH series as they used aluminium in the construction which should save a fair bit of weight and is usually only found on shocks twice the price. I'm not sure you need external reservoirs on a light MX5 unless doing serious endurance races.

Do you have any idea on the camber, castor and toe settings? I've tried a few settings and found 1degree of toe out made a good bit of difference to steering feel on turn in compared to 0 degrees I had before. I'm running about 2 degrees camber front and 2.5 degrees rear with 5 degrees castor and just above the legal ride height with a bit of rake.

Thanks for the comments. I'll be doning a full rotation before next event for the tyres.

Standard suspension all around still. Shockworks coilovers are planned to go in when their stock arrives. Also have the Whiteline KCA421 Front Control arm - upper bushing for an extra -0.5 degress camber to go in when I do the coils. (followed by an alignment as I haven't had one done as yet)

Some action at last, seat install. Post incoming.

[MrTurkey]

New Seat is:
Sparco Pro 2000 II (fits me quite comfy)
Sparco Seat Side Mounts
Custom Made Floor Adapter
Schroth Flexi 2x2 Red 6 Point Harness

The Seat


Laying out lower frame in car


Cross Bars


Welding it up (thanks to my bro in law)


Front view installed


Full hardness is in


And it fits inside door


Currently I haven't yet upgraded the rear bar so I have wrapped them in cloth tape to have the harness in now. Bars are coming next year.

The above combination I would recommend to go into an NC. You will need smaller hands than mine to get things done up. I dread having to take it all out.

[MrTurkey]

Let me know:
Full Bumper
Cut Bumper
No Bumper

BTW my ride height is still really crap.







Muffler will come off soon...

[Custardtart]

Full bumper for me. Don’t think the NC has the same aero issues the others have with rear bumbers

[Snowmotion]

Gotta fix that ride height.... looking like a 4WD with the height and mud on tires.

I just did the bumper cut where it is unpainted. I like the look like that.

[MrTurkey]

Well got a few things done over the break. Fixed up the ride height, swapped exhaust, cut bumper, shifter extension and knob, fixed up the power window switch (cut earth when I removed seat wiring harness), lengthen O2 wiring for relocation.

Next I need an alignment and then will hit the track. Half the fun is working on the car and making it my own. Plenty of skin off so far in the build too.

Shifter extension from Beavis and Tomei Duracon Shift Knob 90MM (Because I can, will see if it useful on track)



New Stance with YellowSpeed Coilovers from Boyracer




Bumper Cut and New Exhaust from Boyracer (NitroDann exhaust and Goodwin Racing Headers, catless)

[bruce]

Bumper cut looks good as it shows off the big fart can!

[Daffy]

Looking really good! Its going to be interesting to hear how different it feels on the track

[Snowmotion]

Looks good, the work on the car is fun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MrTurkey]

Well got a run yesterday at the Winton Test and Tune. (2 Feb 2019)


This was my only real session as I have a gearbox stuck in 3rd for now. (at the start of the 2nd session so had to head early)

I am very happy with the laptimes considering first time at track in this car. Looking forward to getting more laps in now.

Video goes at a funny angle for my best lap but you can see how much time is left for the easy takings. Had I finished the day it would have been a 1:40 flat by the time I string together a decent lap.

[RS2000]

This was my only real session as I have a gearbox stuck in 3rd for now.

It looks & sounds like you are often getting compression lock up when you go back to second gear. Are you heel/toeing & bringing up the revs?

[MrTurkey]

This was my only real session as I have a gearbox stuck in 3rd for now.

It looks & sounds like you are often getting compression lock up when you go back to second gear. Are you heel/toeing & bringing up the revs?

Yes, I need to get on this. No, I haven't been heel/toeing very much at all. I'll need to get out and practice.

One of the reasons I post the in car videos where you can see me is to make myself aware of what I am doing or not doing while I am driving. Quite often I don't see it or am not aware of it until moments like these.

PS: wrecker gearbox is on the way, not sure how serious the damage is on the current one but can't hurt to have a spare.