Lachstock and Four Turbo Charged Cylinders ['04 NB SE]

[rascal]

Well put Rascal. The quest 'power is good, moah power is better' meets a few speedbumps along the way. We know them well - first the weak rods, fix that and then it is the bigger hurdle, the weak gearbox.

Looking like I will have to be happy with 200kw, which was a major buzz at first, but I was surprised at how quickly 200kw became 'meh, can't it go faster ...'

This is one of several reasons I went with a Rotrex for my track car. Even with 200kw at the wheels, reaching max power at redline with a linear increase means it would still keep the torque low enough to not affect gearbox longevity, all without having to resort to artifically limiting torque via ECU tweaks..

[ManiacLachy]

My birthday was back on the 18th, my partner and I took the day off and went for a drive up through the Sunshine Coast hinterlands. A beautiful Queensland winters day, perfect for riding top down in a turbo MX-5!

Then this past weekend I attended a motokhana with some friends at the Lakeside DTC track. Which was a lot of fun, I wasn't particularly fast, but I did continuously improve throughout the day. Joining me was my friend in his black turbo NB, and another friend in his GR Yarris, those 2 were very closely matched, the Yarris won the first layout of the day, and the NB the afternoon layout, which was tighter, less highspeed than the morning. I was 3-4 seconds off their pace.


POV screenshot taken from a video camera clipped to my visor on one of the morning runs


Patiently awaiting our next run

My tyres are cooked though! I felt like my rear tyres were covered in grease all day, getting worse in the afternoon. I'm pretty good at catching my oversteer now. The rear AD08s are my originals from 2018, so 6 years old, they're no longer sticky and the tread is almost gone. The fronts are a little newer, maybe 4 or 5 years old due to a puncture in one of the originals that couldn't be repeaired so 2 were replaced. I can blame some of my lack of performance on the tyres, but I have to cop that my driving has room to improve as well. I had the most fun sliding though

So I'm keeping my eye out for any deals on the newer Yoko AD09s, or the Hankook RS4. The replacement RS5 hasn't been released here yet from what I can see. Also, I'll check my brake pads, I think they might be done as well.

I'm going through emotion swings right now about keeping the car, maybe it's the 10 year itch? I keep thinking about moving over to the GR86 platform for a more comfortable, less fiddley, but still fun driving experience. I think I'm going to try to arrange a test drive and see how it feels.

[ManiacLachy]

I'm going through emotion swings right now about keeping the car, maybe it's the 10 year itch? I keep thinking about moving over to the GR86 platform for a more comfortable, less fiddley, but still fun driving experience. I think I'm going to try to arrange a test drive and see how it feels.

No-one even tried to talk me out of it? Engagement is down, maybe I'm a bit long winded and no-one made it that far?

The urge has passed, for now...


Got new rubber for the SE, I was chasing Bridgestone RE71RS in 205/50/15 to try a different compound to the AD08Rs that I've been on since getting the RPF-1s 6 or so years ago. But the man at Bob Jane talked me into trying the Nankang CR-S for a lot less. It's also a 200tw tyre, but it looks even racier.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/why-is-nankang-is-going-all-in-on-the-sportnex-crs/

At first blush, they appear a bit wider than the old Yokos, and feel heavier. I don't think they'll be great in the rain, but I don't drive much in the wet, and when I do I'm sensible.


Wagons are the best!


Tread comparison with an old, unmounted AD08R

I haven't had a chance to test them on the street yet, I checked my brake pads and didn't quite install the clips properly when replacing them, and I can hear something dragging when I spin the wheel. Just need to find the time, when the sun is shining to re-check. Should get it done this weekend.

Finally, some professional photos from the MotoKhana day!

[PaulF]

I've heard very good things about the CR-S. They wear out quick (one of those not-really-200 treadwear situations) but the grip is unreal, especially when you get some heat into them.

I think we all get tempted away from the NA/NB platform at times, but then it's hard to find something that delivers everything one of these cars can within an affordable budget.

[The American]

Keen to hear how you like the CR-S .

The 86 just doesn’t look that great, and there are so many getting around looking like fast and the furious discards, and they have the boxer engine that Subaru folk love to hate.

I’m going to put some road going tyres on the White Mouse soon, so I can drive it to the airport car park and back (which I do a lot at the moment).

And, I’ve noticed a silver SE parks in the corner of the work car park, and I want to park mine next to it.

If you go for a drive out Samford/Dayboro way sometime, flick me a message and call in for a cuppa.

[greenMachine]

Glad the urge passed Lachy!

The GR drivetrain is whole mountain of pain for the home spannerman, and I hear parts are pretty dear. Otherwise, they seem like pocket rockets out of the box. The 86 is a puzzle, what is the issue with fitting WRX/STI go-faster stuff, I would have though they would be thick on the ground? Maybe they are and I just don't know about it ...

But at the end of the day, for smiles per miles per dollar, the MX can't be matched, let alone beaten .

I am currently shod with Federal RS-RR, plenty left but that won't last, not if I do many more mountain passes like I did the last one - rolled the dice, as the motorbike-mounted Plod was at the bottom, going the other way. Memo to self - don't make a habit of it .

From a casual look, it seems 15s are less catered for these days, or maybe it just the swings and roundabouts of the supply chain? I hope! Anyone looked at importing tyres privately?

These days I have enough spare rims that I simply take them in, get the tyres fitted, and then mount them at home - that way I torque them properly, and the nuts don't require a tommy bar to loosen.

[bruce]

Yes, 15 inch tyres are small nowadays. Even tiny Fiats roll around on 17s and I am gobsmacked when I see big SUVs on 22 inch wheels.

[ManiacLachy]

Well, I still haven't had the change to test the tyres. I decided to do a 5 minute brake pad inspection - and stripped 2 caliper bolts!

I recently did a garage clean up and found I had some new front slider pins and bake pad anti-rattle clips, but alas, no caliper bolts. So a quick order into MX-5 Mania (with a couple of add-ons) and I'm patiently waiting Mr Postie. I have lubed and installed the new clips and sliders and just need the final bolts. Maybe I'll get out this weekend to test the Nankangs.

I haven't done a test drive yet, but the BRZ/GR-86 is still tempting. A turn-key car, ready to rip, will do well enough on my occasional track trips, be comfortable daily driving and not need much in the way of garage fiddling. But I don't think I'm ready to spend the money. Even selling the Subaru and MX-5 I'd still be up for a loan or a hit to savings. And the SE is still fun to drive, despite a few nagging issues. I will attempt to get the AC properly sorted in a couple of months and that will go a long way to making the car more comfortable, and not be as expensive as a new car

[rascal]

but the BRZ/GR-86 is still tempting. A turn-key car, ready to rip, will do well enough on my occasional track trips

Hmm, not sure I’d be tracking a GR86. The well publicised oiling issues at high revs would scare me off enough to keep it well away from a racetrack.
Also you having had the mid range surge of a turbo MX5 I’m not sure you will enjoy the distinct lack of mid range the boxer motors produce..

[ManiacLachy]

Finally go the brakes sorted!

The calliper bolts came in on Friday and I promptly fitted them, but the slider pins were still very stick, despite being brand new and lubed. The driver side calliper was dragging, even after pressing the piston open.

I decided that I need to really clean out the bracket bore where the slider pins go, they seemed to be dirty with rust. I did spray them down with brake clean but the obviously needed something more. I picked up a 10mm wire tube brush from Bunnings that would attach to a drill, then with several liberal blasts brake clean ran the brush through all 4 bores. A lot of brown sludge flushed out. I re-lubed the pins and things were moving much better!

And I can confirm the test drives went well, the car is stopping better and the new rubber feels great, though only experienced street conditions so far.


Very meaty, looks a bit muscle-car-like

While shopping for the calliper bolts, I also picked up installed a Jass brake master cylider stopper. I did one of these years ago, but it wasn't well designed and didn't centre on the master cylinder very well. This one is great.


Simple but effective

GR86 cravings have subsided for now...