'03 Miata in CS questions

Well, due to some poor driving on my own part, my STS Saturn is D-E-A-D (and luckily my passenger and I are both alive). Long story short, looks like I will end up buying the Miata off my father after all. I really like the car, and I think I'll give CS a shot next year... it would be nice to race a car I don't have to constantly tinker with. The car has the sport suspension/LSD - I don't expect a national contender, but it would be nice to be somewhat competitive on the local level (WDCR).

What alignment settings are commonly used?

Being that the 2003 Miata only came with 16" wheels, my tire options are different than most CS Miatas... what tire would you recommend?

Choices seem to be: 205/45 A6 215/40 V710

I know Hoosiers rock, but will the Kumho be competitive? Its a more favorable size, and definitely a more favorable price

Finally, what is the front bar of choice?

I have not tips for you on the '03. My Miata is 13 years older than yours and there have been some changes in that time.

I did want to write and say congrats on walking away! There has to be some more story behind that?

I also wanted to be the first to say, "That should buff out."

Kumho should be fine I ran them on the RX-8 all this year.

Does this one have the 6 speed? If so get ready to do the 2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3 dance with it.

As much camber in the front as you can. somewhere .5 degrees or less more in the rear. a little toe out in the front zero in the rear. Adjust to your liking from there.

RB hollow front bar.

check out the "icehawk alignment" on the miata.net garage for a good starting point. FM also has a good one on their webiste. some nice light wheels will help too, miatas respond well to reduced unsprung weight. you didn't really ask about wheels but i thought i'd give you a heads up

jrw1621 wrote: I did want to write and say congrats on walking away! There has to be some more story behind that?

It was 2 months back now...

RT 28. headed toward Deal's Gap + condensation on the road = 50mph barrel roll :(

moxnix wrote: Does this one have the 6 speed? If so get ready to do the 2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3 dance with it. As much camber in the front as you can. somewhere .5 degrees or less more in the rear. a little toe out in the front zero in the rear. Adjust to your liking from there. RB hollow front bar.

5 Speed

Yeah, I planned on maxing the front camber. Is that much really necessary in the rear?

RB = racing beat?

thatsnowinnebago wrote: some nice light wheels will help too, miatas respond well to reduced unsprung weight.

Do aftermarket companies even make 16 x 6.5 wheels?

Do aftermarket companies even make 16 x 6.5 wheels?

Motegi Traklites- 16" x 6.5" and ~14lbs.

http://www.elites-wholesale.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/SFV/32431/vpid/5355966/vpcsid/0/rid/126374

http://www.elites-wholesale.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/SFV/32431/vpid/5355951/vpcsid/0/rid/126374

and evidently the Hoosier 225/50/16 (A6) can mount on wheels as narrow as a 6" rim (from https://www.hoosiertire.com/speccat.pdf )

Part # - 46610

Size - P225/50R16

Tread Width - 9.0"

Recommended Wheel Width 6"-8"

This wheel and tire setup, a sway bar up front, decent shocks, and talent behind the wheel should keep up with a lot of fast CS Cars

ProDarwin wrote:

moxnix wrote: Does this one have the 6 speed? If so get ready to do the 2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3 dance with it. As much camber in the front as you can. somewhere .5 degrees or less more in the rear. a little toe out in the front zero in the rear. Adjust to your liking from there. RB hollow front bar.

5 Speed Yeah, I planned on maxing the front camber. Is that much really necessary in the rear? RB = racing beat?

Good 5 speeds are better

yes RB = racing beat

That much? You are not going to get more than about 1 degree in the front so the back somewhere between 1 and 1.5 does not sound like that much to me.

If your car came with Bilsteins get them revalved for autox.

Wow, only 1 degree front?? Jeeze I though I would be able to get more than that.

Yeah, it has the Bilsteins. I'll look into revalving.

Wouldn't a 225/50 16 have rub issues? 1.6" taller than stock, and significantly wider. Any clearance issues? I'm used to struts, I really have no idea where the clearance issues arise on a Miata suspension. Regardless, wheels would be at the bottom of my list. The stockers are certainly not made of lead.

IIRC, you can use wheels slightly wider than stock on a stock class car. 0.5" or something.

Nope

ProDarwin wrote: Nope

same width, but they have to be within .25" offset of stock wheels...

Look it up. Pages 64-65 ( http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2008_Solo_Rules_2.pdf )

13.4 WHEELS Any type wheel may be used provided it complies with the following: it is the same width and diameter as standard, and as installed (including wheel spacers if applicable) it does not have an offset more than +/- 0.25 inch from a standard wheel for the car. The resultant change in track dimensions is allowed. Wheel spacers are permitted, provided the resultant combination complies with the offset requirements of this section. Wheel studs, lug nuts, and/or bolt length may be changed. Vehicles equipped with rims having metric specifications may use alternate rims as determined by using the following procedure: 65 Diameter: converting the metric measurement to inches and using the nearest smaller inch diameter rim. Width: converting the metric measurement to inches and using the nearest smaller 1/2-inch width rim. Offset and track must still comply with the requirements of this section.

Sooooo, if you needed to, you could run a 1/4" spacer to prevent rubbing.

P.S. - what is the stock tire size? 205/50?

205/45

autolex84 wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: Nope

same width, but they have to be within .25" offset of stock wheels... Look it up. Pages 64-65 ( http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2008_Solo_Rules_2.pdf ) 13.4 WHEELS Any type wheel may be used provided it complies with the following: it is the same width and diameter as standard, and as installed (including wheel spacers if applicable) it does not have an offset more than +/- 0.25 inch from a standard wheel for the car. The resultant change in track dimensions is allowed. Wheel spacers are permitted, provided the resultant combination complies with the offset requirements of this section. Wheel studs, lug nuts, and/or bolt length may be changed. Vehicles equipped with rims having metric specifications may use alternate rims as determined by using the following procedure: 65 Diameter: converting the metric measurement to inches and using the nearest smaller inch diameter rim. Width: converting the metric measurement to inches and using the nearest smaller 1/2-inch width rim. Offset and track must still comply with the requirements of this section. Sooooo, if you needed to, you could run a 1/4" spacer to prevent rubbing. P.S. - what is the stock tire size? 205/50?

gotcha. I couldn't remember if it was width or offset, thanks