Our V6 Miata’s debut: really fast but …. | Project Endurance Race Miata

Staff
Update by Staff Writer to the Mazda Miata project car
Sep 26, 2022 | Mazda, Miata, Carolina Motorsports Park, Lucky Dog, CMP

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Photography by J.A. Ackley

How did our V6 Miata fair racing with Lucky Dog at Carolina Motorsports Park this past weekend? It’s a good-news, bad-news sort of situation.

The good news is that the Miata is fast–we were on pole–plus we learned a lot from our first competition outing since swapping in the new engine.

What did we learn? That’s where the bad news comes in: After suspecting that the clutch went sour, it turned out we broke a CV joint, prematurely ending our weekend.

What’s next? We’re going to focus on increasing the durability of our Miata. Stay tuned for more plus a full, thorough recap. 

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/26/22 11:32 a.m.

Glad to hear that the car's first outing went pretty well, all things considered. Looking forward to seeing it compete more in the future.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/26/22 11:32 a.m.

The wrap photographs so nicely. (Says the editor who needs to be aware of these things. laugh)

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
9/26/22 11:52 a.m.

How many horsepower is this thing putting down?

 

Iirc, a 1.8 miata put down a similar lap during this year's or last year's champcar race.  Right around a 1:46.

 

We put down a 1:48 in a gm 3.5 swapped 2nd gen rx7 with 180rwhp.

 

I guess what I'm saying is...  I thought it would be faster.  Is there more performance left somewhere?

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/26/22 11:55 a.m.

I assume they're aftermarket halfshafts (probably from DSS via V8R). Interested to hear if it was the inner or outer CV, and if you're using the stock Miata drive flanges or an aftermarket one (and thus which spec of CV it has).

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
9/26/22 12:01 p.m.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

IIRC, the Spec Miata lap record is something like a 1:49 at CMP, and probably wasn't set on an 85-degree day. Don't forget we're also running street tires. 

With tuning, we think the car has a 1:42 in it. But we were happy with a 1:45:00 fresh off the trailer after a few years under the knife. 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
9/26/22 12:02 p.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Aftermarket DSS halfshafts via V8R. Outer CV, with aftermarket outer flanges. The internal CV spline (connecting halfshaft to CV joint balls) is what stripped. 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/26/22 12:08 p.m.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

They did take pole. The track may not have been all that fast at the time.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/26/22 12:15 p.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Aftermarket DSS halfshafts via V8R. Outer CV, with aftermarket outer flanges. The internal CV spline (connecting halfshaft to CV joint balls) is what stripped. 

I have had problems with DSS driveshaft lengths being not quite right, which leaves you running on a very small length of spline if they're too short. The spline then strips.

It's possible there's a long and a short halfshaft if the diff is slightly offset, and if you get them backwards you can get this failure as well.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
9/26/22 12:55 p.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

IIRC, the Spec Miata lap record is something like a 1:49 at CMP, and probably wasn't set on an 85-degree day. Don't forget we're also running street tires. 

With tuning, we think the car has a 1:42 in it. But we were happy with a 1:45:00 fresh off the trailer after a few years under the knife. 

He'll yes.  That IS fast.  

 

Champcar is also on street tires BTW.  So it's fairly apples to apples.  Also, the race is in June usually so temps the same or higher.

 

A 142 would be smoking on street tires.

deaconblue
deaconblue New Reader
9/26/22 1:28 p.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Aftermarket DSS halfshafts via V8R. Outer CV, with aftermarket outer flanges. The internal CV spline (connecting halfshaft to CV joint balls) is what stripped. 

M300 shafts may solve that issue, but then what's the next weakest link?  

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