Advice on NB build

[bimmertech]

So I made up my mind and bought a 99 Miata w/ 80k to build for autocross. Now I'm faced with THE question....STR or CSP??? Either class is well subscribed to locally and has a steep learning curve. Any thoughts? Advice? Anything I can't live a week without? Anything turn out to be a waste of money?


I'd also really appreciate some codrives to get a feel for different setups before I start spending money. If anyone is willing to offer, please let me know your requirements and I will be happy to work something out.

[ZX3Focus]

Another one to the dark side . . .

[dpeele95]

CS! From what i understand you will come out cheaper with a CS car. Unless you just absolutly want to run in one of the other classes. Those would be good competion classes, like you said, but its got to be worth the money to you. If its not worth all the money then I would go with CS. Just my two cents. If I was to build a car, the more and more i look at it, STR looks like it could be some major fun! But right now its not worth all the money to me. One of these days.

[TouringBubble]

CSP and CS have a bit more tire expense. So CSP is 100% the most expensive. STR would be fun to try out if you really want to mess with suspension and such ... it's probably the least expensive over a 5 year span as well if you want to go to national events.

[Fisch]

CSP is extremely expensive. CS means tire money. STR is a VERY fun class, and relatively inexpensive. The "standard" STR build for the NB seems to be 700/450# F/R springs (either as part of a true coilover, Ground Control coils on adjustable dampers, or on revalved bilsteins), RB hollow front sway bar, no rear bar, 15x9 wheels with 225/45/15 Hankook RS-3, and an alignment in the neighborhood of max caster, -2* camber all around, 1/8" toe out front, and 1/8" toe in rear.

Here is a thread on miata.net about NB STR builds:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=416274

Good to have yet another STR NB! See you out there!

[JohnW8]

If I was building a NB to autocross I'd run it in CS to get a feel for the car then I would go with STR. That looks like a blast, it's competitive as CSP and has a much easier tire budget.

[dpeele95]

I don't see how STR is the cheapest. Looking at the equipment some of those guys have on there car or what they say the "need" to be competitive, is some expensive stuff. Having talked to someone who runs STR nationally, it is not cheap. He's constantly saying "well i guess I better go spend some more money". The modifications it would take to get a 99 miata competitive on a national level would cost a ton more than what it would take to get it up there in CS. To address the tire issue. Yes they are expensive, but you can get two tours out of a set and be competitive, then if you go to nationals thats a fresh set. You can get some used tires from some national guys for pretty cheap to do some testing and what not. That is your biggest expense in CS. In STR some of the guys are spending a couple thounsand dollars on shocks alone, not to mention LSD, intake, exhaust, springs, tires, all the camber adjustments you can do. Tires in STR can be just as expensive. I don't know how wide of a tire you can fit under a 99 miata, I would say 245 maybe? With rolled fenders.

Casey I don't know what you want. If you want to have something fun to do on a local level STR is the way to go. If you want to compete nationally, which I think you do, then I feel CS stock is the cheapest way to go. But I don't know. If money is not an issue then go for STR. I personally don't think it is any cheaper to be competitive than CS.

[rodhx]

One thing Casey didn't tell you guys is that the car is currently incomplete (right Casey? I'm assuming its the same car you told me about on Saturday). That will make chasing down every model-specific part for a legal stock class build much more difficult than STR or CSP.

It is a no-brainer for me. You can build a STR car for a fraction of the cost Drew is talking about. That goes out the window if you're talking national championship prep, but that is true for every class and so far you're starting with the wrong car anyway. You cannot even make a locally competitive CSP car on a budget.

Fisch's response is the current guidance for a NB STR build. Start there and then look for legal ways to shed weight.

BTW, I have a LONG way to go on my car. It is just springs & wide rims added to a fully stock class car.

[JohnW8]

I know a few CS national drivers and they also spend a boatload on custom valved shocks as well as the requisite R-comps. I could get into STR since (In My Opinion) STR is what CSP should be only without R Comps.

[engled]

Pfft, go big or go home. It's only money.

01* engine build $7,000
Hydra Nemesis $2040
Maxim Works header $1600
The "Darby" muffler system ~$220
Homemade intake ~$200
Hours on the dyno to make those five work together $?$?$
Penske love $5000
OS Gekin diff $1700
949 Racing Twin Disc Race Clutch $1100
Bogart 15x10 wheels $2000 x2 (you gotta have two sets don't ya?)
Delrin Bushings $350
Hard top $700 (gotta ditch the soft top)
Light weight seats ~$500 for a pair
Custom made adjustable front sway ~$300

Then you start on the update/back date band wagon.
Swap to the 90 dash
Manual Mirrors
Manual Windows
Remove soft top
Swap to a non power rack
Swap to the smaller 1.6 brakes

Then you start trying to get the car as light as possible.
Fender liners per the rules
Exhaust shields
Remove the radio/speakers
Remove the AC
Drill the brakes away to nothing
Emissions control removal
etc...


Oh my, CS sounds better and better...

[Cholewa]

just run in xp.

[nicktcr]

^ word.

[mpcavana]

Run any class you are legal to participate in as long as you are pleased with the outcome. As Darryl says, it's only money.

BTW, STR is expensive if you want to compete nationally. I'm currently starting a second round of upgrades just to get out of the cellar, I hope... I'm ashamed to say what it is going to cost.

[rodhx]

I know you recently added a diff Mike. What are you doing for round 2?

[engled]

One thing Casey didn't tell you guys is that the car is currently incomplete (right Casey? I'm assuming its the same car you told me about on Saturday). That will make chasing down every model-specific part for a legal stock class build much more difficult than STR or CSP.

I have a lot of 99/00 parts I pulled off of my car, let me know what you need.