Alright so after a nice day of auto-x , we finally figured out that my times were staying consistant, but about 3-4 seconds slower then the modded Miatas. Now I dont know if I could do that much better to make up for the difference.

My car: full exhaust, emissions ect. GSL-SE ect. struts and shocks are still good.
Springs seem to be worn out pretty well, as rear bushings and the like. A stock like summer tire

Symptoms while racing: front end pushing, nose diving, and a little lack of traction on straights.

What I want to do is get what I need replaced in most importance first.

How about a list of wheels that fit on my car, from other cars, like I can find from a Junkyard. I have plans for tires already.

I have a terrible time figuring out the names of the links ect in the rear end, so you have to help me out there.

Are racing beat springs going to do it, or do i want to invest in something else better?

Thanks.

 

I have Suspension Techniques lowering springs, Tokico blues, and RB sway bar/strut tower brace. When the car used to be autocrossed, it won 3 CSP championships on Hoosier DOT "slicks".

I don't think my car is legal for CSP anymore, but I haven't checked the rule book in a long time.

As far as wheels go, do a search for "wheels" in this section, and you will find numerous threads with lists. If you are looking for wheels strictly to autocross on, I would suggest some Diamond Racing 13x8 or 14x8 wheels. Just make sure you get proper offset/spacers to prevent rubbing. 7" wide wheels would also work wonderfully.

If you run some 7/8" wide Hoosiers with those suspension mods, those Miatas will be seconds behind.

 

there is a 1st gen FAQ and tech web page and there is a conrevsion chart of almost every wheel that will fit on our cars im trying to find right now( im not talking about the faq page here on the forum)

 

Well what do you guys think the level of importance is with these mods? The reason I ask is because I cant afford to do them all at once. Im going to want a poly bushing set too right? What do they exclude? Thats the hazy part for me, no matter how many times I read about it.

 

auto-x is 15% car, 15% tires and 70% driver.

I'd get some good auto-x tires, like some hoosiers or kumhos or something.

 

Well the problem is I NEED another set of wheels. I'm searching like crazy trying to find what will fit, and cant find any used -SE wheels for sale. Any help would be appreciated

 

I'm getting ready for my 3rd CSP event this weekend. I just added Illumina shocks/struts and RB springs, and I have to tell you that the difference is amazing. I already had all new bushings up front, which did help a bit. I would concentrate on your suspension before tires, but I'm sure that lots of people will disagree with me on this. Also, a lot of the handling troubles can be "reduced" by simple things like tire pressure and alignment. Good luck!

 

theres bushing complete kits at madatrix i think..

 

if you want to be winning csp you'll need to have coil overs and much stiffer springs than stock. I beleive a first gen around here that usually takes CSP is running 450/200 or something similar.

If you short on cash, the biggest difference that you'll make is tires. Go buy some diamond racing wheels and some kumho v710s. You can't even try to be competitive with street tires in a class that allows r-compounds.

 

Go to www.discounttiredirect.com and put in your car. There will be a list of wheels that will fit. Espically seince you have the SE bolt patern.
I would do that and tires then shocks and springs, unless the bushings are worn out, don't get poly just yet.

 

I'm with Kentetsu on this one. Hoosiers aren't cheap and can be quickly trashed by a poorly set up suspension and an inexperienced driver. I would start with quality springs and shocks, coilovers if you want to be seriously competitive, then sway bars, then poly bushings. Concider installing a tri-link set up before doing the rear bushings.

As each upgrade is installed, the handling will change and you will need to re-learn the car each time. Find some good used tires while the upgrades and learning process evolves. When you have the suspension completed, then spend the money on the high dollar autocross tires.

Don't forget brake rotors, pads, tierods, ball joints, calipers/drums and idler arm in the upgrade too. I have over 1100 in parts on mine.

 

Get a set of V710s, they are more forgiving then the hoosiers, tires will be the one single biggest improvement (time wise), and you can tune the handling a bit with adjustments to your tire pressure, I'm not sure what the width of se wheels are, but you might need something a bit wider. I'd also wonder if 13" wheels would fit se brakes, mainly because I can have my 13x7s with kumho V710s in 215?/50?/13 and the four tires fit standing up side by side inthe back hatch and go to autoxes without a second car, you MIGHT be able to get something a bit taller, but not by much... In terms of being really competitive, it depends on the miatas you have, I have nationally SCCA competitive miatas running locally, so i'm still working on the formula to beat them. Like someone else said though, get some seat time in and just work on the car a bit at a time, you'll definitly get closer...

Alvin

 

I've been driving around on my new suspension for a few days now and really starting to get a feel for it. The first day I left the Illuminas on the softest setting and went for a drive. Loved it! The handling was great and the ride was stiff, but not uncomfortable. The next day I cranked them up to the highest setting and went for another drive. Pretty damn stiff, but still comfy overall. Handling is through the roof now, I really can't believe the difference! I can't wait until the test and tune Saturday so I can start dialing her in for real. I might not beat the Miatas this weekend, but I'm damned sure gonna put the fear of God into them!