Spec Miata into ITA - how?

[philndz]

What is required to convert a Spec Miata to an ITA car?

[Speed Raycer]

Well, I can't recall if a Master switch is required in SM, but I think that'd be it. Now, if you want to be more competitive.... that's another story

SM's cross over and run with ITA in our division all of the time when they're not in the same session.

[philndz]

Scott, you crack me up. You are just EVERYWHERE!

[Speed Raycer]

Originally posted by philndz@Sep 25 2005, 02:39 PM
Scott, you crack me up. You are just EVERYWHERE!

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LOL... just saw your ad over on GRM... I should have recognized the name

And yes,.... I'm everywhere

[RP Performance]

Originally posted by philndz@Sep 25 2005, 06:45 PM
What is required to convert a Spec Miata to an ITA car?

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Are talking about making it competitive or just to run? Just to run you can do it as it is. To be competitive you need to change most of the car. I did mine last winter and must have spent about $7k to $8k over the cost of my Spec Miata. My car is now for sale if any wants the fastest Miata around the NE.

[JIgou]

For the record, Scott - cutoff switches are required in SM.

Jarrod

[tnord]

wow, $7k to go from SM to ITA, i wouldn't have expected that. care to elaborate on where the money went?

[Andy Bettencourt]

Originally posted by tnord@Sep 29 2005, 10:40 PM
wow, $7k to go from SM to ITA, i wouldn't have expected that. care to elaborate on where the money went?

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You could spend that easy. Doing it on my 1.8 now.

- Motor prep. Overbore, pistons, head work, quality header, crank scraper, windage tray, MOTEC, balance, blueprint, etc.
- Suspension. Springs, big-time shocks, poly and spherical bushings
- Diff. Add the 4.88 R&P to my Torsen.
- Wheels. 13lb minimum gone. SSR's on the way
- Body. Splitter could help horrible aero

Bret's car is a steal.

[zracre]

Andy,
I saw something on scrapers on here before and I know they make one for my B18A...do you have a link? I want to do everything to my car in stock form and dyno it before I install a high dollar motor...Thanks!

[tnord]

ok nevermind. i can see 7k in shocks, engine management, wheels, and motor without a problem.

speaking of aero....i've recently became aware that the miata aero is rather poor, and was curious just for the sake of being curious (nothing much i can do in SM about it), where the problem comes from. i mean, the car looks like it would be more slippery than the brick CRX's, but apparantly that's not the case.

travis
-who thinks he should probably put his plastic cover for the fuel filter back on in the name of aero.

[RP Performance]

Originally posted by Andy Bettencourt@Sep 30 2005, 02:54 AM
You could spend that easy. Doing it on my 1.8 now.

- Motor prep. Overbore, pistons, head work, quality header, crank scraper, windage tray, MOTEC, balance, blueprint, etc.
- Suspension. Springs, big-time shocks, poly and spherical bushings
- Diff. Add the 4.88 R&P to my Torsen.
- Wheels. 13lb minimum gone. SSR's on the way
- Body. Splitter could help horrible aero

Bret's car is a steal.

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Andy what do the SSR's weigh and cost? I have the Kosei TS-1's and cost $149 each@ 10.6 lbs. I think that I spent $2k just on custom Koni's and the .040 pistons alone.

[philndz]

ok, my question probably should have been more along the lines of what is not required in ita that is required in sm. in other words, in what ways could ita be a cheaper entry to wheel to wheel racing for me.

[Speed Raycer]

Originally posted by philndz@Sep 30 2005, 10:18 PM
in other words, in what ways could ita be a cheaper entry to wheel to wheel racing for me.

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Again, if you're truly just wanting to get on the track and not have any hopes of top 10...

IT would allow you to run stock suspension, stock swaybars, any wheel up to 15x7,.... what else guys???? Is there a hardtop requirement for the miata in IT???

[dickita15]

Originally posted by Speed Raycer@Sep 30 2005, 11:49 PM
Is there a hardtop requirement for the miata in IT???

yes

[Greg Amy]

Actually, Dick, this is an interesting question.

The 2004 GCR/ITCS noted on the ITA and ITS Miatas that "Detachable hardtop shall be installed. Latches shall be replaced..." (my emphasis). However, the 2005 GCR/ITCS states, "Detachable hardtop may be installed. Latches shall be replaced..." (again, my emphasis).

This is a significant change, without any support via Fastrack or CRB notes. Further, the change in the 2005 GCR is not noted with any change bars (of course, now that I look it appears none were used in the 2005 GCR anyway.) I've asked a couple of folks about this, specificaly if it was an intentional change or a typographical error, but as of right now, as per the 2005 GCR, hardtops are optional in Improved Touring... - GA

[dickita15]

LIB

That’s Texan for well I’ll be.
Good catch Greg. Of course I checked up on you and you are right. I even checked the 1.8 that is listed in ITS and it has the same change. I like racing Mazdas because of the support but have been intimidated by the small cabin in a Miata. Running without a top with a little taller cage is an interesting idea. On the short tracks we have locally I bet the aero drag would not be that much of a downside.
Now if you built such a car and they changed the rule back would the car be grand fathered or would you have to cut the cage and get a hardtop?

[Greg Amy]

I stand corrected: the change in verbiage for the hardtops on the IT Miatas is covered in the August 2004 Fastrack Errors and Omissions. It's permanent!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Originally posted by RP Performance@Sep 30 2005, 07:22 AM
Andy what do the SSR's weigh and cost? I have the Kosei TS-1's and cost $149 each@ 10.6 lbs. I think that I spent $2k just on custom Koni's and the .040 pistons alone.

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The SSR's are about $100 PER wheel more...my info has the TS-1 at 12.6lbs each and the SSR at 8.8lbs...

...if that is the case (just got off the phone with Tire Rack) then it's about $25 per pound of unsprung weight saved per corner. I think I would do that everytime...but at less than 2 lbs difference, probably not.

AB