Converting a SM Miata to an ITA Miata

[Abhi]

This past season I ran a few ITA races in my 95 Miata SM car. I was thinking of converting the car to a full ITA car for next season and was looking for some advice on what is worth doing, given that I am on a budget.

(Andy Bettencourt… are you out there? You had the fastest ITA Miata out there. )

So my questions:
1. It is worth doing an ITA exhaust and intake? I saw both on ISCRACING’s website.

2. What about a computer? Is the Megasquirt worth getting? I do have access to a dyno at Kessler Engineering to get it tuned.

3. How about suspension? The spherical bearings and fancy bushings for the control arms look pricey. When you add a set of shocks, it is a lot of $$$. Would an ITA Miata be competitive running the SM spec suspension?

4. How about things like a front air dam?

What else would I need to do to convert the SM car to a competitive ITA car?

I will mostly run Lime Rock, NHMS and Watkins Glen.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Abhi Ghatak

[jimalley]

Nah! I would leave everything the way it is

[jimbbski]

Here in MCSCC many drivers run in ITA with spec SM cars and are very competitive. Most of the other ITA cars are FWD and sometimes run into tire overheating or wear problems when run hard. The SM cars do not have that problem so have won their share of races but with no one driver winning more then once or twice. Our class champion by finishing in the top 3 consistantly and winning 2-3 times drove a 1990 Accura Integra.

[mossaidis]

Don't let Jim Alley scare you! LOL! it's his third motor build... I think. I would be cynical as well.

As with most IT builds, work on suspension first shocks and springs, basic i/e/h bolts-on, head work, tuning, underdrive, then bushings, then full IT spec bottom end. I *think* most Miata folks use OEM .020 over pistons, though full blown motors should probably use forged 040 over. I am *NOT* a Miata guy and I am sure there is some secret recipe. Talk to Brian Price and/or Andy for sure.

[Matt93SE]

Just throwing this out there, but almost all of the track records at our local tracks are faster in SM than they are in ITA.
something to keep in mind.

[JeffYoung]

Yeah, but they shouldn't be.

A good ITA Miata should have maybe 10 more hp, and a better, more balanced suspension. When comparing the "best of the best" at places like VIR or Road Atlanta, the "best" ITA Miatas are generally at least a second or two quicker than the very best SMs.

Just throwing this out there, but almost all of the track records at our local tracks are faster in SM than they are in ITA.
something to keep in mind.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Just throwing this out there, but almost all of the track records at our local tracks are faster in SM than they are in ITA.
something to keep in mind.

That's your local ITA's fault.

[Abhi]

Nah! I would leave everything the way it is

Hi Jim,

I can barely stay with you on the straights, so thought I should do something here. I am the black #1 that you have been seeing in your mirrors for most of the season. I can catch up to you but thats about all I got.

Abhi

[jimalley]

Hi Jim,

I can barely stay with you on the straights, so thought I should do something here. I am the black #1 that you have been seeing in your mirrors for most of the season. I can catch up to you but thats about all I got.

Abhi

Come over to Londonderry and I can give you great ideas on how to spend

Seriously, my car is at least 1 second faster than the driver. I may have some suspension parts that can help you once you figure out what spring rates you want to start with.

if you want to run with the faster ITA cars in this area you will need to develope the Miata

[CRallo]

Abhi! Welcome to the fray! Coming to the dark side huh?

[JLawton]

Abhi is coming back from the dark side!! Seriously, I think you'll like running in IT better than SM.

At this point, the suspension isn't going to hinder you the most. I would go for the easy HP bolt-ons first. Then from there, it's all about how deep your pockets are!!

To get to the point where you are running with the likes of Andy, Shane, Timmy, etc. You're gonna have to throw some serious coin at the car.