Converting a SM to a full ITA ride "build"

[Andy Bettencourt]

I ran the same time as my track 2007 record at the 2012 NARRC Runoffs with teh extra poundage...the only thing holding the car back is a fresh driver. Getting on the track once a year just isn't good enough from a driver skill standpoint. It's a mid 1:00 car there. It's been 1:00.8 with less power.

I do think the 1.6 could be a fine LRP car but that is an anomaly of a track. Trust me when I say that a full-tilt 1.8 ITA car at WGI is a low 2:16 car all day long. All you need to have is a 'Leverone' who will drive anything anywhere to validate.

The biggest advantage is the torque output and curve of the 1.8. Something I highly value.

If you want wrong-wheel drive, go for it! Just make it an ITR car!

[iambhooper]

I ran the same time as my track 2007 record at the 2012 NARRC Runoffs with teh extra poundage...the only thing holding the car back is a fresh driver. Getting on the track once a year just isn't good enough from a driver skill standpoint. It's a mid 1:00 car there. It's been 1:00.8 with less power.

I do think the 1.6 could be a fine LRP car but that is an anomaly of a track. Trust me when I say that a full-tilt 1.8 ITA car at WGI is a low 2:16 car all day long. All you need to have is a 'Leverone' who will drive anything anywhere to validate.

The biggest advantage is the torque output and curve of the 1.8. Something I highly value.

If you want wrong-wheel drive, go for it! Just make it an ITR car!

Even though I've never driven it, I know well enough to know that VIR and LRP are 2 entirely different tracks.

Am I wrong in thinking that the only difference between a 1.6 and a 1.8 is the motor and dash? If so, couldn't I just do like I did with the carbed ITC CRX and convert it over? The GCR allows for this.

[mossaidis]

There's a thread somewhere here on making a 1.8 ITA out of a 1.6 in ITA. It's more work than you think. Just ask Jim Alley.

[Andy Bettencourt]

There's a thread somewhere here on making a 1.8 ITA out of a 1.6 in ITA. It's more work than you think. Just ask Jim Alley.

+1

[Chip42]

hoop - make sure you still have the 1.6L rear end in that car, 1.8L parts are legal in SM And NOT in ITA.

the 1.6L doesn't have a throttle position sensor "really". it has a button that tells the ECU "yup, It's open". mazda did the same on the S4 engine RX7s - maybe even later. ITCS allows you to add or replace a TPS. do so - it will pay big dividends with the ECU, and an MSPNP can be made to work with just about any TPS.

I think the 1.6L properly done should be a reasonable A car. have fun.

[Andy Bettencourt]

the 1.6L doesn't have a throttle position sensor "really". it has a button that tells the ECU "yup, It's open". mazda did the same on the S4 engine RX7s - maybe even later. ITCS allows you to add or replace a TPS. do so - it will pay big dividends with the ECU, and an MSPNP can be made to work with just about any TPS.

Both of those cars came with the flapper-style AFM. Later cars had the MAF.

[jwasilko]

There's a thread somewhere here on making a 1.8 ITA out of a 1.6 in ITA. It's more work than you think. Just ask Jim Alley.

I'm glad to have picked up that car :-)

[UNCbigM]

Interested to hear/see what you're doing here Hoop. I just picked up a 1.6 after renting a friends this past season and I'll be converting to ITA sometime after 2014. I'll be running in ITA in SM trim through May, then I gotta be busy as a baby daddy so that'll give me the rest of 2014 to be better prepped for ITA.

See ya on the track!

[MSPERBER]

Miata Miata Miata, stop hitting the easy button and build something different, I need something I can draft with, all these little dam miatas.) rebuilding my focus after one long year and I am already behind.

[DaveOH32]

Miata Miata Miata, stop hitting the easy button and build something different, I need something I can draft with, all these little dam miatas.) rebuilding my focus after one long year and I am already behind.

How 'bout a CRX?

[XelderX]

Miata Miata Miata, stop hitting the easy button and build something different, I need something I can draft with, all these little dam miatas.) rebuilding my focus after one long year and I am already behind.

Hold your horses. My Protege is at the fab shop getting the cage put in it. I'm hoping the suspension for the autoX car shows up in a week or two so I can move the old Konis back onto the Protege.