View Poll Results: Which one for a track/project car?
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
AE-86 vs E30 325i
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,402
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From: CA
curious, what's the "NB" and "NA" you are referring to?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
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NA, NB and NC are the chassis code for Miatas.
1991-1997 = NA
1999-2005 = NB (no 98 Miata made)
2006-2012 = NC
Also..
1994-1995 is the way to go for track cars
(In 1994-1997, the LSD is Torsen and the motor is a 1.8 as opposed to 1.6 in early cars.
In 1996-1997, its OBDII which I hear is a pain?)
1991-1997 = NA
1999-2005 = NB (no 98 Miata made)
2006-2012 = NC
Also..
1994-1995 is the way to go for track cars
(In 1994-1997, the LSD is Torsen and the motor is a 1.8 as opposed to 1.6 in early cars.
In 1996-1997, its OBDII which I hear is a pain?)
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,365
Likes: 636
Originally Posted by TheDonEffect' timestamp='1302711720' post='20462089
The 86 is coo but the suspension is archaic (funny how people knock mustangs for the axle yet they adore the 86)
Fair enough.
But I second the 240sxs as well as a dark horse.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,102
Likes: 843
Los Angeles.
Ideally i'd like to keep the car registration "legal" just so I can drive it on the street if I wanted to. As of now this is dependent on a few things happening later in the year, so right now it's a matter of hunting for car availability and researching prices, etc. etc.. I threw the miata in just because, but don't really have too much interest in the car itself. I know it's great for the track and everything, and realize it's probably the best way to go as far as making a CDTC. However, if I don't have much interest in the car itselt it'll be tough motivating myself to actually work on the "project."
Anyway, I've been leaning toward an E30 coupe or sedan (if that's all I can find). Yeah, i might grow "attached" to the car, but so long as it's cheap, then it's disposable (cheap being a relative term here when building a track car, still it'll be way cheaper than the S2000).
I figure by the time i'm done with whatever car I pick up, i'll probably be ready to turn the S2K into a crazy track star that's not DD friendly at all (say another 6 years down the road). I'll still track it as is, but no crazy mods that'll make it unfriendly for DD (which is what I use it for now).
Ideally i'd like to keep the car registration "legal" just so I can drive it on the street if I wanted to. As of now this is dependent on a few things happening later in the year, so right now it's a matter of hunting for car availability and researching prices, etc. etc.. I threw the miata in just because, but don't really have too much interest in the car itself. I know it's great for the track and everything, and realize it's probably the best way to go as far as making a CDTC. However, if I don't have much interest in the car itselt it'll be tough motivating myself to actually work on the "project."
Anyway, I've been leaning toward an E30 coupe or sedan (if that's all I can find). Yeah, i might grow "attached" to the car, but so long as it's cheap, then it's disposable (cheap being a relative term here when building a track car, still it'll be way cheaper than the S2000).
I figure by the time i'm done with whatever car I pick up, i'll probably be ready to turn the S2K into a crazy track star that's not DD friendly at all (say another 6 years down the road). I'll still track it as is, but no crazy mods that'll make it unfriendly for DD (which is what I use it for now).
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 94
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I've never had an E30 or a Miata, however I have built two AE86s.
One was extremely modified, and the other only had modified suspension/gearing/LSD. I must say that the AE86 is one of the most fun cars I've driven on the street. The handling is very direct and the whole experience is very visceral. If you are really looking for fun on the street, I wholeheartedly recommend the 86. However, as you are in CA, you have very limited "legal" power upgrades available for the 86. The stock 4AGE engine in the 86 has very little power. That being said, being underpowered makes it even more fun to drive on the street IMO, as you can really rev it up and not worry about speeding. I, and several other owners, actually prefer the stock 4AGE engine over the more powerful supercharged GZE engine or AE101/111. The 4AGE sounds great too!
Many owners, myself included, will tell you that 86s are constantly in a state of needing repair. It seems no matter how many parts you replace and how much money you throw at it, something always needs to be fixed. However, I've never had a project car as old as the 86 that needed any less. If you drive an old car hard, it will give out on you a lot faster than a modern one. I often see Miata owners in the pits under their cars between sessions, fixing something that broke while lapping. It would most likely be the same with an E30, and definitely so with an 86. So, I wouldn't say that out of the three, one is generally going to be more reliable or demand less time and money in repairs. When building such an old car, starting with the best canvas you can find is the most important thing.
Performance parts are easy to find for the 86. There are both domestic and foreign companies to choose from. OEM parts are getting harder and harder to procure, but if you are building a stripped down car, it doesn't really matter. Finding a good condition chassis these days, means getting an SR-5 and doing a GTS conversion. It is also cheaper than buying a GTS, as you don't have to pay the Initial D tax for one. 4AGE swap into an SR-5 is easily smog legal btw. However, I would say you need $3k after you buy your car just to get it into reliable condition. That is probably the case with any one of your choices though.
Just buy whichever "moves" you most and you will be happy, even though it might be in a perma-state of disrepair.
One was extremely modified, and the other only had modified suspension/gearing/LSD. I must say that the AE86 is one of the most fun cars I've driven on the street. The handling is very direct and the whole experience is very visceral. If you are really looking for fun on the street, I wholeheartedly recommend the 86. However, as you are in CA, you have very limited "legal" power upgrades available for the 86. The stock 4AGE engine in the 86 has very little power. That being said, being underpowered makes it even more fun to drive on the street IMO, as you can really rev it up and not worry about speeding. I, and several other owners, actually prefer the stock 4AGE engine over the more powerful supercharged GZE engine or AE101/111. The 4AGE sounds great too!
Many owners, myself included, will tell you that 86s are constantly in a state of needing repair. It seems no matter how many parts you replace and how much money you throw at it, something always needs to be fixed. However, I've never had a project car as old as the 86 that needed any less. If you drive an old car hard, it will give out on you a lot faster than a modern one. I often see Miata owners in the pits under their cars between sessions, fixing something that broke while lapping. It would most likely be the same with an E30, and definitely so with an 86. So, I wouldn't say that out of the three, one is generally going to be more reliable or demand less time and money in repairs. When building such an old car, starting with the best canvas you can find is the most important thing.
Performance parts are easy to find for the 86. There are both domestic and foreign companies to choose from. OEM parts are getting harder and harder to procure, but if you are building a stripped down car, it doesn't really matter. Finding a good condition chassis these days, means getting an SR-5 and doing a GTS conversion. It is also cheaper than buying a GTS, as you don't have to pay the Initial D tax for one. 4AGE swap into an SR-5 is easily smog legal btw. However, I would say you need $3k after you buy your car just to get it into reliable condition. That is probably the case with any one of your choices though.
Just buy whichever "moves" you most and you will be happy, even though it might be in a perma-state of disrepair.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
I say Miata. I was in the exact same spot about a year ago and chose the miata over the E30. The biggest reason was that parts seemed to be cheaper, the engines seemed slightly more reliable, it weighs less, and the engine is much easier to deal with. (certain jobs that are not so big on the miata are awful to do on the BMW)
That said, there are times where I have wondered how it would have been going the other way. You get a little better power in the E30, you never have to worry about having proper roll bar clearance, and there is a lot more room inside. (I'm 6'2")
What ever you do get, I would suggest looking at 949 racing's 6UL wheels. They are the wheel of choice for most any racing miata's outside of spec miata. (the 15x7 is too light) They carry a 15x7, 15x7.5, 15x8, and 15x9. All are very light and all have proven to be strong. I use the 15x8's and have had several 4x4 molments where I was sure that I was going to bend a wheel, yet they are all still true.
Whichever you choose, I am sure that you will have tons of fun. When it comes to cheap track fun, I think that you'll find, Size Matters.
That said, there are times where I have wondered how it would have been going the other way. You get a little better power in the E30, you never have to worry about having proper roll bar clearance, and there is a lot more room inside. (I'm 6'2")
What ever you do get, I would suggest looking at 949 racing's 6UL wheels. They are the wheel of choice for most any racing miata's outside of spec miata. (the 15x7 is too light) They carry a 15x7, 15x7.5, 15x8, and 15x9. All are very light and all have proven to be strong. I use the 15x8's and have had several 4x4 molments where I was sure that I was going to bend a wheel, yet they are all still true.
Whichever you choose, I am sure that you will have tons of fun. When it comes to cheap track fun, I think that you'll find, Size Matters.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_riyeEofU-8&feature=youtu.be[/media]
If you've watched the video, you'll notice that the camera car is an E30. This is my car! It's completely stock except for basic suspension bits and a lot of money spent on making it a reliable daily driver car (all hoses, headgasket)! I took my car out last year to my first 3 trackdays ever. I was just always making sure to check the car after every session right away for leaks or anything, you know its a 23 year old car right? That's why you see all the people with older cars inspecting their cars. It's a very reliable car now after replacing all the hoses and refurbishing the cooling system.
If you've watched the video, you'll notice that the camera car is an E30. This is my car! It's completely stock except for basic suspension bits and a lot of money spent on making it a reliable daily driver car (all hoses, headgasket)! I took my car out last year to my first 3 trackdays ever. I was just always making sure to check the car after every session right away for leaks or anything, you know its a 23 year old car right? That's why you see all the people with older cars inspecting their cars. It's a very reliable car now after replacing all the hoses and refurbishing the cooling system.
