[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ratgirl
Nice Brant - I know you'll enjoy those new shoes!

 

lets just bring this to the next page shall we? looking good, brant

 

now you just need to get rid of the 4x4 look

 

The front end is actually a bit lower than it looks in the pic. Whenever I jack it up it takes a bit for the car to settle. The rear is a bit higher to keep it off the bumpstops. I'm considering dealing with it, but the handling dynamics are pretty good at the moment...

 

well, handling first I guess...... I just think car look *just right* when the tire fits the well, not slammed, but about a finger worth of space to the fender

sounds like you are pleased with your setup. When is G's next track fun? I'm looking into driving skool right now. I pulled the perfect 4-wheel power slide in the S a couple months back, and I just can't stop thinking about it, I want to learn more about it. And that time was probably the most extreme cornering I've experienced with spinning. I was so exhilerating. I was so proud of myself I had nerves of steel, when the car was heading to the ditch and my body was trying to pull out of the gas, something deep inside took control, and feathered the gas just right. It was art is motion. I don't think I'll try it again too soon..... not 11/10th's like that was..... I had to slide almost all the was into the oncoming lane, and it was about a 90 degree turn. It was beautiful.....

I kinda feel bad about scaring the oncoming mini cooper

 

I'm considering lower the front another 1/2 inch to make the car fit better. The rears are perfect, the front still has a bit more space. The koni yellows that are going in this winter or spring will be perfect for handling and looks

 

Like I said...form follows function. I agree that I would like the wheels to "fit" better, but with the relatively soft stock springs currently in the car the current setup keeps the car from rubbing as well as off the bumpstops. If/when I stiffen up the springs I will probably also lower the car at that point to something a little more sporting...

Next track time for me will likely be next summer. Not much in the way of track days up here during the rainy winter months. I'm planning on doing at least one weekend over in Spokane next year as well as at least one event each at Pacific Raceways (Seattle International Raceway) and Portland International Raceway.

I highly recommend performance driving schools. The track day I did back in May was with the Proformance driving school at Pacific Raceways and I learned a lot having the instructor in the car with me.

Just about all of the events that the Seattle S2000 gang does are associated with some sort of driving school, so everyone starts off with an instructor and the instructors can sign you off for solo driving after they're comfortable with your ability to handle whatever you might encounter...

 

very cool to bad about all the rain, but at least you don't have as bad smog

What about the motor? I know you had talked before about all kinds of crazy stuff, even turbo, but are there any great built NA motors for the miata? The S has really turned me back to the all motor thing in a big way, it's not so much about brute power for me anymore, it's about how the motor responds and how big that power band is. The possibility of going to 10k with the EMS also is seducing me I know the block can do 12k, and if the vavletrain can handle it, I might go as high as I can. A flat torgue curve from 7000 to 10,000 would be insane........

 

The motor...I'm still pondering all sorts of silliness...but I'm also keen on just building the car on what it's really all about. I want to try and make some decent power (relatively speaking), but I am most interested in handling. I've always been a huge fan of small, light cars that handle really well.

I still am considering a turbo or even a rotary swap, but we'll just have to see. For now I just wanna enjoy the car and begin to take it from being tailored for what the previous owner wanted in the car to what I want. The wheels were only the first step...

Sounds like your motor buildup could be very exciting. I have to admit that it would be very easy to fall victim to similar work on the Miata and the ONLY think keeping me from going nutty like that is my current need for high return on my investment...

 

well, the car helps to keep me preoccupied in these times so right now, it's a godsend.... a REALLY expensive godsend I remeber driving a friends miata, and while most I see are just weirdos or gay men driving them, I'm glad when I see people like you who take the car for what it is good at. It has a really great chassis, and that is one thing I swear mazda excels at. I loved my rx7, and the miata felt just like it, only a bit twitchier and lighter.