New Owner Introduction
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
New Owner Introduction
Some of you may know me from the local autocross scene. No, not the SCCA but the FAST crowd (previously NASA-X FL Tampa, previously SunRiders Motorsports).
I've been autocrossing one Miata or another for almost 3 years, and a Subaru Legacy GT2.5 prior to that.
As recently as 3 weeks ago we owned 3 Miatas, but I sold 2 of them including the (in)famous Tampa Bay FrankenMiata -- a '91 with a 1.8L engine swap, lightened flywheel, Bosal 4-1 header, stage 1 clutch, Koni SS, Ground Control coilovers, very stiff springs (calculated for proper roll coupling with that car), etc.
Last Saturday I was looking for a car for my 16-year old son and happened to spot a Suzuka blue '03 for sale. I took it for a test drive which blew me away, but decided to think about it for a while. Sure, I had the $$$ from selling the FrankenMiata still in my pocket, but I wasn't in a hurry to buy a new car.
On Monday afternoon, after further negotiation, I pulled the trigger and picked my my S2000 Tuesday at lunch.
That same afternoon I called EdgeRacing to order a set of Hankook Ventus RS2's in the proper 245/45-16 rear to replace the unknown Fulda tires it came with (225 rears at that!).
I'm lovin' this car, and so is my wife! We've got a vacation booked to Gatlinburg in the fall with plans to run the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway and other routes I'm familiar with from my bike days (2000 Triumph Sprint ST). Originally we were planning to take our '97 Miata (with KYB AGX shocks and a Hard Dog rollbar) but we both agree the S2000 is a better car for that trip in every way: comfort, performance and handling.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the Tampa Bay people. Is there someplace you hang out online? Do you have meets? Do you have tech sessions?
I've been spoiled by the local Miata scene where we think nothing of pulling an engine to change the clutch and put the car back on the road that day, or getting 4 people together for timing belt changes on all their cars in an afternoon. With their help, I even pulled, tore down and rebuilt the engine of the FrankenMiata in my garage! Doing suspension changes or brake work is a regular occurance.
My plans are to leave the car stock for now. At the moment, I can't see the need to change anything to let me enjoy this car. However, I'll enjoy learning of what is available aftermarket, just in case!
I guess I'll see some of you at the FAST autocross tomorrow.
I've been autocrossing one Miata or another for almost 3 years, and a Subaru Legacy GT2.5 prior to that.
As recently as 3 weeks ago we owned 3 Miatas, but I sold 2 of them including the (in)famous Tampa Bay FrankenMiata -- a '91 with a 1.8L engine swap, lightened flywheel, Bosal 4-1 header, stage 1 clutch, Koni SS, Ground Control coilovers, very stiff springs (calculated for proper roll coupling with that car), etc.
Last Saturday I was looking for a car for my 16-year old son and happened to spot a Suzuka blue '03 for sale. I took it for a test drive which blew me away, but decided to think about it for a while. Sure, I had the $$$ from selling the FrankenMiata still in my pocket, but I wasn't in a hurry to buy a new car.
On Monday afternoon, after further negotiation, I pulled the trigger and picked my my S2000 Tuesday at lunch.
That same afternoon I called EdgeRacing to order a set of Hankook Ventus RS2's in the proper 245/45-16 rear to replace the unknown Fulda tires it came with (225 rears at that!).
I'm lovin' this car, and so is my wife! We've got a vacation booked to Gatlinburg in the fall with plans to run the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway and other routes I'm familiar with from my bike days (2000 Triumph Sprint ST). Originally we were planning to take our '97 Miata (with KYB AGX shocks and a Hard Dog rollbar) but we both agree the S2000 is a better car for that trip in every way: comfort, performance and handling.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the Tampa Bay people. Is there someplace you hang out online? Do you have meets? Do you have tech sessions?
I've been spoiled by the local Miata scene where we think nothing of pulling an engine to change the clutch and put the car back on the road that day, or getting 4 people together for timing belt changes on all their cars in an afternoon. With their help, I even pulled, tore down and rebuilt the engine of the FrankenMiata in my garage! Doing suspension changes or brake work is a regular occurance.
My plans are to leave the car stock for now. At the moment, I can't see the need to change anything to let me enjoy this car. However, I'll enjoy learning of what is available aftermarket, just in case!
I guess I'll see some of you at the FAST autocross tomorrow.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Fl
WAFlowers,
Welcome to the S-Zone! Yes they do handle pretty damn good and you will enjoy the Dragon with your new S. I would encourage you to autox the car to get use to its personality and then step into mods if you wish. My suspension will be upgraded next week so I can not wait to see what my06 will do. When the day come that you wish to start modding your S, contact James @ vvs. Again welcome to S2KI!
J
Welcome to the S-Zone! Yes they do handle pretty damn good and you will enjoy the Dragon with your new S. I would encourage you to autox the car to get use to its personality and then step into mods if you wish. My suspension will be upgraded next week so I can not wait to see what my06 will do. When the day come that you wish to start modding your S, contact James @ vvs. Again welcome to S2KI!
J
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 16,759
Likes: 1
From: Sun★Works
upgraded sway bars, an xbrace, springs and a rear STB will plant you nicely on the autoX course. But dont take my word for it, ask some of the guys that cross and they can better point you in the right direction.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Originally Posted by Elroy,Feb 16 2007, 08:07 AM
Welcome to the S-Zone!
I would encourage you to autox the car to get use to its personality and then step into mods if you wish.
I'm hoping I can take it to Sebring and get some instruction this year. I've been wanting to do that for a while.
Trending Topics
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,821
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
Welcome!
Change those Gatlinburg plans!! Join us at Wake the Dragon April 13-15. There should be over 200 of us there. 
It is an incredible experience. https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=461257
Glad you got some decent tires. Are you planning on staying in a stock autox class? Regardless, you'll want to start looking for a front swaybar at least. Non adjustable include Saner and Cusco (both good values). For greater stiffness you'll have to shell out for an adjustable: Comptech (mucho stiff); Gendron (ay caramba stiff). Good stock size r-compounds for oem AP1 wheels are Kuhmo 710 with 225 front and 265 rear (yes...265...AP2 guys run 245 front and 275 rear in stock).
Change those Gatlinburg plans!!
Join us at Wake the Dragon April 13-15. There should be over 200 of us there. It is an incredible experience. https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=461257Glad you got some decent tires. Are you planning on staying in a stock autox class? Regardless, you'll want to start looking for a front swaybar at least. Non adjustable include Saner and Cusco (both good values). For greater stiffness you'll have to shell out for an adjustable: Comptech (mucho stiff); Gendron (ay caramba stiff). Good stock size r-compounds for oem AP1 wheels are Kuhmo 710 with 225 front and 265 rear (yes...265...AP2 guys run 245 front and 275 rear in stock).
Welcome