So, I am building my s2k for autocross and track (it is my dd and I do some spirited driving). I do not care about keeping the car as comfortable as possible for dd, mainly focused on trying get as much grip as possible out of the car. My plan is to build as much custom stuff as possible (I will break down my current plan later in this post), and keep the car on a "budget". Overall I want to achieve the max possible autoX and track performance with a stock power motor. I will list out my current mods, and mods coming in the future:
Current Car:
AP1
berk 3" single exit with test pipe (sounds absolutely terrible for anyone wondering)
some CAI, it was on the car when I got it and don't plan on changing it
Megan coils (will be gone very soon)
password jdm strut tower brace
stage 4 clutch with lightweight single mass flywheel (its overkill for stock power but it was on the car when I got it, and like the strong clutch feedback)

Future Plans:
stance 2way coilovers with remote reservoirs and upgraded springs
lighter wheels and grippy tires (not fully decided on tires)
custom building a dual exit exhaust out of a stock one I got:

• going to add a hfc. cut out both mufflers and the mid pipe resonator. Adding a small resonator in place of the mid pipe resonator. Adding two vibrant resonators in place of mufflers. Pie cut turndown exhaust tips.

custom building canards, a front splitter, side splitters, diffuser, and any extra underbody needed to create low pressure under the car without affecting an ideal drag coefficient. (I have been researching detailed diagrams of the aerodynamics of the car to plan out the most effective aero configuration)
possibly going to add a wing in the future
sway bars will be going in
going to add some aftermarket seats for weight and better hold

Again I'm personally experimenting and researching for the rest of the community how cheap you can achieve max possible grip while still looking good. Any feedback of things I may have missed to achieve this goal would be appreciated (ie axles possibly, interior mods to help, good ways for weight reduction) Also any tips for building any of these parts would be appreciated. No I dont want to go boost, no im not looking to buy prefabbed, name brand parts I want to enjoy the project aspect of my build path.

 

What's your experience level on track?

 

Wider the wheels/tires and the better the compound the more grip. So I see a widebody in your future to accommodate if your looking to maximize the performance envelope. A wider track width will generate better grip as well. Then match the suspension spring rate to the level of G you will be generating. This should be your fundamental starting point. Build the car around the wheel and tires, those are the things that will heavily influence the grip of the car. Aero would be after that and will influence the car above 80-100mph generally. So rather moot for auto X aspect of your build. In my view auto x tuning and big track tuning aren't mutually inclusive with one another, the car behaves very different at 40-60mph then it does at 100+mph. Much equipment will translate, but set up/tuning wont. That's My .02

 

Seat time.

 

Why Stance coil overs?

 

Your current car is fast enough. Buy new track brake pads and new 200TW tires and drive around your track until you can beat the Spec Miata record for whatever track you drive on. Until then you are wasting money.

 

Thanks, and I haven't decided whether I will try to find the limits of stock body or go Widebody with wider tires. With the research I have found and the wind tunnel testing, a small wing on the back and diffuser actually provide the largest difference in grip from around 35-80, after that its pretty minot but that's where splitters and a larger wing would come into play.

 

I found a DEAL on a set with swift springs. Stance isn't a very common brand in the s2000 world but their products is super high quality and performs as good as any other coilover for the same price.

 

That is impossible as the lap record for a spec Miata at road Atlanta is a 1:42.22, and the track record for a non spec built convertible is held by a s2000 at 1:51 flat.

 

my bad I found other times that are faster than 1:51