Region: NASA Mid-West
Car #: 077
Year : 1995 Posts: 180
Status: Offline
posted
Hey yall. I've been here off and on, mainly in "listen mode" for the past couple years.
I purchased a '95 Miata 2 years ago and it's been my NASA HPDE car. I also plan to TT it. I do plan on jumping into wheel to wheel racing at some point. Be great to have stories to tell as I age! I was thinking of buying an SM car already built, yet think I will benefit and learn more if I build my own. I know there have been several threads on buying vs. building. I've decided on building. I already have a donor car.
My question is, where to start? I know I'll need to build it per the NASA GCR but how do I get started in tearing this "bad boy" down and building it into a NASA Spec Miata? Is there a thread that someone can direct me too.
Thanks for being patient with a Newbie!
-------------------- "Driving is a serious business" - John Milner, 'American Graffiti'
The VERY first place to start is the rules. They tell you exactly what you can and cannot remove. You can gut a Miata to the letter of the rules in a day with a screwdirver and a socket set!
You might also want to figure out who will build the cage as he may have some suggestions.
-------------------- Kyle Burkhardt NASA Midwest #12 SM
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
Start by reading. This website has a great search function, make it your friend. Buy my book and read it. Read the GCR, then read it again. Even if you only plan on running NASA, read the SCCA rules also.
Plan on spending double the money you think it will cost. Plan on 200 hours of work to build a good car.
Get to know the local pro builder, you will need his help at some time.
dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Region: So Cal
Year : 90 Posts: 74
Status: Offline
posted
There are several threads and blogs that document builds. Start with Wheeler's book. And get a copy of the service manual for your year. The big variables in a build are if you have the space, time, tools and mechanical ability to do the build.
Region: SoCal
Car #: 13
Year : 1992 Posts: 847
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Dave Stevens: There are several threads and blogs that document builds. Start with Wheeler's book. And get a copy of the service manual for your year. The big variables in a build are if you have the space, time, tools and mechanical ability to do the build.
+1 and with what everyone else who has already commented.
CAGE! The cage and seat are the most important thing. Identify the cage builder/installer and go from there... Then employ the wisdom from Daves book, this site and fellow SM racers in your region. Oh, and have fun! I loved building my car, liked it more than I do driving it
[ 01-05-2011, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: John Mueller ]
-------------------- Thanks, John Mueller NASA SM National Director http://www.Weekend-Racer.com #13 "Tiger Miata" - 2009 SoCal SSM Champion
Here's the estimate we worked with for the bare minimum...it was close! The donor number will vary but this is what we figured.
Donor...$1500(strong 140k motor) Suspension...$1350 Cage...$1500 Radiator...$350 exhaust...$300 Pads...$220(rotors were ok) Intake(1.6)...$200 Seat/Harness...$500 Wheels/tires(found both used w/2 sets RA1's)...$400 Safety(net,extinguisher,kill switch)...$120 Hardtop...$900 First set up(alignment and corner weight)...$300 Steering wheel...$300 New fluids and crossed fingers
Total...$7940 and we were racing, granted with a lot of old things on the car! Except for the cage and set/up no labor is included as to us this was free...but above posts are accurate!!
Don't forget driver equipment(in your race budget) though...which can be a big number!
Happy wrenching!
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Region: SW
Car #: 59
Year : 1999 Posts: 28
Status: Offline
posted
My build was not based around any type of budget, so it could certainly be done for less. But it also doesn't include any type of pro motor or the new timing and fuel pressure items either. It is for a 99.
Item-Description-Vendor-Price Donor Car-1999 NB-craigslist-$3,700 suspension kit-Spec Suspension Kit-Mazda Motorsports-$1,399 adjustable end links-End links-Advanced Autosports-$135 rollcage-Cage and install-Miata Cage, MER install-$2,700 hardtop-Silver hardtop-craigslist-$900 Hardtop brackets-Black hardtop brackets-Miata Cage-$85 radiator-Koyo-Advanced Autosports-$433 Seat mount/trans modification-Tall guy mounting-MER-$800 Painting Interior-Paint cage/interior-MER-$600 fire suppression-SafeCraft-MER-$700 seat-Pro ADV-MER-$850 harness-Schroth Profi II-PST-$360 brake pads-Cobalt-Advanced Autosports-$255 brake rotors-Brembo-Advanced Autosports-$180 Wheel studs-ARP studs-Advanced Autosports-$130 Window Mount-Stock window mount-Advanced Autosports-$25 Rear Antenna Plug-Plug for rear antenna hole-Advanced Autosports-$4 SS brake lines-lines-Advanced Autosports-$109 battery disconnect-White Rodgers Solenoid-mcmaster-$70 rollbar padding-Longacre-IO Port-$60 fuel test port-Miata Cage-Miata Cage-$80 hard top mounting kit-Miata Cage-Miata Cage-$85 steering wheel-Momo Mod 88 320mm-LTBAutosports.com-$180 Hub adapter-Momo-LTBAutosports.com-$80 Quick release-NRG Version 2.5-LTBAutosports.com-$150 steering wheel spacer-1/2" and 1"-LTBAutosports.com-$40 Exhaust-Springfield Dyno-Miata Cage-$275 Wheels/Tires-TD 1.3 wheels w/ R888-Good-win-racing-$1,075 Window Net Kit-Complete window net kit-Miata Cage-$75 Tow hooks-Front and Rear tow hooks-Miata Cage-$45 Panoramic Mirror-17"-IO Port-$70 Front Hubs-Front hub assem bly-Mazda Motorsports-$123 Restrictor plate-41MM Restrictor-Mazda Motorsports-$22 Rear wheel bearings/hubs-Rear wheel bearings/hubs-Mazda Motorsports-$110 Data Collection-AIM Pista, SmartyCam, oil pressure, water temp, brake pressure, throttle pos-MER-$3,800 Total-$19,705
Region: So Cal
Year : 90 Posts: 74
Status: Offline
posted
For a starter build expect 8-10k. Mine is at about 7k but there are several things I do myself, the biggest being the cage. Instead of 2500 it's about 250. I have most of the consumables, data, seat, restraints and nets. I've stripped it to the tub and I'm rebuilding or reconditioning what I can. I got a cheap donor with a strong drive train (for that old a car) and a great deal on a used top. I've had about a grand in surprises so far, I'd imagine I'm in for another grand in surprises, at least, before I'm done.
Your big ticket items in a basic build will be your cage, spec suspension, the top, tires and wheels. That's assuming your drive train is adequate to get you to the track. At the very least make sure you don't leak, have a strong enough clutch and replace all the brake parts. Doesn't matter how fast you go if you can't stop. The rest of the stuff is anywhere from 50 to a few hundred bucks but it adds up.
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