Here's an option...
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1251980
Not mine - just passing the word.
K
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1251980
Not mine - just passing the word.
K
Opinions on First Car
- Thread starter tom_sprecher
- Start date
I'm not argueing here, please dont take me wrong on this,
but,
I would think aero wise the miata would actually be better then the three cars you mentioned, right?
Also, Hp wise, I think a stock miata is just as fast as a stock 240 or crx, isnt it?
Now I know this may not add up to how much hp they can make in full IT trim, but there shouldnt really be that much difference in Hp after all the mods, should there?
How can the SM's do so well lap time wise with so much more restriction on their allowable modifications?
Am I taking my crazy pills again?
(loved that line from zoolander...)
but,
I would think aero wise the miata would actually be better then the three cars you mentioned, right?
Also, Hp wise, I think a stock miata is just as fast as a stock 240 or crx, isnt it?
Now I know this may not add up to how much hp they can make in full IT trim, but there shouldnt really be that much difference in Hp after all the mods, should there?
How can the SM's do so well lap time wise with so much more restriction on their allowable modifications?
Am I taking my crazy pills again?
(loved that line from zoolander...)
Ron Earp
Administrator
Check the Cd on the Miata - not good. I've driven one quite a bit and it tends to sort of hit a brick wall at some point above 100mph. I don't think hp wise a Miata stock is as fast as the others. A 1.6 has something like 125hp, while the 240sx has around 150. All I know is on the back straight at VIR you could settle in and read a book while it works up to speed. Not so in our 260z or any of those other S/A cars that have power.
SM's do well because they handle so well and can just about damn near outbrake everything in ITA and ITS. Drive one and you learn that it is a car that likes twisties and momentum. Screw up, lift at the wrong time, lose your momentum, and the pack passes you buy. At the higher speeds it just doesn't have so much pull and a lift, bad corner entry or exit can really slow your laptimes down.
On the VIR grand course, the 4.X mile length, the SM ran some 3:10s best if I recall. That put them solidly is A and S times, with the best S cars running like 3:05-3:02 or so. But, the grand course had basically a mile of track that definitely favored Miatas. When the track is run in its normal configuration there is a larger difference in laptimes.
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
SM's do well because they handle so well and can just about damn near outbrake everything in ITA and ITS. Drive one and you learn that it is a car that likes twisties and momentum. Screw up, lift at the wrong time, lose your momentum, and the pack passes you buy. At the higher speeds it just doesn't have so much pull and a lift, bad corner entry or exit can really slow your laptimes down.
On the VIR grand course, the 4.X mile length, the SM ran some 3:10s best if I recall. That put them solidly is A and S times, with the best S cars running like 3:05-3:02 or so. But, the grand course had basically a mile of track that definitely favored Miatas. When the track is run in its normal configuration there is a larger difference in laptimes.
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
Okay, I guess so...
I wonder if anyone has CD spec's on these cars? I mean, with the size and shape of the miata (so low to the ground...) I just have a hard time believing this.
I could be wrong, no question about that.
So far as top speed goes, CD and torque are probably the most important. I know the 1.6 makes about 115hp and 100lbs torque, so maybe this is where the 240sx and crx's leave it behind.
I do remember the crx being pretty torquey...
I wonder if anyone has CD spec's on these cars? I mean, with the size and shape of the miata (so low to the ground...) I just have a hard time believing this.
I could be wrong, no question about that.
So far as top speed goes, CD and torque are probably the most important. I know the 1.6 makes about 115hp and 100lbs torque, so maybe this is where the 240sx and crx's leave it behind.
I do remember the crx being pretty torquey...
Ron Earp
Administrator
0.38 with the top up on a M spec, which has some soiler stuff the normal ones do not. Lowest I saw was 0.36, not specified if it was late model or not.
Modern cars:
350z 0.30
C6 Vette 0.28, 0.29
RX7 3rd Gen 0.34
Porsche 944 0.34
New Camry 0.28-0.29
My JH is a nasty 0.40. Typical fellow on a motorcycle runs around a 0.43 or so.
So completely smooth they are not, although they look like a smooth bar of soap.
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
Modern cars:
350z 0.30
C6 Vette 0.28, 0.29
RX7 3rd Gen 0.34
Porsche 944 0.34
New Camry 0.28-0.29
My JH is a nasty 0.40. Typical fellow on a motorcycle runs around a 0.43 or so.
So completely smooth they are not, although they look like a smooth bar of soap.
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
ouch, .38 is pretty bad.
My swift is .29, which isnt too bad. Just has a small motor and little torque...
Well, then I would consider SM. It's a drivers class, where car's are somewhat equal, bullet proof, and lot's of competition.
It's a class I'm seriously considering myself. Just be a couple of years, as I've got too much money tied up in my swift right now.
My swift is .29, which isnt too bad. Just has a small motor and little torque...
Well, then I would consider SM. It's a drivers class, where car's are somewhat equal, bullet proof, and lot's of competition.
It's a class I'm seriously considering myself. Just be a couple of years, as I've got too much money tied up in my swift right now.
tom_sprecher
Super Moderator
I appreciate all the responses but I don't have the cash to buy a car today, most likely after the SIC. Besides, the $15k is the entire start-up budget, not just the car. I'm a very patient man and when the right one comes along I'll know it. Hell, it took me two years to buy the Harley and had to drive down to Ft. Lauderdale to get it, but I saved $4k.
What about IT7?
What about IT7?
The 240sx looks interesting but seem few and far between on the track and might take a lot of development as well. Also, I heard the drifter crowd snaps up most cars that come up for sale.
I have a 89 240sx coupe (ITA) that we could talk about. It's built, developed, fast. Very competitive in the Northeast against the current crop of CRX and Integras. Give me a shout - 7racing(at)naisp(dot)net.
BTW, I can wait till your ready to buy....
Jeremy
lateapex911
Super Moderator
IT7 cars are just 1st gen cars prepped to ITA rules.
Good news, fun to drive, good engine longevity when properly built, cheap (for a racecar) to buy or maintain.
Bad news? IT7 does not run in all parts of the country, so you can't go everywhere. But you can always run in ITA if you don't mind getting blown off the straights...
(Jeremy...shoot me a message)
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
[This message has been edited by lateapex911 (edited May 25, 2005).]
Good news, fun to drive, good engine longevity when properly built, cheap (for a racecar) to buy or maintain.
Bad news? IT7 does not run in all parts of the country, so you can't go everywhere. But you can always run in ITA if you don't mind getting blown off the straights...
(Jeremy...shoot me a message)
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
[This message has been edited by lateapex911 (edited May 25, 2005).]
tom_sprecher
Super Moderator
Thanks, Jake. It looks like IT7 is popular is the SEDiv which covers a lot of ground and I don't plan on going anywhere else.
I think for a beginners car, if like you said, IT7 cars are fun to drive and relatively cheap to buy and maintain, what's not to like? Plus, if I'am slow I can always blame it on the car
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Tom Sprecher
Team SuperTech
I think for a beginners car, if like you said, IT7 cars are fun to drive and relatively cheap to buy and maintain, what's not to like? Plus, if I'am slow I can always blame it on the car
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Tom Sprecher
Team SuperTech
tom_sprecher
Super Moderator
Ron, I'll see you there with beers in hand. You were the one with the liquor cabinet, right?
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Tom Sprecher
Team SuperTech
[This message has been edited by tom_sprecher (edited May 26, 2005).]
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Tom Sprecher
Team SuperTech
[This message has been edited by tom_sprecher (edited May 26, 2005).]
Ron Earp
Administrator
Don't get too excited, it only holds four bottles but since it was installed by the previous owner of the trailer we felt obliged to put some in and get it ready. But it is there for the taking, have a drink! Mark Whight is quite excited since that means he gets G&Ts at the track!
R
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
[This message has been edited by rlearp (edited May 26, 2005).]
R
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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
White Jensen-Healey ITS
Silver "Skull" 260Z ITS
[This message has been edited by rlearp (edited May 26, 2005).]
lateapex911
Super Moderator
Originally posted by tom_sprecher:
Thanks, Jake. It looks like IT7 is popular is the SEDiv which covers a lot of ground and I don't plan on going anywhere else.
I think for a beginners car, if like you said, IT7 cars are fun to drive and relatively cheap to buy and maintain, what's not to like? Plus, if I'am slow I can always blame it on the car
Tom shoot me an email and I can fill you in on the ups and downs of RX-7 ownership and racing.
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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
G
Guest
Guest
New-B ?
[This message has been edited by Ramblin' Wreck (edited June 23, 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Ramblin' Wreck (edited June 23, 2005).]
G
Guest
Guest
I have noticed IT-A Fieros finishing well, but which would be more competitive IT-A or IT-B Fiero?
Thanx
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Eric W. Chance
2000 Mazda Miata C-Stock
1964 1/2 Mustang (For Sale)
Thanx
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Eric W. Chance
2000 Mazda Miata C-Stock
1964 1/2 Mustang (For Sale)
Gary L
New member
Fieros - I took a hard look at this car before I bought an ITB Volvo. Keep in mind there are 4 Fiero line entries, 2 for the V6 in ITA and 2 for the 4 cyl in ITB. Now... take a look at the minimum weights involved. In the case of the V6 ITA cars, we have to run the '88 model 220 lbs heavier than the 84-87. If you shift your attention to the two ITB cars, you find the '88 runs the *same* weight as the 84-87. Hmmmm. What's wrong with this picture? Is the '88 ITA car is being crapped on from a weight standpoint? Or is the '88 ITB car a sleeper? Or both?
FWIW, the '88 models (with either engine) have unquestionably better suspension and brakes than the '84-'87, especially given IT preparation limits.
Given this info, I would think the best choice of the bunch might be the ITB '88 4 cyl. I don't know if any '88 4 cyl cars are being raced ATM, but I do know of one that is (or at least was) being prepared.
Finally though, you need to consider the fact that the front suspension on the '88 Fiero was unique to that car (unlike the '84-87, which was off-the-shelf Chevette!). The unique pieces on the '88 include some high wear rate items, like the front hub/bearing assembly. This part was discontinued by GM years ago, with no suitable aftermarket replacement parts available. Actually, there are aftermarket hubs out there, but under racing conditions they last about as long as it takes to install them.
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Gary Learned
Volvo 142E
FWIW, the '88 models (with either engine) have unquestionably better suspension and brakes than the '84-'87, especially given IT preparation limits.
Given this info, I would think the best choice of the bunch might be the ITB '88 4 cyl. I don't know if any '88 4 cyl cars are being raced ATM, but I do know of one that is (or at least was) being prepared.
Finally though, you need to consider the fact that the front suspension on the '88 Fiero was unique to that car (unlike the '84-87, which was off-the-shelf Chevette!). The unique pieces on the '88 include some high wear rate items, like the front hub/bearing assembly. This part was discontinued by GM years ago, with no suitable aftermarket replacement parts available. Actually, there are aftermarket hubs out there, but under racing conditions they last about as long as it takes to install them.
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Gary Learned
Volvo 142E