track car suggestions / discussion
here's a more recent pic of the car, those 17x10 didn't fit in the back
just as I was thinking I'm tired of this Miata, I should just sell it and get an Evo, I did a track day and kinda love it again (pad knockback is driving me up the f*cking wall though)
and of course since I mentioned I never missed a shift on it, I went ahead and fixed that yesterday a couple times
set a new PB at the Ridge (2:02.71) and drove a buddy's BRZ for a session (glad I didn't go that route for my track car)
super hot day, 95ish most of the time, last session was round 80. Oil temp hit 297
PB
chasing him down in my Miata
driving the BRZ chasing him in my Miata
and of course since I mentioned I never missed a shift on it, I went ahead and fixed that yesterday a couple times
set a new PB at the Ridge (2:02.71) and drove a buddy's BRZ for a session (glad I didn't go that route for my track car)
super hot day, 95ish most of the time, last session was round 80. Oil temp hit 297
PB
chasing him down in my Miata
driving the BRZ chasing him in my Miata
the biggest thing about the BRZ is the steering feel. Although if I haven't driven the Miata maybe it wouldn't be that much of an issue. its not even so much lack of feel, its just that the electric power steering combined with McPherson strut front suspension somehow feels... different.. hydraulic ps and double wishbone front suspension just feels more natural.
the other thing is the engine, it just doesn't feel like a sports car engine... feel pedestrian... almost agricultural... maybe its that my miata has full exhaust so I hear it more and his is bone stock power wise. the engine also has no mid range, you really have to be over 5k at all times. its kinda like a honda engine but no advantage of the VTEC top end. places where I could stay in 3rd on my miata, the BRZ really needs a downshift to 2nd.
shifter is also nicer on my miata. which brings me to heel n toe. the BRZ has a really low gas pedal in relation to the brake, making it hard to heel n toe. they sell spacers that puts the pedal higher (http://www.modbargains.com/Actve-Shi...SD-003-BLK.htm), but they're stupidly over priced, its literally just a ~2"x4" block with holes drilled in the right place, the 2 companies I found that sell them charge ~$120 and over $200 for it. and this guy is a little cheap so I don't think he's gonna be getting it. He said he's just gonna screw on a block onto his gas pedal...
The stock seats are amazing though. I didn't feel I was missing out on my fixed back bucket driving his car, and they're regular adjustable comfortable seats.
also, its not so much that I don't like the BRZ, its more that I like the Miata better. overall BRZ is pretty decent...
the other thing is the engine, it just doesn't feel like a sports car engine... feel pedestrian... almost agricultural... maybe its that my miata has full exhaust so I hear it more and his is bone stock power wise. the engine also has no mid range, you really have to be over 5k at all times. its kinda like a honda engine but no advantage of the VTEC top end. places where I could stay in 3rd on my miata, the BRZ really needs a downshift to 2nd.
shifter is also nicer on my miata. which brings me to heel n toe. the BRZ has a really low gas pedal in relation to the brake, making it hard to heel n toe. they sell spacers that puts the pedal higher (http://www.modbargains.com/Actve-Shi...SD-003-BLK.htm), but they're stupidly over priced, its literally just a ~2"x4" block with holes drilled in the right place, the 2 companies I found that sell them charge ~$120 and over $200 for it. and this guy is a little cheap so I don't think he's gonna be getting it. He said he's just gonna screw on a block onto his gas pedal...
The stock seats are amazing though. I didn't feel I was missing out on my fixed back bucket driving his car, and they're regular adjustable comfortable seats.
also, its not so much that I don't like the BRZ, its more that I like the Miata better. overall BRZ is pretty decent...
Interesting note on the BRZ motor. With it requiring 5K+ in the RPMs, did that translate to you as having to be in a lower gear in each turn or carry more corner speed to maintain that high of a RPM?
Did it affect the way you entered/exit corners and taking different lines? How did it affect your own driving style?
Did it affect the way you entered/exit corners and taking different lines? How did it affect your own driving style?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MI
.02 I love my NA miata, especially for track days. Passing vettes, mustangs, and other domestic "muscle cars" out there is great in the novice group. But, it's also a pain in the butt when they won't give you a point by because they walk away in the straights even though you were sitting on their butt the whole way through the corners. And, once I'm outside the novice group I'm sure the power disadvantage will be even more prevalent. I'd love to do a supercharger or small turbo but with the dsm and now the evo the extra cash really isn't there. But, I may do a few tracks days in the evo just to see what that life is like.
I <3 my Evo. Sit on peoples' butts in corners and walk them on the straights...haha
I looked more seriously into a GT86 for a tack car. Apparently the oiling system for the engine is absolutely terrible, and they do not live over 300whp. So, that's a hard pass.
I looked more seriously into a GT86 for a tack car. Apparently the oiling system for the engine is absolutely terrible, and they do not live over 300whp. So, that's a hard pass.