MX5 as a Track Day Car

[Avoneer]

If I decied to sell my bike engined caterfield, how do people rate MX5's for Track Days?

I was thinking of throwing some money at the looks and the engine.

Any thoughts anyone?

Pat...

[Slinky]

If you're going to do it (which I reckon you ought to), throw the money at in the following order

handling
braking
safety
power
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looks

[Avoneer]

So I'd end up with something half decent for £7k?

Anything in particualr to look out for?

Mk1, Mk2, 1.6, 1.8?????? (I prefer the look of the Mk1)

I'd be an MX5 virgin.

Pat...

[1]

Great choice for a track car, loads of stuff on here about MX5s. I seem to remember that this very same subject has come up quite a few times recently. Do a search and I am sure you will find all the advice you need.

[Avoneer]

Search - D'oh - why didn't I think of that.

Bearing in mind I am currently hammering round tracks in a caterfield that hits 60 in under 4 seconds and sticks like glue.

Pat ;-)

[Slinky]

Avoneer said:

So I'd end up with something half decent for £7k?

Have a look @ http://www.mx5nutz.com/ and the forum there.. (and also the for sale section).. I think you'll be pleasantly suprised..

Personally, I'd be going for a stripped out, caged, turbo'd Mk1 1.6, with tein suspension, torsen LSD, 1.8 Brake conversion (with requisite pad and disk upgrade), MSPNP ECU (for a variety of reasons), 15 inch Rota wheels on Toyo R888's... I think that'd be a lovely way to spend 7k!

[mark69sheer]

Avoneer said:

Search - D'oh - why didn't I think of that.

Bearing in mind I am currently hammering round tracks in a caterfield that hits 60 in under 4 seconds and sticks like glue.

Pat ;-)

The only thing that sticks like glue in an mX5 will be the crap in your pants..lol

Just kidding..

I did the MX5 scholarship and did quite well. I was at times the quickest on the track . . so the MX5 track prepped.

Don't expect any feeling of speed..er there isn't , however the handling is really quite good. But not only is it good its a real tester at the limit.
You won't find wicked breakaways or plough on understeer but you will find the car moving about quite a lot under you. Its no stick to the road car but then Tiff Needell said if you could drive one of them you could drive anything.
The 1.6 engine is rough and sounds in pain when pushed but its also bombproof.
You know when you have got it wrong but you know when its right too.
They are sluggish on the straights but through the bends you will easily match a Boxter or caymanS in a track prepped MX5.
The Caterhams will just accelerate on by though so maybe a test drive of a prepped car would be an idea.

[Avoneer]

Cheers for all that.

I know it won't match the surge you get with the caterfield and it won't stick as well, but I may need a daily driver soon that I can track as well so this is beginning to sound like a good option.

Lowered and tyred 1.6 with a turbo is sounding nice.

Pat...

[Jibberingloon]

This is my post from another thread

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...


This is my 3rd Car Toy




1.8 G-Ltd
Tein HA Coilovers
MazdaSpeed Struts
MazdaSpeed 4-2-1 Manifold
MazdaSpeed Exhaust
MazdaSpeed Roll Bars
Laguna Front Splitter
Torsen Diff
EBC Pads


Good fun, very predictable, can be used just as a weekend toy at the same time as a track toy


RWD
130-140 Bhp
8sec ish to 60mph will do 130mph
Cheap To Buy & Run etc etc
Realiable
Simple To Do Work On

The one that swinged it for me.....
Full Adjustable Camber / Toe / Caster as Standard



The above were the main reason for buying one

[Munter]

You could always buy one of the MAX5 race prepared cars. Then just add turbo and away you go. Might not be the cheapest way as a lot of the cost of the MAX5 car will be all the racing required things (fuel cut off, full cage etc).

http://www.max5racing.com/2ndhandcarsforsale.html

[Chris71]

I don't know how this would transfer to the track, but on the road, even with standard width road tyres, normal suspension etc it felt underpowered.

.....in the dry, the Japanese tyres were fecking lethal in the wet.

Peronsally, being a bit of a hooligan I thought the chassis was too good for 140 or so horse power. So, I'd make sure you get one with a Torsen Diff then add some decent brakes and a supercharger. Better still, get a BEC Caterfield

[Avoneer]

I've already got a BEC!

I'm thinking along the lines of more practical, more civilised and better in wet weather and less "full on" although there's nothing wrong with full on.

Pat...

[Chris71]

Sorry, that was my attempt at humour - I know you've got one already....

If you want the same buzz, but a little more practical I would strongly recommend a Fisher Fury (or it's Sylva badged cousin the Stylus) these are extremely quick cars - should be in the same league as your Cateham - but with doors, hoods and even a small boot in the cse of the Stylus.

Beyond that, having already had a '5 and also a fairly hardcore kit car (similar in certain respects to a Lotus 7 style car) what I fancy next is a Chimera. Ok, it's bound to be a rather different sensation, but with the V8 rumbling away it should have as much sense of occasion as a '7, with a decent sized boot and a usable hood. I know the MX5 is a great car, but coming from a kit car background I just found them a bit 'mass produced' and lacking in character (or should that be 'drama'?) I know a well driven example with a few mods will keep up with a Chim on track, but I think it would be rather more exciting extracting the same performance from Blackpools finest.

[mgv8dave]

to be honest i am not a fan but a mate has one by these people ....... which i would like ::-):

http://www.monstermiata.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh4cEhEWlg

have fun

[Fly Boy]

mgv8dave said:

to be honest i am not a fan but a mate has one by these people ....... which i would like ::-):

have fun

Dave
Your mates not Rob Carter by any chance?
I have a vid somewhere of his V8 '5 on the dyno at Nobles puffing lots of black smoke out....

FB

[fentuz]

If it is for a trackday... I'd go for a mk1
1.6, if before 94
1.8, if after 94

Then I'd give some thought: Do you want a "ready to race" Package, so find something already prepared or Do you want a project... find a good second hand, spend sometime driving and finding what needs to be done etc...


For 7K, I reckon you can find something more than descent...

[Avoneer]

Right, I've gone and done it so there's no turning back now.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/278087.htm

Pat...

[madmatt1985]

id say it would be quite a down grade in all areas. but the roof on a mx5 would be easier to put up. u thought about a lotus??

[BertBert]

I'd say that you had either not driven a MX5 at a track day or you must be certifiable. After your bitsablade, an MX5 will be the dullest track car around.
Bert

[Avoneer]

Yep - It will definately be the complete opposite.

But I need something I can use throughout winter and something more civilised.

Ideally, I'd have both, but funds won't alow!

Lotus - S2 Elise - Csr of my dreams - just can't afford one yet.

I'm gonna get some tuition and learn to drive the MX5 properly and then use it as a stepping stone to an Elise.

Oh, it will be turbo'd etc. so won't be run of the mill regular type.

Pat...