Discussion
Venturing into the Mx5 arena for the first time, and contemplating investing as a cheap track mule (but also for occasional road use), to get some decent one on one track tuition in.
I want to leave the car fairly standard in all honestly, and will accept that this isnt the optimum setup for track use.
My question is, to have fun on a track does it have to be a 1.8 all the way? And also will that have enough grunt (after a decent service) to be able to learn how to master powersliding?
Without opening a massive debate, as a standard car, is the mk1 or mk2 a better bet on the track in terms of power, weight and setup? Is there much difference in insurance cost as well between the Mk1 and Mk2?
7 years NCB, 25, london postcode.
I want to leave the car fairly standard in all honestly, and will accept that this isnt the optimum setup for track use.
My question is, to have fun on a track does it have to be a 1.8 all the way? And also will that have enough grunt (after a decent service) to be able to learn how to master powersliding?
Without opening a massive debate, as a standard car, is the mk1 or mk2 a better bet on the track in terms of power, weight and setup? Is there much difference in insurance cost as well between the Mk1 and Mk2?
7 years NCB, 25, london postcode.
If it's a wet track it's a complete doddle, I spent most of my last track-day at OultonPark looking out of the passenger/drivers door window 
If it's dry it's still possible, but you won't get lairy powerslides, more very satisfying 4 wheel drifts.
The addition of a Turbo/Supercharger can easily fix the lack of power though.
If it's dry it's still possible, but you won't get lairy powerslides, more very satisfying 4 wheel drifts.
The addition of a Turbo/Supercharger can easily fix the lack of power though.
Ideally you will want an import 1.8 as you will want a TorSen LSD. The 1.6 had a viscous LSD which isn't quite as effective and is weaker. If you want to drift it then you like likely break a 1.6 dif.
As for which is better on track, if you were just track driving then there is little to choose between them. 1.8 has just a little more grunt on the straights.
As for which is better on track, if you were just track driving then there is little to choose between them. 1.8 has just a little more grunt on the straights.
matt3001 said:
Yes on the track my main aim would be to improve my driving lines and gain experience, but it would be nice to be able to start to master powerslides as well if the car could take it.
Unless you want expensive trips into the armco, I suggest you look at airfield days rather than trackdays if you want to start learning how to do powerslides.For insurance try Mary at REIS (Richard Egger). I went with a classic policy on my Mk2, but for a track car or a daily driver REIS were definitely the keenest.
On my classic policy a structural rollbar will add 10% to the premium and a full rollcage will add 15%, with an increase in excess of £50 & £100 respectively.
On my classic policy a structural rollbar will add 10% to the premium and a full rollcage will add 15%, with an increase in excess of £50 & £100 respectively.
If you want it as a track car then forget service intervals. You will want to do constant maintenance to keep it in top condition otherwise things will break on track. On ours we replace the oil after a couple of track days for example. Some replace it after every track outing but I think that's a bit OTT for a standard 1.6.
MX-5 Lazza said:
If you want it as a track car then forget service intervals. You will want to do constant maintenance to keep it in top condition otherwise things will break on track. On ours we replace the oil after a couple of track days for example. Some replace it after every track outing but I think that's a bit OTT for a standard 1.6.
Here is a Q Laz. I can obviously understand why the oil would need to be changed after a few good track sessions, but why the filter? (I'm from the school that changes oil and filter at the same time, just wondering if there was a reason other than habit!)
I always replace both at the same time too but there is probably little need to any more often than the standard service intervals. A filter only costs a few £ though so where's the harm in changing it?
Service on a track car is more about just making sure everything is in top condition i.e. regular brake bleeding, making sure callipers are moving freely and pads have plenty of meat, checking all bushes, exhaust not leaking, coils/plugs/leads are all in good nick, air filter is clean, visual checks of suspension, wishbones etc. and so on.
Service on a track car is more about just making sure everything is in top condition i.e. regular brake bleeding, making sure callipers are moving freely and pads have plenty of meat, checking all bushes, exhaust not leaking, coils/plugs/leads are all in good nick, air filter is clean, visual checks of suspension, wishbones etc. and so on.
MX-5 Lazza said:
I always replace both at the same time too but there is probably little need to any more often than the standard service intervals. A filter only costs a few £ though so where's the harm in changing it?
Service on a track car is more about just making sure everything is in top condition i.e. regular brake bleeding, making sure callipers are moving freely and pads have plenty of meat, checking all bushes, exhaust not leaking, coils/plugs/leads are all in good nick, air filter is clean, visual checks of suspension, wishbones etc. and so on.
I used to just drive mine and service it once a year. Doesn't seem to have done it any harm.Service on a track car is more about just making sure everything is in top condition i.e. regular brake bleeding, making sure callipers are moving freely and pads have plenty of meat, checking all bushes, exhaust not leaking, coils/plugs/leads are all in good nick, air filter is clean, visual checks of suspension, wishbones etc. and so on.
When I say "Track car" I mean a car that is used almost exclusively for track work, not a road & track car. Our track car is shared by 7 of us and this Saturday 3 of us will be driving it at Silverstone Stowe. That means it will get very little rest at all during the day and will be running almost constantly from about 9am to around 4pm being thrashed. We still expect it to be able to drive home afterwards though. Great little cars
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