Well, its been a while since I have updated the blog. All in all it was an ok season for autocross. Did alright but could have been better. usually in the top 5 at events for raw time and about the same for PAX. I did discover at the last event of the season, on October 11th, that the Hoosiers are shot. What I have mounted right now is a set of 275-35/R15 that were used before I got them. If you can get them hot they aren't bad, but the 11th saw sustained winds of 19mph all day long and gusts of 40mph. To say the least, the tires never got warm. At the end of the day I had switched to the R1R tires and was packing up to leave when a friend showed up that wanted a ride. We did a buck run with out the Hoosiers and, holy crap, what a difference. the car felt planted and could accelerate out of turns much better then with the Hoosiers. To say the least... I'll be getting a new set of Hoosier A7 next year.
Current plans for the car is to have the shocks serviced and put on some stiffer springs, 800 front, 550 rear. As of today the shocks are on their way back to me and should be back in the car soon with the new springs installed. After its a matter of the drive train. I have a 6 speed transmission to replace the 5 speed. The catch is that it makes the gear ratios awful.
5 - Speed + 4.3 rear end and 7200 rpm rev limit:
1st gear tops out at 35.87 mph
2nd gear tops out at 59.57 mph
3rd gear tops out at 84.57 mph
6 speed + 4.3 rear end and 7200 rpm
1st gear tops out at 29.91 mph
2nd gear tops out at 49.57 mph
3rd gear tops out at 68.37 mph
I purchased a 3.636 ring and pinion to put in the differential which will take care of it.
6 speed + 3.636 rear end and 7200 rpm
1st gear tops out at 35.38 mph
2nd gear tops out at 58.62 mph
3rd gear tops out at 80.86 mph
Much better and very close to the original ratios. All in all I'm sure I'll have to learn to drive the car again with this many differences.
I also purchased a dead 1992 Miata. This will eventually become the base for everything that's in the 99. the car has about a softball sized hole in the block where a rod went through it. in the end this one will end up about 200-300 lbs lighter then the 99. this probably won't be in service until 2017. Going to take my time and do it right as I build it.
