DocWalt's autocross car v2-ish - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

DocWalt · 10-12-2018, 09:24 PM

I had an actually prepped for autocross once... Since I miss having my own competitive car I'm building a car for 2019 (and beyond, hopefully)

DocWalt · 10-12-2018, 09:25 PM

I've got a ton of parts sitting here to build a new car for next year

I'll add pics of the car at some point....

DocWalt · 10-15-2018, 07:27 PM

More fun stuff arrived.

blue91lx · 10-18-2018, 02:40 PM

Are you building an MX5?!

DocWalt · 10-19-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue91lx

Are you building an MX5?!

"building" is a very strong word for it

I'm actually currently twiddling my thumbs while waiting for Mazda to get me a car.

PAdutch · 10-22-2018, 01:28 PM

Hmm is this an ND STR car?

DocWalt · 10-22-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAdutch

Hmm is this an ND STR car?

Nah, ND2 CS car, hoping for STR in 2020. Buying the pimpy stuff in advance so I'm prepared when the time comes. In theory I'll only need to buy wheels/tires, header/tune/midpipe, and springs. I'm sure I'll do other odds and ends at the same time, but not a huge deal to make the switch when the time comes.

DocWalt · 10-22-2018, 09:42 PM

Got my VIN number, car should be here mid to late November

PAdutch · 10-23-2018, 08:03 AM

Sweet. If I didn't have a autoX car and didn't care to have a rear seat in my street car, I would probably have a ND miata (ND2 for the powa). They look like a blast, especially in STR trim.

Those shocks are offly pimpy!

DocWalt · 10-23-2018, 10:26 AM

I pretty much can't wait for STR. Dealing with street class and all of the compromises due to spring rates that are 1/5th of what's needed will get old really fast, I think.

I'm excited to have another car on really nice shocks, especially now that I'm finally learning shock tuning stuff.

DocWalt · 10-28-2018, 12:38 AM

Today I set up the perches on the coilovers for stock springs and street class legality

DocWalt · 11-04-2018, 09:28 PM

More prep work and purchases...

Quite messy drilling them out for the fat shafts on the MCS shocks

Picked up some 17x7 ET38 PF01s. Far from my favorite wheel but light and they fit over Brembos on the ND

225/45-17 RE-71Rs ready to go when I kill those BFGs...

oh and some 225/45-17 nexens too :p BBS wheels need to go back to the owner though.

I'm likely going to pick up some 16x7 wheels and downsize tires to a 205/50-16 or maybe 215/45-16 if I'm feeling really adventurous

An exhaust came with the wheels/tires, but it's filthy and I need to clean it up before showing that off

DocWalt · 12-04-2018, 10:35 PM

It's here

PAdutch · 12-05-2018, 09:25 AM

Sweet!

**Big_Jim** · 12-05-2018, 10:38 AM

ooooooh perdy.

blue91lx · 12-05-2018, 12:31 PM

Nice!! I love that color.

DaveSTi · 12-05-2018, 12:56 PM

Very nice!! So is the GT350 gone now?

This is the new 181hp version too, right? They look great this generation

DocWalt · 12-05-2018, 04:44 PM

Thanks guys! I'm in love with the color, too bad it's all gray and crappy today, it's kinda just "ok" in this light.

GT350 is gone, and yes it's the 181hp engine.

Some quick driving impressions:

The Recaros are terrific. Even at my height, 6'4", I fit well. Not touching the roof and plenty of room to heel-toe. I could not heel-toe in the ND1s I drove, so the telescoping wheel is a huge step forward.

Having never street driven an ND (only driven them at autocross) I'm not super impressed by the ride quality considering how soft it is. I think part of that is the crummy tires Mazda stuck on the ND. I also have a vibration at ~45 mph that feels like an out of balance wheel/tire, so I'll get that looked at. Maybe just flat spotted tires from sitting in the cold. It'll have new tires on it in the spring anyway for autocross.

Super smooth drivetrain and the engine feels really nicely weighted for a street car. Revs quickly and the revs drop quickly but not too quickly. My car definitely does NOT have the shift assist feature that was discussed previously, so it should drive really nicely on track.

Trans feels pretty slick and well connected. When it's cold the side to side movement feels slightly gooey, like you're pushing through a thick fluid, likely because you are

Brembo brakes... Well, they're good around town. I know what they feel like with stock pads at autocross and such and I'll be replacing the pads in the spring, I bet.

Engine noise is pretty nice Makes good noise on startup, driving around it doesn't make much noise at all, for better or worse. I'm still breaking it in, so no high revs yet. I've got a Goodwin race axleback to go on the car soon.

The Recaro seats are super nice. I've had Recaros in my prior few cars and these just feel nicer. They fit my wide hips better than my GT350 & Focus RS did, but they still hold me really well. Tough to tell full comfort levels with a winter jacket on, but they feel really nice. I'm really tall and cranked the leg support all the way up and it made a big difference for me. Before that I felt like I was somehow sliding forward even though I was not.

This is my first convertible so I threw the top down and drove home in the freezing temps last night. Heated seats on, heat turned up like 2/3rds, and I just enjoyed the drive. Fun experience

DocWalt · 12-05-2018, 04:48 PM

DaveSTi · 12-06-2018, 02:39 PM

Niiiiiiiiice

10-12-2018, 09:24 PM	#1
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	DocWalt's autocross car v2-ish I had an actually prepped for autocross once... Since I miss having my own competitive car I'm building a car for 2019 (and beyond, hopefully) Last edited by DocWalt; 12-06-2018 at 11:00 PM.

10-22-2018, 01:28 PM	#6
PAdutch Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miataland Member #17024 My Ride: Miata, Miata, Genesis, 08 burb 2500 iTrader: (0)	Hmm is this an ND STR car? __________________ Stinger GTS - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Miatas! - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. MY EVO (Sold)- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

10-23-2018, 08:03 AM	#9
PAdutch Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miataland Member #17024 My Ride: Miata, Miata, Genesis, 08 burb 2500 iTrader: (0)	Sweet. If I didn't have a autoX car and didn't care to have a rear seat in my street car, I would probably have a ND miata (ND2 for the powa). They look like a blast, especially in STR trim. Those shocks are offly pimpy! __________________ Stinger GTS - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Miatas! - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. MY EVO (Sold)- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

12-05-2018, 09:25 AM	#14
PAdutch Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miataland Member #17024 My Ride: Miata, Miata, Genesis, 08 burb 2500 iTrader: (0)	Sweet! __________________ Stinger GTS - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Miatas! - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. MY EVO (Sold)- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

12-05-2018, 12:56 PM	#17
DaveSTi Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Charlotte Member #1591 iTrader: (0)	Very nice!! So is the GT350 gone now? This is the new 181hp version too, right? They look great this generation __________________ Member Journals: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

10-12-2018, 09:25 PM	#2
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	I've got a ton of parts sitting here to build a new car for next year I'll add pics of the car at some point....

10-15-2018, 07:27 PM	#3
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	More fun stuff arrived.

10-18-2018, 02:40 PM	#4
blue91lx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Indianapolis/SE PA Member #21697 iTrader: (0)	Are you building an MX5?!

10-22-2018, 09:42 PM	#8
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	Got my VIN number, car should be here mid to late November

10-23-2018, 10:26 AM	#10
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	I pretty much can't wait for STR. Dealing with street class and all of the compromises due to spring rates that are 1/5th of what's needed will get old really fast, I think. I'm excited to have another car on really nice shocks, especially now that I'm finally learning shock tuning stuff.

10-28-2018, 12:38 AM	#11
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	Today I set up the perches on the coilovers for stock springs and street class legality

11-04-2018, 09:28 PM	#12
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	More prep work and purchases... Quite messy drilling them out for the fat shafts on the MCS shocks Picked up some 17x7 ET38 PF01s. Far from my favorite wheel but light and they fit over Brembos on the ND 225/45-17 RE-71Rs ready to go when I kill those BFGs... oh and some 225/45-17 nexens too :p BBS wheels need to go back to the owner though. I'm likely going to pick up some 16x7 wheels and downsize tires to a 205/50-16 or maybe 215/45-16 if I'm feeling really adventurous An exhaust came with the wheels/tires, but it's filthy and I need to clean it up before showing that off

12-04-2018, 10:35 PM	#13
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	It's here

12-05-2018, 12:31 PM	#16
blue91lx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Indianapolis/SE PA Member #21697 iTrader: (0)	Nice!! I love that color.

12-05-2018, 04:44 PM	#18
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys! I'm in love with the color, too bad it's all gray and crappy today, it's kinda just "ok" in this light. GT350 is gone, and yes it's the 181hp engine. Some quick driving impressions: The Recaros are terrific. Even at my height, 6'4", I fit well. Not touching the roof and plenty of room to heel-toe. I could not heel-toe in the ND1s I drove, so the telescoping wheel is a huge step forward. Having never street driven an ND (only driven them at autocross) I'm not super impressed by the ride quality considering how soft it is. I think part of that is the crummy tires Mazda stuck on the ND. I also have a vibration at ~45 mph that feels like an out of balance wheel/tire, so I'll get that looked at. Maybe just flat spotted tires from sitting in the cold. It'll have new tires on it in the spring anyway for autocross. Super smooth drivetrain and the engine feels really nicely weighted for a street car. Revs quickly and the revs drop quickly but not too quickly. My car definitely does NOT have the shift assist feature that was discussed previously, so it should drive really nicely on track. Trans feels pretty slick and well connected. When it's cold the side to side movement feels slightly gooey, like you're pushing through a thick fluid, likely because you are Brembo brakes... Well, they're good around town. I know what they feel like with stock pads at autocross and such and I'll be replacing the pads in the spring, I bet. Engine noise is pretty nice Makes good noise on startup, driving around it doesn't make much noise at all, for better or worse. I'm still breaking it in, so no high revs yet. I've got a Goodwin race axleback to go on the car soon. The Recaro seats are super nice. I've had Recaros in my prior few cars and these just feel nicer. They fit my wide hips better than my GT350 & Focus RS did, but they still hold me really well. Tough to tell full comfort levels with a winter jacket on, but they feel really nice. I'm really tall and cranked the leg support all the way up and it made a big difference for me. Before that I felt like I was somehow sliding forward even though I was not. This is my first convertible so I threw the top down and drove home in the freezing temps last night. Heated seats on, heat turned up like 2/3rds, and I just enjoyed the drive. Fun experience

12-05-2018, 04:48 PM	#19
DocWalt Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Member #10805 My Ride: '92 GTI, '19 MX-5 iTrader: (0)	Last edited by DocWalt; 12-05-2018 at 05:41 PM.

12-06-2018, 02:39 PM	#20
DaveSTi Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Charlotte Member #1591 iTrader: (0)	Niiiiiiiiice __________________ Member Journals: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DocWalt's '92 GTI	DocWalt	Member Journals	490	03-12-2019 09:18 AM