I considered buying a Miata too... The sales rep showed me a performance
parts catalog, including a $2,400 turbocharger available, which bumps up the
power to 240 BHP.
Miatas are getting popular with road racers ... There is a Spec Miata
regional class now for 1990 through 1997 cars- the rules (see
racernetwork.com) are based on SCCA showroom stock- engines must not be
modified, apart from a K&N filter... Transmission is standard... There is a
standard "Spec Miata Kit" available from MazdaComp, including roll cage,
suspension kit (Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs), anti roll bar, coilover
kit... some interior items can be removed, a racing seat can be installed...
Clutches and radiators are free, you can fit a better exhaust... Some view
the "Spec Miata" as the replacement for the 1979-1985 series RX "Spec 7"-
minimum weight for both is 2400 lbs but the Miata has more power, and
parts/cars should be available for a long time...
I have a friend who has a 1990 Miata and races a 1982 RX Spec 7- he views
both as extremely reliable. His stock Miata has just over 100,000 miles, and
I don't think he has done anything to it except routine maintenance.
Jacques Le Clainche
SCCA 1985 Mazda Spec RX-7 #44, San Diego region
VARA 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite #4, F Production
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Mike MacLean
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 9:20 AM
To: Robert Duquette
Cc: spridget list
Subject: Re: Future M@ss restoration frustrations
I talked to a salesman the other night when I stopped to look at a British
Racing
Green Special Edition Miata at a local dealer. The car has a 1.8 liter
engine.
The car weighs 2400 pounds! The salesman said there is a HUGE after market
for
these cars and you can get turbos, cold air intakes and all kind of engine
mods
that are approved by the factory when you buy your new Miata. There is a
company
here in California much like Toyota's TRD division that will take a stock
Miata
and tweak the sh*t out of it. There is even a company doing Ford 302
conversions
on Miatas. I must say that the car looked real nice with the Nardi steering
wheel and gear shift knob and leather interior. Oh yeah, they no longer
have the
speakers in the seat backs. The Bose system speakers are now all in the
door.
These cars are going through the same thing the British cars did when they
came
out. Clubs are forming with fun runs and meets. A huge after market to
"improve"
the car. I was seriously considering buying the car until I looked at the
sticker. I may just wait for the Mini Cooper to reach America and wait some
more
for the greedy dealers to sell them without the premium they add over the
sticker
just because they can get it.
Mike MacLean Supercharged 60 Sprite
Robert Duquette wrote:
> I know next to nothing abut Miatas. What do they have in them for a power
> train, and how hard would it be to stuff one in a spridget? Ron, can you
do
> a test fit?
>
> Robert D.
> < Should I run? >
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Soave <soavero@yahoo.com>
> >Believe it or not, now that the oldest Miata's are 12
> >years old, people are restoring them. Most modify the
> >engine to get 150 - 200+ HP out of them (NOT with
> >chips - Miatas don't really respond to that).
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