On second thought, consider the following:
A decent normally-aspirated Ford crate motor (or any other rollerized,
aluminum-head 302) can easily push 400 hp. It also weighs about 75 lbs less
than the original 260. Put an aluminum rad in front of it, and some decent
front suspension components to further improve the weight distribution and
handling, and I bet that mr. Turbo Miata would lose on all counts except
perhaps aerodynamic drag and braking.
Adding an intercooled turbo to an engine represents a minimum 50 lb penalty
on the front end, and the Miata is no lightweight to begin with. Off boost,
turbo engines suck (pardon the expression), so in any kind of road-course or
autocross environment you're continuously left-foot-braking to keep the
boost up, or else you have to try and predict exactly when the boost will
hit as you exit the turns. Been there, done that...
Theo
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim D'Amelio [mailto:jimdamelio@home.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 4:15 PM
To: Wright, Larry
Cc: National Corporation (E-mail)
Subject: Re: inquiry 121200b
This guy talks about 18psi boost, so he's running some form of
turbocharger. He maybe able to smoke lots of Tigers, but were talking
apples and oranges here. A turbo Tiger running 18psi would probably
smoke his Miata. I think Jerry Porsch need to take a little trip to
Texas.
"Wright, Larry" wrote:
>
> Tiger Folk!
> Since getting my new daily driver, I've been checking out
Miata.net;
> it's a big group, almost 7,000 members. A few days ago, someone (no, not
> me!) started a topic on Sunbeam Tigers. And then, another guy posts the
> following:
>
> "I owned a 60 Alpine in 64. The Tiger was way faster IN STRAIGHT LINE,
just
> don't try to turn too sharply. All in all compared to a Miata they're all
> POSs. And my 96 [Miata]@18psi boost will eat a Tiger for lunch in a drag
AND
> turn inside it all day long. The "good old days"? Give me todays
automobiles
> any day. NOW a 64 XKE? That's a different story...."
>
> Sounds like a challenge. Anyone down Texas way (that's where the
> fellow is) want to pick up the gauntlet? I've had my Mazda for about 4
> months now, a nice car, and a sweet handler, but out _drag_ a strong
Tiger?
> A stock one, sure...
>
> Lawrence R. Wright
> "I can't get no-- Satis-Traction"
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