January fastrack...

[Bob Beamesderfer]

SM/SSM drivers need to always heed the lessons Mike has taught the class. You don't need 800hp in a tiny sports car. The LSx is exciting because it is a lightweight V8 (relatively speaking) and fairly nicely packaged (again relatively speaking). But its overkill in a miata at the true national level. Remember that in SM you can do things you can't do in SP. Like BUILD the motor. Another lesson of course, is to not make a hand grenade, but when you aren't constrained by stock parts and engine mod rules, you can build something light and strong. Not necessarily cheap.

Hmmm. me.. I don't see a reason why, given the current rule set you'd want a LSanything. With E85 turbo motors are favored powerwise with the current ruleset. Just need to find the stoutest lightest 2 liter turbo motor, get your rwd car down to 2480 with 450hp. I don't see the equivalent 3.4 liter NA motor making that without spending a fortune, and no need to spin it to some crazy RPM.

That's why a turbo or supercharged MX-5 is probably as good a bet as an LSx in any Miata [provided it can even be put in without violating some other rule].

[Richard Jung]

SM/SSM drivers need to always heed the lessons Mike has taught the class. You don't need 800hp in a tiny sports car. The LSx is exciting because it is a lightweight V8 (relatively speaking) and fairly nicely packaged (again relatively speaking). But its overkill in a miata at the true national level. Remember that in SM you can do things you can't do in SP. Like BUILD the motor. Another lesson of course, is to not make a hand grenade, but when you aren't constrained by stock parts and engine mod rules, you can build something light and strong. Not necessarily cheap.

Hmmm. me.. I don't see a reason why, given the current rule set you'd want a LSanything. With E85 turbo motors are favored powerwise with the current ruleset. Just need to find the stoutest lightest 2 liter turbo motor, get your rwd car down to 2480 with 450hp. I don't see the equivalent 3.4 liter NA motor making that without spending a fortune, and no need to spin it to some crazy RPM.

True, how about a 3 rotor 510? Firewall and crossmember would prob work, engine sits low. Might be as heavy as an LSx.
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Still fun stuff. Lots of FD and 240sx v8s out there. J-Rhos SM 240 would've been killer with a smooth power delivery.

[Mike Simanyi]

True, how about a 3 rotor 510? Firewall and crossmember would prob work, engine sits low. Might be as heavy as an LSx.

I think minimum weight for that would be north of 3k pounds in SM. I can't imagine how a 510 would feel at that weight, but I'm sure it wouldn't be fun.

Mike

[Mako Koiwai]

So that's what Jamie is up to! She (and Steve O) are putting a turbo Renesis in her NA Miata