MazdaSpeed Miata

[Arthur Grant]

I am interested in what is the difference between a MazdaSpeed Miata and the myriad of Miata's that populate so many of the classes. Apparently the MazdaSpeed version is BSP legal.

Thanks

[Christine Grice]

I am interested in what is the difference between a MazdaSpeed Miata and the myriad of Miata's that populate so many of the classes. Apparently the MazdaSpeed version is BSP legal.

Thanks

Turbo

[Mako Koiwai]

... but not much Turbo power.

Are they as tweakable as Suby's and Evo's?

[John Stimson]

They are essentially the same as the 2001-2005 Miata, with these differences:

Stiffer springs (approx. 30%)
Stiffer sway bars
17"x7" wheels
Turbocharger, increasing the peak power to 190HP and decreasing the rev limiter to 6500
6-speed transmission with 4.3 final drive

The rev limit change combined with the gearing resulted in a top speed in 2nd gear of about 47 MPH.

The only changes of significance in BSP (since you can change most of those things legally anyway) are the turbocharger, and the gearing. Since there are no other Miata versions in BSP to transplant parts from, they are stuck with that transmission and final drive ratio.

[Arthur Grant]

Do we have any running with us in some other class?

[Mako Koiwai]

I don't think so, and one of the reason's is that 6 speed tranny. One can try some taller tires. Of course STI's have to do a lot of shifting to 3rd. 2nd in the Miata 6 speed pulls nice on the tighter corners, but it doesn't make up for having to do the 2 > 3 > 2 shift.

[Robert Puertas]

Seems like an intriguing prospect in SP with e85 and the ability to raise the rev limit to whatever you want.

I "assume" it would be about 100 lbs. heavier than Bill's CSP car, but with 50 more horsepower.
I wonder how that would work vs. the Evo?

[Steve Lepper]

Unfortunately, I'd guess more like 150 pounds heavier. Because the Mazdaspeed is on it's own line in BSP, it can't take advantage of any of the CSP weight-saving update/backdates, like the Club Sport soft top delete, smaller brakes, (which also means you're stuck with 16"+ wheels) the NA no-airbag dashboard swap, and a few others. What you can do is raise the rev limit (although MSM valve springs are unique and softer) and add as much boost as the stock turbo will give you... problem is, the stock turbo is not the best match for this engine so you'd be tuning for torque more than peak power. Realistically, I'd guess 2150 lbs and maybe ~275 horsepower.

[Robert Puertas]

I'd guess 2150 lbs and maybe ~275 horsepower.

That sounds pretty darn competitive to me...

[Aaron Goldsmith]

Seems like an intriguing prospect in SP with e85 and the ability to raise the rev limit to whatever you want.

I "assume" it would be about 100 lbs. heavier than Bill's CSP car, but with 50 more horsepower.
I wonder how that would work vs. the Evo?

No need to wonder, look at the results from Nationals.

[Don Salyers]

No need to wonder, look at the results from Nationals.

There was only one there----and it seems to have either broke or something.... Not bad on the first day at 61 (with cone) and 62. I would say that would be far from conclusive!

Don

[John Stimson]

I think Steve is optimistic on both the power and the weight. The Mazdaspeed was about 140 pounds heavier than the standard 2001-2005 cars, which were in turn about 80 pounds heavier than the car that Bill started with -- total difference of 220 pounds. If you optimistically guessed that 40 of those pounds came in the form of heavier wheels and tires, you're still starting out 180 pounds heavier than the Schenker mobile, and you don't get to retrofit to the brakes and airbag-free dashboard from the 1.6L Miata.

I also overestimated the peak power: Mazda's spec for 2005 was 178 HP. I've been told it's a pretty small turbo and doesn't gain much when the boost limit is raised.

The Woottons' results from the past few years don't tell the whole story either -- I recall that they were having some sort of mechanical trouble the last time they ran their Mazdaspeed car at Nationals, and the first year they ran it they did quite well despite being early in the development.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

No need to wonder, look at the results from Nationals.

There was only one there----and it seems to have either broke or something.... Not bad on the first day at 61 (with cone) and 62. I would say that would be far from conclusive!

Don

Not the first time they've run that car and the wootons are not slouches, you can look at other results. On the perfect tiny transitional/sweepy course it might be Ok. Second gear is so bad though.

[Sebastian Rios]

I think the sand and small lot at HPT made for narrow driving lines, which is of course a plus for the narrow Miata.

[Tom Berry]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

[Christos Adam]

They are essentially the same as the 2001-2005 Miata, with these differences:

Stiffer springs (approx. 30%)
Stiffer sway bars
17"x7" wheels
Turbocharger, increasing the peak power to 190HP and decreasing the rev limiter to 6500
6-speed transmission with 4.3 final drive

The rev limit change combined with the gearing resulted in a top speed in 2nd gear of about 47 MPH.

The only changes of significance in BSP (since you can change most of those things legally anyway) are the turbocharger, and the gearing. Since there are no other Miata versions in BSP to transplant parts from, they are stuck with that transmission and final drive ratio.

Just to add that it also didn't have the vvti head and it had lower compression.
As everyone said it probably won't be so competitive.
The turbo is tiny, I had one for my car but ended up reselling it... and getting something more proper.

[Mark DeShon]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

Dammit, Tom. Don't temp me. I can't afford a forth car.
Mark D.

[Jayson Woodruff]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

Regardless of it's class competitveness, I think this would be an AWSOME daily/weekend driver.

Jay W

[Tom Berry]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

Regardless of it's class competitveness, I think this would be an AWSOME daily/weekend driver.

Jay W

I agree. Very pleasant driver and gets with the program when you want it to.

[Tom Berry]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

Dammit, Tom. Don't temp me. I can't afford a forth car.
Mark D.

Only 3 currently ?? Not hardly enough!

[Mako Koiwai]

Where's that photo of your garage!

[Mark DeShon]

It just so happens that I have an 04 Maxdaspeed Miata for sale. Only 23,000 miles.
Anybody brave enough to give one of these a go?

Dammit, Tom. Don't temp me. I can't afford a forth car.
Mark D.

Only 3 currently ?? Not hardly enough!

I agree totally... I think it would be a blast to prepare and try to make work in BSP. You know me. I like being the underdog. I'll just add that to the list behind the DP 914, ASP Lotus, and home built CSR.
Mark D.

[Rick Brown]

Only 3 currently ?? Not hardly enough!

I agree totally... I think it would be a blast to prepare and try to make work in BSP. You know me. I like being the underdog. I'll just add that to the list behind the DP 914, ASP Lotus, and home built CSR.
Mark D.

I have a very old ('66) home built DSR that is in desperate need of restoration if you need another project.........