1991 Miata new owner questions

I recently bought my first Miata, it is a 1991 Silver with 130,000 miles. The car has a VLSD but I don't know if it is still functional.

How do you use the cruise control? - I pressed the button and the little red light turned on but it didn't stay. What should I replace/upgrade to get the car ready for track days? - It will be my first time on a real track, I think my front rotors are slightly warped so they will probably be replaced with pads. There is a slight clunk when shifting that sounds like it is originating from the driveshaft area, could this be a bad U-joint?

What race seats will lower the driving position as low as possible? I am 6'1" and with a helmet I will be a little too high for the windscreen and rollbar (when I get a real one).

I currently have a set of Falkan Azenis (615?) which are in need of replacement on 14" BBS basketweaves. I want to switch to 15's for summer/race, should I burn through the last bit of rubber on my current tires on the track or should I get 15's before I go to the track?

I will probably have more questions to come.

Thanks
Joshua

MUST

RESIST

MIATA

DOT

NET

Links.....

Haha yeah I have spent some time overthere but I still trust the GRM knowledge base more than Miata.net.

Let's see...

1. VLSD - Find a deserted road, stick one back tire on dirt/sand/gravel, the other on the road. Dump clutch. If the loose wheel spins it's dead, if they kind of both spin/grip and the car pulls off it works. The VLSD wasn't very "tight" when new though, so don't expect miracles.

2. Cruise - If it's factory, there's a swich on the left side of the dash that you have to push to turn the cruise "on" every time you start the car, then you use the cruise stalk to "Set" the speed and accel/decel. It doesn't work very well, so don't expect miracles.

3. Track days - Fix the brakes with new rotors (stock are fine) and decent pads (Hawk HPS, Porterfield R4S, EBC Green, etc). Flush brake fluid with new DOT4. Flush clutch fluid with new DOT4. Make sure oil and coolant are topped off and fresh. Check into local rules on rollbars, hardtops, and convertibles. Some clubs will not let you run soft-top only and will require one or the other or both. For piece of mind, there's no way I would do laps in a Miata without at least a basic 4-point rollbar.

4. Clunk - Could be the heat shields rattling, a transmission mount, or a u-joint. Get that checked out pronto. Replace inner & outer rubber shift boots while you're in there.

5. Race seat - Dunno, I'm short. Next question.

6. Why switch to 15's? The 14's are a light wheel and you can get either the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec or the Falken Azenis Rt615K in the right size for cheaper than the 15's. Though honestly, I put winter tires on 14's and raced on 15's.

7. miata.net

miata.net

Yeah I know I know, miata.net

I am probably going to put winter tires on the 14's and race/summer on the 15's. I will get the clunk checked out asap, it's not the heat shield cause that is also rattling, I'm going to fix that this weekend. What is the best jacking point on the Miata? I'm used to my old M3.

Raze wrote: GRM > miata.net

Fixed.

In reply to Joshua:

Probably the wrong thing to do- but I lift an entire side from just under the mirror, and place jack stands where the manual tells you to put the tire jack. Seems to work well.

For the 15's- if you find a cheap set of 14's- might as well get those. Just don't turn down a good deal.

And if you have the viscous clutch, the 1.6l's are quite popular options for STS2. I know this is a very, very old joke, but I kept an eye on an STS2 thread "over there" for quite some time. They've got a pretty good set up along with an MS set up. Based on results, it works.

edit- lest I forget- quite a lot of that thread was based off of a GRM Miata build. Start here and find old copies of magazines- http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1992-sts-miata/updates/

ZOO wrote:

Raze wrote: GRM > miata.net

Fixed.

My point exactly.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to Joshua: Probably the wrong thing to do- but I lift an entire side from just under the mirror, and place jack stands where the manual tells you to put the tire jack. Seems to work well. For the 15's- if you find a cheap set of 14's- might as well get those. Just don't turn down a good deal. And if you have the viscous clutch, the 1.6l's are quite popular options for STS. I know this is a very, very old joke, but I kept an eye on an STS thread "over there" for quite some time. They've got a pretty good set up along with an MS set up. Based on results, it works.

I don't have a copy of a manual yet.

I never turn down a good deal!

Not sure what the last part means...care to explain?

Hey at least I tried to answer all the questions!

In reply to Joshua:

Besides the GRM link in my edited thread- this one- http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=347833&highlight=sts

This one has some more about recent MS work- http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=409375&highlight=sts

Oh, and I mean that a viscous clutch is a hot set up for STS cars, so there's a very solid speed solution for your car. I'm sure an STS car would be pretty darned fun on the track.

The jokes aren't at your expense Joshua - there was a minor m.net fiasco here earlier today, so the recent flurry of Miata threads and .net links are a response to that ;)

there's a photo with more highlighted spots in this thread: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=383587

Javelin wrote: Hey at least I tried to answer all the questions!

Thank you! I appreciate it.

Oh I see, I must have missed the miata.net fiasco then

Joshua wrote: Oh I see, I must have missed the miata.net fiasco then

I wouldn't say you're missing it, Bob... er, I mean Joshua.

I jack in the same place (just on the seam, directly under the mirror) all the time; I've never had a problem. Azenis are good tires, but they are getting more expensive. I used them for a long time as my "test" tire on my SM instead of burning up RA1s.

The seat thing is tough. I use a Kirkey aluminum seat in my SM, but you won't be doing that without a cage...

It makes it sound like you guys jack the car up by the mirror. I would not recommend that. have you checked Miata.net to see if it's recommended?

tuna55 wrote: It makes it sound like you guys jack the car up by the mirror. I would not recommend that. have you checked Miata.net to see if it's recommended?

Structural mirror.

But it required a special jack from a Miata.net sponsor.

naparsei wrote: I jack in the same place (just on the seam, directly under the mirror) all the time; I've never had a problem.

Immaturely quoted to remove context

Don't forget, when jacking the car up, remove the radiator first.

HunterJP wrote: Don't forget, when jacking the car up, remove the radiator first.

Wait, what?

In reply to Joshua:

You have to know when to, well, not pay attention around here.

This thread has become helping you along with other things.

I think you've thoroughly confused Joshua...

Yeah, the radiator comment lost me. I haven't felt this dumb in a while!