I bought a very slow race car

As most of you know, ad nauseam, I've been shopping for a race car for oh, about 2 years now. The whole process has been fun and confusing all at the same time. Trying to figure out what the hell to get; trying not to buy a piece of E36 M3. Last night I rolled the dice.

I am the proud owner of this:

Possibly the worlds slowest race car. 1993 Mazda 323. Stock. 85 hp, one wheel drive. I went with the rally car because that's what first attracted me to racing. Probably will only do 1-2 rallys a year since they are so much more expensive than track events. The car has a current log book and only needs belts to be ready to go. Has the spill and first aid kit.

I'm very excited. Will be looking for a rookie co-driver to scare the hell out of soon. Dave, you've got dibs if you want it.

Cheers,

Jeff

Cool! You may only hit 1-2 rallies per year, but I bet there are a a bunch of inexpensive rallycrosses around to fill in the fun.

That's so cool! Please give us some more details.

Awesome. This makes me think I should put my set of MR2 triangles on our Protege when I put tires on it next.

i have no clue how i didn't know of a BG 323 logbooked car for sale in north america. Great pick up. BP 1.8 swaps are cheap and easy, PAR gearboxes are available if you decide to boost and MFactory offers a limited slip (or the mazdaspeed one works if you switch over to Kia axles).

Bonus cool points on the MR2 wheels btw.

The Car was built by the Sprongls from I think new or near new (need to check the logbook). The current owner has had it for a few years. It's a production based car, so the drive line is stock. It's running a HotBits non-adjustable rally suspension that was rebuilt last year with no events on them. There are 3 sets of wheels and tires, spare panels, glass, a hatch, other miscellaneous parts, and a transmission. Comes with a tow dolly to.

For the first year, my goal is to enjoy it. I need to get a set of track tires for lapping. Or considering the car and the driver, being lapped

Lanark Highlands Forest rally on May 3rd should be it's first event. Shakedown will be the mentioned track days and maybe a rallycross, but I need to check the schedule.

After the first season, the goal will be to lighten and get a little more cheap power. Not sure what that will entail. 125 hp at the wheels with decent gearing and an LSD would be a great goal. Easiest/cheapest way to get there? Turbo the b6 in place? Swap something else in? Looking to you Mazda engine experts to point me to the most affordable and bullet proof options.

And way down the line, finding a functioning GTX gearbox/rear driveline and making it AWD could be an option.

One more thing. I'm a bit out of practice as a wrench and while I expect my skills to return as I go, I'll be peppering all of you with questions. If anyone wants to help with prep or crewing I can provide all the cheap pizza and beer you can handle. After the work is done.

I think the BP motor (1.8l from escort GT) should fit fine and meet your horsepower goal box stock. I'm no expert on these cars but I know others here are.

Got a spare head?

Pay the costs (parts, machining costs) and I'll trade you a ported head for a 20" square on the hood at the base of the windshield for my logo....

Some recent work to help persuade you....

the great thing about both the B6 and BP motors is they share so many components with the miata that internals, turbo manifolds, cams, itbs etc are all available if you choose to go that route.

I'd recommend staying fwd as the awd gearbox and transfer case replacement bits are made of unobtainium if something breaks and is ever in needs of repair or replacing.

In reply to oldeskewltoy:

Intersting, my first potential sponsorship What kind of power gains could I expect?

Jeff wrote: In reply to oldeskewltoy: Intersting, my first potential sponsorship What kind of power gains could I expect?

Depends on the quality of the rest of the build... and the original quality (casting) of your head. In some cases a good porting job can free up 10+ hp (in under 2 liter n/a applications)

recent intake work... note the seams in the bowl/port walls, note how they "crowd" the port. Also take note of the short radius...

isn't a 323 just an Escort with a Mazda badge on it? if so, they make good race cars..

It's the same chassis as the escort but with mazda contingency $$

Nice! I had a 323 as one of my first cars. Make sure you are well aware of your class rules before you start modifying it; don't want to accidentally bump yourself into open class with the wrong mod.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/294281327350910?view=permalink&id=493222550790119&ref=bookmark a cheap miata turbo kit (Nmna) to get you started towards 180whp

One wheel drive?

mr2peak wrote: One wheel drive?

fwd with an open diff

I sent a link to this car to a friend but he already has a WRX that he plans to run during this year's rallycross season. I was tempted too but no money means no car. Glad you are going to get some rallies in. I might have to go to Lanark this year.

I found that the later Miata BP engines have a better port design and higher lift cams. A friend snatched such a head at a pick-n-pull on a 1/2 price day and got it for $50. The problem is to fit this to the sideways BP engine you have to modify your present intake manifold by welding some extra metal to the bottom and then drilling new holes. I did this for him and it's not that hard but you have to have someone who can weld aluminum. There is some info on the web on this mod.

99 miata head is the best, but has a pretty high demand. If you get an escort gt or protege lx intake no modification is needed

Good purchase Jeff. If I recall correctly that car was originally run by a Keith Hendy. I think that you may be correct that it was built by Four Star.

Then Jamie Gardhouse had it. He sold it to Chris, who I guess sold it to you!

Have fun with it!

Dave, thanks for the info on the cars history.

Trying to figure out how to do SSR, Lanark, BB, and Tall Pines this year on a shoestring budget. And anyone who wants to co-drive, give me a shout.

I organize lapping events in Ontario. PM me for details.

If I recall correctly the biggest issues with that car were:

1. A lack of power.
2. A lack of ground clearance.
3. No LSD
4. Inability to run 15" tires. This was made worse by item 1 and made item 2 worse.

Jen horsey"s old car!