Taking on the Texas Mile

So I've been driving betty for about 7 months and have yet to take her to any real motorsports events. 

After talking with my tuner, he was really curious on what it would run at the Texas mile. He's a regular there with some nasty gtr that run over 200 mph. Currently the miata record is 174 from what I can tell. I ran it last year in my g37 to get my license.

So I'm looking at the car today and just thinking prep work for it. I know I'll need some tires and I'm going to look at a front splitter. I was looking at cleaning up some of the underdogs with some removable plates to close off the space in the mounts. 

So the question for the hive. The car is a 2009 NC ls3 swap putting down 410 whp through a t56 magnum with 3.73 gearing. What splitters are worth a darn for the NC? Any other ideas to help bump it up? 

What is the math on the 3.73?  Sounds about right, but could be a bit steep for top speed stuff.  I have no idea, really.  174 mph would have to be pretty deep into 6th gear, wouldn't it?  

Does one have to be careful with aero lift on that?  I know my third gen F body gets light in the 130mph range...

When are you doing it so I can be there? 

Im no help, but always wanted to try a standing mile. If you do make it please post updates to what the car runs!

Any concern about adding a splitter making it aero-front-heavy without some spoiler or wing?

Also, I think the proper way to phrase your question is "what splitters are worth a dam?" Sorry, I'll show myself out...

I forgot you had that car. I put my name on it years ago. Back when I had money and thought owning an enthusiast site would take me places. Ahhhhh the memories. 

yupididit said:

When are you doing it so I can be there? 

+1

Where is it, exactly? 

In reply to Crackers :

I think they hold it at the airport in Victoria, Tx. now

It's March 23-25 in Victoria, tx. 

I think I'm good for gear ratios. That'll put me right after 176 at redline in 5th. I could always change the valve springs and raise the red line 250 rpm and thst would put me into the 180s 

Front end lift and drag are my biggest concerns. That's really my focus. I'm thinking of forming some filler panels to help clean the flow up underneath and possibly a junkyard rear bumper cover drilled up to all more flow in the back.  I know that is a popular mod on na/nb track cars. 

Personally, my biggest concern would be safety. What would you be doing to address it?

Otherwise, reducing lift would make moresense than increasing downforce in my head. 

We need stafford1500 in here....

I still want to take my k1300s at some point.

bmw88rider said:

It's March 23-25 in Victoria, tx. 

 

I think I'm good for gear ratios. That'll put me right after 176 at redline in 5th. I could always change the valve springs and raise the red line 250 rpm and thst would put me into the 180s 

 

Front end lift and drag are my biggest concerns. That's really my focus. I'm thinking of forming some filler panels to help clean the flow up underneath and possibly a junkyard rear bumper cover drilled up to all more flow in the back.  I know that is a popular mod on na/nb track cars. 

Maybe I should take the xjr lol

There’s one in Maine for us Nor’ Easters up here.

I just put this on my calender. Yall still going?

I was bummed when we lost the Ohiomile event... I always wanted to run the rabbit to show them all how cool 120mph in a shoebox looks.

Pending the damage the failed oil pump caused. I'll probably know next week. If the motor is hurt, I won't have the $$$ till after then to get her up and going. 

Ouch 

In reply to 84FSP :

It was a bummer. My son and I went a few years ago and ran his V6 Impala 9C1 at 124-128mph and had a great time. We were not able to make it back again due to his work schedule.

The ECTA is opening back up again this year in Arkansas.

I"m an 1/8 and 1/4 mile dragstrip guy, but going at just watching the mile runs will get you hooked.

If you do end up running the event, I would be most concerned about safety, and then aerodynamics and stability.   Miatas are usually low speed cars setup to change direction quickly.  Betty is different, in that she has the power, but the chassis is still a Miata.  150+mph is rare territory for a Miata.

IIRC, Betty is a PRHT, which means you can't install a real rollbar (and keep the top up).  That would make me pretty nervous at that speed.   Mazda probably never imagined a Miata would go 150 mph, so who knows what's going to happen with the aero at those speeds.  I would track down some of the MX-5 cup teams and see what you can find out about how the cars behave on faster tracks...  even they wouldn't be running 150+, but they might have some insight for you.  I'd also look into an alignment geared toward straight line stability.

Streetwiseguy said:

 

Does one have to be careful with aero lift on that?  I know my third gen F body gets light in the 130mph range...

Hmm, mine was rock steady at an indicated 140. Really very solid.

Sorry to hear about the oil pump issues. Hopefully it's not expensively hurt.

This event is on my birthday weekend. If no other plans come up I may just ride the bike out there and watch for a day. 

I've been to few events,  issue I've seen with some cars is aero block. Crosswinds are what really are scary.. never forget 57 chevy flying sideways off track around 150

Read the article in GRM on the 240sx that runs 200. he said it was a handful until he got the proper alignment for High speed. 

I wanna do one of these someday... It'd be nice if there were a PNW local venue dernit.

GTXVette said:

Read the article in GRM on the 240sx that runs 200. he said it was a handful until he got the proper alignment for High speed. 

Read the GRM article on the Alfa Spider that did 232 mph.  The way that car was set up, it wasn't an handful.

One thing I will tell you all- land speed racing is very, very addictive.  

Specific to the OP- over 400hp has a lot of potential.  To the point that I would suggest finding a flood car where you can get it cheap, gut it, put a proper cage in it, and not feel bad that you will take the windshield off.  There should be more than a few from Houston.  The cage will need to be so good that it will largely be a useless car for other purposes.  But the ~10 year project that will come from this will be a LOT of fun.