Chris GTO TT Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 Well since I couldn't make it to MRLS we took the Outback exploring around Truckee and Donner today. IMG_20171008_095846 by christobal65, on Flickr IMG_20171008_104254 by christobal65, on Flickr IMG_20171008_120950 by christobal65, on Flickr 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 All loaded up and pulling out for home in the morning... great last day, even though my last session ended in the gravel... more details and pics after we get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Got home last night and unloaded everything today. What a great weekend! Here's a shot of our campsite... great view of T5 and up the hill into T6: MRLSTruck2 by Rodan AZ, on Flickr That was Sunday night, after we had loaded the car and hooked up the trailer. The trailer was left in the paddock over the weekend. I picked a few fast brains Sunday morning, and picked up a bunch of speed through the day with their advice. Unfortunately, I was provided a transponder with a dead battery, so I didn't get any times on Sunday. It was after lunch when I finally figured out why I wasn't getting times, so I downloaded an app to the phone. The previous session, I had a lot of fun chasing/ being chased by a KMiata customer car. He told me he was putting down ~ 210hp, and was running on the same tires as me (NT01s). I was faster in the corners, he could pull me on the straights, but not as much as I would have thought. In straight out lap times, without traffic, I think I was a touch faster. I'm pretty sure we were the two fastest 'C' group cars. So, first full lap out with the lap timer app, I pull a 1:55 after being stuck behind a slow guy from T2 - T5. Killed my drive up the hill into T6 and Corkscrew. But the next lap started off great, with no traffic up to start finish, and it was a flyer! By the time I got to the Corkscrew, I knew I was on my best lap of the weekend! Hit Rainey hard, and came out fast... into T10 and the back end stepped out on the brakes... and around it went. Two feet in, and backwards into the gravel... And that's how I ended my weekend at MRLS... waiting for the tow truck to pull me out of the gravel.... Got back to the paddock in time to get the car up and cleaned out/ checked out so I could get my wife out in her next session. Hers went better than mine! She got her very first ever point by (and a few more), and ran a 2:05.8. Not bad for her first ever time on a 'real' track, and first time at MRLS ! I could have gone out again but decided against it. I'm pretty sure I would have done something stupid... I talked to the KMiata guy again, and he said he got a 1:51 with just a little traffic slowdown, so I'm pretty sure we were both knocking on the high 1:40s... A few shots from gotbluemilk.com, the MRLS pro photog: Me diving down the CS MRLS17CorkscrewSmall1 by Rodan AZ, on Flickr My wife in T3 BrandieT3small by Rodan AZ, on Flickr My wife into T6 Brandie T6 small by Rodan AZ, on Flickr Me in T3 ChrisT3small by Rodan AZ, on Flickr My GoPro went goofy after my very first session on Saturday, so I only have that session on video. It's slow, but I'll see what it looks like and try to get some video up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 Looks like you had an awesome time even with the off. I'm still a bummed out I couldn't make it down there, but hopefully you'll be back to MRLS soon. Or maybe make the trip to Sonoma or all the way to Thunderhill. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I would love to do Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma, or whatever it's called by the time I actually get there... Swapped the street wheels back on this afternoon. Mmmm... I love me some well used race rubber! Looks like the alignment numbers worked out pretty well. MRLSTires by Rodan AZ, on Flickr Meanwhile, the project marches on... have some header wrap on the way so I can get the header and intake installed. And I need to start thinking about what to do with the brakes. Next planned track day is Arizona Motorsports Park in December... And I moved the NB back to the driveway... time to dig in and see what's going on with the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 I always like it when my tires look like that I always struggled with keeping enough heat in my RE11's at Laguna Seca. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 So either my battery wont hold a charge anymore or i have a parasitic drain on my battery. I swear every time I try to do something fun with this car it just says “nope” 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 I'm actually driving it today Now I just wish I could get rid of the oil leak and clutch shudder Though I think the Explorer is taking over the finicky car now. The abs sensor I damaged the cable on decided it didn't want work anymore. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 I've been driving the Miata the last two days to work and it just screams along on the freeway. It's quite the change from the Explorer which loafs along at 2000rpm at similar speeds. IMG_20171017_072257 by christobal65, on Flickr Had a nice sunrise this morning on the way to work. IMG_20171017_072518 by christobal65, on Flickr 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 4.30s? I've got a 4.10 torsen in the NA. I've toyed with the idea of swapping it for the 4.30 torsen in the NB for moar revs on the track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 Yup 4.30 Torsen II in mine. I'd really love to swap to a 6spd with the 3.90. While the ratio spread is basically the same between the 5spd and 6spd when you pair it with the 3.90 you end with better gearing in 1-5 and slightly better cruising rpm in 6th. IMO it's the best street/track combination. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Hoping to swap the intake and header this weekend, I spent some before-work time over the last few days wrapping the header. I bought quality wrap, and took my time, and when I was done, this happened: DSC_1313 by Rodan AZ, on Flickr I just couldn't stand it. The primary tubes came out really nice, but I just couldn't get it to stay tight around the collector area. Hated it. Looked like ass, and I figured it would get worse with time/use. So this morning I drove my header 100 miles to get it ceramic coated. Should be done next week. Also got this in: DSC_1315 by Rodan AZ, on Flickr It's more for reliability than performance. These engines have a habit of breaking the throttle plate pivot rod, and then the engine ingests a couple of screws, or worse. Either way, it usually results in a new engine. So, preventive measure, and who knows... it might free up 1-2hp. I am going to have to port the manifold to match the throttle body, which will give me something to do while waiting for the header... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Wow, I hadn't heard of the throttle plate issue I've been using mine as a daily this week, but I'm really getting tired of the wind noise where the top meets the windshield header. When I put the top up yesterday afternoon I discovered the leading edge of the top had a dead bug stuck to it. Outside of blowing 200-300 on new top latches and striker plates I'm not sure what else to do. It makes the car a chore to drive above 60mph with the top up. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Oh what else have you discovered on your NB project car? I know you said it had a seized motor on m.net any other news? 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 The consensus is that with regular track usage, eventually the throttle plate pivot rod cracks where it's drilled for one of the two screws that holds on the throttle plate. Then the screw falls out and works its way through the engine. Or the screw just vibrates out... same result. Epoxying the screws has been discussed on MT, but it seems the Junk2 TB is the most reliable fix. As far as the soft top header, the latches on mine weren't great either. Then again, they're noisy cars to begin with. Have you checked Mike's Miata Mecca? He's in Phoenix, but has an eBay store... may have some decent used ones. Or Treasure Coast, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Oh what else have you discovered on your NB project car? I know you said it had a seized motor on m.net any other news? After Laguna, I decided brakes on the NA were a priority, so at best it's going to sit a while. I may also steal the 4.30 torsen for the NA. I think I'm going to try to pull the engine and trans, and maybe sell the head if it's in decent shape. Also thinking about pulling all the suspension arms, installing new bushings and swapping them into the NA. Mostly, it's just going to get warehoused for now. At worst, it's a good shell if I wad the NA up on the track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Ship me your 4.10 yeah wrapping up the NA makes sense to me. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Today I drained the coolant and oil from the NB and pulled the radiator/fans, inlet tube and air box. I want to pull the motor and trans before I move it back to the back yard, so trying to get a few things done here and there. The coolant looked old, but not horrible. There were about two quarts of oil in the engine after all (nothing showed on the dipstick). No cross contamination between the oil/water, and no metal in the oil. I'm really curious to see what it looks like inside.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Just scored some latches and striker plates for $28 at pick n pull 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Good score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 Yep and not only that the new latches and striker plates fixed my problem! So much less wind noise now! I was just driving down the freeway at 75+ and no noise from the windshield header anymore! I'm so ******* happy! 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Ported the intake for the Junk2 throttle body this morning... Outer edge of the sharpie mark is how much needed to be removed... FT pre port by Rodan AZ, on Flickr Rough cut FT rough by Rodan AZ, on Flickr And smoothed out FT ported by Rodan AZ, on Flickr Don't expect any performance boost from this, but it can't hurt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Well that was a fun day Yesterday afternoon I washed my Miata. When I pulled it into the garage to vacuum it I heard water slosh in the passenger side rocker panel:eek: I crawled on the ground and grabbed the drain tube sure enough it moved freely. :mad: Here is what I discovered. So up on jack stands it went. Sometimes I wonder if this is really the 'natural habitat of a Miata' Off came the top. All this so I could get to the funnel behind the seat belt tower I pulled the flapper doors to avoid any future clogs and taped the pipes together and also taped the tube to the funnel. And all done. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Also ran into this guy yesterday at Cars and Coffee. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 That's the Fast Forward setup, isn't it? BTW, love the garage carpet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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