2011 plans and goals

[mdlfCRXs]

OK, since I ground the last topic in to the ground I felt I should start a new thread. What changes are everyone making to their cars or "new-to-you" car purchases? Also what goals are members setting for themselves this year, besides having lots of fun and trying to win one, or more, of the beer glasses, or whatever. This will be my fourth season so it is time for me to learn from, and eliminate past bad habits and improve my consistency and hopefully my course reading skills. I have been working on my car over the winter, hopefully making it more reliable, replacing worn out parts and generally cleaning it up.

[RayAR]

No racing plans for me next summer so the goal is to be in Hawaii by the middle of August. It looks like we will be moving to the Big Island instead of Kauai and since they have an active region of the SCCA chances are I will be back to racing by 2012. The pieces are starting to really fall in place for the move. So far hardest part will be getting the Dogs over, I am sure we will have it figured out by that time but if not the people we got the dogs from are willing to take care of them for a few months while we get settled in if need be.

[DaveMk1]

I've been working on my car some over the winter - or should I say having some work done. I had Autoworks install a LSD, alloy flywheel and a new stronger and lighter clutch in. With this and the supercharger installed it pulls pretty darn hard now. I look forward to it pulling out of slow corners with some gusto. The Birkin spoiled me in this respect.

I'll be doing some more work/improvements as money and time allow. I'll be doing some suspension work (stiffer springs and adjustable shocks) along with some more camber up front. I'll also be modifying the rear diffuser for more downforce and would like to make a front splitter but don't see that happening any time soon.

My goal is the drive the car better. I started to click with the car during the last few events last year. The first part of the year was frustrating - the car was quick but not that much fun. The last few events were a bit quicker and much more fun - getting the braking and suspension sorted went a long way toward this. my other goal is to take a FTD with the car. Just once would feel really good. The car is certainly capable at this point - I just need to drive it as it needs to be driven.

I'm pretty darn excited for the season........... more so that last year even when the car was new to me. It now feels like 'mine' and I want to use it hard.

dave

[RayAR]

If I still had the Camaro the only change would have been larger sway bars front and rear. Probably lower the front spring rate a little to try to loosen the car up and allow it to rotate. I could kick the tail out but never was worrid that it would pass the front. I felt that I was finally able to put the power It had to the track so more power would be nice but I think the money I would have spent doing that would be better served for me going to a phaseI and Phase II Evolution school. Like I have said many times last season, The car was much better then my driving. This was the first year I felt this car wasen't the limiting factor in my performance and know that a driving school would have been a huge help. I was very happy with the car last year and saddened that I had to crush and part it out. I wish I could have found a buyer for it but actually made more money parting it out then my asking price for the entire car so I guess I can't be too disapointed. Really would have been a great deal for someone though. I think a good driver could have been challenging for FTD at our events with this car, to bad I was never able to show it's potential.

So I guess. If I still had the Car
Plans: Minor changes to the car
Goals: Improve my driving

[rkaiser]

um, maybe change the oil

[JoeE]

I am really excited for the season too. I really had a blast as last season progressed.
I am not making any car improvements, just attempting to fix some oil leaks, and doing some maintenance stuff.

[Alex]

Plans:
First, finish shipping / selling these (20 sets total):

Next, get my new strut tops machined and build some coilovers:


And last, I'm thinking of finally getting the new turbo kit I have been planning on.

Goals:
Have a ton of fun. I have a picture from top gun on my desktop at work, and man it makes me want to race again.

Also hopefully give the other cars with engines behind the drivers (and one blue pickup) a run for their money

[BluToyBoy]

Guess that leaves me out:( Gonna just get to watch this year?? LOL

[Alex]

Guess that leaves me out:( Gonna just get to watch this year?? LOL

Fixed it:)

[BluToyBoy]

Awww, shucks..Thanx, man
Now, hope to get my "projects" done and see if they help...

[RayAR]

um, maybe change the oil

Hey Russ, Did you find a source for the good toyota oil filters?

[mdlfCRXs]

Russ just said "maybe" change the oil, he said nothing about the filter!

[rkaiser]

Russ just said "maybe" change the oil, he said nothing about the filter

Thats right - they are good for 30k miles or something - right ? I still have 4 of those filters you ordered for me Ray. I talked to Tim a little about them last year and he said he may be able to get them. If they are unobtaium, I may just use a K/N, Mobil 1 or maybe see if Canton has one that fits. Oooo, I just found out how much the Canton is - looks like K/N is the best choice

[RayAR]

I don't really remember the deal on those filters. I know the first time I tried to order them Toyota sent me the new supercede number and I had to call Toyota and Beg they send the old number. I think they are still available you just need to find a Toyota parts guy willing to make a call instead of ordering the usual way.

[mdlfCRXs]

These might go fast so be the first on your block:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... ord=121gmf

[rkaiser]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/EB00/121GMF.oap?keyword=121gmf

HAHA - thats awesome! Maybe I'll print it out and see if they can order it Of course you need this also http://store.zeckhausen.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3748&zmae=froogle&zmam=86451217&zmas=29&zmac=65&zmap=FC.121.99

[mtgeekman]

Found an engine over the weekend, just waiting on tax return to buy it and get it here to install in the miata!

[DaveMk1]

Found an engine over the weekend, just waiting on tax return to buy it and get it here to install in the miata!

Very cool. Tell us about the engine. Inquiring minds and all that.

Dave

[mtgeekman]

125k on it, compression at 200,200,190,190.

its sadly in Pennsylvania and shipping is 270 bucks but at least they have one that is ready to drop in and run. Though I will end up doing a timing belt, water pump, front/rear main seals...

[DaveMk1]

125k on it, compression at 200,200,190,190.

its sadly in Pennsylvania and shipping is 270 bucks but at least they have one that is ready to drop in and run. Though I will end up doing a timing belt, water pump, front/rear main seals...

very cool. I'm glad you are getting it sorted out.

dave

[Mel Kuipers]

hey Mikey...congrats on the engine---did I hear you say it is a small block V8?

[Alex]

I just added another item to my list of plans... Apparently there is more of an oil starvation problem on my motor than I realized, so I will be getting a larger / baffled oil pan. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JJ4AOfK-0k Same motor, different car (Celica All-Trac). You can see his oil pressure gauge on the top left of the three in the center. Watch it especially on long right hand turns!

[mdlfCRXs]

hey Mikey...congrats on the engine---did I hear you say it is a small block V8?

Hey Mike, look what is possible. Is it too late to change your order?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG7TUVjf ... re=related

[mtgeekman]

forget the V8s... how about a V12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLnrOeu0KE

[kjohnson]

I just added another item to my list of plans... Apparently there is more of an oil starvation problem on my motor than I realized, so I will be getting a larger / baffled oil pan. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JJ4AOfK-0k Same motor, different car (Celica All-Trac). You can see his oil pressure gauge on the top left of the three in the center. Watch it especially on long right hand turns!

Same motor, but does it use the same oil pan? I'd be surprised to hear that it does. You don't have an oil pressure gauge? Just get one, they're cheap.

[Alex]

I just added another item to my list of plans... Apparently there is more of an oil starvation problem on my motor than I realized, so I will be getting a larger / baffled oil pan. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JJ4AOfK-0k Same motor, different car (Celica All-Trac). You can see his oil pressure gauge on the top left of the three in the center. Watch it especially on long right hand turns!

Same motor, but does it use the same oil pan? I'd be surprised to hear that it does. You don't have an oil pressure gauge? Just get one, they're cheap.

I have an oil pressure gauge, but I'm not in the habit of watching it in the middle of an autocross run :p

Actually the oil pan on the AllTrac is a different part number, but it has the same part number as the pan on a JDM MR2 of my year... meaning the only difference is the absense of the oil level sensor that my car has. I'm pretty certain that the pan is functionally identical.