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+--- Thread: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 (/showthread.php?tid=10604)
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - *insertusernamehere* - 05-06-2015
Lmfao
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Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Goodspeed - 05-06-2015
Just wanted to say it since I didn't fully appreciate this before going all track-car/safety with the Miata (2x sparco seats, custom fixed bases, 6 points, roll bar etc) - the car suuuuuuuuucked to drive on the street after doing what you're planning. Yes, it felt way better to track/drive hard being so planted in the car, but I ended up hating driving that car where it (much like yours) spent 90+% of it's life - the street, and I sold it. Depending on the inner tunnel/buckle etc. of the factory belt it can be difficult to get them to cooperate with a race seat, and climbing in/out got old so fast.
Wanted to give you another perspective, by all means go forth and continue enjoying the car but give that some careful consideration. If this is your DD it may ruin the car for you.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-06-2015
Goodspeed Wrote:Just wanted to say it since I didn't fully appreciate this before going all track-car/safety with the Miata (2x sparco seats, custom fixed bases, 6 points, roll bar etc) - the car suuuuuuuuucked to drive on the street after doing what you're planning. Yes, it felt way better to track/drive hard being so planted in the car, but I ended up hating driving that car where it (much like yours) spent 90+% of it's life - the street, and I sold it. Depending on the inner tunnel/buckle etc. of the factory belt it can be difficult to get them to cooperate with a race seat, and climbing in/out got old so fast.
Wanted to give you another perspective, by all means go forth and continue enjoying the car but give that some careful consideration. If this is your DD it may ruin the car for you.
Hmm. Yeah I've been told of having a hard time reaching things in the harnesses and lowered seat. Along with annoying to get out and in. The feeling of somewhat being comfortable is why I planned on the Corbeau FX1 seats and not something like Sparco. They are almost the same dimensions and design as the Sparco EVO's just weigh slightly more with the extra padding and such. They should do just fine in DE until I step up to an FIA seat more expensive brand like the Sparco's, etc...
This car later will be out of DD mode by I'm hoping 2 years and hopefully earlier than 3 at the latest. For now I'll just have to deal with it if I go the safety route just like other mods that have made the car less comfortable and daily focused. Appreciate the insight! About keeping factory belts that will just have to be decided on come install time!
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Jake - 05-06-2015
I have a FX1 on my driver's side if you want to give it a test-fit, Ryan. I've driven long distances in it (NoVA to VIR is 4.5 hours or so) but I wouldn't call it "comfortable." The Sparco on my passenger side is far nicer, but I don't use it on the driver's side because the shoulder belt holes are too far down to be safe in a crash given my height.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Goodspeed - 05-06-2015
rherold9 Wrote:This car later will be out of DD mode by I'm hoping 2 years and hopefully earlier than 3 at the latest. For now I'll just have to deal with it if I go the safety route just like other mods that have made the car less comfortable and daily focused. Appreciate the insight! About keeping factory belts that will just have to be decided on come install time!
I'd go with the CG lock + investigate getting your factory belt to lock again, and go that route until then IMO. I'd also be curious about seeing if there is a way to add some bolstering to the factory seat - I'm not certain but I can't imagine it'd be all that difficult for an interior shop, I've heard it being done to other factory seats as well. (Not sure if it was said but reclining sports seats are garbage/lethal until you get into the 1700+ dollar sparcos/cobras etc, which are properly crash tested).
I'm not trying to be a downer but with the seats, and harnesses (if the stock belt has issues), you won't last 2-3 years putting up with that car. I did the exact same thing....harsher suspension, meh. Noisier/dustier brakes, I can deal. Seats and harnesses...f#ck this car. The belts/camlock mash your junk, the edges of the belts dig into your neck (you can use pads, but that also makes them bulkier), and every toll both/drive through becomes an epic challenge. I totally regret it.
The only track-focused seats I'd ever put in a car that sees the street would be Lotus/Lotus-like seats like these Corbeau LE-Pros. They're pricey but don't have the ridiculous high bolster (edit - and still hold you in awesomely. I rode in a Lotus at an autocross once and the seats almost seemed magic)
![[Image: CORB-LEP-LOW_MED.jpg]](http://elise-shop.com/images/medium/CORB-LEP-LOW_MED.jpg)
I'll come off my soapbox now, I just had to share so you see both sides
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-06-2015
Jake Wrote:I have a FX1 on my driver's side if you want to give it a test-fit, Ryan. I've driven long distances in it (NoVA to VIR is 4.5 hours or so) but I wouldn't call it "comfortable." The Sparco on my passenger side is far nicer, but I don't use it on the driver's side because the shoulder belt holes are too far down to be safe in a crash given my height.
Is yours a pro or just the normal? Yeah I don't think you can really call any race seat 'comfortable' I guess haha. Some are just a bit more padded than others. How would one test fit without brackets? Just let it sit in there?
Goodspeed Wrote:I'd go with the CG lock + investigate getting your factory belt to lock again, and go that route until then IMO. I'd also be curious about seeing if there is a way to add some bolstering to the factory seat - I'm not certain but I can't imagine it'd be all that difficult for an interior shop, I've heard it being done to other factory seats as well. (Not sure if it was said but reclining sports seats are garbage/lethal until you get into the 1700+ dollar sparcos/cobras etc, which are properly crash tested).
I'm not trying to be a downer but with the seats, and harnesses (if the stock belt has issues), you won't last 2-3 years putting up with that car. I did the exact same thing....harsher suspension, meh. Noisier/dustier brakes, I can deal. Seats and harnesses...f#ck this car. The belts/camlock mash your junk, the edges of the belts dig into your neck (you can use pads, but that also makes them bulkier), and every toll both/drive through becomes an epic challenge. I totally regret it.
I guess people have different things on what they can take. I'm a bit more tolerant especially knowing I plan to make it a trailered car soon. Not saying you aren't... Maybe it will push me to do it faster which could be a good thing haha. I'm sure it won't be the most fun in the world, probably suck sometime, but look at Jake and how long he put up with his. Then again he didn't DD it everywhere! I think I can do it though. I completely understand where you are coming from though. Honestly I think I'll have to just suck it up, but no decisions are made yet. Waiting until after the July event!
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Jake - 05-06-2015
Mine is a Pro.
By "test fit" I mean "come sit in my car and see how comfortable you are." If you go to a place like OG Racing, they have seats mounted in their showroom so you can sit and get fitted.
Also +1 to what Goodspeed said about DDing with race seats + harnesses. It absolutely ruined my Miata.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - D_Eclipse9916 - 05-06-2015
I guess I'm the only one with most my dailies having fixed back seats. I have a bad back and they are wayyyyyyyyy more comfortable than any oem seats. My GSX, m3 and z06 had/has sparco seats.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-06-2015
Did some points research as Jake mentioned to get an idea.
# of points at now: 25 (puts me 14 points away from top of TTE up classes from TTF).
To stay in class I need 19 points.
Mods I have done now for points up from TTF:
1. 245MM tire at 120-200 UTQG would make 7 points higher (+7)
2. I said a modest 35lbs weight reduction probably less than this in reality. They don't have a weight listed in the rules for 2010+ Mazda3's so just guessing (+3)
3. Intake (+1)
4. Header + Cats (+5)
5. Struts/Shocks + Springs (+5)
6. Rear Sway (+2)
7. Bigger brakes (+2)
Thoughts on staying in TTF are I don't see anyone in it haha. Not that being alone isn't cool I have no reason to push myself except seeing my times decrease. Whether that is the best option for me I don't know, but I feel like I'd enjoy seeing my times compared to others in the same class. Looks like there are a few people in TTE though!
So what I could do to stay in TTF? Drop my tires size down to a 225. Giving me exactly 19 points to be at the top of TTF.
What mods could or should I do to be at the top of TTE? More weight reduction. Removing 200lbs nets me another 10 points and adding a duckbill spoiler sends me another 4 to hit me to 39 points at the top of TTE or doing duckbill + front air dam for 7 points and then having just anther 7 points for weight reduction. Those are just examples. I have no idea what will make my car faster for 14 points.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Kaan - 05-07-2015
don't you have a tune and your muffler (aka exhaust) is modified? the points you think you will take for weight you shouldn't even count... not until you are ready to "finalize" your build for the event. welcome to the world of bench racing points. :lol:
Edit: your weight is 2930lbs minimum
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Jake - 05-07-2015
You'll get a lot of Miatas in TTE, and the occasional Honda. It's good competition.
The min. weight Kaan listed (2930 lbs) is driver + car as you come off-track. Fuel use counts here. What happens is you'll go out for a session and at random, as you come back in, you'll be sent to impound to roll over the scales. So, whatever you weigh at that time is your weight. You want to make sure that "minimum" gives you some leeway for however much fuel you have. As an example, my min. weight is 3175 lbs. I pulled some stuff out before Summit last month and, with a half tank of fuel, crossed the scales at 3171. Fuck. I filled up more for my Sunday sessions and crossed at 3179. I don't like being that close to weight, so now I have to figure out what to put back in, or if I can just add some ballast bricks somewhere.
I doubt you'll worry about weight until you have the car super-stripped. And - do you really want to strip it down that much? First track car will likely be sold before you get into something super-cereal so if you strip interior bits out, keep them somewhere so you can re-assemble it before you sell it down the road.
If you consider doing aero, remember you need to match front + rear or else you'll make it all sorts of crap for handling.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-07-2015
Where did you find the weight Kaan all I saw was below 2010s and Speed3s. I guess that is a good min weight for me because the curb weight on these cars is 2850ish. So I'd have to shed over 100 pounds from the car for me to get below that with me included. Lol. I weigh 184 right now from the gym... That will obviously change though.
Yeah, it's definitely a good idea to match Aero like you said Jake. Sounds like that would be good competition.
Also, it said headers and changing exhausted manifolds accounts for other exhaust work done. Only thing I saw for tuning was something for piggybacks or different ECUs.
You are right Jake, but once I start welding in cages and stripping I don't think someone will buy it for the interior parts if I do sell it, but it is good to keep in mind to keep the parts around for weight and just in case people want them
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Kaan - 05-07-2015
you are right, C.22 says all other... sweet I guess I've been upset for the last 24 hours for no reason!
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-07-2015
Kaan Wrote:you are right, C.22 says all other... sweet I guess I've been upset for the last 24 hours for no reason!
Man, you are cheating the system several years in advance. HOW DARE YOU! :lol:
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Kaan - 05-07-2015
rherold9 Wrote:Kaan, looks like I need to add points for slicks in the future. Forgot about them haha. Need to drop my tire size to stay competitive
well there is no TTF competition right now. I mean there is an integra that comes out from time to time, everyone swears he is cheating... blah blah... but you have TONS of room to play with shit.
TTE = 25 points as you sit... 23 points + Tires if you DONT change tire size and only change compound... 14-16 points to play! I'd honestly want to see what people are using out there now, in my size, that is "fast"... see if its a good contingency tire (probably is), see where it puts you in points. because you can run takeoffs fairly cheaply until you win a set.
205/50/15 Miata Toyo RR takeoffs are a no brainer for me. AND I have points to run hoohoos if I get a set of SCCA SM takeoffs. <3
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - navin - 05-07-2015
The DA Integra is TTE..
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - Evan - 05-07-2015
D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:I guess I'm the only one with most my dailies having fixed back seats. I have a bad back and they are wayyyyyyyyy more comfortable than any oem seats. My GSX, m3 and z06 had/has sparco seats.I <3 fixback seats on street cars. So much more supportive, I could fall asleep in a minute (while parked) in the Evo in my miata.
The head wing-bolster-thingies (technical term) are a no go on street cars though.
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - navin - 05-07-2015
That's why they make the Sparco Ergo -- removable 'wings' :thumbup:
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - rherold9 - 05-07-2015
Kaan Wrote:well there is no TTF competition right now. I mean there is an integra that comes out from time to time, everyone swears he is cheating... blah blah... but you have TONS of room to play with shit.
TTE = 25 points as you sit... 23 points + Tires if you DONT change tire size and only change compound... 14-16 points to play! I'd honestly want to see what people are using out there now, in my size, that is "fast"... see if its a good contingency tire (probably is), see where it puts you in points. because you can run takeoffs fairly cheaply until you win a set.
205/50/15 Miata Toyo RR takeoffs are a no brainer for me. AND I have points to run hoohoos if I get a set of SCCA SM takeoffs. <3
![[Image: 3YHIcpC.png]](http://i.imgur.com/3YHIcpC.png)
Looks like slicks put me up some serious points. Not sure where you say it only increases me a few points. Would need to drop back down to a 215 or 225 like I stated to run slicks from what I'm reading. Not sure if I'm wrong or not. That will give me almost no points to play for TTE before I'm overboard. Yeah great tires are going to make me stick, but good aero like a front air dam and rear ducktail will be needed at that point which I won't have points for? I'm quite confused by this now.
Evan Wrote:I <3 fixback seats on street cars. So much more supportive, I could fall asleep in a minute (while parked) in the Evo in my miata.
The head wing-bolster-thingies (technical term) are a no go on street cars though.
Glad to hear DJ isn't the only one with being okay with race seats :thumbup:. Makes me feel better about the possibility
Re: Project 2.Slow Mazda3 - D_Eclipse9916 - 05-08-2015
rherold9 Wrote:Looks like slicks put me up some serious points. Not sure where you say it only increases me a few points.
What are the "slicks" that you plan on running? Real Goodyear slicks? Hoosier R or A Compoound? Toyo RRs?
Just so Felton doesn't chew you out when you submit your classification form, "slicks" is mostly a term used for non-dot approved R-compound in the racing community. I think you are more referring to R compounds such a Hoosier/BFG/Toyos. All have wildly different points (and grip).
As someone who is moving their way up to through HPDE/TT, I suggest finding racer "takeoffs" for significantly reduced $$ I would sell BFGs with 90% of the grip and plenty of life left for 30% what they were new. I did that for a long while till I started winning tires, as the price for new tires hurts. (Just spent $1700 on a set of Hoosier A7s for the Z06)