For 2019 I determined to remain in C-Street or “CS” (this might change). This will allow me to focus on getting as much seat time and focusing on some other driving events besides AutoX. Regardless, I was eager to get the car out if storage this year, knowing I had a few boxes full of parts ready to go into the car.
Parts:
- Morosso Coolant Expansion Tank
- Floor Matts (functional)
- Progress Front Sway Bar
- Numbers
- Super Q Exhaust
- Shifter Bushing
- Re-71r’s
Still in the garage:
- HAWK Pads
- Stainless Brake Lines
- Fluids: New Amsoil oil change, Motul 600 Brake fluid
Starting with the floor mats, these are mostly aesthetic and a little functional. They allow me to protect the carpet in the vehicle during track days and AutoX events when standard floor mats must be removed. They are large and protect and cover the entire floor. They are secure and don’t move at all. The red is a fun touch (and a dirt magnet).
Next up was the Morosso coolant expansion tank, this is half preventive maintenance and half engine protection. The MX-5 uses a pressurized coolant system. The OEM plastic tanks age and end up cracking. Word on the web is the engine cannot take even a single overheat. Because of the plans I have for the vehicle, this was a simple upgrade and preventative measure.
The magnet numbers are simply to allow me to slap on my numbers and skip using painter’s tape for vehicle identification. I ended up ordering a few additional numbers and letters for co-drivers and different classes.
Now getting to the fun stuff, the Progress Front Sway Bar! This thing is seriously beefy, the installation was a pain, and I only grabbed a single photo. I have one event using this bar and have it on the middle stiffness setting. I’ll be testing the stiffness both ways throughout the summer. First impressions, this bar is maybe the single best item you can toss on a stock MX-5. The front tires just bite the road and honestly take the entire vehicle up a notch.
When I first got the MX-5, it surprised me how quiet it was. You can hear a good deal of road and wind noise but overall the engine and exhaust is muted. Part of having a sports car is enjoying that sweet exhaust note when you step on it. It’s also nice to have some idea of where I’m at in the RPM band, without looking down. The simple fix? Add an axle back exhaust. Because I still wanted the vehicle to be streetable and enjoyable on longer tips. This left me to a few choices, I went with the Goodwin Racing “Super-Q”, this system is exactly what I was hoping for.. It’s slightly louder but has a great sound and doesn’t drone in the vehicle. It also has silencers you can toss in there, I have not put them in, and I took them out before the first startup, so I can’ comment on how they perform. Because there is zero drone, and it sounds great I cannot imagine myself using them.
Last up shifter turret oil and a brass shifter Bushing. This ended up not working out as planned… Once I installed the bushing my shifter was not smoothly switching gear. After a few more attempts, and various lubes I called it quits. Still waiting for a response from the manufacture on why this happened. I did take the time to fill the shifter turret with oil, this was enough to remove some of the ever clear notchey-ness in the 6spd Mazda trans.
The Bridgestone RE-71r’s are possibly what I am most excited about. The RE71r’s
are the current benchmark and flagship extreme performance summer tire from Bridgestone. I’m so excited to see what these will do to my times.
My local Discount Tire did a great job mounting and balancing. I decided to keep my old tires, they all fit inside the overly spacious MX-5. 😉
I’m currently trying to get some miles on the tires and give them a good scrub before the next event. I can tell already by the sounds of all the little rocks being thrown up that they are STICKY.
