'14 AGM 1SS/1LE Track build [COTW 11/17/14]

[X25]

Originally Posted by Macaro

Damn X25, I just read the whole thread in one sitting. Amazing. I wish I had your skills both inside the car and working on the car...amazing work, I hope you get to enjoy the fruits of all your labor and I hope you continue to share with the community.

You mention that buying the Z/28 wheels was something which required a" brute-force algorithm", I'm assuming this means the sale of the wheels is somehow VIN restricted? Did you just guess at a VIN? And if you don't mind my asking, how much are a set of Z/28 wheels?

Once you get some track time on the new meats, please let us all know how the various racing tires you are running compare.

Great stuff...

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed reading the build thread!

Yes, Z/28 wheels are still restricted. I kept ordering them online through different sites until one parts store was able to fulfill the order. They cost me $2499 shipped.

I'm also dying to go to track start comparing tires, etc. I'm still waiting on the aero parts, though, and the parts store told me that GM promised the order would be fulfilled before mid-April. Since Z/28 tires stick out quite a bit, I do not want to go to track with sticky tires on them and destroy my paint. I'll hopefully be done in just a few weeks!

[jamestown]

Hey X25,

Hope things are going well with your Miata supercharger build!

Do you think you will make it out to the track at all this year with the 1le? I'm very curious to see if installing the oil cooler thermostat in the more ideal orientation makes any difference to your peak oil temperatures. I'm selfishly motivated of course as I want to get an oil cooler setup in the near future.

All the best!

[X25]

Originally Posted by jamestown

Hey X25,

Hope things are going well with your Miata supercharger build!

Do you think you will make it out to the track at all this year with the 1le? I'm very curious to see if installing the oil cooler thermostat in the more ideal orientation makes any difference to your peak oil temperatures. I'm selfishly motivated of course as I want to get an oil cooler setup in the near future.

All the best!

Of course, I want to try it out as soon as I get the aero kit/fender flares installed. Without those fender extensions, the Z/28 wheels protrude way too much, and with sticky tires, I know they would destroy my paint in short order.

Miata supercharging project is finally finished today! I'm trying to get a tune right now so I can start the test drives. Let's see which car will be ready first...

[X25]

I finally installed OEM Recaro driver seat. I actually also installed the Scrotch ASM, but then promptly removed it. A few remarks:

• I believe I sit higher in this seat! It was a bit disappointing. Thankfully, I believe I still have enough head space. However, if you're 6-foot or taller I think you'll lose head-space.
• Scrotch ASM was very hard to install on the seat. The belt openings are very narrow, and I almost damaged them pushing the belt through. However, I ultimately decided to remove it. There is no space to anchor the belt laps over the rail bolt, so I had to rather put them in between the rail and bolt, raising the seat even more, which I felt is unacceptable. I'll drive the car with just the seat, and see how it works out.

The side bolsters of these seats are pretty good.




Scrotch ASM shortly before I removed it.

[camaro500]

I understand buying the recaro seat if you got a great deal on one but other than that what would be the reason? You could have gotten a much lighter and better track seat that could have fit perfect with the belt.

[X25]

Originally Posted by camaro500

I understand buying the recaro seat if you got a great deal on one but other than that what would be the reason? You could have gotten a much lighter and better track seat that could have fit perfect with the belt.

Everything is a compromise. The OEM Recaro seats retain the airbags, and are perfect for daily driving. Fooling the airbag system (something you need to do if you install a race seat) for the missing side airbags is also not the most advisable thing to do, so this option suddenly becomes a good alternative.

I do have race seat in my Miata, and as much as I like how it helps out at the track, it becomes a pain to use at the street, not to mention the implication of front airbag deployment on an untested seat (which is fine when you have your race harness on since you don't get close to airbag, but becomes an issue at the street if you use the regular seat belts.

I actually liked the seat quite a bit, but I am literally puzzled by the increase in minimum ride height. My brother suggested it might be due to much stiffer filler material, or I might just not be fully in the seat (meaning I might be too big, which I don't think so). Since I am 5'10", I have ample space, but for my brother, this seat will definitely not going to work out.

Regarding Scrotch, I decided to give it another try. This time I will anchor it to seat belt bolt on the side of the seat as my friend suggested.n That should just work.

[X25]

Well, it will be an expensive decision, but I think I will go full race seat after all. The OEM Recaro seat would be excellent, but I think I need more headroom with the helmet on. Oh well...

[camaro500]

You could buy a nice Corbeau racing seat for a reasonable amount of money. $1000 I think.

[X25]

Originally Posted by camaro500

You could buy a nice Corbeau racing seat for a reasonable amount of money. $1000 I think.

I do have OMP WRC-R seat in my other car. I'm thinking about getting one more for this car, and it appears I can even fit the XL version! I'm also wondering if I can put a slider on this time : )

[ForcFed93]

Any weight savings on the Recaro over the OEM?

[X25]

Originally Posted by ForcFed93

Any weight savings on the Recaro over the OEM?

It felt lighter, but couldn't measure it at the time. So there is probably a small bit of weight savings.

[ForcFed93]

Originally Posted by X25

It felt lighter, but couldn't measure it at the time. So there is probably a small bit of weight savings.

Awesome. I'd be interested (I'm sure others too) if you get a chance to compare the two when you remove it.

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by X25

[*]I believe I sit higher in this seat! It was a bit disappointing. Thankfully, I believe I still have enough head space. However, if you're 6-foot or taller I think you'll lose head-space.

Your reviews as always are gold on this forum, thank you for sharing this observation.

I'm 6.4 and I purposefully ordered my car without sunroof due to projected head constraints with the helmet on, as the sunroof version was tight without the helmet.

Definitely a deal breaker with the OEM Recaro's, looks like I'll be keeping the 2SS OEM seats.

[X25]

Originally Posted by Camaro Dude

Your reviews as always are gold on this forum, thank you for sharing this observation.

I'm 6.4 and I purposefully ordered my car without sunroof due to projected head constraints with the helmet on, as the sunroof version was tight without the helmet.

Definitely a deal breaker with the OEM Recaro's, looks like I'll be keeping the 2SS OEM seats.

Thanks, glad to be of help! I put the seat on sale, and one of the members pointed out that the powered version of Recaro seat sits lower, similar to the regular SS seat. It's even more expensive, but is an option afterall.