GeeTeeFiveOh
Member
You guys are going about it all wrong. You can definitely read up on the basics of what to mod. But, there is no magic recipe on what is 'the best'. It is really the driver's choice.
Most performance mods come from some sort of racing. You see a part on a race car and you want it. Whether you see it in a magazine or on TV, etc. someone sells it to you. And with the Internet, you can search or research anything instantly. You don't have to experience anything, you read what appeals and then you apply it to your car, or even recommend stuff to others.
Well, my analogy is a little different. I did the same thing for years, read magazines or the Internet for my next mod. When I started driving (with NASA), the one thing you pick up right away, is what your car lacks. And you learn that from seat time. Is the problem out back? In the front? While braking? Oversteer and/or under steer? High speed control? Bla bla bla?
So no disrespect to anyone, but reading posts about CC plates and bump steer kits and the best handling mods is just stuff repeated all over the Internet. Actual personal experiences are very few, but most guys/gals do not drive. I really encourage you guys to get out there and do it. Find out what your car needs by explaining a specific problem, not "I want it to handle like a Porsche". There's also the 'nut behind the wheel' element, where the driver mod is probably the best to improve auto-x and lap times.
I guarantee that you put a seasoned driver in a all stock Miata and a inexperienced driver in a Cobra R, that Miata driver will win every time.
I agree with what your saying but reading up and doing "standard" performance upgrade is a good place to start. Especially when it is time for a suspension overhaul after a hard 184,000km, I needed to replace most if not all the suspension components to make it suitable for me as a daily driver and weekend warrior. I had suspension clunks really rough ride bottoming out etc, found one broken front coil spring (close to its seat inside the rubber) control arms would't hold a ball joint and so on.
I plan on getting some serious seat time this summer at the local tracks and I'll go from there. I'm done buying new parts for the car it will be good to go again with the new control arms. Anything parts were talking about now is just to keep in mind for the future and to know what's out there. I will be happy to share with everyone what my car lacks at the track once I go