Autocross and other quick questions!

[Mrmaddbrad]

Wow guys! Already being very helpful!

I do know about autocross rules. I am currently autocrossing a 1986 BMW 325es in G-stock. Tires are the biggest modification you can make, while you can still do shocks, new air intake, and front sway bar modifcations and still remain in stock class.

I don't plan on doing much to my boxster, MAYBE a front sway bar if i can find the right one. But for the most part, tires will be the only thing i will be using and hopefully a good set of R-compounds will let me dominate the 10 miatas in C-stock at my local autocross...

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

[The dude]

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

Sorry to butt in.......

I drove a few different cars before getting the S. The base seemed to be a little underpowered.... And I drove both a 1999 and 2000 which had differing horsepower. The S was significantly quicker and, in my mind, a whole different beast. Not that a isn't worthy.......

It all comes down to driver anyway on a track. For me, I just drive on the street.

[DenverSteve]

As long as you're comparing like years of Base and S then yes they are very comparable. You have a bigger difference when comparing a 1997 base and a 2004 S for example. I had a 2001 base and now a 2002 S and the S has more torque and HP but the 2.7 had a manual which makes up for a lot of difference. As a track car either will do nicely.

[Mrmaddbrad]

Alright. Thanks guys! It seems to me like i just need to get out there and start test driving. I work at a German auto mechanic and have been waiting for some to come in for some service work, but in the few months i've been there none have come in!! I'm dying to drive one! lol

Anyone live in Northern california thats willing to let me drive theres??

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Wow guys! Already being very helpful!

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

A Box S is definitely faster than a base Box in a straight line. So is an M5, GT3, MB AMG, C6 Z06, Viper and on and on. There is always a faster car out there... it never ends. I am kinda pragmatic. A car is simply a tool and I want the right tool for the job. My goal in performance driving is not TTOD but rather to get that spacer between the seat and the steering wheel really lined up With two TT championships and 6 PCA track records in BSX it is working pretty well.

A Base Box among a fleet of Miatas is a good race. Last time I checked SCCA they bumped the 986 Box S in with C5 Corvettes. If you show up in the Box S you are bringing a knife to a gunfight. You can still win here but you will do it on talent and not with the car. Use the local AX rules and class structure to your advantage.

[tnoice]

Originally Posted by Topless

A Box S is definitely faster than a base Box in a straight line...........

A Base Box among a fleet of Miatas is a good race. Last time I checked SCCA they bumped the 986 Box S in with C5 Corvettes. If you show up in the Box S you are bringing a knife to a gunfight. You can still win here but you will do it on talent and not with the car. Use the local AX rules and class structure to your advantage.

They bumped the 986s with the c4 corvette in BS. The c5 is in AS. The 987s gets the pleasure to play with the c5s.

[Mrmaddbrad]

Yeah the 986S is in B Stock with c4 corvettes. The base 986's are in C-Stock with miatas. Which is why i think they'll get destroyed in B-stock but be competitive in C-stock.

So it looks like i'll probably get a base model. Hmm... Talking to people totally changed my mind about things :P

Hearing that they feel a little under powered. Is there anything you can do to change that, like a new ECU or anything like that?

[thstone]

I track my base '99 pretty often and I've driven an S model too. Yes, the S will pull better out of a turn but a 987 will outpower that and a 997 will outpower that. Its easy to get onto the horsepower merry-go-round.

The base Boxster has more than enough power so I can learn to drive well on a track and have more fun that I've ever had before and still be able to give myself a darn good scare. When you think that you're going off into the dirt at 110mph, you could care less about your HP and a lot more about your brakes!

In regards to Boxster vs Miata, I happen to own both and had them both at the Streets of Willow last weekend. My experience is that the Boxster is indeed faster BUT 99% of the time it comes down to the driver and not the car.

Here are a few pics from last weekend: