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Scope: build a regionally competitive STS2 miata (with future plans of being Nationally competitive)

I've got an option to pick up a fairly low mileage CHEAP '96 M-edition miata (it's got some body damage)…I know I’d have to swap in an open diff, but my question is what else would I have to swap to be 100% legal in STS2.  I'm wondering if it's just better to pay a little more for a base '94-97 miata.

I believe STS2 rules are similar to Stock, in that you can't swap parts from different trim levels unless you do a full trim level change…it's an "all or nothing" deal, right?  So that means I can't just take a M-edition miata and swap in an open diff…I'd also have to bring all of the options to what the Base has, minus the allowed modifications in STS2 (wheels, seats…).   I assume that means I'm going to have to: remove ABS/PS/cruise control, swap to non-leather steering wheel, non-power mirrors, non-power windows, open diff….I'm trying to figure out to what extent I'll have to go in making this car legal.  (at what point can I claim "convenience and comfort"). 

**the only '94-'97 miata that came with an open diff is the base.


Thanks for any help!!!  (I'm coming from a BSP car…so the rules are a bit different)

 

-Peter

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BSP 350Z

You are correct on the all or nothing deal.

96 had a power steering package model that is like a base model but with P/S so you can make yours into a Power Steering Package and leave the P/S.

IMO what you would need to swap out that I can think of would be LSD, ABS, and leather steering wheel.  To me power mirrors and windows are truly a "comfort and convenience" mod. Cruise control can be added to any car so that is fine.

 The only other thing that I am unsure on is the rear subframe brace.  I know it was not on the 96 base/PS models but I do not know how it attached to know if it is something you could add in STS2.

 This http://www.miata.net/faq/features.html has a lot of useful information about model packages.

 

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STS2 - 1990 Mazda Miata
Borrowing BS - RX-8

FS: (NE) 1991 Miata, 2006 STS2 National Championship winning car...

 

Or you could just buy a car that's most of the way there

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Andy Clark
LCDR, USN
Professional Bubblehead
2005 Lotus Elise
1991 Mazda Miata
#77 SS/STS2

moxnix:

You are correct on the all or nothing deal.

96 had a power steering package model that is like a base model but with P/S so you can make yours into a Power Steering Package and leave the P/S.

IMO what you would need to swap out that I can think of would be LSD, ABS, and leather steering wheel.  To me power mirrors and windows are truly a "comfort and convenience" mod. Cruise control can be added to any car so that is fine.

 The only other thing that I am unsure on is the rear subframe brace.  I know it was not on the 96 base/PS models but I do not know how it attached to know if it is something you could add in STS2.

 This http://www.miata.net/faq/features.html has a lot of useful information about model packages.

 

 

 

thanks for the response and link...I had read through that miata.net page, but missed that the base model also had a PS package...

 

1) any idea how the rear subfram brace is installed?  If it's just bolted on, it's not that much work for me to remove it...I just hope it's not welded.

2) how hard is it to remove ABS on a miata?

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BSP 350Z

scapamouche:

FS: (NE) 1991 Miata, 2006 STS2 National Championship winning car...

 

Or you could just buy a car that's most of the way there

 

I saw that...but it's a bit out of my price range, and getting the car to Seattle adds at least another $1K.  (the '96 miata I'm looking at is under $1K , and it's local)

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BSP 350Z

hummm...sounds like removing the ABS (not just unplugging it) would take a good amount of work...and since a complete removal is required to be legal, I'm probably going to pass on this M-edition.

http://www.miata.net/garage/abs/abs.htm

 

thanks for the help and clarification of the rules...

 

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BSP 350Z

All the info I've seen indicates that ABS was a standalone option in '96, so you'd be perfectly legal to leave it there. Of course, if your goal is a car without ABS this one would not be a good choice.

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'93 Miata - Prepping for STS2
'98 BMW 328i - Daily fun

jwbrockman:

All the info I've seen indicates that ABS was a standalone option in '96, so you'd be perfectly legal to leave it there. Of course, if your goal is a car without ABS this one would not be a good choice.

 

Assuming this page is correct (http://www.miata.net/faq/features.html) the only '96 miatas to come with an open diff did not come with the option of getting ABS. (ABS was standard on the M-edition, and an option for "P = Popular Equipment Package" and "l = Leather Package", all of which come standard with the Torsen LSD)

The following page also shows the same info.
http://www.miata.net/faq/Miata90-97A3.pdf

 

*Removing the major ABS components wouldn't be that hard...but to legally remove it, you'd have to pull all of the wires (which includes a lot behind the dash)...IMO for regional events, most ppl wouldn't care, as long as you didn't have ABS.  But I plan to slowly build this car to compete at Nationals...

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BSP 350Z

moxnix:

IMO what you would need to swap out that I can think of would be LSD, ABS, and leather steering wheel.  To me power mirrors and windows are truly a "comfort and convenience" mod. Cruise control can be added to any car so that is fine.

 I always considered the leather steering wheel as a comfort and convience item, as it has no appreciable performance benefit.  I know there's no allowance for cars with airbags on switching steering wheels.

 So am I illegal in this point with '91 A-package de-optioned to a base model?  I was always going to trade wheels with a classmate but I ran out of time and now he's in Maryland...

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#56 91 Miata STS2

roostmeyer:

moxnix:

IMO what you would need to swap out that I can think of would be LSD, ABS, and leather steering wheel.  To me power mirrors and windows are truly a "comfort and convenience" mod. Cruise control can be added to any car so that is fine.

 I always considered the leather steering wheel as a comfort and convience item, as it has no appreciable performance benefit.  I know there's no allowance for cars with airbags on switching steering wheels.

 So am I illegal in this point with '91 A-package de-optioned to a base model?  I was always going to trade wheels with a classmate but I ran out of time and now he's in Maryland...

 My Opinion is that to be truly legal you need the steering wheel that comes with whatever model of car you say that you have.  So if you now have a base model you need the base wheel. 

 My Opinion on comfort and convenience is anything that I do not interact with during an autox run if fine but anything I use during the run is off limits.  I see a steering wheel as a possible benefit.  Does the base steering wheel have the exact same level of grip in all conditions as the leather wheel?  Could that be an advantage? a disadvantage? So for me to feel truly legal I would want to have the base wheel on the car.

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STS2 - 1990 Mazda Miata
Borrowing BS - RX-8

roostmeyer:

moxnix:

IMO what you would need to swap out that I can think of would be LSD, ABS, and leather steering wheel.  To me power mirrors and windows are truly a "comfort and convenience" mod. Cruise control can be added to any car so that is fine.

 I always considered the leather steering wheel as a comfort and convience item, as it has no appreciable performance benefit.  I know there's no allowance for cars with airbags on switching steering wheels.

 So am I illegal in this point with '91 A-package de-optioned to a base model?  I was always going to trade wheels with a classmate but I ran out of time and now he's in Maryland...

 

seems like if the rules go to the extent of being very specific in that steering wheels w/ integral airbags cannot be changed, you can't claim "comfort and convenience" (I would never protest over something like this...but I'd also make sure my own car was in compliance before heading to any NT's)

 

Stock "13.2 F. Alternate steering wheels are allowed, provided the outside diameter
is not changed by more than one inch from the standard size.
Steering wheels with an integral airbag may not be changed.

STS " 14.2 D. Alternate steering wheels are allowed except that steering
wheels with an integral airbag may not be changed."

 

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BSP 350Z

As stupid as I think it is, I swapped out my leather wheel for a plastic wheel. I think I could argue that the leather wheel is a comfort item but I just don't want to have to deal with the potential problem.

I converted my car from a B package car to a base model. Out went the power windows, power steering and leather wheel. I kept the cruise control since I drive the car to and from events.

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90 Miata/89 CRX - STS2 #90/190

I have heard second or third hand that this exact NA Miata steering wheel question was recently protested and ruled acceptable as a comfort and convenience.  I would certainly hope it would.  I'm guilty at present but have a plastic wheel in reserve.  I'd sure like to see a definitive advisory from SCCA on this question.  I personally can't see the issue since puting a leather wrap on the plastic wheel would be legal.  The intent and spirit of the rule, I assume, is to preserve the OE airbag.  Mission accomplished.

 Would a protest and SCCA ruling be posted anywhere for review?

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1991 Miata STS2
Recovering former member of the pushrod posse