The conversion and modification of Mazda MX-5 is our daily business. Here it often happens that customers want to have a vehicle converted that they can move on the road and on the racetrack. But how do I modify an MX-5 for the racetrack? How do I build a track tool? What do you have to consider when converting the MX-5? We get to the bottom of these and other questions here!
We break down the necessary modifications a bit according to their topics and give you clues as to where to start and what should only follow later. For this you will find a prioritization for track tools under each part, as well as school grades for the price / benefit factor.
Suspension:
The suspension is the heart of the MX-5 and makes the roadster ideal for use on the racetrack. But the original suspension is simply too soft for Tracktool use. The car will sway in corners and behave spongy on the track. The subject of suspension is an indispensable part of a good track tool and should be approached from the start.
Here we recommend the Silvers Neomax range, especially the Neomax-R. The Neomax-R is available for the MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL, MX-5 NC and MX-5 ND. If you want to learn more about the Neomax range from Silvers Suspension, click here for the corresponding MotorBlog post.
In the case of the MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL in particular, the suspension bushings must be checked and, if necessary, replaced. Without good bushings, bumps in the track cannot be passed on to the suspension and the vehicle drives indirectly and spongy, which is exactly what we actually wanted to avoid with our new chassis.
Prioritization: 1-2
Price / benefit factor: 2
Rims and tires:
However, the best suspension is of no use to us with stock wheels. The wheels should be chosen as small as possible. 15 inches are suitable for the MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL, 17 inches for the MX-5 NC and 16 inches for the MX-5 ND. In the respective articles you will find information about whether the rim fits plug and play on your car or whether you have to roll the fenders. Basically, 8 inch rim width is recommended in order to be able to drive the widest possible tire, but at the same time to be able to keep the unsprung masses low. Accordingly, wider wheels also mean more and more unsprung masses if one chooses the same tire and the same rim with a wider dimension.
When it comes to tires, we recommend the Nankang AR-1 for almost pure track tools. If the car is primarily driven on the road and is only used on track days now and then, the Nankang NS-2R is used, as this is more suitable for daily use, but is subject to the AR-1 in dry grip.
Prioritization: 1
Price / benefit factor: 1
Braking system:
The brake is actually the most important safety element in a car. A good braking system is therefore an indispensable part of a track tool. We recommend the StopTech brake system for the front axle, suitable for MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL, MX-5 NC and MX-5 ND. Due to the low weight on the rear axle, you can leave the standard brake system here, but you should upgrade to StopTech brake discs and pads. So you are on the safe side. Stainless Steel braided brake lines for the front axle are included with the respective Big Brake Kit; these should also be converted on the rear axle. Here we trust the manufacturer Goodridge, who also equips many racing vehicles with steel braided brake lines.
Prioritization: 2
Price / benefit factor: 2
Interior / safety of the passenger compartment:
After the modifications so far, you should concentrate on the interior. The safety of the passenger compartment and thus also for the driver should never be left out. For pure track tools, a screwed rollcage for the MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL is highly recommended. However, since the cage is quite impractical for daily drivers, you should definitely use a roll bar. Here we offer various roll bars for each MX-5 generation. Whether MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL, MX-5 NC or MX-5 ND, we can equip each generation with a roll bar.
It is also advisable to install racing seats with more lateral support in combination with 4-point belts so that the driver sits firmly in the car and cannot slide back and forth like on a pew. The Sparco Clubman belt is recommended for 4-point belts. When it comes to seats, of course, it depends on the driver and his dimensions, here you will find clues in the article descriptions.
The steering wheel can also be replaced by a more grippy sports steering wheel in combination with the matching steering wheel hub. Here, too, we can offer the perfect steering wheels for the combination of road and track day for the various generations. MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL can be driven with sports steering wheels without an airbag. For the MX-5 NC and MX-5 ND we offer refurbished steering wheels to provide the necessary grip on the racetrack.
Prioritization: 3
Price / benefit factor: 3
Performance increases:
The increase in performance should be the last item on our Tracktool checklist. The low weight of the MX-5 means that most racetracks don't need that much power to have fun. In addition, it is easier to learn to drive a racetrack with a lower-powered car, as you can concentrate better on the ideal line and braking points. When you've got it all, things can be a little faster and more powerful.
In which direction you orient yourself with your increase in performance depends entirely on you. We offer corresponding performance enhancements for all generations, which you can find in the shop under performance packages (in house installation) or under performance part packages (installation in your home workshop). Whether classic natural aspiration tuning, supercharger or turbo conversions, we offer everything for your MX-5.
The cooling area is covered in the service packages and is therefore not dealt with separately here again. If you want to find out more about cooling optimizations for the MX-5, you can find the relevant MotorBlog article here.
Prioritization: 4
Price / benefit factor: 3
Do you want to modify your car into a track tool and still have questions? Feel free to write us an email or comment under this post, we will be happy to help you!
Your SPS Motorsport Team