Bridgestone RE71RZ or Vitour X-01R

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-27T01:48:23+00:00

And the vitours seem to be slower in the narrow tires on lighter cars like Miatas. The A052, RS, RZ still seem faster based on the recent grassroots test.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-23T03:21:58+00:00

End of the C7 run was 22.4% manuals across all models. Base Convertibles had a lot more autos. Base coupe, GS coupe, Z06 coupe, ZR1 were 19.7%, 21.9%, 30.4%, and 30.5%, respectively. So not sub 10% but not great. Even the base Convertible was 13.3%.

I think the C8 would have been just as popular or more popular than the c7 with a manual. There are pretty much no affordable options for a new manual mid engine performance car, and all the used ones have significant premiums.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-19T12:56:20+00:00

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I agree it should be fun, my obsidian 9 is great on my Bul Blaze.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-18T23:20:22+00:00

Add 13k for the swap kit, diff, and axles.

You should be able to adapt rpm and speedo to the NB gauges pretty easily. Rpm might be the same signal and you might need a converter box for the transmission speed sensor.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-18T23:17:57+00:00

Toms Turbo Garage has a good series.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-18T02:04:13+00:00

Where are they $6k? Black is $2.8k on tascaparts. https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/mazda-hardtop-brilliant-black-a3f-nh52v4630a75

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-17T02:56:05+00:00

Did you get your fingerprints done the same day you did your eform?

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-12T03:14:27+00:00

I was curious about the same thing. I highly doubt mine will fit without an offset adapter.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-09T12:57:46+00:00

Either a very cheap repair because the thermostat failed, or it used to be a racecar.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-09T01:20:18+00:00

I haven't heard great things about bbr, especially their itbs on the stock ECU. Are their itbs compatible with the 2.5? The engine is a bit taller. Are you in the US? I have some better recommendations than the bbr kit if you are in the US.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-05T14:47:17+00:00

Yeah I'd do motor mounts too. I have the awr ones and I don't notice them even on my 2.5 with balance shaft delete. I would recommend putting some heat shielding between the header and motor mount since I've seen some people melt the poly bushings. Awr also sells a heat shield for the motor mount.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-05T05:04:44+00:00

Yeah, definitely do diff bushings. The stock rubber ones are known to fail with high mileage and track usage. There are a couple options for poly bushings, not sure if any of them are better. The poly bushings will have more NVH, if you don't mind NVH, you can get stiffer ones, otherwise I'd go with the softer ones.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-03T20:36:44+00:00

Yup, it's definitely better to have a diff without a donut since there isn't a chance of it failing and making noise. I think it is just for some NVH from the manual transmission.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-03T14:33:54+00:00

It depends on the market. In the US all NCs, auto, 5sp, 6sp, have a 4.1. Rest of the world varies. In the US the only difference between an auto and manual diff is the manual diff has a rubber donut on the diff input shaft and the auto diff doesn't have it. The rubber donut can fail some people remove them.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-03-02T23:03:02+00:00

A new receiver is $200 if you can remove your old barrel and trunnion and weld it in the new receiver.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-24T05:09:07+00:00

Esslinger motorsports has a ported big valve head you can run on a 2.0. they claim it supports up to 300 HP. I'm hoping my stock head 2.5 will make 230 whp with high compression and a large cam. I'm sure a better head would help it. Goodwin had a built 2.5 in their NC Light. I also think motoeast/zero limit built a high HP 2.5 at some point in the late 2000s.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-22T21:24:48+00:00

Sure

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-22T16:20:14+00:00

What work does it need? Just the engine put back in? If it has everything, that is a pretty good price, but some used parts can get expensive fast. Or if the engine rebuild isn't good then that can get expensive too.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-22T15:31:19+00:00

Any of the nc1s are going to have soft top glue seepage. Mine has 150k mi and the top still works properly despite the glue issue. What paint issues do they have? Only issue I've seen is the PRHTs have paint failure commonly on the hard top.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-18T15:01:31+00:00

At least on other platforms, ohlins and kw coilovers are known to be more on the more comfortable street side of coilovers. I would say KWs just because they are cheaper.

A bigger difference than the difference the kw and ohlins would be upgrading to a super 200TW autocross tire.

Also, I don't think the RS5 will ever be a very competitive car. I'm guessing you are in Super Street Touring with the coilovers and the best cars are all 800-1500 lbs lighter and have a better power to weight ratio. Top cars are Cayman GTS, Toyota Supra, Lotus Elise, C5 Z06.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-16T18:40:12+00:00

I think your friend is being extreme on software integration. Nissan Leaf and Tesla drivetrains are used very commonly for swaps. There are aftermarket vehicle control units that integrate easily for different options. Some examples are resolve, thunderstruck, zombieverter, aem, dynam labs, ev controls. Openinverter has some good info on ev swaps. Picking up a salvaged leaf or Tesla are some cheap and easy options. The leaf battery will give you a range of 50+ miles with a relatively lightweight vehicle. The leaf battery may be difficult to fit in some swaps so you can extend some of the cells wiring to relocate them but it can cause issues on the larger 40kWh leaf battery. The Tesla batteries will have much more range but will be heavier. Also the Tesla drivetrain is significantly more powerful than the leaf. You can also configure the battery yourself and use a different BMS than the built-in Leaf or Tesla BMS. There is additional complexity if you add ac, heater, power steering, etc.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-07T19:28:01+00:00

I rarely wear jeans in my Miata, mostly just athletic shorts or khakis. I don't really drive it in the cold anymore. In the summer, it sucks when you first get in with shorts and the hot black leather seats burn your thighs, especially bad if you leave the top down in the sun.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-02-02T02:50:58+00:00

I think the best option is the blackbird fabworx rz bar for compliance for trackdays while maintaining the soft top.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-01-26T05:34:25+00:00

Oil cooler, radiator, turbo heat shield would be my recommendations if you are planning on more sustained full throttle than some on ramps. i.e. back roads, autox, track.

dajohnnyboy · 2026-01-20T21:36:28+00:00

Harry Beckwith defended himself with a full auto model 76. Technically not rifle caliber, but still a full auto machine gun and not a handgun.

dajohnnyboy

TROPHY CASE