scannon

As stated above, it depends on your state's requirements. If you need to pass smog regs, you would be well off to chose an engine already certified for US use. I bought a wrecked Miata, kept the engine and trans and sold off the rest to cover the cost of the purchase of the donor. I am turbocharging the engine. I chose Miata because I am already familiar with the engine, there is a large aftermarket of go fast parts and great technical backup from Flyin Miata. My buildup is here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2175152 Skip

The good sergent doesn't wear a seat belt! Great example he is setting there. Are they not mandatory in Canada? Skip

Certoinly (in my best Three Stooges accent)

And the Veyron wasn't even in the top speed mode so he was "only" getting about 720 hp of the 1001 available! Skip

I had a Quaiffe diff shipped over and the cost was quite reasonable although I can't remember the exact cost or carrier. Even with the shipping and currency transfer fees, I saved about $400 over buying it in the USA as I got in on a group buy I found on the Blatchat forum. Since it was bought for export I didn't have to pay the VAT and there were no customs taxes or fees added on at this end. Skip

Or 300 or 400. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif Too much HP is just barely adequate! HP is like a drug, the more you use it, the more you need to keep the buzz going. I lust for a power to weight ratio of 3 lb/HP which means about 430 HP for my SV. I'll likely never see it but 4 lb/HP is doable. My first iteration will be around 5.4 lb/hp. I'm hoping that level will sustain my habit for a year or two, then another engine will be built and more boost applied. My Miata has 8.6 lb/hp and to me it feels slow. I take people for rides on the track and they are often overwhelmed by the acceleration, not to mention the cornering and braking. Skip

And why should he have all the fun? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif I've never met a car yet that couldn't use another 50 - 100 hp. Skip

I've been a horsepower junkie all my life. I've been fortunate to drive some very powerful cars on the track and I always want more. Like slngsht, I love to put my foot down and feel the Gs. Skip

I don't do autocross or drag racing (well, maybe spanking a Vette or something on the street). I do track events and I don't think it will be a problem, the turbo Miata engine is a very controllable engine, not just an on and off switch. I have about 6,000 track miles on my Miata with close to 300 rwhp and it gets out of the corners very well. When I drove the 200 hp Zetec SV at the track, my comment to Ben was that it was fantastic, just needed another 100 hp. Skip scannon2007-02-14 14:40:43

400+ is getting almost common. One dyno sheet I saw showed 606 hp and 500+ torque. The first iteration of my turbo Miata engine will be in the 220 - 240 hp range with similar torque. Eventually I want to do the 2.0 stroker which should bring an easy 320 hp at 12 psi. Skip

To see what I have done so far to put a Miata drivetrain into a Caterham SV see: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2175152 The wiring was the biggest challenge and I suspect it would be similar using the Honda S2k drive train or any other non-standard Caterham setup. Skip

For me, it was a 20 minute session on the track in RMSC's Caterham SV demo. I was smitten. I briefly considered the Locost but decided I didn't have the patience or skill set to go that direction. The BECs were not considered since I wanted to use the turbo Miata powerplant. Skip

If one rear wheel has zero traction, the torsen will act like an open diff. So if you get rear inside wheel lift or are on snow, you are going to be spinning one rear wheel. As a data point, I got in on a group buy of Quaiffe diffs in England. What would have cost about $1,250 here cost less than $800 shipped to the USA. This was the diff only, did not include the ring and pinion or the housing nor the installation. It was for the Sierra diff in my Caterham. Skip

Too funny, I did exactly that two weeks ago! Makes it a lot easier to get my size 11 1/2 feet on the pedals. Skip

OK, so now I know about leaf springs and air springs in a Se7en. What is a squad splitter? Are you doing a slalom through a squad of Marines? Speaking of track days, are there any open track events just before or after the 7/7/07 event I can participate in while I am in that part of the country? Skip

Front leaf springs???? Please clarify. Skip

Is that real? It looks more like a video game. Still gave me goosebumps the first time I watched it. Skip

I agree and I'm certainly not cancelling my reservation! Skip

I got this reply from Darryl at Killboy.com: Hey Skip, Yeah it's true, although I'm not sure if you should worry about it too much. They always try to spook everyone at the beginning of the season with a little show of force. I doubt they will have the funds to do this very many weekends, so it's a crap shoot. Best Regards, Darryl Cannon www.killboy.com

This was posted on the Miata net forum. Passing it along for comment. Not sure if it is real or not, I couldn't find his myspace page. I sent a copy to Killboy to see if he knows anything about it. Skip ------------------------ Posted by TNHP officer Cagle on his myspace page "EVERYONE WHO GOES TO DEALS GAP------PLEASE READ THIS-----I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU ALL OUT" posted by a State Trooper: "Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new captain in the knoxville district which covers blount county------he has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon this year------so far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded-----I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--------feel free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caught up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go through cherohala skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders came from Nashville Headquarters---we have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and your friends a heads up..........SIGNED..........Trp Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division----(don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"

If you are planning on staying at the Fontana Village for the 7/7/07 event, call 800-849-2258 and ask for group sales or marketing. They will send you a Dragon Slayers discount card that is good for a 25% discount on lodging. You will need this card and the number on it before you make reservations. There is no charge for the card. Skip

Is July the rainy season at the Dragon? Skip

Yes, as long as it is one of the air conditioned ones. Some of their cabins don't have it. I don't do well in the high humidity and heat, been living too long in the hot but dry West. Skip

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/accomodations_dealsgap.html mentions a 25% discount at the Fontana Village with a Dragon Slayer card. I couldn't find any other mention of this card, does anyone know how to get one? Skip

My Caterham side curtains have flip up arm rests. On the bottom side is a silver stud held on with two rivets. It keeps the arm rest from resting on the door sill and the arm rest is not horizontal. Is there supposed to be some kind of mating catch for it or a hole to be drilled into the frame tube so the arm rest can go all the way to horizontal? I had a look in my assembly manual but it does not speak to them at all. Skip