Mazda 2 STF Autocross Build

C

c7scayman

Member
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96 Mazda Protege DX 1.5L
I have been on this forum since 2008 with my old 96 Protege. I bought a Mazda 2 Sport 5SPD MT back in February 2015 with the intention of driving it to school for a year and auto-crossing it in the HS class during that time. Some of you may know me as I have been somewhat active in the Mazda 2 section for the past 8 months. Now that I will finish school this December 2015, I can start saving up and prepping for the SCCA STF class for the 2016 season.

My old cars. 1996 Mazda Protege DX 1.5L 5SPD MT (My Daily) from the Protege section of these forums and 2000 Porsche 986 Boxster 2.7L 5SPD MT (My Thunderbolt Raceway Track Car).
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64123476@N04/22302043573/in/dateposted-public/" title="Old Cars"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5820/22302043573_5a1e60914e.jpg" width="471" height="180" alt="Old Cars"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

My new Mazda2
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64123476@N04/22504359968/in/dateposted-public/" title="2015-11-10_10-49-00"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22504359968_823c0c9b08.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="2015-11-10_10-49-00"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64123476@N04/22922529145/in/dateposted-public/" title="2015-11-10_10-41-33"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5740/22922529145_c937032e99.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2015-11-10_10-41-33"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

My first autocross with it.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64123476@N04/17015465430/in/dateposted-public/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8787/17015465430_14d9e1f6cf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Winter Prep-Used Rustoleum Flexi-Dip to coat the wheels gray to prevent more rust and corrosion from the snow and salt.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64123476@N04/22896642486/in/dateposted-public/" title="2015-11-10_10-46-28"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/22896642486_5fdcaceff4.jpg" width="500" height="370" alt="2015-11-10_10-46-28"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Next on my list - Dunlop Winter Maxx studless snow tires, stubby antenna, and mudflaps for Winter Mode.
Mod List for Spring 2016- Higher Performance 205 Tires and light weight 15x7.5" wheels, front and rear sway bars, and drop in performance filter.
Mod List for Spring 2017 - Stiffer and lower suspension, new brakes, smaller battery, and maybe an under drive pulley.
 
Nice! I'm glad you decided to go STF, its a lot more fun :)


Maybe I'll get to see you at some event this spring when I make my way up to test and tune with Jeff.
 
Good to see you decided to go to STF. Just reverse your priority list and you'll have more fun with it. A rear bar isn't a absolute necessity. The front bar isn't worth it at all. soft suspension and sticky wide tires are a recipe for disaster. Do the suspension first, coilovers and a good alignment. 205/50 tires are all over the place come January (used) for cheap. Pick up a set and run them in the stock wheels. You'll be much safer that way.

New wheels and tires will run you about $800 plus. Same price as a really nice set of coilovers, and even cheaper if you buy them during a Black Friday sale ( I saved almost $100 last year). Even if you stayed with the stock tires, the handling is 300% improved and you'll be able to push the car a lot harder.
 
Jeff (or someone else who knows about these). The Corksport Torsion bar seems to be a good first modification based on the 5 star reviews. It minimized body roll and understeer. People said it made a big noticeable difference. Is this a product you have used or recommend?
 
I recommend a similar bar(DDMWorks) only because the CS one is aluminum.

Aluminum is a poor choice for a spring material.
 
Mine cracked in half, and I'm pretty sure a couple others had the same result with that bar. Fortunately, CS customer service is outstanding and I had a new bar in no time. If it breaks again I'll probably switch to the ddm bar.
 
I didn't know that DDMWorks existed. I'm glad I asked the question about the CS bar.

Has anyone tried their short shifter? I can't find any restrictions against short shifters on SCCA's STF rule page so I assume it is allowed.
 
It's allowed.

I have the DDMWorks shifter. It makes a good stock shifter into a great one.

I like DDMWorks for this because it reduces throw at the shifter itself, not at the transmission. This means less stress on the cables and cable ends.
 
c7scayman said:
I didn't know that DDMWorks existed. I'm glad I asked the question about the CS bar.

Has anyone tried their short shifter? I can't find any restrictions against short shifters on SCCA's STF rule page so I assume it is allowed.
Click to expand...
Get the bushings while you're at it. They really firm up the shifting. Gives the stock shifter a real Miata like snick snick feel to it.i
 
which region are you running. I normally run phillyscca but this year I decided to go for sjrscca since their place is basically an abandoned airstrip. Given the high speed the airstrip lets you run at and the meager engine we have, it wasnt that good of a combination lol. Warminster tight layout is much better for the mazda 2

Definitely get the coilovers first, and then get tires. As jasyatz said, even on stock tires, the coilovers are so much better than the stock suspension when pushing the cars into the turns. I have bilstein pss14 coilovers and bfgoodrich sport comp 2 tires. The tires are good on the street and track but during autox, they overheat after two runs and starts feeling greasy.
 
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Rotaryknight said:
which region are you running. I normally run phillyscca but this year I decided to go for sjrscca since their place is basically an abandoned airstrip. Given the high speed the airstrip lets you run at and the meager engine we have, it wasnt that good of a combination lol. Warminster tight layout is much better for the mazda 2.
Click to expand...

Philly SCCA. I have only run the Warminster air strip. I have not tried the Philly stadiums parking lots yet.
 
I got the snow tires just in time. 6 inches of snow expected this weekend in Philadelphia.
Dunlop WinterMaxx
They look better in person. One guy assumed it was an AWD car when he saw the tires.

24475964776_859d0bf818.jpg
 
Anyone know where I can get 15x7.5" wheels for the Mazda2? Tirerack won't let me go past 15x7" width wise.
 
I usually search for a Miata. That gives you more options. Just need to check the offset. Also don't forget about 6UL's as well.

Also I am originally form right outside of Philly. Holland PA.
 
Look up wheels under a 00 Base Miata. You want the 15x7" TRM option, drop down menu to the 7.5" ET42 offset.
 
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Forget the 7.5" wide wheels. I don't like the styles available. Here are three affordable 15" x 7" wheels all under 11 lbs each. I will choose one of these.

Konig Dial In +35 offset, 10.9 lbs =$448 + free shipping.
file.php


Advanti Racing Storm S1 +35 offset, 10.0 lbs= $508 + shipping
file.php
 
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