My alternator died on the way to work today and it dawned on me we'll need this post...

 

Official Jim's pit-crew /chase vehicle, will get video evidence ;-)

 

Im really interested in how this can turn out. I wish I could make it but its just not in the cards and it would kill me to not have my car

 

I almost didn't leave this morning because last night just as I was finishing disaster stuck. Tired and stupid got the best of me and I managed to destroy a tie rod and induce 2 inches of toe in into the alignment with one poorly placed slip of the jack.


The good news is the last time I dropped a car was in 1995 so it's not a habit. The bad news is it was 10 at night in a town of 1200 with no parts store in it. So I improvised... I didn't want to just bend it back straight because the metal was already fatigued and I didn't want to make it worse. So I went about 2/3rds of the way back to straight and put a large steel splint in it. Anyone know what the torque spec is for tie rod support brace bolts?

LOL you laugh but I got to bed by 1am and it's way stronger than it was from the factory!

Once again I was thankful to have the stuff to do my own alignments but I didn't take the time to align it off the hubs and just used the quickie wheel mounts.


So I rolled 755 miles today and if it wasn't for the C6 vette and my festive mood I would have gotten 28 mpg. I had a lovely tail wind...


I'm a tad sun and wind burned but all in all it was an excellent day on the road.


Topped off with a visit to Travis (stng_96) to talk V8 Miatas. He is a really great guy and going to have one heck of a build hopefully for next years event. He had a hard top laying around so I had to see what she would look like...


I have not washed the car because I know as soon as I do it will rain!

 

It ain't the sun making your neck red!!!!

 

 

Well, if you can get a new one, I think I have enough to fix it. Don't have my tie rod tool with, but I think we can swing it!

 

Ok I'm here its 4:30 pm any one else in area ?
When is beer time ???😁

Tvp
CF-55
Flyin Miata built LS3

 

Always beer time!

 

I should be there around 930 in the morning.

 

I just blew a heater hose. Waiting for a tow truck. It could be a lot worse but I'm disappointed that I only got about 45 minutes into the trip when it blew.

It is amazing how something so small can wreck havoc.

 

Going to make it still? Sorry to hear.

 

All fixed! Got a tow to an auto zone and I fixed it in the parking lot. Just stopped to have a late dinner before I hit the road again.

 

Awesome. Glad you're back on the road and heading our way.

Our only unplanned event was discovering a locked-up rear caliper on my buddy's Excursion when we met up at 7AM in Hillsborough, NC. 45 min later in the AutoZone parking lot, we had it replaced with an in-stock unit on their shelf at a very reasonable $49.00 cost!!

We then arrived late afternoon after stopping off to see a friend's new 60'x120' shop going up behind his house. WOW, is all I can say.

Friday will be fun. See ya there.

 

I had my factory original Mazda main relay (power to the puel pump) go bad a few months ago leaving me stranded. So I thought, hey, I better get and extra one to put in my toolbox.....sure enough, walk out of Arby's today in the middle of bum-f*ck N.C. and the car wouldn't start. Open up the toolbox...BAM! 2 minute fix

 

BTW, I brought a bunch of assorted tools and parts if anyone needs something.

 

GoKart I had the same fuel pump relay problem a few months ago. I upgraded the fuel pump relay circuit with the one from Summit racing. So far it has been a non-issue for those of us who have taken this route. Time will tell if it really makes a difference. There are several write ups on the forums about the problem.

I hope you and everyone else have a great time this weekend. All I can say, "it's really cold here where I am now."

 

 

I bet I'm not the only one whose thoughts are at the Mitty this weekend because circumstances made it impossible for the body and/or the car to be there. Hope all of you have an awesome time!

Do post LOTS of pictures and all the stories...you've got an audience out here living the dream vicariously through you. This thread is awesome so far!

 

+1...been watching here and FB for updates. They must be having too much fun. Everyone have a safe trip home.

 

Was a lot of fun. Weather held out really well for Rd ATL with the exception of Saturday AM. I was able to spend Friday with this V8M group, but had other pack of friends in town for this event as well that ate up my Saturday for the most part. I'm sure I missed out on a LOT of fun that day...

Anywho, here's a few pics I have for you:

Made it into town Thursday afternoon - just waiting for the gates to open to general public... We had two truck caravan going: F150 pulling the Mazda and my buddy's Excursion with a 1968 Datsun roadster in its trailer.



Friday AM, we get set up on "dry" Georgia clay! This was about 11 AM, I guess...













At 5:30, we entered the inside pits behind a contingency of FLYIN MIATA cars for some spirited touring/ parade laps. V8M's were slotted near the front at a very fair admission price: just display the FM windshield banner! OK!



Some pics from the pits... This is some of the most fun to get close up and ask questions. Nice car guys all around!

 

The pits were awesome to walk around in. I took in WAY too much sun that day but had a great time! What surprised me was the caliper of vehicles that were there. Truly something to see. Those parade laps were a ton of fun! I'm officially hooked!

 

it was great to meet everyone in person. I had the matte red "race car"

 

I made it home last night around 1 am. It was such a great trip and a total blast from start to finish. I think one of my rear alignment bolts moved on the Tail of the dragon because I had a bit of tire wear on the right rear and it made the ticking noise that happens in autocross with tired bolts in these cars.

I've got a full set I was planning on putting in before the trip but didn't have time. Other than that no issues at all.

I have tons of photos and videos I will post but for now here are the stats from my trip.



Thanks for coming everyone!

 

Did anyone get a count? did I miss anyone here?

























LFX V6 car using the aluminum 323hp VVT V6 and 6 speed from the latest Camaro.


LSA 6.2L / 556HP supercharged Exocet


LS3 V8 Exocet