Miata Mailing List: December 1993, Message #130
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   From: Ken Warren 
Subject: Re: Discussion questions
   Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 20:10:49 -0500

On Thu, 16 Dec 1993, Steven Ling wrote:

> I have several questions that may stimulate some discussion:
> 
> (1) Has anyone been successful at improving the lumbar support in the Miata
>     seats? I'm thinking about taking mine apart and stuffing in some more 
>     foam to see if it helps. 

I actually find the seats quite good. Of course, I'm 5'5". :) Really,
though, the only way stuffing more foam into the seats is going to work is
if you replace the covers as well. Otherwise, you're just makeing the seat
a little shallower.

> (2) I recently installed a K&N air filter. I noticed slightly better 
>     performance above 4500 RPM. I also noticed that after the engine gets
>     warm the idle speed will drop very low for a few seconds when I take my
>     foot off the gas. Is this related to the different flow characteristics
>     of the filter? Is there an adjustment for this?

I don't think it's *directly* related to the filter. The K&N isn't *that*
much less restrictive than the regular filter, never mind claims made by
K&N. You could try the idle air adjustment screw, though. Some folks think
it makes a difference. Me, I just avoid very low speed engine braking. :)

> (3) I'm getting into SCCA solo II autocrossing in C stock. I bought another 
>     set of facory wheels and mounted Yokohama A008-RSII's. I installed 
>     Tokico Illumina adjustable shocks. I have a Suspension Techniques
>     25mm front sway bar on the way. My question is what shock and alignment 
>     settings to use that will give good results autocrossing but won't wear 
>     out my street tires. 

This is just *my* opinion, of course. Shocks: for street use, with the
front bar, you'll want full soft in front, and a bit stiffer in back. For
autocrossing, you'll want full stiff in back, and as much softer in front
as you find needed for proper handling. 

Alignment: For mostly street use, (300+ miles a week), and autocrossing as
much as I can on the weekends, I've selected the following specs, for a
stock suspension: 0 toe, front and rear. Max positive caster in front, max
negative camber considering the caster in front (about 0.7-0.9 degrees).
For rear camber, I've got 1.1 degrees negative. 

I run BFG R1's on Miata steel takeoffs for autocrossing, BTW. Front
pressure is 27, rear is 25. On the street, I use Yokohama AVS-I's, 30
front/28 rear, and am aobut to switch to my snow tires for the winter. 

--
Ken
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           Ken Warren               E-Mail: kenw@netaxs.com
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