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SE improvements

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:25 pm
by Farther
OK, this post is premature as I don't even have an MX-5 GT. But, as I get older (62 years old) I think that maybe I should think of selling my Valkyrie and get a convertible roadster. Just for some background; in my old age I have developed some balance issues. For those who don't know, the Valkyrie is a flat 6 (boxer), 100hp, 100 foot pounds of torque motorcycle. The bike and I weigh about 1000 pounds+. What mods can I do to make the 2013 PRHT GT make me forget my Valkyrie while still preserving its "grand touring" ability as I like long distance touring?

Re: GT improvements

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:14 am
by Brian
Many of us here came from bikes.... Start with RoadsterSport Max power header back combo and add Motoeast tune. upgrade sways and springs and hit the canyons

Re: SE improvements

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:57 am
by Farther
Hey Brian:
I have read your build of the the SS with interest and I also should say that the part of the "State of Jefferson" that I live in is on the Cali side of the CA/OR border, so all smog rules apply.

Re: SE improvements

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:51 pm
by Farther
Small update for me. I am now the satisfied owner of a new, leftover, 2012 Special Edition. My efforts to get a 2013 GT kept running into some snags until I located this brand new 2012 on a Mazda dealers lot in Washington. Overall I am very please with the SE although I would like a little flatter cornering and better acceleration. Two things that your SS project is addressing.

Re: SE improvements

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:06 am
by Farther
I am thinking that the factory setup for my Special Edition is pretty good with the handling package. Yesterday lowered the tire pressure to 35psi from what the dealer had at 40psi and I think that will help in the tire grip while cornering. I think I could benefit from a little flatter cornering but I don't think I need to go to aftermarket sway bars. What has been peoples experience with just changing the stock sway bar endlinks to the Racing Beat endlinks on the stock sway bars to just slightly stiffen up the sway bars for a daily driver that is not tracked?

Re: SE improvements

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:38 am
by Brian
Changing stock links won't get you any results at all. The stock NC generation links are already ball/socket design, and the Racing Beat version is just a shorter adjustable length version of the same (the point of which is fixing geometry when we lower the car, which it appears you are not currently doing). The stock suspension is pretty sloppy if driven fast. My bet is that, like many new owners, you are not yet driving it very fast yet...but in a few months you will be and will likely want to upgrade at least the sways later once you find the relatively low limits of the factory setup. In the meantime, have fun (good catch on fixing the dealer air pressures).

Re: SE improvements

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:18 pm
by jboemler
Now that you've tried 35 psi, try 29-30. ;)