ITB NC MX-5 vs E90 M3 - Thruxton

First proper shakedown of my NC a week after installing BBR's Super 225 package with ITB's.

First visit to Thruxton - great track to learn the importance of minimising steering input to maximise speed - Can't wait to come back and revisit some of those lines! - Momentum is king! M3's ahead were driven by mates.

The NC feels wonderfully balanced now with that extra punch to get out of corners, but it still feels very MX-5 to drive. Very happy with the power increase over stock, still requires lots of revs to get the most out of the motor, small adjustments in throttle inputs still give good control of overall grip - It's a very rewarding experience behind the wheel. Did I mention the sound of ITB's!?

Further notes:
Gear changes @ approx 7000rpm - there's still a little part of me that fears the weaker internals of the NC1 vs forged NC2 and onwards. Will build up the confidence to use all 226 ponies @7500rpm some point...!

Also first time using the hated AD08RS. They weren't as 'bad' as I was expecting. Grip levels leave alot to be desired for 'track' rubber, but IMO it's all about managing temperatures - Once they get greasy (which they can do), cooldown before they fall apart. After a full day, my set hardly looked worn. They don't make you feel confident, so that's the real issue.

On the plus side, running with less overall grip from the RS meant that I felt flatter in high speed corners vs the same suspension setup with Cup2's. The RX8 ARB's play a big part in keeping everything flat, but at Snett, the Michelin's had way more grip which meant the road biased Meister's struggled to keep up. Not sure I'll be able to live with stiffer springs for roadtrips though...!

Despite all of the above, the biggest game changer was getting a proper bucket seat in!😂

Mods:
Engine: BBR Super 225 (226bhp, 176lb/ft), limited to 7500rpm
Coilovers: MeisterR Zeta CRD
Silencer: Cobalt
Brakes: Pagid discs + Roddison's Pads
RX-8 yellow dot Anti Roll Bars
Tyres: Yokohama Advan AD08RS (the new ones that people complain about)
Battery: Deadweight Industries Touge 500 (9kg weight saving)
Seat: Recaro SPG

Build thread:   / project_nc1