The process begins with sourcing the proper donor car. Our 25 plus years of experience enables us to obtaining the right car with the correct options.
We begin by stripping the car to a bare rolling chassis with all unnecessary items removed from the interior, exterior, engine bay, etc. A custom welded cage is fabricated and TIG welded for each car and consists of 8 mounting points, dual FIA style side intrusion bars, DOM tubing and high end SFI padding. The cage design and safety equipment is the same for every car and easily fits driver's up to 6 feet 8 inches in height. Our least expensive builds have the same cage that our top shelf cars would have.
The interior, roll cage structure, engine bay and trunk are painted a uniform grey in our Italian downdraft paint booth on site.
Next is the interior to focus on after it's fresh paint job. Here we install the driver race seat along with camlock harnesses, Sparco suede steering wheel, , quick release for the steering wheel, window net, fire system and master cut off switch. We even use a section of high grip coating underneath the pedals to finish it off for clean professional look.
Optional items can consist of creature comforts like cool suits, additional mirrors, to timing components like AMB transponders and AIM data systems and cameras.
The suspension kit is the main source of all the fun in racing a Spec MX-5. It is by far one of the best handling vehicles in the world and has been made even better by a proven combination that has even been tested on a shaker rig to verify proper spring rates and shock dampening settings. This combination consists of single adjustable Penske shocks all around, Eibach coil over springs and Eibach sway bars with poly mounting bushings.
During the installation, every control arm is replaced with new OEM Mazda pieces, both front and rear subframes are jigged for trueness and pwdercoated. All wearable items like bushings and tie rods are replaced with OEM Mazda parts during the reassembly process. Front wheel bearings are replaced with uprated RX-8 units along with rear wheel hubs being updated to Mazda Motorsports updated billet units with ARP wheel studs added. Front offset lower balljoint bushings as allowed, are installed.
The braking system is up to the task of hard wheel to wheel racing. Factory calipers are blueprinted for low drag, with new vented front rotors, new rear solid rotors, spec'd Pagid performance pads, Stainless steel brake lines and a full liter of ATE brake fluid. The specific compounds from Pagid allow the braking system to be used to it's limit while enabling the ABS system to work correctly with the friction compounds. Custom brake ducts are fitted to keep the front cool during the rigors of racing.
The entire drive train is then inspected and removed. At the heart of the Spec MX-5 is it's power plant. A fresh MZR 2.0 liter long block with a CNC'd head from Rousch, Mahle high compression pistons, custom valve springs are a few of the upgrades found inside.
A spec'd stainless steel high flow exhaust header and system made by Kooks racing is installed which has the best fitment along with meeting most sanctioned race event sound requirements.
The transmission is rebuilt and blueprinted with allowed updates for maximum reliability, low drag and quick shifting, while a fresh clutch assembly is bolted to a resurfaced flywheel with a new throwout bearing and pilot bearing. Specific synthetic fluids are used within the transmission for the best in wear and low drag.
Finishing off the drive train is the rear limited slip differential unit in a race prepared aluminum housing with all new seals, bearings with the clearances set for best performance. Special gear oil sourced within the states made to our specs is used in all the differentials. An optional Torsen competition limited slip unit is available.
Other drivetrain items like the spec'd C&R high capacity cross flow aluminum radiator and Oil cooler kit are fitted.
The rolling chassis then has it's exterior completely professionally wrapped your choice of color for a clean and professional look.
Final inspection including a complete nut and bolt check of the complete Spec MX-5 suspension, brakes and drive train is performed. New lightweight 17 x 8 Ray's Engineering wheels are installed with new Toyo tires which are super strong, durable and spec'd per the rules. The car is scaled with your weight added and aligned.
The car is then run on our chassis dyno to verify both HP and Torque output while optimizing rolling resistance.
MAINTENANCE:
The cars are very easy to maintain. During the weekend checking the lug nut torque, oil levels and air pressures are the norm with the occasional setup change of toe and corner balance. In between events the fluids need be changed along with a full nut and bolt check of the underpinnings of the car.
BUILD TIME:
The time needed to complete varies but usually is 16-20 weeks depending on current workload and can vary. We encourage those interested to order sooner than later.
PRICING:
2006-2015 car builds excluding the donor car start at $59,950
Current market pricing for donor cars currently ranges from $6,000-$8,500.
OPTIONS:
While our entry level builds will get you on the track, there are many choices, as stated before, wild exterior wrap designs, extra wheels and tires, upgraded clutches, different style seats and much more. We can accommodate specific requests and help guide the new owner to building the best Spec MX-5 including a Runoffs winning car. Below is pricing to the more popular options that can be added.
All labor and materials are included in the pricing below.
AMB transponder +$195 and up depending on type of subscription or none at all
Torsen Differential upgrade + $2950
Cool suit +$1099
Spare Rays wheels and Toyo tires +$3950 per set
Motorola Hardwired radio / Crew setup +$2450
NC3 (2013-2015) Front nose conversion +$2950
Multi tone exterior wrap / satin / metallic colors - varies by design, please contact us for a formal quote. A single solid gloss color wrap is included in the base price.