> On Sep 11, 2005, at 12:24 PM, Dave1massey@cs.com wrote:
>
> > There was a TR3 at VTR with a 383 Hemi, supercharger and nitro. Other
> > than
> > the dual exhaust it looked stock. How's that for a sleeper?
>
> Dave, I don't want a car like that to look stock. I'd want SERIOUS
> wheels and tires.
IMO Dave was overstating a bit ... the car at VTR had kept the lines of the TR3
very well, but it was pretty obviously modified, IMO. The tires weren't hugely
wide but were by no means stock either. The racing seats, roll bar, fire
extinguisher and so on also offered just a bit of clue that it wasn't quite
stock.
The owner talked at some length about how his drivetrain setup (basically a
torque tube as I understood it) combined with the PosiTrac differential made it
"hook up" really well. Seemed obvious that the goal was "fast in a straight
line" too, I doubt it would do all that well on the autocross.
> Since it goes a good deal faster in first than the TR4, it seems that
> close-ratio was their goal.
My impression was that the Miata's motor is much peakier than a stock TR engine,
and thus the close ratios are required to keep it in it's power band. For only
10% less displacement (older Miata), it sure makes a whole lot less torque below
3000 rpm. Of course it goes on up to make quite a bit more power than the TR4,
which usually does require some compromise at low rpm.
Randall
|