pjr

iTrader: (8)

In a prior thread, I saw a comments that led me to believe that the 13B powered GSL-SE is quicker than the Miata. Doing some basic math, I can't see how that is possible. Consider this:

SE: 2580 lbs/135 HP = 19.1 lbs per HP
M1: 2300 lbs/128 HP = 17.9 lbs per HP (1994)
M1: 2300 lbs/133 HP = 17.3 ibs per HP (1996)

Given these stats, it seems like the Miata would be quicker. Am I off base here?

Denny

Well, Pilgrim...I'll tell yuh...
You're always "off-base" when discussin' a GSL-SE. There's just not too many around that are still "stock." Take my little hoss for instance....
No stock intake, but a cold air duct through a K&N. Not a stock exhaust either...Moreover, no more air-conditioner, and removed some other "weighty" items as well....Also an SE has the close ratio 5-speed, and mine has a short-shifter, a 4:10 rear, and Lim-Slip rear. So in straight line excelleration I don't have any Miatas taking me, nor do many seem to wanna challenge. Maybe the inverted B-52 wing on the rear deck offends 'em, or maybe it's just my Rober Mitchum scowl, I dunno....Now if you're talking 'bout handling, it's a hoss of another color. Miata has all independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, and a suspension design 17 years newer than a SE....But still with some proper mods an SE should be able to hang pretty tough with its kid cousin.

Ask yuh this...Are there any 17 year old cars out there that can hang with its brand new, off the shelf, cousins...Or even be close? I'd say the SE Seven is fairly a rather unusual little pony, eh?

A tip of the 'ol Stetson,
Denny, from the corncrib....

PaulFitzwarryne

Yes you are off base, simply go to the section General Aotomative and under Performance Numbers there is data for every make and model

The data shows that the gsl-se had a 1/4 mile time of 15.9 seconds. The Miata times gradually improved fron 17.0 in 1990 to 16.3 seconds in 2001. The new larger enines model is not listed but road tests elsewhere show its performance.

The gsl-se in STOCK form is quicker than the Miata in Stock form other than the new model.

On the road is a little different, the Miata handles better, and is can be driven slightly quicker on twisty roads.

pjr

iTrader: (8)

What a great resource! I never realized that this section existed. Thanks! And answers the question!

Jason Guthrie

Well quickness...

Miatas have very close and quite low gearing. 1st gear is worthless and just about puts you behind in any race. Once going ~20mph or so, you can manage to easily stay above 4k rpms(normal for this car daily) and race most similar cars. Miatas with that low gearing have an advantage from 20mph to 65mph but afterwards no longer has another gear to shift to. You can still speed up with rpms but you are likely to exceed 5k rpms and stay there.

The RX7 feels to have a bigger gear set. 1st is still pretty worthless, but it winds out to 80mph with relative ease.

I don't think my Miata would ever see 80mph in 4th, but my RX7 does.

This may be why the RX7 feels like it winds through the gears longer while the Miata is quoted as peppy.

On a side note, with my decent tires on both cars, good grip(not raining or in a turn), neither car regularily breaks traction shifting to 2nd or 3rd no matter how high I shift. And I have heard the buzzer in the RX7 numerous times, I think "scratch in second" is a myth or poor tires.

von

My friend with 97miata with intake and exaust can chirp the tires in third. On my 89GXL I cant evenn chirp in second but I waste him in the drags. But he seems to get the jump on most cars inn first because its really quick. He peels the tirs out and jumps on hondas and 2002eclipse. Even 3000gt but just for a second. Their quick cars but not too fast. They make u feel like your hauling *** but My car always takes it on the launch regarless of my no torque...

Jason Guthrie

Mines a 96(same HP) and I have exhaust but not intake. There is a lot of proof that unless you shift over something like 6000 rpms, there is no difference in power for an intake. And on the 1.8l (94-97) it's questionalbe altogether. I'm not saying anything here but maybe your friend rides that clutch a lilttle bit while the rpms climb then drops the clutch? No way you are getting a chirp in 3rd unless it's new tire time. Many rustangs and cars like that will not burn out in 3rd.

Come to think of it, there is a video floating around of a stoplight race with a mustang and a supercharged Miata. The Miata barely chirps in 2nd and not at all in 3rd. Superchargers in Miatas are good for like 40hp.

yellosc

ok , one more opinion. I "had" a 95 Miata and in stock trim it didn't seem too quick. So the turbo went on after about a year.... there isn't much you can't beat w/ 18psi. I do now own an 84 12A and 85 13B. I think the GSL-SE is faster than the Miata, but my wife has a 99 Miata w/ the 6-speed trans who seems to think otherwise and I can't catch her to save my life! We are comparing a stock (mostly) GSL-SE to a Miata w/ lots of mods (just no forced induction). I would have to say that "most" Miata's couldn't hang w/ the 13B! I love my rotary...

Felix Wankel

I drove a 92 Miata, and I could run faster than it accelerated

SlithyTove

When I test drove my car before buying it I did a scratch in both second and third. One of the first things that I did after getting it was put new tires on it and I haven't scratched in second since (unless I'm hitting a corner hard and getting on the gas) so I'd say your right about the poor tires bit.

PaulFitzwarryne

FELIX I hereby nominate you for the next Olympic team. Running a quarter in 16 seconds would let you walk back to the start, put your track suit on, and then drive off in an RX before the others finished!

Perhaps in a Miata the brake pedel is on the right, just under the old RX 80mph speedo.

theNeanderthol

iTrader: (1)

pjr, you must consider that the miata has a boinger. It peaks at 133 ponies at only a few rpm. If you've ever driven a GSL-SE you'll notice that it has power all through the rpm range. Due to the smoother rpm range of the engine, it can waste other boinger powered cars boasting bigger numbers. If you've taken any introductory calculus courses this will make a little more sense. Simply put, torque and horsepower are directly related to acceleration. Imagine a graph of horsepower vs. time. (hp vertically on the y axis and time on the x- axis. If you have a curve that starts out low, reaches a very high value, then goes down some. Now imagine a curve that starts medium, and goes up slightly, but pretty much stays constant. Displacement from the initial point = rate * time. D=rt. So if we find the area under each curve it would be like multiplying each and every little value of velocity and time, ( an integral). You'll notice the area under the curve for the more constant graph is greater than the peaky graph. Area under the curve = displacement from the initial point. So in that same time the constant curve covered a larger distance than the curve that hit the big #s. That how a GSL-SE wins.

yayarx7

My 83 gs with a LSD and good yokohama A509's could barely scratch them in 2nd........till I got the rb street port exhuast......than it would chirp em pretty good.

Just my $.02

Felix Wankel

My -SE with bald rear tires (Toyo Proxes) would slide the tail out hitting 3rd