SCCA Spec Miata Tuners
Right, before I begin, I want to state a few things and how I went about testing. Notice the controller set up, yes it’s prehistoric and in the words of Jeremy Clarkson “Just Sh-tupid”, but it’s what I’m used to. The other thing is Stock vs Tune.
Stock = All purchased parts installed, per tune, but not modified (ie Customizable LSD would be installed, but left at the default setting 10/40/20) and the weight modifications were made according to the tune. These times do not count for anything….just notes.
Tune = The EXACT specifications of the tune…some of the engine percentages could have been raised .1-.3% on a few, but left exactly as stated in the tune. These are the times that will be registered.
I would drive 5 laps using the Stock tune setup to get a feel for the car. I would then do a 2 lap time trial trying to set the best ghost car/time.
I would then take the Tune out for 5 laps and race it against the ghost car for comparison. After the first 5 laps the goody’s were gone, so I would restart and do another 5 laps. If I felt like I messed up or that the time could be a little better, I would give it another fresh 2 laps. The reason for doing this was for study purposes (mainly for my notes) but since you are all like brothers, I thought I would share! The comments are based off of the Tune car itself.
I’m not a negative person, so if there is any criticism it’s not meant to be an insult, and if my time is slower than what you have, then that’s fair enough. These are non bias opinions based on how I drive and should be taken with a grain of salt! I respect and appreciate the time the tuners have put into their tunes and I will try everything I can to get the most out of the tune itself.
Track: Streets of Willow Springs (1.66mi)
Track Settings: Grip Reduction = Real
Driving Setup: DS3, D-pads, “X” throttle, square brake, & Automatic transmission
Driving Options
Driving Line: OFF
Blind Spot Indicator: OFF
Active Steering: OFF
Traction Control: 0
Active Stability Management (ASM): OFF
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS): 1
Skid Recovery Force (SRF): OFF
Controller Sensitivity: 5
DaBomm4
Mazda MX-5 (NA) ‘89
Stock: 1:27.318
Tune: 1:27.134 Drivers Choice: 7.5
The car was stable during braking, but felt a little nose heavy. Snug through the center of the turn with the rear end kicking out if you applied full throttle. A little easy on the gas and this car can handle its own.
Chipmonk77
Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA) ‘89
Stock: 1:26.971
Tune: 1:26.910 Drivers Choice: 8.5
The stock tune was squirrelly with poor sway. The tune resolved that issue and gave it better braking. The only thing that still lingered was the loose on full throttle. Throttle control is needed through the chicanes, if not, you will find yourself chasing the rear of the car instead of pointing the front at the next turn.
bread82
Mazda MX-5 J-Limited (NA,J) ‘91
Stock: 1:27.435
Tune: 1:26.898 Drivers Choice: 8.5
Pushes a little on corner entry but great brakes. Even though it has the fastest time, I had to rely heavily on the e-brake to help get the back end to rotate. Who knows, if Camber ever gets sorted in GT6, that would help make this car a monster.
backnfourth
Mazda MX-5 S-Special Type I (NA,J) ‘95
Stock: 1:28.045
Tune: 1:27.595 Drivers Choice: 9.0
Great car. This tune was the most comfortable to me. The rear end stayed where you wanted it to. Even if you took a bad line, the rotation thru the center would allow you to correct and save the turn with minimal damage. This tune was the most consistent for me being able to run mid 1:27’s every lap. (I would take this car to an endurance race any day of the week)
JackWilson
Mazda MX-5 S-Special Type I (NA,J) ‘95
Stock: 1:27.933
Tune: 1:27.665 Drivers Choice: 7.5
I’ll admit I was drooling when running the stock version around the track thinking just a few tweeks here and there, this car would be unstoppable. But the tune version, although a tick faster, was a little too tight. If you weren’t perfect on your approach, you would spend the rest of the corner trying to correct it. Kudos to you Jack on your sub 1:27!
Bowtie-Muscle
Mazda MX-5 SR-Limited (NA,J) ‘97
Stock: 1:27.730
Tune: 1:27.528 Drivers Choice: 7.5
The Stock version of this car with the parts chosen and the weight distribution were pretty good. The Tune, however, got a little snug on corner entry. Backing up braking points and patience with the throttle on exit helped, but it did take a perfect lap in order to beat the Stock time.
HTR Tuning
Mazda MX-5 SR-Limited (NA,J) ‘97
Stock: 1:27.479
Tune: 1:27.210 Drivers Choice: 7.5
Had to really feather the throttle on exit, this car wanted to slide more than average. Maybe a gas pedal suits this car more than a button. Still had a grin on my face while driving it!
Harsk100
Mazda MX-5 SR-Limited (NA,J) ‘97
Stock: 1:28.130
Tune: 1:28.081 Drivers Choice: 6.0
I found this tune to be hella tight. Either I was tight all the way through the turn, or when I tried changing my line and braking early, it would like to lock up, still causing me to take a poor line. Couldn’t get a handle on the car or what it wanted.
Ridox2JZTGE
Mazda MX-5 Miata SR-Limited (NA,J) ‘97
Stock: 1:27.218
Tune: 1:27.878 Drivers Choice: 8.0
Yes, you are reading those times correctly. I apologize Ridox, I ran more laps in this car than any other because it didn’t make any sense to me. The Tune ate up corner exits like there was no tomorrow. Lap after lap I was looking at a sub 1:27, leaving the tune ghost car in my dust…then came turn 8, the right u-shape turn leading to the back stretch. I still can’t explain it, I tried sooo many lines, but the ghost car would slaughter me from that point all the way to the start/finish line. It’s gotta be me, or atleast I’m hoping it is. Still top marks for the corner exit, amazing!
DozUK
Mazda MX-5 Miata SR-Limited (NA,J) ‘97
Stock: 1:28.227
Tune: 1:27.513 Drivers Choice: 7.0
I was apprehensive when I saw the Stage 2 Turbo installed. A low power car, automatic transmission, (my fault not yours) that couldn’t be adjusted, tight turns, and hills. The delay coming out of the corners killed my time, because I couldn’t keep the RPM’s up enough. But the tune itself was comfortable and stable. Can’t wait to see how the manual’s handle it.
killerjimbag
Mazda MX-5 J-Limited (NA,J)
Stock: 1:27.670
Tune: 1:27.397 Drivers Choice: 7.0
Comfortable tune once you get used to it. Lost a little of the ability to roll thru the center of the turn becoming a little snug, then becomes loose on exit when standing on the gas.
, anyway for turn 8 ( fishbowl ), you can download the replay that I attached on a post above, it should give you great input on how to enter the turn and full throttle all the way from the apex 
You can also see how the car can be on full throttle on most corners - yeah I tuned it so it can exit every corner like a boss 
I sound old.
