Is 155HP enough?

[pgackerman]

Interesting article about the 2016 Miata.  I know our V6 Fieros only came with 140HP, but the same ideas apply.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/features/a24927/when-it-comes-to-miata-horsepower-155-is-enough/

[Fierofool]

I don't know what the hp is but those little things come off the floor ready for the track and they run like crazy.  Just add a roll bar and some numbers on the doors and you've got a race car. 

[pgackerman]

Best driver I saw at an SCCA event was in a Miata.  He took the course in a controlled skid.  Everyone I was working the course with applauded when he went through the slalom. 

Of all the vehicles there, about 30% were Mazdas.  Of those, 90% were Miatas.  MAzda is doing something right.

[f85gtron]

Our cars are 2400-2500ish @ 145hp =16.5 hp/lb or less Stock....but who's got the torque! Oooh yah. 

Here you go in numbers and by year/generation Miata

Year Wt. HP lb/hp hp/lb
1990 NA 1.6L 2182 116 18.81034483 0.053162236
1991 NA 1.6L 2182 116 18.81034483 0.053162236
1992 NA 1.6L 2214 116 19.0862069 0.052393857
1993 NA 1.6L 2223 116 19.1637931 0.052181736

1994 NA 1.8L 2293 128 17.9140625 0.055822067
1995 NA 1.8L 2293 128 17.9140625 0.055822067
1996 NA 1.8L 2293 133 17.2406015 0.058002617
1997 NA 1.8L 2359 133 17.73684211 0.056379822

1999 NB 1.8L 2299 140 16.42142857 0.060896042
2000 NB 1.8L 2332 140 16.65714286 0.060034305
2001 NB 1.8L 2387 142 16.80985915 0.059488898
2002 NB 1.8L 2387 142 16.80985915 0.059488898
2003 NB 1.8L 2387 142 16.80985915 0.059488898
2004 NB 1.8L 2447 142 17.23239437 0.058030241

Moral of the story is to pick on the shiny new ones...leave the ugly ones alone.......
Ron

[pgackerman]

How does one go about reducing the weight on a Fiero short of removing the spare and ripping out the passenger seat?

Maybe this should move to general Fiero discussion?

[Fierofool]

The Fiero Notchback V6 is actually right at 2600 lb with the Fastbacks topping out at slightly over 2700 and the 88 being heaviest of all at 2735.  Assuming the Formula would follow suit, it may be a little more than 2600. 

Spare tires, AC systems, cruise control removal can reduce your weight but for street use, the minor gain in mpg or performance probably wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.  On the track, every little pound counts and that adds up to fewer minutes around the course of a race. 

Tubular control arms can reduce the weight by a whole bunch of pounds

[pgackerman]

I've done a little surfing for tubular control arms and haven't found that much weight difference.  About ten pounds one guy reported.  I can get that by removing my spoiler.  Am I looking at the wrong sites?

Found some at West Coast Fiero, for a lot of $$$$, but no weight savings listed.

How much of a weight loss are we talking about?

[Fierofool]

You probably wouldn't lose a lot per individual control arm, but added to everything, it would help.  There's probably not much that would give you a big drop except maybe the AC compressor and brackets and the spare.

I take that back after looking at the WCF site.  There would be a big weight loss in the area of the wallet at about $1500 for a full set. 

[TopNotch]

You can save some weight by taking out the crash guards in your doors -- they're why Fiero doors are so heavy. But you must avoid getting hit in the doors if you do.

[pgackerman]

There are crash guards in the door? 

On my '87 I removed the interior panel to lubricate the power locks and felt very, very unprotected.

[f85gtron]

I've got a door torn apart on the parts car. I'll show you. The bars look like miniature versions of the crash rails on the side of the highway.

[Fierofool]

It's difficult to see from the inside, but with the outside skin removed, it's very visible.