Formula Mazda Race Car Topics

Time for a new muffler design?

feeds@yuku.com (HotRod) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:54:16 GMT

In speaking with other members of the FM community it seems that we all share the same opinion that it is time for a new muffler design and location for our FM's. For one, why on earth would you mount the muffler under the gear box? Anyone having problems bringing their gearbox oil to a boil? Secondly, our current muffler gets hammered because of it's low ground clearance. Thirdly, (is that a word) the life of these mufflers is very short and they are not rebuildable. My vote is to...

scales, lifts, alignment, etc..

feeds@yuku.com (mikeism) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:24:49 GMT

Hi folks...

I now have dedicated space in my garage that will be home to my FM. What do you folks use as tools for alignments? What setups are used for work that requires that the FM be raised on ramps or lifted? Do most folks have their own set of scales? Ramp setups? Alignment lifts? Scissor lifts? A-frame lifts? Do most folks take their FMs to shops that do such work? Blah blah blah...? In general, I'm curious as to how FM owners have their shops set up to do their own work....

Standard Formula Mazda rules, specs, resources, etc.

feeds@yuku.com (mikeism) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:01:28 GMT

Hi folks... I just purchased a 1996 standard FM. It was stored for the last 7 years or so and I want to do a variety of things to get it prepared for next spring. Things like flushing radiator, drain fuel cell, change all fluids, check torque on all bolts/nuts, etc., etc. The current radiator fluid is green so I'm assuming it may have auto antifreeze in it now. I'm finding Pro Formula Mazda rules/specs but virtually nothing for Standard FM. Can somebody point me in the right...

One man operation

feeds@yuku.com (livy2) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:37:52 GMT

Very close to pulling the trigger on a F/M just for club racing at the regional level. My question is: Can a person get a F/M to the grid by himself each weekend without having a heart attack. I am always by myself, can you run an alternator on these cars so you can start them off the battery at the grid and not have to use the battery cart? I just don't know anyone who shares my passion for racing. Let me know what you think, by the way I am old and lazy too.--Larry

Trailer mount for spare nose

feeds@yuku.com (sjflaten) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:50:27 GMT

Anyone come up with a design of a bracket to mount insde the trailer to keep a spare nose up off the floor and out of the way?

I was thinking of an L shape with the leg facing down. At the bottom of the leg weld on an upturned U to support the wing tube. Put a mount plate for the two bolts. Thought this would keep the wide end to the top of the trailer and the bottom against the wall.

Any other ideas or photos would be appreciated.

Steve

Gear Ratios...

feeds@yuku.com (spigot) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:04:49 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to be opening up my gearbox this weekend (for the first time, hewland manual in hand) and I was hopeful that someone might be able to tell me what ratios to use for willow springs? If not how do I go about calculating the ratios I need? The car was setup for Spring Mountain and I've been using that setup for the last couple of test days while I get familiar with the car but now that I've had a chance to check my telemetry I can see I'm topping...

Road America Setup

feeds@yuku.com (david) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:13:13 GMT

Any suggestions for setup for Road America? Gear Set ? Tall or short??
As a first timer, suggested parts, extras, how many sets of tires?
Anything would be helpful.
Im info starved!!
David

All hello. Our company is Miki Seiki.

feeds@yuku.com (kreutzer) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:28:50 GMT

Our company sells of the (used) car and is buying it in Japan.

Chassis alignment

feeds@yuku.com (sjflaten) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:19:03 GMT

A new guy to the community and picking up parts and pieces through the season. Have searched here for some info, but not finding what I need.

Wondering if anyone has a copy of the Valley specs for set up for the car. Saw it referenced, but so far have not found it anywhere.

Second, as I buy tools, looking for what I need and what works best for the FM. I have the alignment bars, but looking at caster/camber tools. Does not seem the magnetic base Longacre or Intercomp work...

Battery CCA??

feeds@yuku.com (Hohndo) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:51:21 GMT

What battery brand is recommended and how many CCA (minimum cold cranking amps) is best. thanks

Wrecked FMs

feeds@yuku.com (Goblin) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:34:29 GMT

Where is 'heaven' for wrecked FMs?

I'm considering purchasing a FM in good condition from just behind the driver's seat forward for a custom project. I don't need anything from behind the driver's compartment. No motor, no trans, no nothing from the back end.

Thanks,

Jeff

Transmission /rear end manual

feeds@yuku.com (phil9ga) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:01:45 GMT

Does anyone know where or how to find a manual for the standard fm trans/rear end?

Jets

feeds@yuku.com (davedarrow) — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:44:47 GMT

I just bought a Standard Star Mazda that raced in Salt Lake City, 4226ft alltitude, i'm racing at Mosport, 375ft alltitude.

Anyone have any idea what carb jet sizes to run at either Mosport or Watkin's Glen???

many thanks

dave darrow

Fun with Floats!

feeds@yuku.com (MSR76) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:33:46 GMT

Q: What is the proper float level for a FM carb

A: Here are the steps for setting the Float Level:

1) Remove the Bowl Cover
a) Take off the fuel line from Carb Inlet
b) Remove the Jet Inspection Cover
c) Unscrew the 5 bolts that hold the cover in place

2) Remove the Gasket from the Bowl Cover. To do this you will need to remove the Float Pin (see pic below). Then re-install...

Float level

feeds@yuku.com (rogersk) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:48:58 GMT

What is the proper float level for a FM carb.

Thanks Kevin

Sidepods

feeds@yuku.com (Dusty Danger) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:16:38 GMT

The question is about securing the bottom of the sidepods to the floor pan.

Sometimes a curb will dislodge the side pod and put the bottom of the sidepod between the ground and the floor pan. The result in my case looks like the first Jaws movie - a big bite out of the sidepod.

A quite experienced FM and proFM mechanic told me he secures the sidepod bottom above the floor pan by way of a Dzus or other type quick fastener at three points along the "sill" of the...

YouTube Videos

feeds@yuku.com (MSR76) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:36:52 GMT

Here are a couple of Videos I put up from back in the day...

Sears Point
2002
Mosport
Road Atlanta

TECH.

feeds@yuku.com (MSR76) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:21:46 GMT

I am gonna start a new thread that I am going to dedicate to posting questions i get from various FM owners, and the answers I give. I will keep it anonymous, just thought this would be a good way to get more info out there.

Hope this helps everyone,

Uh oh, shrapnel in gearbox! But from where?

feeds@yuku.com (SonikDeathmonkey) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:48:03 GMT

I pulled apart my gearbox this past weekend and I was very surprised when I found quite a lot of all types of nice little bits on my drain and fill plug magnets. Not just little bitty metal shavings but fairly sizable flakes and chunks. The most exciting of which are definitely what look to be needles from roller bearings. So far all the gears look fine and all the bearings that I've inspected so far are intact, so I'm pretty puzzled about this.

Are there any needle...

Hoosier vs. Goodyear

feeds@yuku.com (Dusty Danger) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:01:24 GMT

I found an eight year old discussion about this. What about now? Which is better, etc?