TWS shake out session
 

Took my SPEC Miata and my 302 Miata out to Texas World Speedway last weekend. Had some issues with both cars.

SPEC car- blew out a timing belt. Did a quick track side belt change and got it back running. Started to really look into the reason behind why it broke, and determined no oil was getting to the head. This caused one of the cams to freeze and break the belt. Don't know if it is a bad oil pump or I installed the damn head gasket on wrong blocking an oil port. I'll tear into it eventually.
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...ine=1456757410

302 V8 Miata- First run I was hearing some strange noise in the turns. Determined it was the sway bar mount bushings. Dropped both bars and greased them up. Noise gone. Second run, started to get some serious smoke out the tail pipes in large sweeper turns. Got the black flag and had to exit the track. Pulled the upper intake manifold and found a lot of oil in it. I figure the oil was getting around the baffle in the turns. I have an oil cooler and Martins oil pan that holds 5 quarts. The oil cooler only flows when engine gets to temp. I determined the increased oil from the cooler was overwhelming the system. I drained about 1.5 qts and went back out. No more smoke.

Everything was looking good and car was handeling perfect. Tires were holding to the track and suspension was spot on. I give that to the corner balancing I had done. On my very last session, something went terribly wrong. All of a sudden the car started to studder and RPM gauge was jumping all over the place. Made it to the pit and turned it off. Once motor was off, I could hear the starter trying to engage with the key off. I flicked my cut off switch and killed the car. I have not had time to diagnose, but I figure a wire chafed somewhere or melted from exhaust heat and is grounding out. Bad part is it totally drained the battery and I had to push car off track and onto the trailer. Good part is, everyone loved my car and the fastback top so they helped me push it. Lol.

I'll get the car on the lift today and report the issue. Overall, had a blast and looking forward to the next session. I will have my 11in rims and 275's ready to mount up for next time. See how those babies hold!

Damn expensive day!

Found the culprit. Looks like the starter wire hit the exhaust collector and melted to it. The grounding of that power wire drained my car and caused the gremlins. Always something!
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...ine=1456779728

That wire is a pain. Sorry about your luck. Mine melted from resting on the cylinder head. I'm tempted run it through the frame rail!

I always run my battery cables through this stuff for thermal & abrasive protection. firebraid+ - JEGS High Performance

That must be nice stuff! Do have any leftover?

Nope.

Got it handled. Pulled out wires, reinsulated, and then wrapped in thermal tape.

This is looking up from the starter
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...ine=1457794089

This is looking down the firewall to the starter
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...ine=1457794089

Nice work! Seems to be a problem area in these cars due to tight engine bay.