RKM Motorsport: MX-5 SC

RKM Motorsport: MX-5 SC

Based on: Mazda Eunos Roadster J-Limited (NA) ‘91
Obtained: Brand new from Mazda or win from IB License Bronze

Drivetrain: FR
Horsepower: 234 BHP (@ 52.0 miles)
Torque:---- 26 kgfm
Weight:---- 840 kg
PP:-------- 460

PARTS
GT Auto
BBS RS Wheels
Type A Front Aero

Tuning Shop
Chassis Weight Reduction Stage 3
Rigidity Improvement
Window Weight Reduction
Carbon Bonnet
Engine Tuning Stage 3
Sports ECU
Sports Intake Manifold
Racing Air Filter
Titanium Racing Exhaust
Sports Exhaust Manifold
Catalytic Converter: Sports
Supercharger
Fully Customisable Transmission
Twin Plate Clutch
Semi Racing Flywheel
Carbon Propeller Shaft
Fully Customisable LSD
Fully Customisable Suspension Kit
Sports Soft Tyres

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Ballast
Amount:-- 0
Position: 0

Engine
Power Limiter
Power Level: 100.0%

Transmission
Transmission
(Set Max Speed, then each individual ratio.)
1st:-- 2.653
2nd:-- 1.812
3rd:-- 1.380
4th:-- 1.097
5th:-- 0.895
Final: 4.315
Max Speed: 155 MPH

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: 0/10
Accel:-- 0/25
Braking: 0/5

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: -25/-25
Spring Rate: 4.1/3.2
Extension:-- 6/4
Compression: 3/2
Anti-Roll:-- 1/2
Camber:----- 1.5/1.7
Toe:-------- -0.10/-0.20

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 5/6

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
Internally known as the Super Cute Fun Fun MX-5, but officially called the MX-5 SC. This supercharged little roadster is a direct rival for the Civic VTi-R. With cutesy looks and bright green paint, this MX-5 is as intimidating as a fluffy little bunny. But on the track, this MX-5 can hold it’s own against high-end sports cars.

Super cute fun fun? Fluffy little bunny? Hmm...yeah, I would say that about sums up the perception of the MX-5/Miata/Eunos pretty succinctly. The MX-5 has a reputation here in the States as something of a "chick car". A little rolling jelly bean for woman drivers. Among those who know, however, the MX-5 is a true driver's car. A machine that, despite it's outward appearance, can hang on the track with more than its fair share of rivals.

I would wager that most who play GT5 have this car in some form. Not only is it the lowest tier prize for the license tests but it is also one of the few cars that can be bought with what you get for starting credits. And it is not a bad choice either. In stock form it performs admirably. Fast in terms of pure numbers it is not but it is a well matched car. The power fits the size and the chassis handles it well. So well, in fact, that is can be a pretty boring drive. The car is so easy to use you need not worry about anything is it doing and can devote your full attention to attacking the course. On GVS, with its significant HP disadvantage, I ran a 2'37.459".

Adding on the necessary parts brings up the potential of the car quite a ways. The speed is the biggest difference to note. With the added power and higher limit on the trans the acceleration difference is significant. The stability remains but twice the HP will let the tail slide on power out of a slower corner. I did find that the steering retains the stock feel though. This is not necessarily bad but it does feel a bit lazy and slow. With the changes the lap dropped a good chunk of time to 2'11.866".

With settings applied that numb feeling is gone and replaced with excitement and enthusiasm. The low speed sliding has been tamed and the overall feel is definitely on par with the "Super Cute Fun Fun" moniker. Will this keep up with your Zonda? No, certainly not. But you will have more fun maxing the car's potential with a minimum of stress, just as in the stock version. I had to cut short my test so the 2".11.700" lap time is not necessarily indicative of the true potential of the tune.

With a car as effortlessly easy to drive as the stock roaster it can be difficult to keep that character and add potential. However that is what has been done here. The feel is different but the character of the car is intact. Lap this for a while and it may teach you a thing or two about how to drive that Zonda better as well.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 2'11.700"