6th Miata NA Go-Kart Build
NA Go-Kart Build Thread
Photo: NA Go-Kart Build ThreadA 1997 Mazda Miata stripped into a stripped-down, caged street go-kart
The builder turned a worn 1997 Miata into a lightweight, road-legal "go-kart" by deleting body panels, de-powering the steering, fitting a custom exo-style roll cage, and chasing better handling over power. The thread documents stripping, caging, suspension and brake refresh, and an eventual autocross outing, with plans for a turbo and further bodywork still open.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- Stock, tuned up with new wires and plugs
- Steering
- De-powered steering rack
- Suspension
- BC Racing coilovers, stock 10/8k spring rates
- Anti-roll bar
- FM 1.6L 7/8" front bar, no rear bar
- Brakes
- Hawk HP+ pads and Centric rotors all around
- Wheels
- 15x9 TR Motorsports wheels
- Tyres
- 225/45/15 Hankook RS4
- Roll cage
- Custom exo-style cage built from 1.75" .120-wall DOM tubing
- Seats
- Kirkey driver seat, stock passenger seat temporarily fitted
- Steering wheel
- Ebay deep-dish wheel with NRG quick release
- Lighting
- Universal motorcycle headlights with Hella H3 bulbs
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Fuel & Ignition 1
- NGK spark plug wires and spark plugsNGK
Fitted as part of a tune-up
In the shops
Spark Plug, NGK ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £6.50 GBP
Spark Plug, NGK ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £6.00 GBP
Spark Plug, NGK ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £4.25 GBP
Suspension & Steering 3
- De-powered steering rack
Converted from power steering to manual feel
In the shops
Steering Rack Stop ↗
TRGB· £4.95 GBPSteering Rack Spacer ↗
bpnorthwest.com· $17.10 USD
Steering Rack Boot Kit ↗bpnorthwest.com· $11.02 USD - BC Racing coilovers
Retained from before the project, running stock 10/8k rates
In the shops
BC Racing DS Series Coilover Kit – Mazda MX-5 NC (N-11-DS-DS) ↗
MazSpec MX-5 Spares & Accessories· £1,184.95 GBP
BC Racing ER Series Coilover Kit – Mazda MX-5 NA/NB (N-04-ER) ↗MazSpec MX-5 Spares & Accessories· £1,798.95 GBP
BC Racing ZX Series 3-Way Coilover Kit – Mazda MX-5 ND (N-34-ZX) ↗MazSpec MX-5 Spares & Accessories· £1,959.95 GBP - FM 1.6L 7/8" front sway barFlyin' Miata
Run at autocross to reduce inside-rear tire spin with open diff
In the shops
Stage 2 Front Sway Bar Mount Reinforcement Kit (ND) ↗
Flyin' Miata· $319.00 USD
NA/NB Hard Dog Roll Bar Trim Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $34.99 USD
Cusco Front Sway Bar ↗
MiataSpeed· $405.00 USD
Brakes 2
- Hawk HP+ brake padsHawk
Fitted all around as part of brake refresh
In the shops
Hawk DTC-60 Race Rear Brake Pads (Escort/Miata) ↗MiataSpeed· $178.99 USD
Hawk DTC-50 Race Front Brake Pads (94-05 Miata) ↗MiataSpeed· $174.99 USD
Hawk DTC-60 Rear Race Brake Pads (Escort GT/Miata) ↗MiataSpeed· $182.99 USD - Centric brake rotorsCentric
Fitted all around as part of brake refresh
In the shops
Brake Calliper - Ford Mustang/Ranchero/Falcon/Torino Front Left (Centric 141.61010) ↗
Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $170.00 USD
Brake Calliper - Ford Mustang/Torino/Ranchero/Falcon Front Right (Centric 141.61009) ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $170.00 USD
Disc Brake Calliper 141.62052 (Centric Parts) - Front Left - Cadillac DeVille 78-84, Fleetwood 78-96, Chevrolet Firebird 78-81, C10 81-86, Pontiac Bonneville/Firebird 78-81 ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $102.00 USD
Wheels & Tyres 2
- TR Motorsports 15x9 wheelsTR Motorsports
Replaced the Rota Grid wheels for better fitment/look
In the shops
Adjustable Timing Wheel (Mazda Motorsports) ↗
Moss Miata· $118.99 USD
Non-Slip Mat (IL Motorsport) ↗Moss Miata· $21.99 USD
Strong Arms, Paco Motorsports ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £579.76 GBP - Hankook RS4 tyresHankook
New 225/45/15 tyres fitted for driving/autocross
In the shops
Hankook Z205 Tarmac Rally Tyre ↗West Wales Rally Spares
Hankook Z210 Tarmac Rally Tyre ↗
Body & Trim 2
- Custom roll cage
Exo-style cage fabricated from 1.75" .120-wall DOM tubing by friends in Ohio
In the shops
Roll Cage Padding 1m x 3" ↗
C Bradley Motorsport· £14.00 GBPDifferential Cage Roll Pin ↗bpnorthwest.com· $1.74 USD
OMP Roll Cage Padding 490mm ↗C Bradley Motorsport· £27.80 GBP - Paco Motorsports fender bracesPaco Motorsports
Added to tie the cage's front bars into the chassis
In the shopsStrong Arms, Paco Motorsports ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £579.76 GBP
Lift Kit, 3'', Paco Motorsports ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £381.00 GBP
3 Inch Lift Kit by Paco Motorsports ↗Moss Miata· $301.25 USD
Interior 2
- NRG quick release steering wheel hub with ebay deep-dish wheel
Replaced the original steering wheel
In the shops
Shock Tower Brace Quick Release Kit (Whiteline) ↗Moss Miata· $34.75 USD
Quick Release Steering Arm Bolt Assembly (Pair) ↗C Bradley Motorsport· £43.80 GBP
Moto-Lita Steering Wheel Hub and Adaptor Kit ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $233.50 USD - Kirkey racing seatKirkey
Mounted on driver's side to allow driving before final fitment
Electrical 2
- Universal motorcycle headlights with Hella H3 bulbsHella
Used as the car's headlights
In the shops
Gaiter, headlamp bulb, Hella ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £39.76 GBP
Hella Sharp Tone Horn Kit ↗Moss Miata· $38.99 USD
Super Tone Horn Kit by Hella ↗Moss Miata· $62.99 USD - LED rope lights
Used in the front grille opening as running lights and turn signals
Other 1
- Motorcycle mirrors
Reused mirrors from the builder's own Suzuki GS500F
Photos
43 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from NA Go-Kart Build Thread. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
Faded92Mx5 · 2017-09-17T17:40:47-0400 18this post at NA Go-Kart Build Thread ↗
Faded92Mx5 · 2018-04-23T23:02:10-0400 17this post at NA Go-Kart Build Thread ↗
Faded92Mx5 · 2018-04-23T23:13:41-0400 8this post at NA Go-Kart Build Thread ↗
How it was done
Starting condition
The 1997 B-package Miata had 85k miles, had been sitting in a field, and needed brakes and tires. It was otherwise stock apart from a steering wheel/hub swap, BC Racing coilovers, and Rota Grid wheels, with some minor body damage and faded paint.
Stripping and tuning
The owner removed the heater core, AC, and other unneeded items, fitted a new steering wheel and de-powered the steering rack, refreshed the ignition with new wires and plugs, and installed new brake pads and rotors before making the first structural cuts into the body.
Cage build and wheels
Months later the car was taken to Ohio for a custom exo-style roll cage from DOM tubing. Back home, the owner swapped to 15x9 TR Motorsports wheels on used BFG Rivals, added Paco Motorsports fender braces, and began painting the cage bars.
Finishing touches and first track outing
The hood was unexpectedly reinstated once it fit the cage, with vents added and hood-latch and radiator-cap clearance issues solved. Lighting was wired using motorcycle headlights and LED strips, new Hankook RS4 tyres fitted, and the car ran its first autocross, revealing a want for more power and a proper exhaust.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at NA Go-Kart Build Thread ↗
Worth knowing
- A 7/8" front sway bar with no rear bar worked well to control inside-rear wheelspin from the open diff
- Running without a muffler was uncomfortably loud, prompting a temporary oil-filter baffle for the exhaust