Quote from el pibe :

..but instead of the race springs he got the sport springs wich lower a bit less, but what i am looking for is still a reasonable alternative to coilovers... now i gotta find the dampers on ebay and i buy what i need.

Good deal! In regards to spring selection, I wanted to suggest a similar/less aggressive approach, but had kept to myself. Drops in the 2"+ range are typically overkill on the street & more often than not actually reduce performance. (without harsh dampening and/or possibly more hardware that is)

EDIT - oh yea.. post pics once completed!

Quote from flymike91 :

If car culture was about safety we'd all be bragging about how many airbags our minivans have..

It's cool, but ya wouldn't catch me driving at any speed next to that monster! Also, I realize car culture's not all about safety, but at the same time you can seriously get yourself into trouble being careless with suspension mods, at times for seemingly no apparent reason. Two thumbs up to el pibe for seeking a proper alternative to coilovers! I would suggest finding a forum that's familiar with your particular car and/or questioned parts, to pose/search your original question.

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Fri, 15 Jun 2012 04:12.

Quote from G!NhO :

Idk but here you can get coils for 200euro or even less... Also for audi.

Coils or coilovers? because simply putting shorter/stiffer springs on the same worn old dampeners isn't safe either..

Quote from e2mustang :

have you ever seen me rice a car?

...but if u wanna slam it,buy a kit...

Hmm, well to start with, those two statements clash. :thumb3d: (nevermind when it's "Ok" to cut springs )

Quote from mblixt :

...it wont improve the handling...

You're right, as it'll actually worsen handling, more so in adverse weather conditions. (such as wet roads etc) All teenage ricers do it everywhere!

Quote from Lucas McFly :

Hi

I have DXTweak version v4.30.229. Where can I send it?

Hi Lucas I appreciate it, but managed to locate the file last night, (major overlook on my behalf! :o), though while I can now make settings, and save/recall them, (without crashing), the changes made don't actually affect wheel input outside of DXTweak itself. Did you have to do any fiddling/creating of registry files for the program to be functional?

EDIT - just a little disclaimer.. I realize I've now got this topic going in two different forum sections, though need as many brain cells as possible just the same!

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:08.

Quote from Whiskey :

As this is what I've done, you could try it too..

Well, what I meant to get across in my last post is that the program neither crashes nor loses my settings upon save/close at this point, (since locating the older version etc), and I can see when DXTweak's open that there is indeed a functional deadzone. (by way of the arrows) Still, when I actually utilize the wheel in a/ny game, there's no deadzone whatsoever. If you're suggesting I try & accomplish my goal by way of saturation instead, I'd rather not muck with that aspect, though don't see why one setting would function outside of DXTweak when deadzone's are not. Will edit this post momentarily if it in fact does though.. (also, at this point I've got the topic going in two different forum areas here @ LFS, though don't see that as a bad thing @ this point either! :twirl Oh, and again many thanks for the assistance..

EDIT - as I expected, no joy..

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:05.

Quote from Whiskey :

As I said in the PM, I don't use that save option and the settings are saved anyway. It's a kind of magic? Could be, but it works for me

Thanks for the PM man, was just starting a reply when I decided I'd try a reboot to see if that was the ticket, then got sucked into doing crappy hotlaps, lol. (the reboot did nothing btw, other than rule it out as a culprit) So here's the current situation: I located the older version of the file, (which had the same file name btw), and I suppose due to having completed the .reg mod/merge, can now save profiles AND close the program without it crashing.. do changes made actually affect my wheel? no. :melting: Now what?!

PS - attaching said file here, just in case anybody else ever needs it & somehow lands in this thread!

Quote from JackSun :

No I just run the file in administrator mode...

First thing I tried was administrative, which was no help, so I thought I'd try Win98 compatibility or something, since that's what it was designed for. (and specifically states it won't work properly in later OS's within its readme) The only compatibility modes I have listed are Vista, Vista SP1, Vista SP2, Win7 and Server 2008 SP1. So then I searched around & found/tried the mentioned registry thing, with no luck. (same as all the other users I mentioned finding having issues) Why the frik couldn't LFS simply have deadzone setup options within the game, like just about every other driving game out there, heh. Anywho, I appreciate your effort JackSun.

If anybody else reads this I'm still in need of the ability to set a frikkin wheel deadzone!! :worried:

Quote from JackSun :

I am using the one I downloaded from here...

Thanks & I'm glad it works for you, but that's the one I and a million other people are having issues with. (all you need to do is google the version I'm looking for to see how problematic DXTweak2 is) Also FWIW, I've tried both 64 and 32 bit, just to be sure. (I'm on Win7 64 Bit Pro) Did you have to do all this as well? http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1462512 (top/first post)

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:31.

As the title says, I'm in dire need of DXTweak v4.30.229 so that I can set a deadzone on my logtech driving force wireless. (DXTweak2 crashes on exit with Win7, even after making the needed .reg file winblows is missing) If anybody has, or knows where to get said version, (or can simply provide an alternate, working method to set a deadzone), I would be eternally grateful!!

Well I figured out why my DXTweak settings weren't taking.. due to being on Win7 I was unable to actually save them without first making and merging .reg file. Now I've done that but as I've read many people to have found out, the latest version of DXTweak (DXTweak2) crashes upon attempt to actually save a profile in Win7. (32x or 64) Apparently I need DXTweak v4.30.229, but of course, cannot find it anywhere. :arge: If anybody has, or knows where I can find said file, I'd be eternally grateful!! (off to make a post about such I suppose)

Quote from Whiskey :

Just use DXTweak2 to set the dead-zone, after that, you can forget after that issue forever (in any game).

Thanks man. For some reason the set deadzone doesn't seem to actually be affecting my input, (outside DXT itself), but I'm sure with a little reading I'll figure it out. (at the moment sleep is waay higher on my priority list/it'll have to wait a few hours )

EDIT - FWIW, I'm on Win7 Pro 64x

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:41.

Quote from G!NhO :

Slam it

Quote from pinoykid13 :

eventually...

Sad, the both of you..

Quote from hrtburnout :

How do you like your MX5? I wish I had one.

One of the most pure drivers cars made! (and cheap now) I racked my '91 up to 200k before selling it for my current '96M. Was gonna supercharge the M but got stupid & added the FD to my (garageless) stable instead.

Quote from Dajmin :

The ability to set a deadzone within LFS would have solved the biggest issue I had with my old wheel - the notch right at the centre point that made it nearly impossible to go in a straight line.
+1 from me.

I'm seriously grave-digging here & if that's against policy, I appologize.. but I'm having the exact same problem as Dajmin. Has this been addressed somehow in the last 8 years?

Quote from Shotglass :

thank god finally a good looking car that hasnt been ruined... well apart from the fart cannon

Thanks for the comments guys & I hear ya Shotglass. I'd have already got rid of it but haven't been able to pony up for the Racing Beat just yet. :o I'll actually be a little sad when it goes though, as it's pretty civilized till ya get into it & then she screams like a track monster. (catless 3" from the turbo's back) I'd contemplated having my exhaust buddy weld up a smaller tip, but unfortunately the exit's 4", which is still coffee can status in my books, heh. (has a 5" as is)

The other minor exterior changes I eluded to will be a front lip spoiler & maybe a tastefully placed, tiny decal or two. The lip either being one of the factory options or an equally understated aftermarket piece. (also by Racing Beat) Oh yeah, and I snagged one of the last three sets of OEM, front splash guards, from a US dealer! (which even out the lower line when there's a lip in the picture) I'm torn on the rim subject, but if so one consideration is a set of factory 17"s off another year. Whatever I do, I won't be slamming, stretching, or anything of that nature though.

And to somewhat make up for all the chatter, here're two Miata shots from CO a couple years ago. '96M's are actually a deep blue, but look more black when there's not enough light. The one shot's taken atop Pike's Peak and the other near Leadville. I simply held the camera over the roofline while driving & clicked.. never intended to get the hood and/or cool reflection in it! She's bone stock, other than a Borla catback, oversized/slotted front rotors (not in pic), factory front/rear lips & some light stereo work. The original plan was to supercharge it & then I got stupid & bought the FD instead! Of course now the Miata's in need of paint work all of a sudden & I don't have the $$$ to take care of it.. doh! (which means might be time to part with my 14y MX-3 obsession )

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Wed, 23 May 2012 21:23.

I just started messing with LFS again last night & thought I'd post my (dirty :o) 1.3L. She looks stock, though has a Rotary Performance built engine & a nice list of supporting goodies. I plan to do little with the exterior as IMO they don't really need it. (the most notable possible change being a set of tasteful 17"s, on coilovers of course) Oh, and if ya wanna consider it "exterior", while the current exhaust isn't obnoxious, (until ya get on it anyways ), eventually I'll ditch it for something less conspicuous. (Racing Beat dual tip) Other than that, all she really needs is the interior tightened up & a fresh PowerFC tune. Well, that and a stereo update, though nothing wild.

Quote from Nathan_French_14 :

Is that just Miatas or MX-5's as well?

It's just a name game, same car. Had an Impreza driver stop me while having some fun in a parkinglot tonight. (still getting lots of snow!) Said that I was "really tearing it up", (did a doubletake that it was a Miata), and that my exhaust, (Borla catback), sounded "badass". Made me . Wish I had some pics but I usually only play at night, when there are less cops. They frown on winter play, even in empty lots, heh.

Quote from Matrixi :

...I suppose the Miata really needs a bolt-on hardtop for winter though.

Definitely makes things nicer in the freezer months, but not needed at all. I've been driving them for 12 years & just picked up my first hardtop last winter. The biggest winter benefit I've noticed is that the doors don't freeze shut near as bad, since the seals around the windows are much smaller. No heating problems with a soft-top or anything like that though, even in a 17yr old, 1.6L 200k mile example. Just wish I had a garage to keep the '96 in!

Well apparently mother nature didn't want me to feel left out.. here're the two Miata's on Saturday (was no snow at all Friday) - found one tonight!

Quote from jibber :

I drove an mx-5 during the winter once. I can tell you from experience, the only thing that really helped to make it anything other than a scary ride, was the smallest possible tyres for the OEM wheels, which was like 165/XX/XX. Roadsters are not really good cars in the winter (suspension too hard, rear wheel drive, etc), they can be fun however.

I know i'll be told it's a myth... but winter tyres may help aswell.

Out of necessity, I drove my rusty '91 Miata year round for for quite awhile. If the snow's too deep then yes, they're simply not gonna go anywhere, but one of the biggest problem with winter isn't a car's design, it's drivers, lol. I've routinely driven it on the nastiest days, (and not just a couple miles around town). If you know what you're doing, they can actually do very very well. I couldn't imagine how much better things would be with a limited slip, sandbags in the trunk & a good set of snows. (which yes, they are a great help in every car I've used them with - sniped Blizzaks being my favorite so far, though I've not got to try any on the M yet) I attribute this to the near perfect weight balance & experience. (also makes them great in the rain) I'll be out there passing cars with snowpack on the interstate while they're sliding into guardrails going 10mph. I'm not over dramatizing or talking about wimpy winter days either. If you venture over to miata.net, many other owners will have the same general feelings as myself. None of that's to say I don't feel a good FWD is better than a RWD in the slick, just that if you're a skilled winter driver & don't have to plow through anything too deep, even a Miata can do well.

Quote from Minimaxman :

I would have thought that would have been one of the best cars to have a bit of drifty-fun in on a snowy morning.

As for drifty fun, oh yes, the Miata is a blast!! My '91 hits every fluffy parking lot I can find. (and at the moment, that's one of the main reasons I've still got it outside of sentimental stuff - WINTER FUN!) Due to no need, I probably won't be taking it outside of town on the really nasty days anymore, but it will specifically be driven locally on them - I like a challenge! The only time I've gotten stuck was when I foolishly pulled off onto a shoulder one winter. Didn't realize the snow was so deep or that the ground sloped off-camber to the road. (thanks to the snow being level) Being so light, with one helper, she was back on the road in no-time though.

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:50.

Quote from JazzOn :

...PS: I (we) can delete these post now to keep this thread clean, do we? If you have problems you can always make a thread in WIP.

Seconded, somebody should get rid of the kiddie stuff. Also matijapkc, FYI, it's fairly universally known that multiple amounts of ??, !! and/or caps, especially used together, = poor forum etiquette and is usually taken as offensive in one manner or another. If somehow you didn't know that before, now you do.

Quote from hrtburnout :

...?

Oh man, gonna have some nasty insurance there - it's a "Premiere" edition.

Can't say I've ever had to heel-toe in the winter.. (or wanted to any other time, lol)

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:23.

Thanks! - didn't know about those hotkeys. I just tried the usual alt-enter.

Picked up another Miata this year, this one's a '96 M-Edition. She's stock for now, other than a Borla catback & factory R front/rear lower lip's, though next year should bring a Kraftwerks Rotrex supercharger kit & a few other goodies. (the '91 may become a V8 project build ) The lighting atop Pike's Peak was pretty bad by the time I got up there - she's actually a deep blue, not black.

Last edited by Tinytacohead, Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:10.