Which book is better

poison · Post by **poison** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:26 pm

There seem to be 2 performance books of note on the market, they are "Mazda
Miata: Performance Handbook" by Norman Garrett and "Mazda Miata MX-5
Performance Projects" by Keith Tanner.

I recall someone saying to me that ??? who wrote the performance book ???
is a complete dreamer and has no idea. But I can't remember what exactly was
said. I've had a look at Norman Garrett's one and although mostly impressed I
was put off with a few of his ideas like cutting springs to lower the car,
definitely do-it-yourself there, but sounds a bit 'iffy' really as I'm sure
that's not even legal anymore here in good old "do that and you lose your
license, NZ" unless of course your a criminal then you can do what ever you
like without any fear of serious punishment what so ever, and in which case
you do happen get fined, they will wipe your slate clean if you 'say you can't
afford to pay"

Thinking of crime, I have a couple of mates here from Saudi at the mo' and
they are so shocked at how we don't punish crime here...

Anyway any experience with these books???

Cheers

Gazza
"Needing more HP"

Simon Hardman · Post by **Simon Hardman** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:48 am

I've got both. "Performance Projects" is basically a set of how-to's, and a
lot of it is basic stuff like how to do an oil change or change the spark
plugs. I wouldn't really bother with it.

"Performance Handbook" is excellent, but it's more a source of ideas rather
than telling you in detail how to do anything. There's heaps of interesting
stuff in it.

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Performance Projects is the newer of the two - it even has a website!
http://keith.miata.net/miataprojects/contents.html

... looks pretty good to me, I wouldn't call retrofitting a NB head on
an NA as "basic" myself

The Norm Garrett book was rumoured to have been a mix of supercharger
self-promotion (he had an interest) and info lifted from
miataforum/the big list.

Depends what you want to do - I can recommend the enthusiast's manual
if you're thinking of removing/replacing bits of the car

On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 07:48:03 +1200, Simon Hardman <sfhardman@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

Simon Hardman · Post by **Simon Hardman** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:48 am

I've got both. "Performance Projects" is basically a set of how-to's, and a
lot of it is basic stuff like how to do an oil change or change the spark
plugs. I wouldn't really bother with it.

"Performance Handbook" is excellent, but it's more a source of ideas rather
than telling you in detail how to do anything. There's heaps of interesting
stuff in it.

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Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:07:40 +1200
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
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Subject: Re: Which book is better
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Performance Projects is the newer of the two - it even has a website!
http://keith.miata.net/miataprojects/contents.html

... looks pretty good to me, I wouldn't call retrofitting a NB head on
an NA as "basic" myself

The Norm Garrett book was rumoured to have been a mix of supercharger
self-promotion (he had an interest) and info lifted from
miataforum/the big list.

Depends what you want to do - I can recommend the enthusiast's manual
if you're thinking of removing/replacing bits of the car

On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 07:48:03 +1200, Simon Hardman <sfhardman@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:44 pm

I have the performance handook by Norm Garrett...
I wouldnt bother buying it now as much of the
imformation is now very out of date, particularly the
forced induction stuff. Youll learn more from reading
the garage section, and forums on Miata.net.
If you REALLY have a hole on your shelf that needs to
be filled then go ahead... Just realise that much of
the info as outdated.

Glenn "SLYDIT"
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/supasparky

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:44 pm

I have the performance handook by Norm Garrett...
I wouldnt bother buying it now as much of the
imformation is now very out of date, particularly the
forced induction stuff. Youll learn more from reading
the garage section, and forums on Miata.net.
If you REALLY have a hole on your shelf that needs to
be filled then go ahead... Just realise that much of
the info as outdated.

Glenn "SLYDIT"
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/supasparky

poison · Post by **poison** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:27 pm

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the feedback

Cheers

Gazza
"PO1SON"