Building up a domestic car for auto X

Ok, I recently got caught racing and I've realized I need to keep that stuff off the street because it could screw with my career as an automotive technician. I am considering selling my Camaro and buying something to build as an auto X only car, but still street drivable on the weekends. I will use something else as a daily driver. I just have a general dislike for foreign cars, especially all things FWD. I'd rather go slower in turns driving a sweet looking 5.0 Mustang than a civic or mini cooper. I'm planning on getting an 89-92 GT and then making it a long term project. I don't really care what class I'll be racing in, as long as it's not against anything too nuts. I really just want to go for fun, not points or anything.

Should I look for an automatic or manual?

Hatchback or notchback?

Are taller or shorter rear gears preferred?

Tires/wheels?

Ultimately, I'd like it to be a great handling, fun to drive car that is nimble on a roadcourse and quick in a straight line for any possible drag strip runs in the future(mid 13s). I don't need any help modifying the engine, it's the chassis and brakes I need help knowing what to get. I plan on doing stuff in order like this:

-full disc brakes(probably baer or other high end manufacterer), with everything from master cylinder to pads/rotors replaced with new
-shocks/struts/springs
-set of road race wheels/tires(bogart RR series... what are good tires?)
-torque arms/a arms/panhard rod/sway bars
-something else?

Thanks for the help!

Go to a couple of events and see what is out there that strikes a positive chord within you.

Build something similar.

That's great advice! Thank you :) I don't know why I didn't think of it first... :uhoh:

Especially if you're short on cash, buy someone else's project. Look at the classifieds section of your local scca website.

Don't forget that there are plenty of RWD imports (RX-7, 240sx, MR2, etc) which do very well in auto-x and would be similar in price to a camaro or mustang.

But I don't like imports :grinno:

I'd rather have a mustang that isn't quite up to par with an rx7 rather than something that goes "FAARRRRRRRRRRT pish FAARRRRRRRRTT" :icon16:

That's too bad, because if you go to an autoX event you usually don't see many stangs. Don't get me wrong, my buddy raced autoX with a 400bb 77' grand prix and got the third best time but he smashed a few cones and scared the shit out of the fans and racers as he drifted sideways toward the finish at 60mph... Needless to say, they moved the course to another parking lot. Anyway, a notchback would be my choice.

I would probably build an 82 Camaro or Firebird. Specifically an 82 because GA will quit emission inspecting those year models in 06 :D

I would go with tubular suspension members in the rear with an upgraded rearend. Stout handling package [ springs, bars, shocks ] 4.11 gears. Good brakes. Built 700 od tranny. A good, fool proof ratchet shifter. 350ci. 9.0:1 compression . Performer intake. 600 holley vac secondary. 210@.050 hyd cam. Aftermarket distributor. 1 5/8" headers. 3" exhaust.

The above combo would be a good multi purpose car. The motor would make a lot of lowend torque which is what you need for solo II. The low rear gear would keep the motor spinning in the meat of the power curve. The OD trans would allow relatively relaxed cruising to the events. The ratchet shifter would allow worry free up and down shifting.

Throw on some skinny fronts and some 9" slicks and the thing should run low 13's high 12's in the 1/4 mile.

The biggest compromise is the torque convertor. You want a tight one for autoX and a loose one for drag racing. The torquey motor , 4.11 gear and the low first gear in the 700 trans should mostly make up for it when drag racing so I would go with a stock tight one. For autoX you need that more direct feel between the throttle pedal and the rear tires that a tight convertor gives you.

If you are real serious you need 3 sets of wheels and tires and a small trailer. You pull the trailer loaded with a set of wheels/tires & a jack and a couple of jack stands and change tires when you get to the event.

Plan B is a tow vehicle and a trailer.

Well the auto x area near my house is only 6 miles away, so I could get away with driving it there :smile:

Your idea actually sounds really good, there are tons of old Camaros around here :iceslolan And keeping a 350 small block would be nice. Can you say open headers? http://web.camaross.com/forums/images/smilies/metal.gif

I think just about all forms of SCCA competition require mufflers.

Well... it's only a few bolts to take off for fun during the week! :iceslolan

also, I can tell you right now what classes you'll be building this car for:

E-Street Prepared or Street Mod

Also, if you decide to go a little crazy, you might want to run C-Prepared. C-Prepared guys always seem to have more fun than anybody.

Where can I find a list of what is required of every class?

Complete SCCA Solo Rulebook - http://www.scca.org/_filelibrary/File/2005SoloRules.pdf

There's also Pontiac Fieros, Dodge GLHS, Dodge Stealth (AWD version).

by shunning imports there's realy not much in the way of great handling non FWD domestics.

How come your getting rid of your camaro? IMO They have more power and out handle the mustangs that your looking at, it seems like you would be off to a much better start with the camaro, so why get rid of that. Of course i'am biased, i've had mustangs and camaro's and i just like the f bodies better than fox bodies. Well either way have fun and be safe!
Jake

If you've never driven in an autocross, put the wrench down now. Take the car, what ever it is, in as near stock condition and run a handfull of events with it. This will not only give you valualbe experiance as a driver, but it will also give you a baseline as to how your choosen car performs. BUT! remember this, in your first year... there is by far more time to be gained by driving then there is by modifiying the car. Meaning, and I mean no disrespect, that no matter what car you end up using, in the first year, it wont be the car thats making you slow.

But any way, for car recomendations.... Depends on the class and your Cash flow.

If you like tweak and tune cars, STS and ST2 are easily the cheepest classes to run, Right now the 89 Civic SI is the top dog in STS, and there is a battle between the miata and the 88 CRX Si in ST2. If you really want to tweak the car, Street mod may be for you... but that class can get very expensive Very quickly if you want to be compeditive. Right now it seems that BMW M3's and RX7's are the cars of choice here. CSP is pretty much just Miatas, with a few MR2-spiders. ESP has traditionally been the "American Muscle" class, but The EVO 8's have been doing pretty well there too...

Have fun with what ever you end up with, because after all thats the point.

(I run a 2001 Civic EX in STS... its not a fast car by any means, but it is a fun car)

Well I'll actually be getting my license back this friday :)

I figure it will be cheapest and most competitive in F-stock class... I need new shocks so I'll be getting those upgraded, and a front swaybar at the same time and I'll just stick to that class for a while.

Thanks for the help guys!