Racecar...

OverclockN'

OverclockN'

Well-known member
If you guys were to build a race car, what would you use?

Before we get into a technical discussion of what is considered a "real" race car...this is just for fun. Let's say it's somethng built very specifically for road courses, time trial events, etc. Something not intended at all for street use, or even necessarily street legal anyway. You would only use it on a track of some sort.

1. Which car would you use?

2. Why?

3. What would you do to it to "get it ready" and when would you call it "finished"?
 
Probably an S2000 or a new Miata. I love the lightweight platform, and in the S2000's case there's plenty of aftermarket. The Miata can be ordered in stripped down fashion, so that would be a fun place to start.

As for getting it ready, I honestly don't know. I would have to research other people's builds first, and also probably drive it stock for a while.

Of course, this is a pipe dream for me, because I'm not in a position where I could really afford to have a car that's only meant for racing. If I wanted to get a car that could also be a daily driver, I'd probably be looking at the Audi TT. I'm finally in a position where I can afford to upgrade, so I'm looking at my options, and after experiencing the DSG in my Jetta, I think I want my next car to have DSG.
 
2007 Boxster S

Larger brakes, would put an atmospheric 3.6 which I am told fits.

Light, nimble with lots of power. Would tune the suspension depending on the track.

Would totally race Tremblant over and over :drool:
 
This is actually something that I'm looking at doing, but I haven't gone through the rule set yet on the class it would race in to know "exactly" what I would/could do it for modifications. So this would be just a "guess"..

1. Which car would you use?

1999 Porsche 911

2. Why?

They are cheap today with still a good wealth of performance support. There is also a lot of suspension data already out there so there isn't a need to re-invent the wheel around what works and what doesn't.

3. What would you do to it to "get it ready" and when would you call it "finished"?

* Fully gutten (except for dash)
* Rollcage
* FIA certified racing seat
* Racing harness
* Fire suppression system
* Aftermarket steering with with quick release
* Short shifter
* Powerflex bushings
* Ohlins coilovers (or custom valved Blistens with custom Swift springs)
* Elephant Racing Adjustable Swaybars
* Rear GT style wing
* Lightweight Flywheel
* Racing 6-puck clutch disc
* Baffled Oil Pan
* Oil catch can
* Exhaust update
* Intake update
* ECU re-program
* Brake ducts for the front
* A few sets a wheels.. Ideally three so there are two sets of dry, and one set of wet tires.

The brakes I would likely leave stock and use dedicated track pads and rotors. In most cases, OEM brakes are fine with the right pad. Obviously everything filled with racing fluids. I would likely replace normal wear items like the rear seal and such, as well as freshen up any rubber hoses and easy access gaskets.
 
I'll deviate a little by using the most fun amount of wheels. :lol: I'd get a Suzuki GSXR 750, 2002 or later. I've had a day and a half with a 2004 GSXR750 and it was an amazing experience, and those bikes can be had from about €2500 - €4500. That's a reasonable amount for me. Could be a street bike as well, which is an important reason to pick this bike instead of something more exotic.

I'd make sure the suspension gets checked out properly, although even stock it's probably better than what I've got on the FZR600R. :bleh:
 
Mahjik said:
1. Which car would you use?

1999 Porsche 911
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switchAMG said:
Same as Mahjik, most likely a 996 -- super cheap.
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I've generally ruled them out due to unknown expenses and cost of consumables. They don't appear to be terribly expensive to run (I've looked a little bit), unless a big drivetrain item goes. Such as the motor or trans. Is this what you've found as well? Everything else didn't seem bad at all. I've always approached racing with a "worst case scenario" mindset. For example, if the motor popped...what would it cost to pull it and replace/rebuild.
 
1. Which car would you use?

1987-1993 Mustang SSP

2. Why?

Cheap, lightweight, parts galore, I'm a big dude and wouldn't be comfortable in something small like a Miata or S2000.

3. What would you do to it to "get it ready" and when would you call it "finished"?

Forged 306ci Small Block Ford
03-04 Cobra IRS with 3.73's and LSD
03-04 Cobra Steering rack
Freddy Brown AOD Transmission with B&M Shifter
Every piece of suspension Maximum Motorsports makes for Fox Bodies
Roll Cage
Rear seat delete
Racing seats with harnesses
5-lug conversion
Rear disc brake conversion
Upgraded motor mounts
Upgraded radiator
Upgraded water pump
Electric Fans
Diff cooler
Hydraulic handbrake (We're having fun, aren't we? :lol: )
 
OverclockN' said:
I've generally ruled them out due to unknown expenses and cost of consumables. They don't appear to be terribly expensive to run (I've looked a little bit), unless a big drivetrain item goes. Such as the motor or trans. Is this what you've found as well? Everything else didn't seem bad at all. I've always approached racing with a "worst case scenario" mindset. For example, if the motor popped...what would it cost to pull it and replace/rebuild.
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Now, you didn't say there were any cost concerns... ;)

If cost is a concern, this is not what I would do... I haven't crunched the numbers, but I'm sure the powertrain wouldn't be cheap. I do know some local Porsche specialist so I'd get as much of a hook-up as possible, but I'm sure it wouldn't be like replacing a Ford or Chevy (or Honda for that matter) powertrain.

If cost was a concern, my option other option would be a FRC C5.
 
I'm torn on what I would do. If I were to stay within my current budget, a Cayman would be out. I've been thinking about getting one to drive and race from time to time as a BRZ replacement. But a dedicated track toy? Probably not.

I'd probably do this:

1. Which car would you use?
01-04 C5 ZO6/FRC

2. Why?
Great reliability, reasonably cheap to maintain, and a million parts and mods available. Tons of folks out there are intimately familiar with the platform, so dialing in the suspension or diagnosing brake issues would be much easier. Also, I'm VERY familiar with the entire car inside-out by now. I've worked on everything on the car by this point, save for actually pulling the entire motor out.

3. What would you do to it to "get it ready" and when would you call it "finished"?

I'd do an N/A build, but use most of the same stuff I'm using now.

BTR Dual Valve Springs
Hardened Pushrods
BTR Custom Cam
Halltech Venom II Air Intake
LG Super Pro Longtubes
LG Big 3" Catback (No Cats)
LG Tunnel/Chassis Plate
LG G2 Coilovers
LG G2 Sway Bars
MGW Shifter
DRM Suspension Bushings
DRM Steering Rack Bushing
DRM Oil Cooler
DRM Trans/Diff Cooler Package
DRM Front Brake Ducting
DeWitts Radiator
SPAL Radiator Fans
OEM Hood with TrackSpec Heat Extraction Louvers
AP Racing Spring Big Brake Kit
Carbotech XP12 Brake Pads
StopTech/Spiegler Stainless Lines
Motul RBF660 Brake Fluid
RSD Roll Cage
Race Seats/Harnesses
Toyo R888 Tires or slicks (from the GT guys...cheap!)
 
The question I would ask:

Would you ever compete in whatever car is built?



The reason I bring it up is that there are this pesky things called "classes" and "rules". A little lesser pesky thing is called "regions", but the first two are the main ones. ;)

If you ever intend to compete in whatever car this turns out to be, you need to determine where or what you would want to compete in. If you just "build a car", and then eventually try compete, you'll likely find out you spent a lot of money on things that won't help racing wise, but push you out of certain competition groups.

As far as regions, you'd want to make sure that you are going to be in a class where there are other competitors. i.e. you don't want to be a class of 1.
 
BTW, if you are looking for a sorted fast race/competition car, buy this:

http://classifieds.racerconnect.com/768-viper-1996/details.html

I know the owner and it's a fantastic car. It has the class record as most of the Midwest tracks. However, I will say that the faster you go, the more you spend in consumables (tires, brakes, etc). This is why I do like having the S2000. The Vette guys go through tires in a weekend. I can get at least two events on my competition tires before they are no longer competitive (and another 2-4 more events if I just want to screw around on the tires).

The other thing, it's always cheaper to buy an already built race car than it is to build one yourself.
 
Shadowless said:
1. Which car would you use?

1987-1993 Mustang SSP
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What is the SSP model? :confused:

I like this choice. There is a Fox Mustang that shows up at Road America every year we go, and that thing is bonkers. Full road race setup, totally gutted, everything redone. It sounds amazing and seems incredibly quick.
 
OverclockN' said:
I'm fairly certain competing will never be in the cards for me. At least not any time in the near future.
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Never say never. You frequent RPM enough that you could compete with NASA. You have a few more tracks within driving distance that it wouldn't be a problem (Gateway, Hasting and Heartland Park). Given that NASA typically does RPM twice a year, if you did Hastings and Gateway that would be 4 events already which is enough to qualify for Nationals. ;)
 
Mahjik said:
BTW, if you are looking for a sorted fast race/competition car, buy this:

http://classifieds.racerconnect.com/768-viper-1996/details.html

I know the owner and it's a fantastic car. It has the class record as most of the Midwest tracks. However, I will say that the faster you go, the more you spend in consumables (tires, brakes, etc). This is why I do like having the S2000. The Vette guys go through tires in a weekend. I can get at least two events on my competition tires before they are no longer competitive (and another 2-4 more events if I just want to screw around on the tires).

The other thing, it's always cheaper to buy an already built race car than it is to build one yourself.
Click to expand...

I've looked at Vipers before and man... Good luck trying to get replacement body panels. Do you know what that hood costs? Not to mention the V10. :lol: :D That thing looks outstanding though.

The Lotus Elise/Exige was in the same category. Everything on this is actually reasonably priced, and being so light weight it's easy on brakes/tires, etc. Only issue is the front and rear clam shell. Last I checked, it was about a 4mo lead time and $6-$8k replacement cost. They shelled most of the molds and re-tooled them for the new bodies I think. Although, if it really is a RACE car...there are company starting to churn out cheap fiberglass replacements. Thing is, they don't have provisions for lights and all that other stuff you don't need for real racing...
 
OverclockN' said:
What is the SSP model? :confused:

I like this choice. There is a Fox Mustang that shows up at Road America every year we go, and that thing is bonkers. Full road race setup, totally gutted, everything redone. It sounds amazing and seems incredibly quick.
Click to expand...

SSP is the police spec Coupe. It's the lightest fox body Ford made, but came with a beefed up oil and tranny cooler, and some minor engine upgrades.

I don't care what anyone says, the Fox Body Mustang is one of the greatest platforms to start a build from.
 
Shadowless said:
SSP is the police spec Coupe. It's the lightest fox body Ford made, but came with a beefed up oil and tranny cooler, and some minor engine upgrades.

I don't care what anyone says, the Fox Body Mustang is one of the greatest platforms to start a build from.
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Ahh, that was the first thing that came to mind but I wasn't sure. Also, I couldn't agree more. While the Mustang may not handle out of the factory quite so well...it's irrelevant by now. Plenty of options to correct if you have the time/knowledge/money. And while that normally would make people laugh, thinking yeah...you can always do all that with enough money. It's actually not too bad on a Fox. :)
 
This isn't NASCAR. ;) There is very little, if any, contact between race cars. Yes, you always have the possibility for contact, but it's rare. With the Vipers, the only thing I've ever seen was when two other Vipers got too close and one of them took off the rear wing of the other. The big cars don't usually run that close, but the smaller cars do (like the Miatas). The more expensive the cars, the more defensive the race drivers are. ;)

You really need to just come spectate a NASA event.
 
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