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Thread: If you were to build a track car - what would you build?

  1. #41
    Don like 2 prof reed
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    E36 M3 hands down and this is coming from someone with over 15 weekends just at Road Atlanta in various cars and atleast another 6-10 at other tracks.. One of the best chassis on any car of all time. Ranked best handling car for any price in America when it was out and still nationally competitive in SCCA autocross against the most built Evo's. Also, the only car club raced more seems to be Miata's but Miata's have no balls. Predictable and easy to drive fast as well. With modest upgrades you will have no trouble running down just about anything from Vette's to Elise's.. Mine is doing 1:43's with shocks/springs/R comps only! and some power upgrades. You'd have to be very on top of things to match a 1:43 in a C5 Z06 on R comps. I only get passed by instructors and club racers in Vette's...never students..

    I would suggest an E30 to learn on (incredibly predicatble and what I learned on) but in terms of handling their rear supsension design/geometry is really inferior compared to an E36 and they just don't handle nearly as well. Put it this way Mike McCoy's gutted and nearly stock E36 325is (shocks, springs, software, 2600lbs) runs better times on street tires then your average spec E30 race car (we run down Robert Patton every event and he "had" or still "has" the spec E30 record on Road Atlanta).

    Also E36 M50 based motors are bullet proof. I'm at around 140,000 miles and so many of those are hard hard track miles and I've done nothing but a clutch and oil changes. More solid than any track car in my own personal opinions.

    I'd also suggest (if you really like Corvette's an older 98-99 C5 vette). They are cheap to run and with skill can be very fast but they are NOT the best tool for learning at all.

    I can't really suggest anything else because the E36 chassis is so good for so cheap and SO much fun to drive. My family friends all had CRX's back in the day and I loved driving those (incredibly fun and easy to learn from and maintain) but I just can't deal with FF.
    I would NOT by any means every suggest an S2k. Incredibly switchy at the limit and are really driven best by those with LOTS of experience and talent. You have to be on your feet with ALL your skill in tact to drive one at the limit lap after lap, otherwise you just have to back off if you don't have the skill. If you start going to track days I gaurentee you'll see beginners spinning left and right and going off in S2k's.
    Last edited by OnURleft; 12-11-2008 at 03:53 PM.
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  2. #42
    I♥mydick ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶ FasTech's Avatar
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    Probably build either a CRX or a ae86.
    "Damn, Its Tyler"
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  3. #43
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    you need to start by reading the rule book and finding out what cars are approved and what mods.
    http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=44

    then start looking for a used race car

    http://www.sportscarmag.com/showroom.asp

  4. #44
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    i would build a first gen rx7 with a 20b 3 rotor engine to have fun

  5. #45
    1010011010 Atlblkz06's Avatar
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    I appreciate all the input, thank you very much!

  6. #46
    I hate drifting Big Baller's Avatar
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    It depends on what you want to do, if you just want to do track days then it doesn't matter really. If you want to Time Attack then AWD is pretty much the way to go, especially in the street tire classes. If you actually want to compete...MIATA

    I cant stress this enough, you can buy a Spec Miata that someone else built for very close to that money. Not only are they super reliable but they are good cars to learn in. They will teach you about momentum.

    I like Subies but you are going to be pushing that budget to the limit just to swap a STI drivetrain into a coupe. You still won't have suspension or brakes etc...

    If you already have a Z06 just track that.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  7. #47
    Slowest Car on IA David88vert's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackyellrx7
    i would build a first gen rx7 with a 20b 3 rotor engine to have fun
    Not for $10K total you wouldn't.

    ------------------------------

    I already did this a long time ago. Without a doubt, the easiest to build with my resources was a FB (1st gen RX7). If you don't have rotary related resources, then look at Miata or a E36. Ultimately, choose a car that you have not only the money to purchase, and setup, but also that you have the money to maintain, and that you have people that can help you with working on it. Support is important if you plan to keep doing it for long.

    Also, remember that the more powerful cars will eat up more money for tires and brake pads. These are items that will purchase a lot, so careful planning in the early stages is important.

  8. #48
    turbos
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    323 gtx
    TOO BIG

  9. #49
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    Keep in mind that low horsepower light weight cars go through parts a lot less frequently. I know guys with Miatas that use one set of brake pads a year, and one to two sets of tires.

    In contrast my STI at Road Atlanta uses a set of pads and tires per weekend. Heres a quick budget off the top of my head for an all out race weekend at Barber for my STI

    Gas to and from track pulling trailer $50
    Hotel room $150 (shitty hotel)
    Gas for Racecar $300
    Tires $1200-1500
    Brake Pads $250-400 (just fronts or both)
    Food $100
    Oil change etc... consumables $250
    Entry Fee $250 (free when you become an instructor but not if you are racing)

    Thats a 3000 dollar weekend

    Now lets say you don't want to compete, you just want to have fun in your miata
    This is as bare bones cheap as it gets
    Gas there $20 driving the car
    Oil change etc...$100
    Camp at the track $15
    Food $20 PBJ bitchs
    Tires Brake Pads etc divided up over 6 track days(maybe more) $100
    Entry Fee $250

    Its still a $500 dollar weekend, just be realistic about what you can afford to do, I would buy someones beat up spec miata and run HPDEs for the first year, go to as many track days as you can afford to and hone your skill.

    Matt
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  10. #50
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    import the older Lancer GSR V, IV, heck even the III. the really JDM versions!
    /Oo ___A___ oO\
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  11. #51
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    Quote Originally Posted by YouKnowIt
    import the older Lancer GSR V, IV, heck even the III. the really JDM versions!

    Yes import something that will be hard to get parts for...and do it for 10k dollars

    Dumbass
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  12. #52
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
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    LOL

    Some of you all are naming setups and cars that just are no good.

  13. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by simontibbett
    LOL

    Some of you all are naming setups and cars that just are no good.
    x2

    Seems like some people are more interested in rarity and horsepower than trackability and reliability.

  14. #54
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    Late model subaru deffinatly or if you wanted To go fwd a four door teg would be a good budget car with lots of potential my opinion subaru be your best bet in tha long run

  15. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.25teg
    Late model subaru deffinatly or if you wanted To go fwd a four door teg would be a good budget car with lots of potential my opinion subaru be your best bet in tha long run
    One of his stipulations is that it he wants to build it for under 10K, so a late model subaru would be out of the question. Plus it seems like you would be able to learn more in something like a miata.

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    good plan

  17. #57
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    LOL @ some of the responses...

    Now that you guys mention it - learning is very important to me. I could just throw tires and brakes on my Z06 and go to the track but that wouldn't teach me much.

    I'm looking for a car that's precise. Something twitchy like an S2k would be a bad idea.

    I'm personally interested in RWD, so I'm gonna look hard at the E36 and Miata.
    bh;

  18. #58
    TR C5 Z06 Whiteboy572's Avatar
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    Money no option fd rx7/lsx
    Money option fc rx7/302
    Both will run t5's more than likely.

  19. #59
    Senior Member | IA Veteran  OneSlow5pt0's Avatar
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    i see nothing wrong running GM V8s,thier cheap,reliable and good power

  20. #60
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    A miata is a good car to learn on but don't forget bout the fun factor thats what its all about what you`ll enjoy

  21. #61
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    Someday, I am building a blacktop 20v mr2 as a track car. Definitely not typical, but hopefully one day I will be able to really build one. If not, I would do either a Miata or a CRX.

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    A miata is a good car to learn on but don't forget bout the fun factor thats what its all about what you`ll enjoy

  23. #63
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    If you wanted to spend 15 or 16k you could pick up a used 05 STI, there are very few more reliable track cars. All it needs is sways
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  24. #64
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    Some dude has a bugeye WRX for sale, around $7k, in the sale thread. Also, I think there is an $8k S2000 in there as well, both would be good choices.
    You should be able to get a hold of a 240 with an SR20 in it for around $6k, in good condition. Take out the interior and those things are fun, also, Miata's should do a good job as well.
    Some say that his politics are terrifying, and that he once punched a horse to the ground...

  25. #65
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.25teg
    A miata is a good car to learn on but don't forget bout the fun factor thats what its all about what you`ll enjoy
    So a Miata doesn't have the fun factor? lol

    WHY a 4 door Teg????

    And sure a Chevy V8 is cheap and reliable, but why spend all that money building a car? He sounds to me he wants seat time, get a BMW or a Miata, put a few small mods on it, and start learning. As you progress, make it faster or upgrade.

  26. #66
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    If you've got some fabrication skills, there isn't much that can keep up with a Locost frame with a turbo Miata powerplant, especially for the money. 1000lbs, 250hp or more. 0-60 in a little over 3 seconds. They can put out some really insane numbers.

  27. #67
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
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    ^That would be death for a track noob lol.

  28. #68
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    Quote Originally Posted by simontibbett
    He sounds to me he wants seat time, get a BMW or a Miata, put a few small mods on it, and start learning. As you progress, make it faster or upgrade.
    Thats correct. I figure if the miata is too slow, I could always slap on a paxton novi, or throw an LSx in there

    Oh yea Locost, forgot about that. Not yet though. But certainly an awesome option later on. Maybe even an Ultima down the line... with an LS7 in it!

  29. #69
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    Quote Originally Posted by Roadster
    If you've got some fabrication skills, there isn't much that can keep up with a Locost frame with a turbo Miata powerplant, especially for the money. 1000lbs, 250hp or more. 0-60 in a little over 3 seconds. They can put out some really insane numbers.

    I can't think of something worse to learn on. Maybe a procharged Z06 on Hoosiers..
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    Quote Originally Posted by okra1981
    Some dude has a bugeye WRX for sale, around $7k, in the sale thread. Also, I think there is an $8k S2000 in there as well, both would be good choices.
    You should be able to get a hold of a 240 with an SR20 in it for around $6k, in good condition. Take out the interior and those things are fun, also, Miata's should do a good job as well.
    Base model WRXs suck on track, you will just end up swapping a sti drivetrain into it. S2000s are fun but not the most reliable and they are terrible in the rain. SR20 and reliable shouldn't be used in the same sentence together, they also make terrible track cars. Look at all the work DSG put into theirs and its still slow.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  31. #71
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    You know I always here about how fast the Locost are but I've probably been on track with 15 or 20 of them...and they are never fast.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  32. #72
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    ^^ they need the driver mod.

    if the 10k limit is in effect, i would definitely pick a miata or an e30 for rwd, but for learning i think fwd would be better. an ef or an mx3 would be a VERY cheap options. also b13 se-rs make GREAT track cars, for cheap.
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  33. #73
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    id get a 323 and throw a klze/de in it. good tires suspension. and im happy. and I would have atleast 5k left over to do track events!

  34. #74
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Baller
    Base model WRXs suck on track, you will just end up swapping a sti drivetrain into it. S2000s are fun but not the most reliable and they are terrible in the rain. SR20 and reliable shouldn't be used in the same sentence together, they also make terrible track cars. Look at all the work DSG put into theirs and its still slow.
    +1 in every form.
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    Senior Member | IA Veteran VooDooXII's Avatar
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    Lotus Super Seven kit car?

    The 944's an interesting suggestion though, and I'd certainly enjoy a 944 S2.

  36. #76
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    I think I'd go with an E36 if I wanted to keep it relatively stock and learn to drive. I would say Miata but there's no way in hell I can fit in one, E36s are plenty roomy for me.

    240Z with some serious body stiffening and a different powerplant when I got better and wanted something faster.

    All you guys saying WRXs should really add up the costs to swap an older car. You can get shells for cheap but figure in motor/tranny/brakes/suspension and you'll be up and over 10K very quickly.
    02 WRX Sport Wagon


  37. #77
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    You can find a decent running E36 for under $5k.

  38. #78
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thighs
    ^^ they need the driver mod.

    if the 10k limit is in effect, i would definitely pick a miata or an e30 for rwd, but for learning i think fwd would be better. an ef or an mx3 would be a VERY cheap options. also b13 se-rs make GREAT track cars, for cheap.
    FWD cars have no place in the performance world, period. I'm sure that will piss plenty of people off. There is no reason to learn on something thats going to teach you bad habits, thats why I didn't recommend AWD and FWD falls into the same category. AWD is fine once you have the skills to make it work but when you start off in a AWD car it teachs you really bad habits.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

  39. #79
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
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    Doesn't teach BAD habits, it's just a different type of driving you have to do, which some cannot be carried to RWD. My first track car was a Civic. It can still teach momentum, braking, etc.

    That was pretty dumb to say though, I thought you were big into racing? lol. Never seen BTCC or touring cars using FWD? You can make a FWD car handle pretty damn good...

  40. #80
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    Quote Originally Posted by simontibbett
    Doesn't teach BAD habits, it's just a different type of driving you have to do, which some cannot be carried to RWD. My first track car was a Civic. It can still teach momentum, braking, etc.

    That was pretty dumb to say though, I thought you were big into racing? lol. Never seen BTCC or touring cars using FWD? You can make a FWD car handle pretty damn good...
    Sure it can teach you things. Jumping off a bridge can teach you about momentum and braking as well but I wouldn't do that either. Real sportscars are rwd, buy learning a rwd car you are setting yourself up for the most opportunity's to succeed. You can make a FWD car handle, you can also fuck a pig but again I won't be doing that either.

    Regardless I hate FWD cars, thats my opinion.

    For the record I am not big into racing, I don't feel the need to watch every minute of every race that comes on. I race cars so I don't need to watch other people do it all day long. Don't get me wrong I have friends that run in Grand-am and I watch all those races but I'm not one of those guys that feels a need to show how cool I am by naming off every single driver in every series that ever existed.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slowwrx
    I fucked ©hris's mom

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