best starting platform

[Jordan T]

wondering what opinions you well seasoned auto x guys have on a good beggining platform. ive had a miata, 3 ae86, a 2nd gen mr-2 and a couple 240's already. i dont like ff at all. the miata and the mr-2 were deff the better handeling of the two. any way whats your opinions?

[Loren]

I'm probably biased, but it's hard to beat a Miata for a cheap and capable autocross car.

[Graves]

I'm just getting into it and I'm going with a Focus. Not RWD but fun as hell to drive and it was cheap cheap cheap. LOL.

[Jordan T]

I'm just getting into it and I'm going with a Focus. Not RWD but fun as hell to drive and it was cheap cheap cheap. LOL.


i like that one on tv today. with the american flag on it.

[w0rd]

Whatever you can get that is < 2600 lbs and > 200hp/200tq naturally aspirated.
Something like this would be nice...
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/180345.aspx

[mofugga]

Whatever you can get that is < 2600 lbs and > 200hp/200tq naturally aspirated.
Something like this would be nice...
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/180345.aspx
sounds like a lot of car for a novice ;)

[Jordan T]

sounds like a lot of car for a novice ;)

i wouldnt say im really a novice. i would like to keep it at a 2200 pound limit.

[Mars_302]

Id go with a miata for bang for the buck.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

miata miata miata...turn it into a spec miata and run DSP!! I run the 240 in STS and it is kinda of a bitch sometimes

[urn_uuid_owned]

Whatever you can get that is < 2600 lbs and > 200hp/200tq naturally aspirated.
Something like this would be nice...
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/180345.aspx

Hey, that is Jack Mott's car (Houston). He used to have a 325is gold car but then I thought that he got Brian Matteucci... car. I might be wrong, but these cars are serious autocross cars for the money (Brian is a serious driver also, he'd occasionally beat Erik Strelnicks (SS national champ) with the 325is on some courses. Make you one hard to beat driver in the area...with such a car.

Anyways, I concur: a stock miata on sticky tires is one hell of a fast autocross car. I am still looking for a miata btw.

[Jordan T]

i had a pretty nice miata with some susp work and a roll bar. very nice handling and predictable.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

Hey, that is Jack Mott's car (Houston). He used to have a 325is gold car but then I thought that he got Brian Matteucci... car. I might be wrong, but these cars are serious autocross cars for the money (Brian is a serious driver also, he'd occasionally beat Erik Strelnicks (SS national champ) with the 325is on some courses. Make you one hard to beat driver in the area...with such a car.

Anyways, I concur: a stock miata on sticky tires is one hell of a fast autocross car. I am still looking for a miata btw.


there shit loads of Miata's for sale in 'Sports Car', The SCCA magazine u get with a membership.

[Rosko]

i dont like ff at all.

What's "ff"?

I think this would do the trick. Maybe I'm a little biased. :)

http://www.nissannews.com/multimedia/heritage/800px/240Z.jpg

http://www.zdocs.com/

[w0rd]

What's "ff"?
Front engine Front wheel drive.

[PseudoRealityX]

miata miata miata...turn it into a spec miata and run DSP!! I run the 240 in STS and it is kinda of a bitch sometimes

There's a 240SX being developed out west that's winning National events.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

There's a 240SX being developed out west that's winning National events.


Kick ass!!! When i competed at the National Tour in Ft. myers this year I was talking to Andy Hollis and Doug Allen ( 89 civic si drivers) and they said before drifting got big the 240sx used to be the car to beat in STS. So that was kind of a driving factor for me to stay in the 240sx. I think once i get my rear suspension worked out and get my front bushings and some more time under my belt i will be able to be up their wiht those guys. They really weren't pulling too terrible far in front me of. I pulled within 5 seconds of Andy Hollis that weekend, which for a 1st year driver isnt bad.

[PseudoRealityX]

Kick ass!!! When i competed at the National Tour in Ft. myers this year I was talking to Andy Hollis and Doug Allen ( 89 civic si drivers) and they said before drifting got big the 240sx used to be the car to beat in STS. So that was kind of a driving factor for me to stay in the 240sx. I think once i get my rear suspension worked out and get my front bushings and some more time under my belt i will be able to be up their wiht those guys. They really weren't pulling too terrible far in front me of. I pulled within 5 seconds of Andy Hollis that weekend, which for a 1st year driver isnt bad.

Since you run GCAC a lot...just keep watching your pax times down there. Once you're solidly in the top 20 drivers every event, you'll know you're at least starting to get close.

[Jordan T]

i think im gonna go for a ae86.

[PseudoRealityX]

http://www.scca.com/_FileLibrary/News/772/06-fon-prosolo-rhoades(web)-0321.jpg

here's a picture.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

what class is it running wiht that god awful huge ass wing?

[w0rd]

STS.
He is documenting the build here...
LINK (http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB27&Number=68025397&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

[jaball77]

Hey, that is Jack Mott's car (Houston). He used to have a 325is gold car but then I thought that he got Brian Matteucci... car. I might be wrong, but these cars are serious autocross cars for the money (Brian is a serious driver also, he'd occasionally beat Erik Strelnicks (SS national champ) with the 325is on some courses. Make you one hard to beat driver in the area...with such a car.

Anyways, I concur: a stock miata on sticky tires is one hell of a fast autocross car. I am still looking for a miata btw.

Mott bought the gold car from someone in Orlando... It used to be a 325i (4-door) STS car... He did the 2.8L motor swap and a TON of other work on it. Completely awesome car if you ask me. And a LOT or car for the money.

I kinda wish I'd never gotten the Miata now. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I could afford it!


On the subject of a good autox platform... I think I'd go with a 2nd gen Miata. Compared to the first gen you'll spend a bit more on the car itself, but you get more power, better gearing, more suspension travel in the rear... And it won't be a 13 year old fallin-apart mess like my 94 was. :-) It took a lot of time and money to get it right. (Thanks, Jeremy!)

My 94 will be for sale in a few months. Or... It might be for sale now if the price is right, heh.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

STS.
He is documenting the build here...
LINK (http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB27&Number=68025397&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)


thanx, he should have went with a non-hicas or a 95+ though. I would much rather have the vlsd over the 4wheel steering.

[Leonard]

By best, I assume you want the absolutely fastest possible run times. Start with a snowmobile.

[mrnicejetta]

Hate all you want, but I'd go with an A1 or A2 Gti. They handle pretty well for a box with windows, and who doesn't love the inside rear lifting a foot off the ground? Never gets old. :lol:

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

the supercharged MINI Coopers run really fast in G Stock

[PseudoRealityX]

thanx, he should have went with a non-hicas or a 95+ though. I would much rather have the vlsd over the 4wheel steering.

The S14 is signifigantly heavier than the S13, and as was mentioned in the thread, *IF* you read it... you cannot get a VLSD without hicas legal in STS.

[PseudoRealityX]

Hate all you want, but I'd go with an A1 or A2 Gti. They handle pretty well for a box with windows, and who doesn't love the inside rear lifting a foot off the ground? Never gets old. :lol:

Right, but you want a A1 or A2 GTi because you like them. Jason went with a 240SX because he wanted to WIN. ;)

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

The S14 is signifigantly heavier than the S13, and as was mentioned in the thread, *IF* you read it... you cannot get a VLSD without hicas legal in STS.
yes i knwo this. i do own an s14. i knwo u cant have a vlsd wiht the hicas. thats why i said i would rather have vlsd than 4 wheel steering being thats what the hicas is. I know the S14 is heavier, im just partial to them. Even a non-hicas s13 would be good then he could still have the vlsd. I run STS to so i know the rules all to well.

[PseudoRealityX]

yes i knwo this. i do own an s14. i knwo u cant have a vlsd wiht the hicas. thats why i said i would rather have vlsd than 4 wheel steering being thats what the hicas is. I know the S14 is heavier, im just partial to them. Even a non-hicas s13 would be good then he could still have the vlsd. I run STS to so i know the rules all to well.

We should try this again.


You cannot have a S13 equipped with the VLSD but without HICAS. If you have a VLSD, you must also have HICAS

That goes in direct opposition of what you said in both your 2nd sentences and 2nd to last sentences.

S13 w/ VLSD = also had hicas

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

We should try this again.


You cannot have a S13 equipped with the VLSD but without HICAS. If you have a VLSD, you must also have HICAS

That goes in direct opposition of what you said in both your 2nd sentences and 2nd to last sentences.

S13 w/ VLSD = also had hicas
is that what the post says? i dont have the time to re-read it. All that im worried about are the 95+ anyways, i have VLSD.

[Jreyenga]

To answer Random Hero's original question, and I'm supprised Jesse didn't mention this, but a 2nd gen MR2 makes a great car if you want to compete at national events at some time. It's about the cheapest car to setup to 95% prep level at the national level. Off the shelf koni's, big front swaybar, crash bolts, and sticky tires is about all the car needs to be very competitive.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

the Mr2's do run strong, i have watched a couple. they ran very fast times

[PseudoRealityX]

is that what the post says? i dont have the time to re-read it. All that im worried about are the 95+ anyways, i have VLSD.

Boy...if I wanted to go faster in STS, and there was guy with an almost identical chassis that has spent enough time, money, and ingenuity to build a car upto one of the fastest STS cars in the COUNTRY, I'd find time to read it...

Jason went with a S13 with the HICAS & VLSD.

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

they arent as "almost identical" when it comes t5o scca STS rules as you think. Believe me i have the STS rules memorized, ive done my research. I did read the thread and there area couple things i picked up from it. But what works for him isnt garunteed to work for me.

[mofugga]

you should listen to pseudo, guy knows his stuff, one of the fastest drivers in fl as well as in the country ;)

[WhiteGhost2.5]

Mofugga hows the car doing?

[Leonard]

you should listen to pseudo, guy knows his stuff, one of the fastest drivers in fl as well as in the country ;)


The man speaks the truth. And Pseudo's one of the few I'd let drive the FFR without even thinking about it. I can predict his response as well. "Your car is silly."

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

ill listen when it comes to driving, but thats not the topic though. We are talking about specifics of a car. A car I happen to own and have spent numerous nights researching. Im not saying i knwo it all, because i know i dont. Believe me everything that is being posted i am looking into.

[mofugga]

fyi a big part of becoming a good driver is being able to set up your car. i'm sure i know more about my car but if a top national level driver is offering advice, i'm listening ;)

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

Im listening, but not agreeing wiht everything. Ill be the 1st to admit i have a lot of learning to do, and i dont knwo everything there is to knwo about my car. But i have done my research, and i still am researching. With that being said i am done.

[PseudoRealityX]

Im listening, but not agreeing wiht everything. Ill be the 1st to admit i have a lot of learning to do, and i dont knwo everything there is to knwo about my car. But i have done my research, and i still am researching. With that being said i am done.

What are you NOT agreeing about?

So far, the only thing I can see that you disagree about is the fact that you didn't know the option packages on the S13s, and that you "like S14s, because I have one".

If you want to have an intelligent debate, I'm game. I *REALLY* like bench racing cars. :)

[ZenkiS14_Drifter]

not agreeing that i should take everything form the thread on Fresh alloy and apply it to my car. i admited i mis-read the thread about the hicas and vlsd. Debate?? maybe later, cuz im nto worried about it. anyways, i do believe i did a good job of hijacking this thread.

[mrnicejetta]

Sweet! Does this mean we can talk about the old school GTi's some more? :lol: I was thinking about them for overall cost, power/weight ratio, weight distribution.... and because I like them ;)

[Leonard]

The best starting point is from scratch. Period.

[mrnicejetta]

The best starting point is from scratch. Period.

Not like one of those just add water kind-of-things? :lol: