thanks for your answers, i guess the only way i'll know is to take his ass to the track.

 

The short answer is "yes" it can be a good autocross car. The long answer is... what are the goals of this Camaro owner?

If he just wants to have fun, he can certainly have a lot of fun autocrossing that car in its stock form. It has no inherent handling issues that would make it "unfun" to compete in.

Beyond that it's just a matter of what he wants to do with the car and whether or not he's concerned with what class he runs in (or whether or not he wants to win a particular class).

For Stock class, a good set of shocks, a good alignment and a set of tires will get the car close. The rest is up to the driver.

For Street Prepared, you get into choosing the best transmission and rear-end ratios, perhaps some lighter parts like the 1LE driveshaft, lighter factory radiator, etc. Proper choice of springs, shocks and swaybars.

Overall, it can be a very capable autocross car... a bit big for my tastes, though.

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As to whether your CRX would "get him" at an autocross, that is VERY course dependent. Less weight is always good, but if there aren't a lot of transitions in the course, it won't help you that much. Same with turning radius... not always a factor... in fact, not often a factor. Better suspension? Arguable. The Camaro ain't a Mustang (ducking from the Mustang guys). And FWD... a driver can learn to deal with it, and can do a lot of things to tune a car to handle well in spite of it... but it is not actually a benefit to you. You're asking the front tires to put power down AND steer the car... that's a lot to ask of two tires. And you left out his power advantage. A good driver CAN make use of that by finding every opportunity to use it on course. (likewise, a good underpowered FWD driver can find ways to maintain momentum)

In the end, the battle between you and your Camaro-drivin' friend will come down to two things: Tires and Driver. If you both have similar tires, the better driver will win. Period.

That being said... go kick his ass! Nothing humbles a Camaro driver like getting spanked by a Honda.

Seriously, though... just go have some fun.

 

true...

 

F-bodies for one do just fine with automatic trannies. Although not optimal, they have enough torque ANYWHERE in the powerband to overcome the issues.

Just get good at left foot braking. A well driven automatic can run on a National level.

Go look at the results from the National Tour this weekend....F bodies are SERIOUS F-stock cars.

 

I'd put suspension over tires (so long as you're not running 120k mile radials)....

the additional grip is just going to multiply any suspension issues. (stuff like camber gain with suspension compression, body roll is going to be far worse, etc.... you'll have issues with contact patches not staying on the ground etc...)

 

In my opinion the Camaro would do great. I was considering picking up a 3rd Gen camaro like my old one and my roommate and I got talking about the 3rd and 4th Generations. The suspension and capabilities for auto-x favor the 4th gen. I think it would beat a CRX. I will also second the motion started by chet, Integras and NSXs can handle awsome. I would definatly get suspension and tires above anything else.

 

Wow , corey good thread, in case anyone wonders i am the camaro owner he talks about! I actually have no plans to auto x , i think it's cool and all but seen to many people total their cars and have no insurance pay out, no thanks!! Corey I told you lets race from Ybor I4 entrance to to Ulmerton rd in Pinellas?? best of all worlds the twist at malfunction junction the striaght away on howie franklin , lets see your light body auto x crx do 157mph across the bridge , I know mine can what about you? See corey I want a little of all street race , auto x and a decent track (1/4) time! It is all in the setup of the race your trying to run!

 

My trucks all ready for the march 9th autox..
http://www.syty.net/personal/Typhoon...ty_zr1rear.jpg

 

So street racing is safer than Autocross? Exactly how retarded are you? Yeah....159mph on a public highway surrounded by concrete and water is FAR FAR safer... :shrug:

 

NOPE NOPE NOPE....

Case and point... STS/STX All the suspension mods you want, and power mods, and you can lighten the car, and you STILL wont run as fast as you would with the SAME car in STOCK class. Tires are more important.