Track car ideas

[FPVTurboTaxi]

i went nissan for my track car purley because eveything fits eveything . gearbox's diff suspension , gurrently running a 6 cyl rb 20 gearbox in my bluebird

my first race is pittsworth sprints :-) in 2 weeks

i may race nissan but a, ford thru amd thru

[stiddy]

An escort with a 13b Turbo motor.
RX7 series 1/2/3 13B turbo.
Ford Laser TX3 with a BPT motor.
Mitsubishi Scorpian with 302 V8.
.. heaps more, they are just vehicals ive helped put together.
(the above can all be had and done for under 10k)
Dude get the trading post and look in the "Cars Under 10,000" part.

[Nikked]

Escort with a SR20DET.

[FPVTurboTaxi]

escort with a fj20 et in it ... thats whats in my bluebird and its a beast

[Rev28K]

If you aren’t wedded to the drag idea a FWD CRX or Mini also enters the picture – they can be quick on the circuit when developed.

Thumbs up for the MR2 Mk1 (supercharged), MX5’s and Datsun 510’s.

The main thing should be heaps of part interchangeability for cheap upgrades (Nissan) and lots of spare panels and shells (which means that you want a fairly common model).

One of my first cars was a Datsun Z (2 seater) with a stroked L28 engine and triple carbs. It was heaps of fun.

I know that you said a daily driver as well but if you go track only (need a CAMS level 3 (competition) license to bring in to the contry then there are heaps of Jap imports to bring in.

And if you are sprinting at Calder on the long circuit your everything in your brakes really needs to be top notch as it is one of the hardest circuits for brakes (we used to do combined circuits years ago - the thunderdome joined to the long circuit - scary for us circuit guys who are used to runoff areas)

Remember you probably aren't going to be quick out of the box. It might be better for you to buy a nice easy car (both in terms of serviceability and driving) that you can thrash around for a year or two and get experience from before going nuts on the mechanicals.

Check out the back of the racing mags they usually have a classified section where people are selling off old track cars at a loss.

[Matt_971]

good point. I dont expect to be fast. I know once you start you always want more but I want to just start out in it to have some fun. Who knows one day i might want to move to competition.

Guess I will just wait till i get some money up and see what cars are awaiting me lol.


Keep the ideas coming. You all have me thinking quite a bit.

[Rev28K]

If you are near Calder Park it might be an idea to zip out there on a weekend when a club (say FFCC Ford Four Car Club) you are interested in are sprinting and trawl through the pits.

Some of the older cars have had an ‘interesting’ life so I’d maybe think about a newer 80’s/90’s based car – say a Nissan Silvia or 180SX. There was guy on here (6-12 months ago?) who bought a supercharged MR2 Mk1 for a track car – maybe see how he went with it? I still like RX7’s – although the mk 1 to 3’s are getting a bit old. Maybe a worked Suzuki Swift GTi (with a good diff) as well. If you want to go to a slightly bigger car maybe a Mitsubishi Galant VR4 or a much bigger car an early Ford Falcon XR6.

Sometimes you are better off just getting out there and having a go. If you do that with a car that you can sell easily (i.e. more common) then upgrade to a more dedicated track car when you have got half an idea what works and what doesn’t, the main thing is to get out there.

I’ve been competing with daily drivers for years and everyone one of my cars has been on a track. If you are going to go down this route be prepared for a bit more maintenance on your car – (spare track wheels and tyres and good pads) tracking your car can take a bit out of it so make sure that it is in reasonable mechanical condition before you go out there. I’ve shared tracks with $500 paddock bombs and $500,000 Ferraris and sometimes the guys in the cheaper cars seem to be having more fun (and it can be great fun at times).

[V8falcons]

Ok,good question for your $10k if your smart you can a have a quick little track car,but just pick something that has alot of suspension components/brakes/ drive line upgrades available.

Ive got a RS2000 track car and its great for the track,it handles unreal,brakes are good the only problem with it is good performance parts are a little thin on the ground now unless you have a thick wallet!!Such as big HP NA 2ltr will set you back $5k +++,then a good box and a diff that will handle the power,Ive gone the easier route for one of my engines and have sierra fuel injected turbo 2ltr Im building slowly,but I think,Im going to retire her duties as a track car and be more a weekend thrasher.(too good to put it into a wall)
# Other cars stand out for my next track car/s ,will be either Trx III bluebird SR20 turbo,as skyline brakes/struts and diff go in the bluies,Next would be an MX5 (ex racers are cheap enough) and wacka turbo on it for a bit more go down the straights,then a Suz swift GTI (ex racer as well all the hard work is done)
have fun and no matter what you buy,you will have to spend money on it to get it where you want it,A good set of track tyres and brakes make a huge difference in my opinion compared to an identical stock road car.

[JG66ME]

I like the Escort, but my choice would be a MK1 Capri 3000 GT. Its stating to push the bounds of your 10k limit though.

If you take a Mk1 Capri and add a warm 302w (7kg hevier than the 3 litre Essex) with a 4 speed much like the South African Basil Green Parana Capri you have a car that will be fun on track, strip and hill climbs.

Steve

[Wokkas]

If I wasn't doing it slowly to my BA, an E series Falcon would be my choice. The saloon car series here in SA is big, and the E series chassis has proven itself to be one tough .

The first two things I would look at is RWD, and double wishbones up front. Also something that is upgrade friendly.

Depends what sort of driving you like..... small fast cars, or big fun cars.

[normxb]

Matt

I'd keep your street car & get a car to put on the track .

Reason being , I played around on the track for 12 years and saw quite a few street cars come to "grief" ..then you've got no street car & no track car . Saw a guy "write off" an Escort Street Car once , his Mrs wasn't real happy because it was her "shopping car".

If you're going to do it just for fun (which I did) . Best way is to buy one already built , heaps cheaper , most work done and fairly well sorted (just check the body for metal fatigue) .

2L Eskies & Daddo 1600's are a good start or LC/LJ Torana's (plenty of bolt-on Go Fast bit around) . Join a "Car Club" because a lot of cars are sold "within the club" and if you need a hand with it a few guy's in the club know what's been done to the car (as in Mods) .

When I started I bought a racecar (rolling shell) all it needed was motor & gearbox , everything else was there , 8 wheels (4 slicks,4 wets), roll cage , race seat , gauges , sway bars , 4 wheel disc's , adjustable shocks ,Foam filled fuel tank , re-set springs , tuned length extractors , triple carbies , all body work etc. I never Won anything , it was a "mid field" car , but Hell , I had some fun in the old girl .
I've still got it but it's past it's "use by date" now (1959 FC Holden Sports Sedan) wouldn't sell it EVER , too many memories . :

Just my 2.2 cents worth (GST Inc)

Norm

[Matt_971]

i am thinking that now. I will prolly have a few laps in the street car but just as fun. will be on an open day or with a club or sumthing. not in a race. Just want fun atm.

Who knows i might get out there and find out i like the drags better or rally etc etc.

But i thinking keep the laser (AWD TUrbo with most the work already done) and see how i go. then save some $$$$ then when something comes up when i in with the crowd then go from there.

I like the idea of a datto 1600 with fj20et motor. But i will wait and see what comes up when i have the money.

[xbgs351]

$10k

Seriously drop all ideas of driving the car on the street and look for a running race car. A going concern is heaps cheaper than doing it yourself. A Sports Sedan like the Alfa pictured before would be good, but if you want to be fast and affordable go for an open wheeler such as a Formula V, Formula Libre or Formula Ford. What makes them affordable is their light weight (ie 400kg) and basic engines and mechanicals. As they weigh so little they hardly wear tyres, discs and pads. You should be able to pick up a nice car for under $20k.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

$10k

Seriously drop all ideas of driving the car on the street and look for a running race car. A Sports Sedan like the Alfa pictured before would be good, but if you want to be fast and affordable go for an open wheeler such as a Formula V, Formula Libre or Formula Ford.

That's true, as soon as you start pushing things on a track the running costs spiral, a mate reckons it costs him $5-600 each time he hits the track on a drive day just from brake and tyre wear and fuel, and that's without any brakages or repairs.
You'd also have to drop all thoughts of anything turbo too purely from a reliability and running cost perspective.. turbo engines (especially older ones) are money pits, especially if they're raced...

[Cam]

Funny how someone mentioned a "Mitsubishi Scorpian with 302 V8"

I have a scorpian as a daily driver atm, but i am looking at turning it onto a track car down the track, GSR turbo sigma stuff fits, early magna heads and rebuild the bottom end and so on..

I have worked out that for about 5k i will get it all done and would be capable of high 13's given the weight, and even through my scorpian is is only lowered with decent shocks it still handles pretty well. and the 2.6L 4 banger and a turbo would be a heap of fun!

Buy something and do it yourself, you know you wanna!

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by fastfords-dot-org

Funny how someone mentioned a "Mitsubishi Scorpian with 302 V8"

I have a scorpian as a daily driver atm, but i am looking at turning it onto a track car down the track, GSR turbo sigma stuff fits, early magna heads and rebuild the bottom end and so on..

I have worked out that for about 5k i will get it all done and would be capable of high 13's given the weight, and even through my scorpian is is only lowered with decent shocks it still handles pretty well. and the 2.6L 4 banger and a turbo would be a heap of fun!

Buy something and do it yourself, you know you wanna!

And whilst on the topic another example of a car that you couldn't build at anywhere near the price wanted:
http://dragster.com.au/modules/newbb...&post_id=79648 $14k ono for a Scorpion, that from memory has almost broken into the 7's.

[Scott]

Buy a small, purpose built car. Chasing HP to run with the faster boys is a big $$ game to play. Starting with an overpowered, good handling & stopping small car means you will demolish the big boys under brake and all through the corners (this is where the racing happens anyway). As mentioned, my105.com (look at sport sedans if you want something a little insane) is a good place to start.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by GTP006

Buy a small, purpose built car. Chasing HP to run with the faster boys is a big $$ game to play. Starting with an overpowered, good handling & stopping small car means you will demolish the big boys under brake and all through the corners (this is where the racing happens anyway). As mentioned, my105.com (look at sport sedans if you want something a little insane) is a good place to start.

Exactly.

A historic F2 like this at $29k

is faster than a car like this at $320k

and as fast as a car like this at $125k (which is only a roller)

and it can also get a couple of years out of a set of tyres and brakes.

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

That's true, as soon as you start pushing things on a track the running costs spiral, a mate reckons it costs him $5-600 each time he hits the track on a drive day just from brake and tyre wear and fuel, and that's without any brakages or repairs...

What does he run? I can go through 1k for a track but that is with food, petrol to and from (200km each way) and sometimes accomodation. $.5-.6k just for tyres/brakes/petrol at EACH event seems high.

If he is running his road tyres they could get chewed up easily each time out, same with road pads. And I guess a big capacity engine at WOT would chew a bit.

My 4 cylinder's tyres last 4-5 events easily, pads last for a year, a full tank of gas (especially at Phillip Island). Really it was just the set up costs (spare wheels, race pads, braided lines, timing equip, helmet) that were a big hit after that the running costs weren't that bad.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

What does he run? I can go through 1k for a track but that is with food, petrol to and from (200km each way) and sometimes accomodation. $.5-.6k just for tyres/brakes/petrol at EACH event seems high.

If he is running his road tyres they could get chewed up easily each time out, same with road pads. And I guess a big capacity engine at WOT would chew a bit.

My 4 cylinder's tyres last 4-5 events easily, pads last for a year, a full tank of gas (especially at Phillip Island). Really it was just the set up costs (spare wheels, race pads, braided lines, timing equip, helmet) that were a big hit after that the running costs weren't that bad.

VK Grp A road car with a track set-up, with big rotors and pads, and sticky Yokies, the tyres cop a hiding as do the pads and rotors, i must say he pushes the car pretty hard, but none the less its not unrealistic.

[Rev28K]

Fair enough then. They would be lighter than a modern VT or VE so I guess it could be worse and by “track set-up suspension” I assume that means a fair bit of front neg camber which wouldn’t help long term tyre life. Still if he wants to go fast the memory of the laptimes lasts a lot longer than short term financial pain.

If I had to do it all over again from scratch I’d have a daily tow car and a more dedicated track car either a PRB Clubman or as some of the others have said a historic single seater or maybe a ridgy-didge sports sedan. The reasons?

1.They are relatively cheap you can certainly pay more to go slower.

2.They can be resold easily (single seater and the clubman)

3.They shouldn’t cost big $$$ to have fun in (that doesn’t mean winning championships).

4.You can get away with smaller tow cars for the tiddler track cars (a guy I know tows his old FF behind his WRX).

God, I wish I had’ve saved up for a clubman years ago rather than spend a lot of money going backwards in daily drivers or less suitable hacks. One day……

How much are the little Aussie race cars (RWD motorbike engine 32 Ford body) around $30k-ish?

[Kenaz]

I would get a EA S pack. They're good as! Get one in that Mint green colour. Two thumbs up.

[Matt_971]

ok well i really appreciate all the comments guys.

I have a daily car already. got a EB ghia wagon. so the other car will be a "fun" car.

I dont wanna buy a clubman or single seater f2 style car. I want something i can rego. Only reason is I dont really have enough room to store something like that and isnt really the type (s) of car you leave parked on front lawn.

I am thinking the datto because i have done some reading and seems ANY early nissan stuff bolts in with very minor mods. And they seem very strong lil cars.

Or s13 silvia. got a magte who has one n i like them a bit.

I am putting the TX3 up for sale very soon. Reason i dont keep that for track is it is to nice. In great condtion lows kms etc etc. Dotn wanna wreck it.


Thinking i would like to get into drift also. main reason is calder have open nights u go n play. where as open tracks. do they happen? dont see it advertised.

But track/drift car shouldnt be to much of problem. depends on rear tyres hehe

well keep the ideas coming. I wont be moving on a car till i have the money etc. so when ever i sell the laser etc.

Cheers
Matt

[Rev28K]

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=10908

Supercharged MR2 mk 1

[Fordmuscle1965]

What about something like this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...147634359&rd=1 :