So now I'm in Street Modified..
#1
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So now I'm in Street Modified..
And I am wondering how the car will do against the compeition. My main compeition will be GTI's, Jetta's, a Volvo 262, eclipse, WRX, a Civic, and a SRT-4... any thoughts on how a turbo 8 would do? I have to be frank and say that I'm not sure how good those drivers are because I'm not too familiar with them.
#2
heh. There is something inherently funny about a statement that says you want to race, but not sure if you can beat Jettas and Civics. Sorry I can't help more (or in this case, at all)
#3
You are going to have to deal with traction issues and learn how to use your extra power. I think anything all-wheel drive will be more challenging than FWD and RWD. I'd say, from the list the WRX is a threat.
#5
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Originally Posted by cgrx
You are going to have to deal with traction issues and learn how to use your extra power. I think anything all-wheel drive will be more challenging than FWD and RWD. I'd say, from the list the WRX is a threat.
I'm going to use slicks this year so that will help a bit. Thanks for the comments guys.
Oh yeah, Jason, I'm not worried about eh civics and jettas.. when I was BSP I still beat the raw & pax times of those particular drivers.
#6
Nationally, Tunnell, Sias and Reitmeir have set the SM bar pretty high with their FrankenM3s...and will likely raise it higher this coming year.
Locally, I don't think that you're going to know until you get out there and compete with them.
Locally, I don't think that you're going to know until you get out there and compete with them.
#7
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I only compete locally, this will be my first full season. I ran my first two races last year.. finished 3rd and 1st.. that was in BSP.
#8
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E36 M3s and Civics will most likely be your toughest competition nationally should you ever want to go that route, and also WRXs, Evos, and STis if there are any that are decently sorted in your region. Most of the fast guys in WRXs compete in STX, whereas most of the SM WRX guys modded their car how they wanted and just fell into SM as a result. In general the best drivers aren't going to be found in SM, they tend to gravitate towards other classes for some reason.
Of the cars you listed you might have your hands full with the Civic and the WRX but there are just so many factors that it's hard to say. But a well sorted Civic on an autox course is pretty damn impressive.
Of the cars you listed you might have your hands full with the Civic and the WRX but there are just so many factors that it's hard to say. But a well sorted Civic on an autox course is pretty damn impressive.
#9
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Originally Posted by IkeWRX
E36 M3s and Civics will most likely be your toughest competition nationally should you ever want to go that route, and also WRXs, Evos, and STis if there are any that are decently sorted in your region. Most of the fast guys in WRXs compete in STX, whereas most of the SM WRX guys modded their car how they wanted and just fell into SM as a result. In general the best drivers aren't going to be found in SM, they tend to gravitate towards other classes for some reason.
Of the cars you listed you might have your hands full with the Civic and the WRX but there are just so many factors that it's hard to say. But a well sorted Civic on an autox course is pretty damn impressive.
Of the cars you listed you might have your hands full with the Civic and the WRX but there are just so many factors that it's hard to say. But a well sorted Civic on an autox course is pretty damn impressive.
#10
Originally Posted by IkeWRX
Of the cars you listed you might have your hands full with the Civic and the WRX but there are just so many factors that it's hard to say. But a well sorted Civic on an autox course is pretty damn impressive.
Paul
#11
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Agreed with Ike... If the Eclipse is a GSX driven well, along with the WRX and Civic, they'd be the ones to look out for.. but it still comes down to driver.
About spinning your tires at the launch and controlling it's power ... is there any way to set your engine management where you won't hit full boost in 1st off the line? The launch at a solo isn't ultra important since most courses are set up (should be set up) to not have a drag-type launch. By limiting 1st gear power, you can get out of the hole fairly quickly, and faster than spinning your tires, and then hit 2nd and you'll have full power for the course.
Also, if you have to go back down to 1st on the course, you still don't want full 'boosted' power. I would think this might save some wear and tear on your drivetrain too.
Just something that some SM WRX and DSM guys do (and they can spin all 4 at the launch).
--kC
About spinning your tires at the launch and controlling it's power ... is there any way to set your engine management where you won't hit full boost in 1st off the line? The launch at a solo isn't ultra important since most courses are set up (should be set up) to not have a drag-type launch. By limiting 1st gear power, you can get out of the hole fairly quickly, and faster than spinning your tires, and then hit 2nd and you'll have full power for the course.
Also, if you have to go back down to 1st on the course, you still don't want full 'boosted' power. I would think this might save some wear and tear on your drivetrain too.
Just something that some SM WRX and DSM guys do (and they can spin all 4 at the launch).
--kC
#12
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Originally Posted by Imp
Agreed with Ike... If the Eclipse is a GSX driven well, along with the WRX and Civic, they'd be the ones to look out for.. but it still comes down to driver.
About spinning your tires at the launch and controlling it's power ... is there any way to set your engine management where you won't hit full boost in 1st off the line? The launch at a solo isn't ultra important since most courses are set up (should be set up) to not have a drag-type launch. By limiting 1st gear power, you can get out of the hole fairly quickly, and faster than spinning your tires, and then hit 2nd and you'll have full power for the course.
Also, if you have to go back down to 1st on the course, you still don't want full 'boosted' power. I would think this might save some wear and tear on your drivetrain too.
Just something that some SM WRX and DSM guys do (and they can spin all 4 at the launch).
--kC
About spinning your tires at the launch and controlling it's power ... is there any way to set your engine management where you won't hit full boost in 1st off the line? The launch at a solo isn't ultra important since most courses are set up (should be set up) to not have a drag-type launch. By limiting 1st gear power, you can get out of the hole fairly quickly, and faster than spinning your tires, and then hit 2nd and you'll have full power for the course.
Also, if you have to go back down to 1st on the course, you still don't want full 'boosted' power. I would think this might save some wear and tear on your drivetrain too.
Just something that some SM WRX and DSM guys do (and they can spin all 4 at the launch).
--kC
Last edited by philodox; 01-18-2005 at 07:17 AM.
#13
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But you're in SM... with a little engine management, you can do the launches consistantly and have them repeatable taking out any 'human error' from your right foot being 1cm higher or lower than it should be. Essentially, planting your foot in 1st gear every time, but having the computer apply the throttle to that 80% position. :D
Just thinking out loud.
--kC
Just thinking out loud.
--kC
#14
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Originally Posted by Imp
But you're in SM... with a little engine management, you can do the launches consistantly and have them repeatable taking out any 'human error' from your right foot being 1cm higher or lower than it should be. Essentially, planting your foot in 1st gear every time, but having the computer apply the throttle to that 80% position. :D
Just thinking out loud.
--kC
Just thinking out loud.
--kC
I appreciate everyones input, thoughts, and critiques. That's what I like about this forum compared to others, if you ask proper questions, you get proper answers.
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Philodox, You mention alot and I also saw in yopur video that you spin out the tires. I know this has been discussed on this forum, but what do you feel ultimately eliminated the wheel hop common on the 8?
#16
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Originally Posted by salituro64
Philodox, You mention alot and I also saw in yopur video that you spin out the tires. I know this has been discussed on this forum, but what do you feel ultimately eliminated the wheel hop common on the 8?
#17
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Originally Posted by philodox
I have the Racing beat front/rear sway, front end links, and springs.. I believe the bigger rear sway bar eliminted the wheel hop.
...I'd wager it was the springs
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Originally Posted by philodox
And I am wondering how the car will do against the compeition.
To give you a really gross example, I competed in the SFR SM-Novice group in the 2002 Championship season which spans 17 events. The only reason my 540i was bumped into SM was due to slotted front rotors. The rotors were OEM-sized but at the time slotted was only allowed in SM. The 540i has good hp/torque but it's a heavy, big car that isn't well suited for autocross. Regardless, I took first place in 10 of those events and won overall points for the season. I don't want to sound like I'm boasting but it wasn't the car, it was the driver.
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Last edited by PUR NRG; 05-01-2011 at 05:07 AM.
#19
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
Short answer: not good. Your suspension is the most important part of a car for autocross and what you have doesn't compare to real two-way adjustable shocks. Having said that, chances are it's not the car but the driver that you have to worry about. Relatively few people have well-sorted cars and are good drivers--unless you're in the San Francisco region and then you have nationally-ranked drivers everywhere.
To give you a really gross example, I competed in the SFR SM-Novice group in the 2002 Championship season which spans 17 events. The only reason my 540i was bumped into SM was due to slotted front rotors. The rotors were OEM-sized but at the time slotted was only allowed in SM. The 540i has good hp/torque but it's a heavy, big car that isn't well suited for autocross. Regardless, I took first place in 10 of those events and won overall points for the season. I don't want to sound like I'm boasting but it wasn't the car, it was the driver.
To give you a really gross example, I competed in the SFR SM-Novice group in the 2002 Championship season which spans 17 events. The only reason my 540i was bumped into SM was due to slotted front rotors. The rotors were OEM-sized but at the time slotted was only allowed in SM. The 540i has good hp/torque but it's a heavy, big car that isn't well suited for autocross. Regardless, I took first place in 10 of those events and won overall points for the season. I don't want to sound like I'm boasting but it wasn't the car, it was the driver.
#20
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PUR NRG is spot on. If a serious driver/car combo shows up, you are toast. But, if you are a good driver, you could do well locally. SM & SM2 are big-buck classes. Even though they are relatively young classes, and we haven't seen the wild, frankenstein-type cars that are likely to eventually dominate, the current top (national) cars are thoroughly prepared and streetability is usually not a concern. But don't let this stop you from running! I have a medium-boost Miata I am putting together and will run SM2, and I know it's not nat's material, but it should be a hoot anyway. And since nobody else runs SM2 I know I'll take first.
BTW, I thought the RX-8 was in SM2, even though it has back seats? Anybody have a rule book handy?
If it's SM, I think a well prepared RX-8 has a shot at being competitive, but it will take a lot of work to get there.
BTW, I thought the RX-8 was in SM2, even though it has back seats? Anybody have a rule book handy?
If it's SM, I think a well prepared RX-8 has a shot at being competitive, but it will take a lot of work to get there.
#21
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Originally Posted by GeorgeH
BTW, I thought the RX-8 was in SM2, even though it has back seats? Anybody have a rule book handy?
If it's SM, I think a well prepared RX-8 has a shot at being competitive, but it will take a lot of work to get there.
If it's SM, I think a well prepared RX-8 has a shot at being competitive, but it will take a lot of work to get there.
The RX-8 would be in SM since it's considered a 4-door vehicle. SM2 is for the 2-door guys
#22
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Nope. SM2 is for two-seat cars. SM requires rear seats. Older M3's like Vic Sias's monster car have two doors.
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Last edited by PUR NRG; 05-01-2011 at 05:09 AM.
#23
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
Nope. SM2 is for two-seat cars. SM requires rear seats. Older M3's like Vic Sias's monster car have two doors.
#24
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Originally Posted by philodox
And I am wondering how the car will do against the compeition. My main compeition will be GTI's, Jetta's, a Volvo 262, eclipse, WRX, a Civic, and a SRT-4... any thoughts on how a turbo 8 would do? I have to be frank and say that I'm not sure how good those drivers are because I'm not too familiar with them.
How much did ur turbo cost and how much hp and torqe u got now? i was thinking about forced induction but didn't know which was better, turbo or super charger. But then again i havent' seen any supercharged 8's yet so maybe i don't even have a choice. help would be much appreciated.
#25
Originally Posted by mike0615
How much did ur turbo cost and how much hp and torqe u got now? i was thinking about forced induction but didn't know which was better, turbo or super charger. But then again i havent' seen any supercharged 8's yet so maybe i don't even have a choice. help would be much appreciated.
Flooring my buddy's third gen single turbo RX-7 is sickening (when the boost hits).
Personally I'm curious to see what Pettit's positive displacement supercharger can do. I'd rather fatten the torque curve than get more top end rush, especially for autocrossing. Could be a real contendah in SM if you can get enough power out of it. Vic's car is putting out around 340chp and probably weighs around 2800lbs.