Best thing to do to an a4 for a-x

I am interested in trying some autocross in the near future. I noticed that just about everyone who is serious about it has a manual trans. I could be wrong but it makes sense since it involves a lot of different speeds.

I have an autox style alignment. The guys that did it told me about it and i thought itd be a good idea. I bled my brakes and have new pads. Car is pretty much tuned up all around. I got boltons and gonna be gettin new swaybars soon.

I was wondering about the trans now, is there anything i should do to make it better at a-x? I was thinking maybe one of those transgo electric shift kits but they seem like a corny idea. I also am thinking about a torque converter. Would the tc help in auto x or hurt? Any other suggestions?

Honestly, the best thing to do would probably be to swap over to a manual valve body, but if you're gonna do that, you would probably be better off just swapping over to a manual..

A torque converter will hurt your performance more than it would help you autocrossing and a shift kit may or may not help you. I would go with your current setup and then just figure out what you think would help you out. A lot of a good setup is preference with the way the car feels.

I would say go auto crossing and find out how much you like it, and then make your plans from there. Its a blast and I think you would have fun with or without an "Auto-X" setup.

The first thing to do is check the rules. Careful of which mods bump you up classes. If this is an scca event, the 2005 rules are online at scca.com There's nothing that needs to be done to the transmission other than picking 2nd or 3rd to leave it in depending on course size. Yes, manuals have a slight advantage, but a good driver in an auto will take out an average drive with a manual any day.

If you're hoping to keep the A4, you should consider putting an aftermarket cooler on it.

I got the rulebook downloaded but it confuses me a little bit. What is the most things i can do for the stock level on our cars?
What are some common things that you wouldn't expect to bump you up to the next category and what are common things that are allowed?
Are they extremely strict on there rules (Mods)?
Are CAIs, front 35mm swaybars, or subframes allowed in the stock class?
I basically want to know what you can do to have a good setup for stock, I will go out and check out the scene first but i just want to know.

Trans cooler is a must. 4.11 gears make for some fun too. Big swaybars

The stock class allows air filter (not CAI), cat back exhaust, front sway bar, different shocks, stock size wheels, different brake pads, and DOT stocky tires. That's about it.

I use an A4 and my last three cars that I've autocrossed have been auto's. My CP car won the SEDiv in CP and my current car won the SEDiv in ESP. They are very competitive. I would prefer an auto for autocross.

Nothing wrong with auto at auto-x. Stay away from a manual shift set-up. One thing I liked about HPP and my auto, it locked 1st gear in until I choose to shift to 2nd. Many courses I used to put it in 2nd and just leave it there.

Can you explain me how you set the hpp to do that? I haven't used it in a while but i dont remember any options like that.

a4 for autocross is fine.................. just watch the 1-2 shift around corners :D ...............the azz will come around real fast..............

just have fun and be smooth................smooth is fast

The HPP does it automaticly. I did not know it would do it, but I love how it does it. When I uploaded it, the progam was there.

I got the rulebook downloaded but it confuses me a little bit. What is the most things i can do for the stock level on our cars?
What are some common things that you wouldn't expect to bump you up to the next category and what are common things that are allowed?
Are they extremely strict on there rules (Mods)?
Are CAIs, front 35mm swaybars, or subframes allowed in the stock class?
I basically want to know what you can do to have a good setup for stock, I will go out and check out the scene first but i just want to know.

Steve gave a good overview of stock. The next class up, street prepared, allows for (in addition to stock allowances) the CAI, headers, racing seats, bigger wheels, differential (not gears), springs and some computer editing.

Subframe connectors aren't allowed in classes most competitve for the f-body. You'd have to go up to Street Mod, where you can do a whole lot more.

Hey guys.....I'm going to be trying my car at an auto-x track in July, so thought I'd jump in on this thread and ask a couple Q's myself;)...

Would I be better off to stick with the 4.10's in the car for auto-x-ing?

Also, since I've been more into straight-line racing until now, my plan has been to put in a stall converter this year (~3500) but should I wait to do that 'til after I've run the auto-x track?:confused: I may look at doing a cooler ahead of time, but tell me honestly whether you think a ~3500 stall would help or hurt?:think:

As well, I've been planning on headers and possibly a cam swap.....I'm sure those mods will help regardless:D.

In terms of suspension upgrades, I already did SFC's last year (Comp Engineering boxed bolt-ins) and I've got a set of Edelbrock boxed LCA's as well. Would a strut tower brace make much of a difference? FWIW, I'm not doing this competitively.....just as a "fun day" to try it out at the local driver development school:thumb:.

thx in advance for any input :cool:.

Stall converter and autox are not a good combo. You might talk to SSteveL up your way in Toronto. I'm pretty sure I saw him trying to autox with a high stall in his car. It was ugly. In autox you need to be able to get up and go in really short spurts. The stall takes tooo long to get up to speed and when it gets there you need to ease up for the next turn, after which you need to get back on it etc.

As for gears, I've had 3.23 and 3.73 in an A4 combo before I went to an M6. The 3.23 worked better with the A4 in Autox because I could run without changing gears as often.

Mines got a 2600 stall and works great. No issues whatsoever.

Maybe I should have mentioned, my other gear option is 2.73's;). I'm putting them back in the car for now anyways, 'cause I'm driving down to Florida next month (road trip, woo hoo!!:D) so if you guys thought they'd work, I'd just leave them in afterward:confused:. In all honesty, my car never felt "slow" before switching to 4.10's, and at least with the 2.73's, I'd probably only run 1st and 2nd gear, and I know where I can safely downshift in each gear;).

...just more food for thought :).

I ran some calculations using a stock RPM limit (5900 rpm) and my new engine RPM limit (6500 rpm, don't have it yet) with my 3.23's and 3.73's, also keeping in mind normal autocross speeds, 3.73's would be my choice.

Maybe I should have mentioned, my other gear option is 2.73's;). you do have a 3:42 option. :thumb:

you do have a 3:42 option. :thumb:
Well, technically I've even got the option of 3.23's too!:p (yes, I mean I actually have a 3.23 ring & pinion out in the shed!:D).

BTW, road trip is cancelled:( ... we're flying instead!:rolleyes:

I think it looks like I'll be running with the 2.73's after all though:think: ... seems I'm going to be doing a lot of highway driving this year, so I'm probably gonna put the 2.73's back for highway mileage anyways, so I'll probably just run with those;).

Not a Z, but, in the early 90's I used to autocross a '78 Cutlass Cruiser Wagon. A/C, power windows/locks, cruise, roofrack, frame hitch ,wood grained sides, CB antenna - and my times always beat SS Corvettes. Granted, I did have to run in FMOD due to the 4-wheel disks, 10.25:1 compression and '87 Cavalier seats, but otherwise it was:
350 Olds, Ultradyne cam (108 deg lobe center), Performer, Holley 650 SB Double-pumper, 2600 stall 350, 2:56 gears, headers/dual exhaust, custom head work, Hellwig 1 5/16' front bar, Factory 3/4 rear bar, 235/60-15's all the way around on 15x7 rims.

I kept it in first the whole time. First was good till 70 MPH@6500 RPM.

:-)

TankII

Hey Tank ... I had 2.56's in my '81 Z28 ... I know what ya mean about that long 1st gear!!:D Ever done the math? 3rd is good 'til damn near ~200 mph!!! :lol:

BTW, road trip is cancelled:( ... we're flying instead!:rolleyes:hope its not with jetsgo again. :p