I have a 2002 Z28 and the only mods I have are a strut tower brace, sway bars and subframe connectors. I found out that the subframe connectors put me in the SM class and I have the stock tires, can't afford 17's. How badly can I expect to be beat in this class? Will it be embarrassing? I just do it for fun so as long as I come in close I won't be disapointed.

 

it really depends on who shows up and how good they run.. you got nothing to lose for showing up.

I get my *** kicked (albeit out of my class) by all sorts small dinky looking POS cars... mostly because they know how to drive!

Me, and the other people in the local car club autox i attend, mostly fell into SM because we did mods before we knew about autox classes.. I would be in f-stock if it wasn't for my rims and sfc's..



[This message has been edited by Ken S (edited July 15, 2002).]

 

I did the same thing and did my mods before looking into the classes, it was my rear sway bar and subframes that put me in SM. On the street I like the added handling of them so I probably would have done them anyway, I just hope these little ricers in my class don't do circles around me, my skill level has been greatly improving so hopefully I can keep up in my class.

 

SCCA SM class? Why are you racing against Miatas? Buddy, I think you're in the wrong class.



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Pat Newton
'97 Formula - unstock
'85 BMW 524 turbodiesel - stock and stinky
'90 Mazda Miata - Spec Miata race car in progress
'90 Mazda Miata - Spec Miata race car "in progress"
http://home.attbi.com/~patricknewton/f-body/formula.htm

 

Pat Newton-
I ASSume you are joking

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-94 Black T-Topped Z28 M6, 10s, and daily driven!
-96 CBR F3, modded of course
-92 Talon Tsi AWD, also too many mods..
-99 Tony Kart
http://www.fastblackcar.com

 

Street Mod - man that class got out of control quick.
After getting the crap kicked out of me by Gary Richardson (and his SERIOUSLY fast Audi TT)earlier this year I have to wonder if F-bodies can be competive in that class.
Its really hard to put a mildly modded F-body up against 3000# AWD cars with 400HP and 14" brakes.

Still had fun though... And thats the point - eh

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1971 Camaro
12" brakes
16x10" wheels
VSE swaybars
350 / M21
Autocross Competitive
'83 FSP GTI (driver)
Administrator; 2nd Generaton Camaro Owners Group (2GCOG)
www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/2gcog.html
Sales / Tech
"The Speed Merchant" - San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

 

Hey Pat, I also assume you are joking and don't know much about autocross because SM or Street Modified is a very hard class and some of those little cars are running over 500 horses and have major suspension and other upgrades. SM is almost an unlimited class for upgrades and is for all four seater cars with any amount of power upgrades.

 

We have alot of cars in our SM class, I seem to be the only FS. I run on street tires, and am about 1 to 2 seconds behind the average SM times, but will beat a straggler or two. I'm still fairly new (6 times total, 4 in the Camaro), so I'll probably close that gap a bit with more experience.

The last time I raced the starts were fun. There was an immediate right then left. Most cars were floored through both turns. My mighty Camaro was already up to speed and squealing for the left. Love that acceleration!

 

are these cars actually there in your area? my camaro had more hp and tq than the other two cars COMBINED in SM on the last local autox.

 

Hey Ken, where are you autocrossing? I am in Portland and just started a few events ago but I've only seen one other Z28 out there.

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95 Z28, SLP Y pipe, Flowmaster muffler, SFC, STB, KYB shocks, Moroso CAI, 1LE front anti roll bar w/poly bushings, Hurst shifter, TBB, LT4 KM, LG Motorsports pedals

 

I don't care much about autocross, but I do know about it. My first event was in 1991.

I was, in fact, kidding. Hence the winkie.



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Pat Newton
'97 Formula - unstock
'85 BMW 524 turbodiesel - stock and stinky
'90 Mazda Miata - Spec Miata race car in progress
http://home.attbi.com/~patricknewton/f-body/formula.htm

 

There are a few people in my area that have some very high horsepower cars, One is some type of BMW I am not sure of his exact power but it is high and another is a 420hp Supra that is really fast and another is a Subaru WRX which he claims over 500 horses but has no dyno sheet to prove it. Anyway they are all atleast 1000lbs lighter, and have more power and more mods so I need to push my car as far as I can, my advantage is that the LS1 puts out a lot more torque at lower rpms and has a broad torque band which allows me to accelerate out of turns good.

 

I was doing some autox with a local car club in Salem Williamette Car Club

http://www.eescc.org/WillametteMotor...02Schedule.cfm

I haven't showed up for the last two events cause i had other thigns to do.

Also right now I have a wierd brake problem so I'm not doing anything until I figure ti out. I randomly get a real long pedal on moderate-hard breaking on my 99 Z28 which freaks the hell out of me. This weekend I'm going to try to look at my lines.. Then I'm giong to check my pads to see if any are tapered bad.. if not then I'm going to have to figure out how to check eveyrthign else.... hopefully i won't need a new master cylinder.

I also lurk around the nw-f-body email list.

 

jp2002ls1 were you at the WMR event at WMU? I was the red Z in ESP. What did you end up running? You have a good foundation for a SM car. First thing I would do is pick up a set of Big wheels and tires. 275 at least with a 9.5 wheel but I like the 315's all around. As long as they fit in the rear you are fine. Front fitment is a piece of cake.
Ne×t you need a Torsen T2R diff. Not the regular Torsen.
Then go with your shocks and springs.
call up Sam Strano or look up Stranoparts.com

 

Ken: thanks for the reply. So these are held in Salem? Also the hillclimb sure looks like fun. Will have to check it out. Appreciate the info as I'm new to autocross and never knew how much fun it is. Have seen it a number of times but it's far more fun to do. Wish I knew how fun it was years ago as I've owned vettes and a Mustang that would have been good for this. Present car isn't competitve (especially since I've not got much practice) due to having subframes which are staying in but I love to drive hard.

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95 Z28, SLP Y pipe, Flowmaster muffler, SFC, STB, KYB shocks, Moroso CAI, 1LE front anti roll bar w/poly bushings, Hurst shifter, TBB, LT4 KM, LG Motorsports pedals