chucks97ss

The town in which I live has just started an annual downtown autocrossing event. It goes for 3 days and today was the first day... I have never been near anything like this before, so was never really interested. But it looks like a blast! So I want to set my car up so it can keep up with the big boys next year.....

Here's what I've got so far.

Motor in the process. Gonna be a pretty WILD 383. I'm hoping for about 600 horse out of it. See http://web.camaross.com/bb/Forum30/HTML/001365.html for more details on the motor...

Body- SSM subframe connectors, 8 point roll bar, BMR strut bar.

Rear suspension- Complete setup from Global West. Their LCA's, panhard rod, and torque arm. They're all equipped with the spherical bushings... So I figure the rear suspension I'm good...

Sway bars- Stock SS sizes (forget what size exactly) but have added poly bushings and end links.

Front suspension- bone stock

Springs- bone stock

Shocks- bone stock

Misc- poly tranny mount, Mcleod street twin

So all you who know the auto xing ins and outs, tell me what I need to do here. What size tire/wheels should I go with? I noticed the real fast guys are running smaller rims? What'd be the best size to go with?
Also, I'm going to be putting together a 12 bolt for the car. What would be a good differential to use? My original plans were to drag race the car... but this auto crossing stuff looks like a lot of fun. So I might switch gears and give this a try

Let me know your thoughts

Thanks!
Chuck


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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

Soma07

I suggest the "driver improvement" mod

But seriously my best advice is to not worry about mods now. Just go out and run a few events first. I promise your car will be alot faster than you are.

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Jason
93 TA, M6

chucks97ss

lol... how did I know that was coming? Ok, well I didn't know if maybe there were a few things I could do to make me a better driver... or shall I say, cover up my flaws of being an amature

Thanks
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

Dr.Mudge

It would have been greatly easier to drive with a stock engine, honestly that amount of horsepower should hinder your ability to learn how to drive.

This one I know from experience.

chucks97ss

Yeah, I had a feeling I had too much motor for this type of event... That's why I want to do whatever I can to the suspension, because with that kind of power it'll be easy to get out of control.

Thanks
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

KeithO

I know it isn't exactly what you want to hear, but the most important performance part in autocrossing really is the driver. Classing does a decent job of ensuring that the cars within a class are close to even and the emphasis is back on the driver.

The cheapest and most fun performance mod is experience. If you "want to run with the big boys" next year, get yourself some seat time.

Try to go to a couple of events hosted by these guys: http://www.nrscca.com/

Now, for improvements on the car:
1) Maximum negative camber on the front suspension
2) Postive caster at 4.25 - 4.75
You can have the above 2 items done properly for less that $50 at an alignment shop.
3) Heavier front sway bar (32-35mm)
4) Aggressive shocks - Koni Single or Double Adjustables or custom revalved Bilsteins from Sam Strano (www.stranoparts.com)
5) Good tires - Kuhmo and Hoosiers sell autocross race tires. After that, there are some aggressive Yokohamas (I use the AVS's 'cause they are cheap) and Kumhos that you can also use for street driving.

I am in my second year of autocrossing. I have now run about 35 events. I have to say that starting with a raw, stock car and making incremental mods allowed me to appreciate them.

Finally, the experienced local autocrossers have told me something that has rung true - only change one thing on the car at a time or you will always be chasing a "different" car as you are trying to improve your basic driving ability.

chucks97ss

Yeah, after seeing a totally stock (besides his Borla) LS1 Z28 today TEARING UP the course and running with the big guns... I knew driver was exactly what makes a car perform. I'm not exactly going to just put my car back to stock if you know what I mean... but I totally understand where you're coming from. Once I get the car going and to my first autox race I'll see how it goes... I know driving time will be my main thing. But thanks for also helping with the suspension tweaking.... Right now I'm basically just trying to see the whole picture of what autoxing is all about...

Thanks
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

KeithO

Well, Chuck, just be careful. Autocrossing can be very addicting.

chucks97ss

Lol.... dude, I think I'm already hooked

Later
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

Dr.Mudge

Even on a full road course this is WAY WAY too much HP unless you have a good amount of experience under your belt, I put out 411 RWHP and it was major overkill, I could not 'get on it' very often at all, at lower speeds all your going to do is spin the tires, so there is plenty of powerband you will never get to touch.

Get out there with a stock or minor suspension modded car and learn how to handle it, get a seperate car for jackass HP levels

chucks97ss

My desire for getting involved with this sport has just been shattered. Today right before my eyes I watched in horror as a Trans Am hit a dip in the course under full throttle, swerved to get on the side of a cone, loose control, and go flying into the crowds. People were flying, people were screaming. It brought back memories of 911 instantly to everyone in the crowd. Everyone was mortified. So as of right now I don't have any reason to want to pursue this type of racing. I'm sick to my stomach. I just need to go lay down.

Later
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

#7

Yeah Its never good to see accidents at events.Comes w/ the territory.
Its a risk you take spectator or participant.
T.

Dr.Mudge

Any form of racing is dangerous, it is ALOT easier to controll a stock powered car, and much easier to improve your times/skill.

There has at least one AutoX event in the last few years where someone was killed, although that could have been avoided if someone was using thier brain and/or paying attention!

Sounds like that was one heck of an accident, you don't mention people being hurt which is a little supprising from the sounds of things! Hope everything turned out ok.

Any racing is dangerous, all the more reason to start out slow, and humble!

Good luck

chucks97ss

You've got that right... And yes, there were definitly people injured, if not killed. 12 total people effected. But the status of their condition has not yet been released.

Later
Chuck

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97 SS #1384
http://www.barncandles.com/camaro/Chucks.htm

Custom true dual exhaust http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/chucks97ss

V6Bob

That's really horrible.

I don't think it "comes with the territory", especially in autocross. Every autocross I've ever been to has taken reasonable precautions to keep spectators out of harms way. Usually this involves keeping spectators in a limited area on one edge of the course, and arranging the course so no conceivable loss of control would put a car in that area. If a car made a simple error and wound up in the crowd, it sounds like someone really fouled up.

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2000 Firebird convert, chameleon/tan, M5, Y87, TCS
KBDDs, BMR STB and Panhard, 245/50-16 GSCs