AutoCross Poll

[Mirroredshades]

I'm thinking about building a dedicated Auto-X machine and I'm wondering what you guys think. Should I build an Early C4 or an Early Gen 4?

I think the drivetrain platform of the F-bod would be a big advantage but would the suspension options of a C4 be more significant?

I put this poll on a Corvette forum and I bet you can guess which one they chose.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I did a little searching the other day for C4 suspension and chasis upgrade parts and I was surprised at how little there was out there for them. All I found were sway bars and shocks. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.

The only advantage I see to the Vette is the IRS rear suspension. That is a big help in autocross racing. I wonder if it could be grafted to a 4th gen.

[Steve95formula]

The '84 Corvette was capable of .92 lateral eceleration and the new Z06 I think is about 1.0 G. stock! Plus the suspension is all aluminum so it would have less unsprung weight than an F-body. There are quite a few spring, shock, bushing and control arm combinations for the Vettes in aftermarket.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Honestly, the best auto-cross machine is going to be neither one of those...

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I was seriously thinking about getting a C4 Vette. I went looking for suspension and chassis stuff and I found a ton of C5 stuff but hardly any C4. "There are quite a few spring, shock, bushing and control arm combinations for the Vettes in aftermarket." Who are some people?

"Honestly, the best auto-cross machine is going to be neither one of those..." ah, what is? LOL

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Originally posted by Jeff 95 Z28
"Honestly, the best auto-cross machine is going to be neither one of those..." ah, what is? LOL

The right amount of cash can turn any car into a monster of whatever you want it to be... this includes turning FWD 4-banger econo-box import sedans into 1320 monsters. I won't dispute that either the C4 or a 4th gen f-body could be a great auto-cross car with the right amount of funds... but you would be far better served to start with a lighter, smaller car. Huge horsepower and torque numbers become pretty irrelevant on auto-cross courses, and they can even be detrimental.

[Joe 1320]

The advantage in autocross will be the narrowest car. There is a higher margin for error and if you can make a narrow and light car stick like glue, you'll clean house.

[Joe 1320]

BTW, there are even things like rollerized bearings instead of traditional A arm bushings. You just have to search around all the Vette venders. Vette brakes in St.Pete Florida has some suspension stuff. Honestly, it's all over if you just keep looking. There are different spring rates, all the poly bushing stuff, sway bars, shocks, coil over kits, etc. They can be made into a darn fine performing machine.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Originally posted by Jay 02 TA ws6
The right amount of cash can turn any car into a monster of whatever you want it to be... this includes turning FWD 4-banger econo-box import sedans into 1320 monsters. I won't dispute that either the C4 or a 4th gen f-body could be a great auto-cross car with the right amount of funds... but you would be far better served to start with a lighter, smaller car. Huge horsepower and torque numbers become pretty irrelevant on auto-cross courses, and they can even be detrimental.

That is so true. My best friend in high school built a Bradly GT out of a bug. He put big bore pistons and a stroker crank to make it 2.1 liters. He had 2 weber 520 cfm carbs on it. No way it could flow that. In a straight line it was about a 14 second 1/4 mile car but in a corner it was a go cart. I think it weighed about 1300 pounds. You could left the whole front end by the bumpers.

[Mirroredshades]

I am willing to consider other platforms as well. I am mainly interested in just having fun. However, I don't want to get waxed by every stock Civic and Rabbit either.

The reasons I like the C4 and F-bod are that I can get one for fairly cheap, there are endless after-market options and I am very familiar with them.

I agree with you guys that HP isn't as critical as cornering in Auto-X. I am a suspension man myself.

What platforms do you guys like better?

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Originally posted by Mirroredshades
I am willing to consider other platforms as well. I am mainly interested in just having fun. However, I don't want to get waxed by every stock Civic and Rabbit either.

The reasons I like the C4 and F-bod are that I can get one for fairly cheap, there are endless after-market options and I am very familiar with them.

I agree with you guys that HP isn't as critical as cornering in Auto-X. I am a suspension man myself.

What platforms do you guys like better?

I am gonna prepare for the flames to start flying after this, but.......




Miata.




There is enough of an aftermarket that you can beef up its straight-line too, so you won't have to worry about getting burned by Civics.

[Joe 1320]

Originally posted by Jay 02 TA ws6
I am gonna prepare for the flames to start flying after this, but.......




Miata.




There is enough of an aftermarket that you can beef up its straight-line too, so you won't have to worry about getting burned by Civics.

Yep. You hit the nail right on the head. They are narrow, balanced, can be tossed around quite nicely. That platform is a born-to-be auto Xer.

[CorollaRacer]

The only car that is perhaps better than the Miata at autocross is the Honda CRX. Not only can you get one for about 400 bucks (like I did, and that's canadian dollars), but they only weigh between 18 00 and 2200 lbs. Being extremely narrow and short helps them greatly as well. And if you go on Kazaa, you can get a video of a stock '88 Civic beating an '01 Z06 Corvette. Power is almost irrelevant in an autocross.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

The S2000 too.

[CorollaRacer]

Originally posted by Jay 02 TA ws6
The S2000 too.

Well, yeah, but that's quite expensive and not that much better than the CRX.