any of you guys autocross f-bodies?

[bmxking658]

Just wondering how many guys autocross these things? I saw a few clips on youtube, but curious how people do, how you set up the car, and how fun is it? I had a crx I used to race with , never took it seriously just a fun way cheaper way to race on some turns. I've had this nightmare of a 95 camaro for like 8 years now and an 85 ta before that. Always wondered how much fun it would be and how to go about setting up the car.

[bmxking658]

I guess this goes with my aluminum flywheel question, would a stock actually be better for tight cornering? Driving conditions where you gotta work the clutch like a 2stroke dirt bike brrraaa!!! Seriously though like in lower rpm tight turn conditions???

[sweetbmxrider]

There's a few guys on my local board that do it, njfboa.org.

I'm building a car with a few friends for the 24 hours of lemons at NJMP next year, should be fun to whip it in the corners there.

[ShowNoMercy]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

There's a few guys on my local board that do it, njfboa.org.

I'm building a car with a few friends for the 24 hours of lemons at NJMP next year, should be fun to whip it in the corners there.

Really? Sounds cool

[1_black_LT1]

Used to work at NJMP
We saw the muscle cars more often than you think.
Just gotta know how to drive 'em.

The f-bodies do surprisingly well.
They actually have a European style front suspension setup.
Nice wide wheel-base and sit very low.

Assuming the car is factory(-ish), you're biggest enemies are...
-weight in the front
-traction/power efficiency out of corners
-braking
(lt1 brakes suck, you can build them up, but LS1 twin pistons are the winners)
-Snake turns

Don't waste you're money on the motor, they have more than enough power for your average autocross race. You want to tighten the suspension up for Snakes, Beef up the brakes for corner entry, and make sure the wheels are sticking for Exit.

If you aren't afraid to dive-bomb into corners, burn up tires and keep you apex, they'll have trouble over-taking you in and out of corners. But like I said...can't be afraid to tweak that bitch to the edge of wheel slip. lol

Good luck!

[Adam88]

Pretty much what black lt1 said. I take my car to willow springs all the time and i dominate, other then this one s2000 with full suspension, 80 tredwear tires, adjustable dampeners from inside the car ect. It all comes down to driver in the end though. I have seen a bone stock Camry take out fully built STI's in turns.

[bmxking658]

Ha true autocross talk! Yea my crx had a stock motor and still had more than enough power. Definitly started dropping weight off the front, removed a/c, air pump, egr stuff, etc... I'm right now doing a clutch replacement and fuel pump. When I put it all back in I'm replacing the brake lines with braided and I got hawks with drilled rigors already. I put swaybars in a few years ago and that made a more responsive feel. I was looking into a set of strano springs and open minded on any suggestions for struts. Tubular suspension parts in the near future as well.

[Adam88]

I run strano struts with 8 way kyb adjustables, but if you want to get the best suspension set up, I'd post up in the suspension section and wait for UMI Performance to chime in, you can really learn a lot from them about what your car needs, doesn't need ect!

[bmxking658]

Thanks for the tips. I posted a spring question and umi jumped on it. I'm looking forward to chatting with them about some tubular parts to stiffin and make the car more responsive. Trying different set ups is fun but buying garbage and replacing it right away sucks. Trying to work off of other peoples knowledge.

[2cat95TA]

I'm thinking about going to my local autox track this year just for the fun, looks like it would be a blast. Pretty heavy to imports though

[Greed4Speed]

I've been around cones just for giggles. If you want to do it competitively you need to see what mods your class rules will allow. If you're just doing it for fun then mod away.

[bmxking658]

I don't think I ever stuck around after my last run to see how well I did against other people. It's way more fun to build the car the way you want it and race yourself. Otherwise you will be unmotivated watching guys woop your time because they've been doing it every weekend for years. My favorite thing about autocross is you can borrow your girlfriends car or grandmas car for the day and have a ton of fun compared to dealing with s talking drag guys with big wallets. Like the sticker says " fast cars drag race, fast drivers autocross"

[bmxking658]

Not to offend drag racing is super cool but I can't afford it.

[ShowNoMercy]

Originally Posted by bmxking658

Not to offend drag racing is super cool but I can't afford it.

You can drag race bone stock cars in bracket classes with just as much luck and fun.

[bmxking658]

Yea I almost forgot about bracket racing, even though I live a few mins from a 1/4 mile track I never tried it. I know you gotta try and run the same time consistantly but how are classes made up if there is any?