Deciding Whether Or Not To Build A Cheap Track Car

[R33_Dude]

At the moment I am tossing up buying another car for track use either - mostly circuit track days. It needs to be street legal (as it will be driven to events) but won't be used on the street as such. I am wanting to do this on the cheap (i.e. less than $10,000) and not for quick times - just for fun. All in all I am after some unbiased opinions. I really just want a bit (a lot) of speed, fun, and a bit of a hole to throw my money in.

So I am considering (and stay with me on some of these options):

R31, 4 door, 3.0 with a turbo conversion (I have some VL turbo pieces), good tyres and sorted suspension. 

A late model XF (stay with me guys...) with either a rebuilt head and stage 1 snort turbo kit or a 351 plus tyres and suspension.

A lotus clubman replica, I can get all the parts cheap and would use a cheap late model four cylinder - problem is it takes time to build and really I want to just get out there.

or 

An early CA18DET Silvia (can easily be picked up for under 10,000) plus appropriate modification.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I have no particular brand loyalty - I am more interested in an effective, rounded package. At the moment I am leaning towards the '31 - there is plenty of parts available and there is always the option to go a RB30/25 much further down the track. That said the XF idea appeals to me because it will be such a cheap undertaking. The clubman due to its effectiveness and the silvia because its a rounded package. 

Ideas? Suggestions?

Edited January 22, 2009 by R33_Dude

[Marlin]

For your budget I reckon you're better off getting something that is already a quick base car. Adding turbos, engine conversions, brakes, suspension et all will chew up your 10k quicker than you can blink.

Something like a S13 (although, I'd find one SR powered) or a 32 or even a crappy condition 33 gts-t would be the go in my opinion. Six months ago I bought a 32 gts-t with a CAMS cage, race seats, harnesses and everything else required for the money you're talking..... search MY105 and disregard the asking prices, it's a buyer's market, and just kick them in the balls and make an offer.

There is always the possibility of getting a race/rally only import, one you can still drive to and from track days etc..... I've seen many good S13's for around 7-9k that would be perfectly suitable, heck a mate just got a great Series 6 RX7 in himself with suspension, big single turbo etc landed for 12k! Best thing is, if you don't chase big HP, most of the Jap stuff doesn't need brake upgrades etc.... thats when you start spending the money.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Marlin

[BezerkR32]

maybe an idea to look for a car that is for sale and already built. I dont know that you can build a street registered circuit car, with all the safety gear that you should have as well as rego for under 10k, but im sure some guys will get on here and tell you different, but realistically a cage, seat, harness, and good helmet will cost you between 3 & 4K. My kart cost me around 6k once i bought gear and spares.

At the moment I am tossing up buying another car for track use either - mostly circuit track days. It needs to be street legal (as it will be driven to events) but won't be used on the street as such. I am wanting to do this on the cheap (i.e. less than $10,000) and not for quick times - just for fun. All in all I am after some unbiased opinions. I really just want a bit (a lot) of speed, fun, and a bit of a hole to throw my money in.

So I am considering (and stay with me on some of these options):

R31, 4 door, 3.0 with a turbo conversion (I have some VL turbo pieces), good tyres and sorted suspension. 

A late model XF (stay with me guys...) with either a rebuilt head and stage 1 snort turbo kit or a 351 plus tyres and suspension.

A lotus clubman replica, I can get all the parts cheap and would use a cheap late model four cylinder - problem is it takes time to build and really I want to just get out there.

or 

An early CA18DET Silvia (can easily be picked up for under 10,000) plus appropriate modification.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I have no particular brand loyalty - I am more interested in an effective, rounded package. At the moment I am leaning towards the '31 - there is plenty of parts available and there is always the option to go a RB30/25 much further down the track. That said the XF idea appeals to me because it will be such a cheap undertaking. The clubman due to its effectiveness and the silvia because its a rounded package. 

Ideas? Suggestions?

[R33_Dude]

Thanks for the suggestions. Like I said I just want to get out and have fun in a manner thats not going to result in losing more points.

I will check that site out.

[R33_Dude]

There is always the possibility of getting a race/rally only import, one you can still drive to and from track days etc

I just checked out My105.com, there seems to be a few good deals! I was under the impression the race only imports couldn't be driven on a public road though. 

[Kaido_RR]

I just checked out My105.com, there seems to be a few good deals! I was under the impression the race only imports couldn't be driven on a public road though. 

if they are B rego (i think that is what it is called)

you are allow to drive to and from events and to and from workshop; I can not remember if you need to ring up and get permits each time or if it is allow under the b class rego

[R33_Dude]

I will investigate this further. Cheers.

[t01-100]

Having been there and done it I'd start with an R32 GTSt and go from there... its cheap to buy, cheap to fix and has as and heaps of bolt on parts to made modifying easy.

The 31 chassis needs extra effort to make it as good as the 32 is without a cage, so why make it harder? That said 31s are retro cool but you'll just end up spending dead money changing brakes, hubs that you just don't need to change on a 32.

I had the choice to start all over again down this road after a 200SX, then a GTSt and then a GTR, but whatever I picked had to have low on going costs and I stupidly went with an FD RX7! It’s not far off being finished and should be a top thing when the play day rolls around, but the spend will have been plenty more than I'd have planned to spend on a 32... in fact this thing has been an ongoing project for over two years now, if I'd got a 32 GTSt I'd have been racing for over two years already!

[GTR-32U]

considered an early model Commodore with an LS1 conversion ?

[Angus Smart]

Can someone give me a little more info on B rego? i couldnt find anything on rta website...

[R33_Dude]

I have actually... The only real turn off for me is the effort required to perform the conversion. Finding an early commie is easy, finding an LS1 with looms, ecu etc in Tasmania? Difficult.

[Kaido_RR]

Can someone give me a little more info on B rego? i couldnt find anything on rta website...

here you got: i think i might have just made up its called B rego looks like its just race/rally rego

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Ra...rts-t76844.html

[Snowman]

It's known as B reg in W.A. Each state is different and has different rules.

[NISMO]

I can see where you're going with the XF.

There's a guys who's come to a couple of track days with a falcon, not much more done to it other than stripped interior and cage. Was speaking with his old man at the track and he said he picked it up for under $10k and was having a ball in it. Street registered and all.

I think the user name was motoraction or something like that.

Kepp en eye out on My105 for corolla's. There are some crazy examples going for very decent prices.

[phunky_monkey]

I'd probably go for the 32 within that kind of budget, as they already have decent brakes, GT-R parts are easily retro-fitted, parts are easy to find and they're relatively cheap to maintain with decent potential.

[GTS4WD]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Eo...ml#entry4384420

And buy a trailer with the change?

[McDrifto]

for the track IMO either something light like these over the ones you have chosen:

EVO 3/GSR lancer:

MR2

MX5

all can be picked up for sub $10k

[evil_weevil]

www.my105.com has some nice cars for sale.

I know theres a few race/rally import purchases only....but they can be had pretty cheap, would just need a trailer and a tow car!

[Kaido_RR]

www.my105.com has some nice cars for sale.

I know theres a few race/rally import purchases only....but they can be had pretty cheap, would just need a trailer and a tow car!

with rally rego you can drive the car to and from events just need to get a permit from cams

[Angus Smart]

It appears for what i want to do its not suitable

since i only wish to drive to and from events in my car (most events are just private track days) and not run under cams etc. i dont think its possible for me to have this type of rego for this use.

might have to just register the car and pray for the best.. and maybe get a trailer eventually..