Newbie - Track Car Opinions?

[R32FJP]

Hi all,

I am totally new to Nissan and to track day fun. So please forgive my ignorance and also if I havent posted in the right section.

Basically I have had a taste of driving around a track and I am now addicted. I want to buy something cheap around $7,000 that would be fun at the track.

I considered a S13 but from what I now understand this is more suited to drifting rather than lapsprints... so I am now thinking of going for an RB20 R32.

What do you guys recommend?

First choice was an S13 with a worked CA 1.8... or maybe an SR20.

Now I am really thinking of going down the RB20 path and get an R32 - I figure that as I get more into it and want to spend more I can do more with an R32 rather than an S13 and maybe put in an SR20 in it later or - potentially an RB26 one day down in the future?? - if possible - as I said new to these cars.

I am just after a car for lapsprinting and motorkhanas..... not into drifting.

Is there any sites that have track day times of cars around Australia? just to get an idea?

What do you guys think overall?

Thanks in advance...

[BezerkR32]

honestly think that a go-kart is more suited to your budget. but you may find your way into a non-complianced 32 leaving you enough cash for some very basic mods. but a brake upgrade to atleast 4 pot front & 2 pot rear, sway bars and tyres are necessary.

Hi all,

I am totally new to Nissan and to track day fun. So please forgive my ignorance and also if I havent posted in the right section.

Basically I have had a taste of driving around a track and I am now addicted. I want to buy something cheap around $7,000 that would be fun at the track.

I considered a S13 but from what I now understand this is more suited to drifting rather than lapsprints... so I am now thinking of going for an RB20 R32.

What do you guys recommend?

First choice was an S13 with a worked CA 1.8... or maybe an SR20.

Now I am really thinking of going down the RB20 path and get an R32 - I figure that as I get more into it and want to spend more I can do more with an R32 rather than an S13 and maybe put in an SR20 in it later or - potentially an RB26 one day down in the future?? - if possible - as I said new to these cars.

I am just after a car for lapsprinting and motorkhanas..... not into drifting.

Is there any sites that have track day times of cars around Australia? just to get an idea?

What do you guys think overall?

Thanks in advance...

[jazzy_j]

Registered or unregistered?

Don't dismiss the S13 just because drifters use them. They are great little cars and probably one of the better options for your price range.

[GOT04]

mitsubishi gsr

there go round like 6G now, there awd, great weight balance, have the evo 3 drive train thats takes up to 800hp.

get sme semi slicks and coilovers and have them corner weighted then hit the track.

[SRS13]

R32 For Sale on NS.com

This might be worth looking at.

Note that buying the car is only the beginning, the money just disappears after that.

Also dont get put off buying a S13 or 180SX because they are good at drifting, they are also relatively good for track work. Cheap, heaps of aftermarket support and very reliable!

Good luck.

[Roy]

honestly think that a go-kart is more suited to your budget. but you may find your way into a non-complianced 32 leaving you enough cash for some very basic mods. but a brake upgrade to atleast 4 pot front & 2 pot rear, sway bars and tyres are necessary.

a 150rwkws GTSt is perfectly fine with std brakes, std radiator. Just needs a fmic and an exhaust, i didnt even run an oil cooler for the first 3 years of track days. Throw some decent suspension under it and you have a cheap as hell reliable track car. I say cheap as you get 10 or so days out of pads, 6+ days out of tyres etc.

If you happen to strip some weight out of it then throw in a decent seat and harness and you are done.

I think with a budget of 10k you could easily get a neat GTSt going to the track.

[R32FJP]

Thanks guys.... some great info there. That GTST looks very tempting... there are a few examples for around $8k with modified suspension, intercooler etc.

What do you think is a fair price for a heavily modified CA S13? Found one with 320hp for around $6500 but its track ready.... I think I can get it lower.

I realise this is now going to be constantly costing me $$$ but I want to start off slow.

Edited March 22, 2009 by R32FJP

[evil_weevil]

S13 deviat here on the forums, has a well sorted S13 for supersprints. As Jay said, dont dismiss them just yet

With that sort of budget, there are a few S13's around!

But with what Troy has said makes good points. Motorsport isnt cheap, if you get a car for a bit more like a 32 gtst, you can have plenty of fun with minimal mods!!

I've decided to get away from the R33 for track days as it was just going to cost too much to run, now have an MX5 clubman which has already worked out cheaper for me!!

But either way, you'll have fun, and its addictive!!!!

[benm]

and has you have seen yourself Chris you don't need a big car with big power, a small and nimble car is just as quick with half the power. But being small and light means that tyres, brakes, fuel which are 3 big costs of trackdays are much lower too.

[evil_weevil]

Exactly Ben!

I had the best fun in the mazda with 130hp last sprint day than I had in the skyline with 400 or so hp - also came first in class which would never happen in the other class I was in LOL

And the costs, yes exactly, much cheaper!!

[Risking]

I had the opertunity to drive a naturally aspirated S13 silvia around wakefield on saturday. With minimal mods and a gutted car it was a heap of fun to drive and managed some decent lap times.

It was painfully slow in a straight line after getting out of a 400Kw GTR but still entertaining around the top of the circuit and back down the hill for about 5 laps. Then I was well and truely over it.

Id seriosuly suggest you follow Troy's advise and buy an R32 GTS-t though. The S13 would quickly get boring once you become a better driver and the R32 lends its self well to an Rb26 conversion. I dont really beleive in the whole under powered light weight car thing. They are not nessisarily faster around corners and they are painfully slow on the straight.

Edited March 22, 2009 by Risking

[R32FJP]

I had the opertunity to drive a naturally aspirated S13 silvia around wakefield on saturday. With minimal mods and a gutted car it was a heap of fun to drive and managed some decent lap times.

It was painfully slow in a straight line after getting out of a 400Kw GTR but still entertaining around the top of the circuit and back down the hill for about 5 laps. Then I was well and truely over it.

Id seriosuly suggest you follow Troy's advise and buy an R32 GTS-t though. The S13 would quickly get boring once you become a better driver and the R32 lends its self well to an Rb26 conversion. I dont really beleive in the whole under powered light weight car thing. They are not nessisarily faster around corners and they are painfully slow on the straight.

Yep I agree with other comments on a light car such as an MX5. That is a great car. I am up in Darwin though and Hidden Valley Circuit has a 1.1km straight... so thats where I need a more powerful car. If I can find a cheap R32 I think I will be heading that way for sure... the more and more I am researching its all pointing that way.

If the budget doesnt stretch thought I might have to settle with an S13. Just hard to make up my mind.....

I have a 135i which was loads of fun on the track but its not a car that I want to track often... just took it out to see how it goes.... now that I am addicted I want a trackie.... and would love the motorkhanas too.

[benm]

Theirs about 25 Porsche GT3 Cup cars on my105.com to choose from if you need the extra speed...

[Roy]

Yeh, anything with a bit of go in a straight line will cost big biccies.

Plenty of go means you need plenty of woe. Which means your car is for show. So you will need lots of dough. So bank balance will be low...ah, farked if i know

[SRS13]

I had the opertunity to drive a naturally aspirated S13 silvia around wakefield on saturday. With minimal mods and a gutted car it was a heap of fun to drive and managed some decent lap times.

It was painfully slow in a straight line after getting out of a 400Kw GTR but still entertaining around the top of the circuit and back down the hill for about 5 laps. Then I was well and truely over it.

Id seriosuly suggest you follow Troy's advise and buy an R32 GTS-t though. The S13 would quickly get boring once you become a better driver and the R32 lends its self well to an Rb26 conversion. I dont really beleive in the whole under powered light weight car thing. They are not nessisarily faster around corners and they are painfully slow on the straight.

Was that Dave's (Dumhed's old) car? If so what times were you doing in that?

I dont think he would get over a SR20DET S13 so quickly!

Just look around and be patient, something (either S13 or R32 or something else) will eventually come up that will determine which way you go.

[phunky_monkey]

I think both are good choices for the track.

The S13 wll need upgraded brakes straight away, but S14/15/32/33 brakes will be plenty and the car is lightweight with lots of aftermarket support. Personally I wouldn't touch a CA, but that's me. I just don't trust their reliability.

The 32 is also a good choice as it has bigger brakes already, but weighs a bit more. RB20 is a strong engine too and will take an absolute beating but feels quite gutless when stock.

[hrd-hr30]

S13 doesn't have the front end problems that the R32's multilink has when running track oriented geometry. I've had both an R32 GTR and a S13 Sil80.

SR20 will make just as much power as an RB20 with less weight. CA18's are OK, but have far less torque and subsequently a narrower, peakier power band compared to the SR20. And I've had both engine too - my built CA18 with Argo rods, Venolia pistons, Tomei cams, head work, custom steam pipe manifold, HKS GT-RS turbo, Autronic ECU & CDI which on 1 bar made 20kw less than a stock SR20 on the same boost with an off the shelf manifold, HKS GT-SS and 550cc injectors, with PFC. and its not just the peak power that's lower, the CA came on more suddenly, peaked and dropped off. the SR has a peak of 270bhp at the wheels but has over 260bhp from 5000-7500rpm! basically there will never be a time on the track where you have less than 260bhp available at the wheels the CA only had that power for an instant.

S13 is lighter which means better braking & increased corner speed, while being easier on tyres and brake pads.

I think the S13 is the better option but an R32 is OK too, just a bit heavier and wil chew out upper arm bushes. dead sexy engine note though! you'll have a bunch of fun in either car.

[Marlin]

Agreed with Harry there....... an S13 is a very good option. Finding a decent one is the hardest bit.

I cannot say I'm at all dissappointed with my 32 GTS-t though, 3rd fastest (behind a 996 Cup car and Sports Sedan) at saturday's Top Gear meet @ Lakeside says there's plenty of pace to be had with one still Keep in mind that mine isn't a circuit car, it's a tarmac rally car with all the associated compromises that go with that.

[R32FJP]

S13 doesn't have the front end problems that the R32's multilink has when running track oriented geometry. I've had both an R32 GTR and a S13 Sil80.

SR20 will make just as much power as an RB20 with less weight. CA18's are OK, but have far less torque and subsequently a narrower, peakier power band compared to the SR20. And I've had both engine too - my built CA18 with Argo rods, Venolia pistons, Tomei cams, head work, custom steam pipe manifold, HKS GT-RS turbo, Autronic ECU & CDI which on 1 bar made 20kw less than a stock SR20 on the same boost with an off the shelf manifold, HKS GT-SS and 550cc injectors, with PFC. and its not just the peak power that's lower, the CA came on more suddenly, peaked and dropped off. the SR has a peak of 270bhp at the wheels but has over 260bhp from 5000-7500rpm! basically there will never be a time on the track where you have less than 260bhp available at the wheels the CA only had that power for an instant.

S13 is lighter which means better braking & increased corner speed, while being easier on tyres and brake pads.

I think the S13 is the better option but an R32 is OK too, just a bit heavier and wil chew out upper arm bushes. dead sexy engine note though! you'll have a bunch of fun in either car.

Just the info I wanted!!!!!! Thanks heaps very informative!

You have now helped me rule out the CA totally.....

I think an SR S13 will be the best or a R32 depending on the money.

Question though.... does it really matter if it is a red top or black top SR20.... ?

[R32FJP]

Agreed with Harry there....... an S13 is a very good option. Finding a decent one is the hardest bit.

I cannot say I'm at all dissappointed with my 32 GTS-t though, 3rd fastest (behind a 996 Cup car and Sports Sedan) at saturday's Top Gear meet @ Lakeside says there's plenty of pace to be had with one still Keep in mind that mine isn't a circuit car, it's a tarmac rally car with all the associated compromises that go with that.

very impressive... right behing a 996 cup car....