What Track Car Would You Buy? - Starting With A Clean Slate

[JZP]

congrats mate!

good abse to start with - take a look at ryans (BOZ22N) r33 build - everytime Ive been in it I giggle because its just an awesome car with the right amount of grunt, and cold tyres make it fun hehe

whats the plans now?

cage?

My plans are to put fix the plumbing and FMIC. Then to do the tyres and geometry (control arms, etc). I need to have a look at the brakes, etc.

There are heaps of small things that need doing (eg: replace battery, terminals, belts, oils, etc). Tyres are some sort of cheapo rubbish, so they need replacing. I reckon it will take 3-4 weeks to get the car ready (for me).

I'll eventually do the cage and cosmetic stuff, but just want to get trackside ASAP.

[JZP]

OK, the GTR is sold so it's all systems go.

I'm seriously considering having my car as a track only car.

However, before I make changes that are really hard to reverse, what events would I be excluded from not having rego?

For example, the ARC forum battle, it would be a bit of fun to compete, but I would be excluded because it is road registerd vehicles only?

Input from the guys who have been here and done this before would be appreciated.

[Roy]

My 2c... making it a track only for what reasons? To save money on rego, or because when you rip the ac out does it mean you would rather not drive it to events

[JZP]

1324290761[/url]' post='6158639']

My 2c... making it a track only for what reasons? To save money on rego, or because when you rip the ac out does it mean you would rather not drive it to events

Hey Troy, Well, it is primarily based on once you modify the car too much it's really not suitable for the road. Yes, you don't need to pay rego, which is a bonus.

Personally, I see the benefit of having it road registered but I'm also over the cop magnet thing so I not fussed either way.

My question is purely about whether I'd be excluded from any Tarmac/race events if the car does not have rego.

If so, I'll get the rwc ASAP and get some plates on the car before I get it track ready for next year.

[Duncan]

Well firstly, don't let that rego go until you absolutely have to! Rego might be expensive, but towing a car everywhere will cost far more (tow car + safe trailer + fuel/brakes/tyres when towing)

Many of the overly commercial/try hard events have "road registered" classes of some sort - but they meaningless because they don't require "road legal", just current rego. Pretty much anyone can keep plates on pretty much anything so there is no point sticking to a class like that.

The only other events to consider are rallies - these require registration of some sort to complete because at least some stages are on open roads. Full rego is by far the easiest, but most states except NSW have a rally/conditional/special interest rego that you can organise. If not, you can probably obtain a temporary "unregistered vehicle permit" or similar.

[JZP]

1324374889[/url]' post='6159817']

Well firstly, don't let that rego go until you absolutely have to! Rego might be expensive, but towing a car everywhere will cost far more (tow car + safe trailer + fuel/brakes/tyres when towing)

Many of the overly commercial/try hard events have "road registered" classes of some sort - but they meaningless because they don't require "road legal", just current rego. Pretty much anyone can keep plates on pretty much anything so there is no point sticking to a class like that.

The only other events to consider are rallies - these require registration of some sort to complete because at least some stages are on open roads. Full rego is by far the easiest, but most states except NSW have a rally/conditional/special interest rego that you can organise. If not, you can probably obtain a temporary "unregistered vehicle permit" or similar.

Thanks mate. Pretty much answers it. Rwc and rego it is.....

I'll be trailering the car anyway. Big end bearing let go on the old gtr on atrack day, so the lesson is that track racing is hard on cars and to expect something to break. other benefit is that you don't need to be afraid of not getting home.

Living in kinglake is far from everything (mechanics, transport, all tracks).... Better off hedging my bets.

[Duncan]

?Isn't Kinglake near Bt Buller, Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain and THC? seems like you have an excellent neighbourhood to me.

Try living in Sydney with:

1 race track they have just split into 2 dodgy 50s lap tracks

1 race track only supercars can run on (that costs $$$millions per year)

1 race track that is only available twice a year (yes, taxis again at one of them)

1 race track 3 hours from sydney with the worst weather in Oz.

[JZP]

1324376194[/url]' post='6159842']

?Isn't Kinglake near Bt Buller, Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain and THC? seems like you have an excellent neighbourhood to me.

Try living in Sydney with:

1 race track they have just split into 2 dodgy 50s lap tracks

1 race track only supercars can run on (that costs $millions per year)

1 race track that is only available twice a year (yes, taxis again at one of them)

1 race track 3 hours from sydney with the worst weather in Oz.

Oh yeah, good places.... They're still far enough away to be a PITA.... In the order of hours...

There really doesn't seem to be decent investment in motorsport.... But I guess I'm stating the bleeding obvious.

Thanks for your input mate.

[Russman]

Thanks mate. Pretty much answers it. Rwc and rego it is.....

I'll be trailering the car anyway. Big end bearing let go on the old gtr on atrack day, so the lesson is that track racing is hard on cars and to expect something to break. other benefit is that you don't need to be afraid of not getting home.

Living in kinglake is far from everything (mechanics, transport, all tracks).... Better off hedging my bets.

Remember your RB25 probably won't let go Driving to 'low wear' events like motorkhanas, hill climbs or winton are great if the car isn't too wild. You won't need a spare set of tyres, jerry cans, spare brake parts etc so driving to the events is a lot easier.

Or.... Are you going to buy a trailer? If you're going to buy one anyway and have a tow car already then maybe don't bother with getting a RWC. They can be pretty hard to pass unless the car is quite stock...

[BOZ22N]

I came to this cross road some time ago and there were many for and againsts but it just came down to money and risk for me.

I was already towing my car to events as I live too far away and worried about breaking down etc. I did love driving my car on the street but i think I spent more time worrying about getting pulled over than enjoying the car which shit me to tears. We have very painful coppas around here and I did get pulled over once and all they did was write me a ticket stating no H pattern on gear knob and exh too loud then ticked the blue slip required so I was buggered.

I cancelled the rego and laid up my insurance and this saved me about 1k per year on rego,greenslip and insurance costs that I was not enjoying.

I do miss the car not being regoed but it just means I have more money to spend on events.

Will the no rego hurt me with events later, I don't know but I will cross that bridge then.

Good luck mate.

[JZP]

1324861497[/url]' post='6165392']

Remember your RB25 probably won't let go Driving to 'low wear' events like motorkhanas, hill climbs or winton are great if the car isn't too wild. You won't need a spare set of tyres, jerry cans, spare brake parts etc so driving to the events is a lot easier.

Or.... Are you going to buy a trailer? If you're going to buy one anyway and have a tow car already then maybe don't bother with getting a RWC. They can be pretty hard to pass unless the car is quite stock...

Hey Russ, I've already got a tandem for my properties and an almost brand new (now hail damaged) 4wd for towing 3.5t capacity.

I suppose I just like being self sufficient and like to keep my options open if things go wrong. Nice to keep my stuff somewhere too....

Nice to know the rb25 is a bit more accommodating ... But knowing my luck.... Something will probably let go big time.

Thanks mate.

[JZP]

1324871623[/url]' post='6165487']

I came to this cross road some time ago and there were many for and againsts but it just came down to money and risk for me.

I was already towing my car to events as I live too far away and worried about breaking down etc. I did love driving my car on the street but i think I spent more time worrying about getting pulled over than enjoying the car which shit me to tears. We have very painful coppas around here and I did get pulled over once and all they did was write me a ticket stating no H pattern on gear knob and exh too loud then ticked the blue slip required so I was buggered.

I cancelled the rego and laid up my insurance and this saved me about 1k per year on rego,greenslip and insurance costs that I was not enjoying.

I do miss the car not being regoed but it just means I have more money to spend on events.

Will the no rego hurt me with events later, I don't know but I will cross that bridge then.

Good luck mate.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one having those thoughts!

[kingscorp]

Well done, im sure you will enjoy yourself.

Some pointers for you:

1. Make it as light as possible

2. Get it to handle, focus on into and out of corners

3. Get the best possible brakes you can afford

4. Spend the bulk of you money you on suuspension and brakes

Unfortunatly the GTST's will always have trouble going fast, they are heavy and rear drive only, a front diff (GTR) fixes this!

Remember, reducing weight should be your priority.

Ash

[Roy]

Unfortunatly the GTST's will always have trouble going fast, they are heavy and rear drive only, a front diff (GTR) fixes this!

But can you think of a better platform to build up. You can get them down to around 1250kgs and power to around 320rwhp with no trouble at all. At that point std brakes, radiator, gearbox, diff eytc are all perfectly fine. And they take big tyres to boot. Cant think of a better platform that can be had for a song

[kingscorp]

But can you think of a better platform to build up. You can get them down to around 1250kgs and power to around 320rwhp with no trouble at all. At that point std brakes, radiator, gearbox, diff eytc are all perfectly fine. And they take big tyres to boot. Cant think of a better platform that can be had for a song

I didn't say the R33 was bad, just stating the facts

1250kg is a heavy racecar and with only 320rwhp wont be overly exciting, not even sure you could get a caged R33 down to that weight? Who here has a caged R33 that is 1250kg?

I would choose:

S14 or S15 (better rear suspension than S13, stiffer chassis than S13, also the petrol tank is infront of the rear axle)

FD RX7 (50:50 weight split, front and rear double wishbone suspension, easy HP, bood brakes cheap to rebuild the engine)

EVO 3 (light for a 4wd, good engine, good 4wd system, great chassis, but still 4wd so can be harder to work on yourself)

S15 or S15 caged will be 1100ish kgs (1140kg with R33 gearbox and GTR diff/shafts)

FD RX7 caged will be about 1060kgs

EVO3 caged should be around 1250kgs, maybe less!

Ash

Edited December 28, 2011 by kingscorp

[Roy]

Not "challenging" your statement Ash. I suppose you are looking at the engineering merits of the car which is fair enough. I am looking at it from the TIGHT ASS mug punter and sprint days perspective

The S14/15 folk still complain about gearboxes. Don't understand it myself as I have a 208,000km old RB20 box serving me ok so not sure just how weak they are. The brakes on S14/15s are underdone and whilst not much bigger R33s seem to hang onto them ok if weight is taken out of the car.

And an R33 with FMIC, power FC, exhaust and filter with some aftermarket suspension can be had for 8k.

So you get a rigid body, good rear and front end susp geometry. Tuff gearbox. And a motor that is pretty easy to lean on with a bigger turbo and 400rwhp if you want to throw an oil cooler and bigger radiator at it for track work.

Much cheaper then even an S14 so I think as a budget club car that is only really racing yourself and a clock then they are about the best buy you can make.

[kingscorp]

Roy, I think the best thing to do is choose a category to race or sprint and then choose the car.

I agree a R33 is a budget racer but will never be great, the whole car would have to re-engineered to make it any good. Nissan knows this, hence the GTR

I'm told the "S" gearboxes are week, I changed my S14 Racecar to a RB25 box before I took it to the track. Dont know much about the brakes, Im told the Skyline brakes go on?

I wouldn't say the Rear end is good on any R32,33,34 or S13, S14, S15, they are a nightmare! Multilink arm binding, massive camber and toe changes through it movement. Fact is they will never get out of a corner like a FD RX7 or EVO.

Check this video, its me in a FD in 2008 on RE55 Bridgestone R comps, chasing Kerry Wade in a R32 GTST (2wd) with RB26

This is a S14 IP car, has 36mm intake restrictor (restrictor limits HP @ 348rwhp and Revs 6000), Yokohama R Comps

Ash

[bigmikespec]

Unfortunatly the GTST's will always have trouble going fast, they are heavy and rear drive only, a front diff (GTR) fixes this!

Remember, reducing weight should be your priority.

Ash

Did not realise adding a front diff and t/case weights nothing

[kingscorp]

Did not realise adding a front diff and t/case weights nothing

Of course it adds weight, but the advantage is the extra drive. You are able to use all the RB horsepower. GTST will just do big skids

Ash

[N1GTR]

Roy, I think the best thing to do is choose a category to race or sprint and then choose the car.

I agree a R33 is a budget racer but will never be great, the whole car would have to re-engineered to make it any good. Nissan knows this, hence the GTR

I'm told the "S" gearboxes are week, I changed my S14 Racecar to a RB25 box before I took it to the track. Dont know much about the brakes, Im told the Skyline brakes go on?

I wouldn't say the Rear end is good on any R32,33,34 or S13, S14, S15, they are a nightmare! Multilink arm binding, massive camber and toe changes through it movement. Fact is they will never get out of a corner like a FD RX7 or EVO.

Check this video, its me in a FD in 2008 on RE55 Bridgestone R comps, chasing Kerry Wade in a R32 GTST (2wd) with RB26

This is a S14 IP car, has 36mm intake restrictor (restrictor limits HP @ 348rwhp and Revs 6000), Yokohama R Comps

Ash

Some nice oversteer there on both videos!

Is the RX7 running an inlet restrictor? Is it same power as the Nissan?