Anyone running a GTV6 in G-Stock?

[Mericet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mind Thanks for all the replies, guys. It looks like the current AutoX classing structure has changed quite a bit since most people's experience here with AutoX... The stock classes seem to be initially broken out by power/weight. I think it might be worth a shot to try to compete it and see how it does. Although I agree that the Milano may be a better choice, since it came with the 3.0 liter. My initial rationale was that since it will already be in a class with similar power/weight, then it might have an advantage due to the fact that it is RWD, and there aren't many small-ish, lighter RWD cars out today (yet). The closest things would be the RX-8 and 350Z, but those are classes way higher. I guess maybe the Miata's are similar.. but they're in their own class... hmmm... Most of the AutoX I've witnessed seem to be mostly 'get it in 2nd and be done with it'. Top speeds shouldn't get much higher than 60, maybe 65 at most. What does the GTV6 2nd gear redline at? Also, out of curiosity, what makes the GTV6 more of a track car than an AutoX car? Gearing? Powerband? Suspension setup? Yes? The ST-classes are very appealing. There are three main ST-classes - STS, STX, and STU. Seems that STS is dominated by civics/neons, STX is dominated by WRX, and STU is dominated by STI/Evo. By the book, the GTV6 should fall in STS, but I'd have to double check with the SCCA rulebook to see if they would place the GTV6 elsewhere. You can do a lot with the ST-cars (coilovers, strut bars, swaybars, etc). The cars that seem to do well here are cars that maybe don't have optimal stock suspensions or rates, but respond pretty well to common, street-type mods.

[Mind]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mericet Most important, go and have fun.

[Echo Leader]

My thought concerning a GS GTV6 is that in a stock class the front anti-sway bar is "free". This is very advantageous on a RWD car, and there aren't many of those running in GS. Not that I see anyway, it seems to mostly be Mini's, Civcs maybe something like an SVT Focus or Scion TC and the like. Coupling this with the fact that the classes are somewhat power/weight dependent...? Maybe the front bar aspect makes up for the slight P/W deficit the GTV6 might be running against the Minis?

I agree as well that the most important aspect is having fun with your automobile of choice. And I'm certain that running a GS GTV6 would be a blast, but it would be nice to at least be in the ballpark of those darned Mini Cooper S guys. Maybe just close enough to beat them if they have a bad day......ahhh that would be sweet.

Bob, you talking about the school they had in November? Maybe I was spinning a wheel but I was smackin' the redline like a bad, bad donkey right at the finish line.

[Mericet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo Leader My thought concerning a GS GTV6 is that in a stock class the front anti-sway bar is "free". This is very advantageous on a RWD car, and there aren't many of those running in GS. Not that I see anyway, it seems to mostly be Mini's, Civcs maybe something like an SVT Focus or Scion TC and the like. Coupling this with the fact that the classes are somewhat power/weight dependent...? Maybe the front bar aspect makes up for the slight P/W deficit the GTV6 might be running against the Minis? I agree as well that the most important aspect is having fun with your automobile of choice. And I'm certain that running a GS GTV6 would be a blast, but it would be nice to at least be in the ballpark of those darned Mini Cooper S guys. Maybe just close enough to beat them if they have a bad day......ahhh that would be sweet. Bob, you talking about the school they had in November? Maybe I was spinning a wheel but I was smackin' the redline like a bad, bad donkey right at the finish line.

[Mind]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mericet I too think the GTV6 would be a blast in GS. The front bar would help a lot, but the fact of the matter is that the Minis are just so much smaller. Locally, you might have a chance. Division and Nationals.. forget about it. As I start getting my car going this year (and depending on how my AX effort in HS will be going in a GTI) I will most likely run a few events in the Alfa.

[Echo Leader]

You're planning on running in 'Pro' then, Mind? You're a better man then I. I was just hoping to be a nag to the Mini guys. Keep them constantly wondering about weather I'll be having a good day, when they have a bad one. Lurking just waiting to pounce and secure victory with a 22 year old chassis!

[turbolarespider]

At this point, for season 2007, I would only run in GS.

Get to know the car, and how you like to drive it. That's the ONLY way you will know what mods you need. After you know the mods, you can find a class.

The ONLY other alternative is to run in STS stock, and work that way.

Don't plan on being competetive for 2-3 years- it will take that long to sort the car and the loose nut behind the wheel.

When we got our GTV- we ran on the crappy M+S tires for an entire season to understand the car, and then running in CS for a few years, we realized that she is far more fun with mods, and we now run in DSP/SM(sort of).

In the end, I'll be running in a class sort of like SM (our local clubs don't have that class, since choosing classes based on # of seats is silly, IMHO). But it's taken a long time to really understand what I need/want in the car (and it turned out to be another car, since the mods are pretty lenghty for a street car).

We all have to face the fact that our newest car is 12 years old, and the typical car is 20-40 years old, so we have little chance to really compete. Get out there, have fun, be odd, and do your best to be competetive!!!

One more thing, since we are talking autocrossing, I EXPECT all of you to be at the 2007 convention, trying to be faster than George! (note- I'm the chair of the autocross.... so be super nice to me )

Eric

[Mericet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo Leader You're planning on running in 'Pro' then, Mind? You're a better man then I. I was just hoping to be a nag to the Mini guys. Keep them constantly wondering about weather I'll be having a good day, when they have a bad one. Lurking just waiting to pounce and secure victory with a 22 year old chassis!

[Little Italian]

I'm thinking of using my retired and worn out, rusty GTV6 as a F-Prepared Solo car. I bought the car in '83 new and drove it for fourteen years as a daily driver. Now I envision it with a second life. F- Prepared allows the interior to be gutted, the panels to be lightened, any springs, wheel, brake, sway bar, F.I system. Turbos and superchargers are not allowed.

I don't believe having a stiffer rear suspension would be beneficial in a Dedion/transaxled GTV6 driven in a Solo. A stiffer bar in the rear will only cause one wheel to pick up off the ground in the hard turns of a solos once the limits of the torsion is approached. On a GTV6, one of those two wheels is providing the power to the ground. A lighter bar would aid in keeping the rear dedion on the ground - both wheels planted with a full contact patch of rubber. I think a stiff front suspension, soft rear suspension, and a stiffened frame between the two as a roll cage is the combo.

[Echo Leader]

Great thoughts, Eric. Its good to try to keep the whole undertaking in perspective. And I do suppose that STS is a class option, I'm not 100% familiar with what is allowed in that class though. I'd have a read up on the class and what is available for the GTV6. I think some part of the motivation behind GS is that tons of money wouldn't be spent on modifying the car.....though the R-Comps can get really pricey, so maybe running a street tire class like STS would be a good option.

Little Italian: That sounds like it would be a great project. Do I hear the start of another "Budget Racer" thread?

Speaking of a soft rear suspension being good on the DeDion, has anyone attempted to run with the rear bar disconnected?

[turbolarespider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo Leader Great thoughts, Eric. Its good to try to keep the whole undertaking in perspective. And I do suppose that STS is a class option, I'm not 100% familiar with what is allowed in that class though. I'd have a read up on the class and what is available for the GTV6. I think some part of the motivation behind GS is that tons of money wouldn't be spent on modifying the car.....though the R-Comps can get really pricey, so maybe running a street tire class like STS would be a good option. Little Italian: That sounds like it would be a great project. Do I hear the start of another "Budget Racer" thread? Speaking of a soft rear suspension being good on the DeDion, has anyone attempted to run with the rear bar disconnected?

[Mericet]

STS allows up to 3.1liter normally aspirated. Wheels are limited to 225 on 7.5 inch rims. There is generally more suspension allowance as well as front and rear sway bars. Changes in ride height (mostly due to people changing to coilovers) is allowed as well as camber plates.

Just like Little Italian, my car is going the way of F-Prepared/track rat. Too much rust to repair economically. Along the way, it might spend some time in STS and DSP. Both those classes are pretty competitive here in OVR. At least Alex Schipkov is now living in New York and no longer runs in DSP here.