Race Car Search
07-01-2008, 01:58 PM
#22
New Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Billy,
Glad to see that you are shopping for a car. Are you targeting running the car in a particular series?
The most cost effective racing series that I know of is the Spec RX-7 series. which runs regionals in the DC region of SCCA The cars run on 87 octane gas, cheap 13" spec Toyos and a good car can be purchased for between $2500 - $3500. The best part is that many parts can be sourced used or from Mazda as part of their recer support program.
There is a similar series in the soutehast called IT-7. The cars are allowed more modifications and are more expensive, but may be an option for you.
Check out http://www.specrx7.com/
Thanks again for your help at VIR in April. If you want to discuss options feel free to drop me a note or give me a call.
-Rob
Glad to see that you are shopping for a car. Are you targeting running the car in a particular series?
The most cost effective racing series that I know of is the Spec RX-7 series. which runs regionals in the DC region of SCCA The cars run on 87 octane gas, cheap 13" spec Toyos and a good car can be purchased for between $2500 - $3500. The best part is that many parts can be sourced used or from Mazda as part of their recer support program.
There is a similar series in the soutehast called IT-7. The cars are allowed more modifications and are more expensive, but may be an option for you.
Check out http://www.specrx7.com/
Thanks again for your help at VIR in April. If you want to discuss options feel free to drop me a note or give me a call.
-Rob
07-01-2008, 02:53 PM
#23
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Burlington, NC
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey Rob... good to hear from you. From what I keep seeing you are having a pretty fair year thus far. When will you be back at VIR again?
My goal is to have a car purchased, prepped, tested, and me SCCA lisencsed by start of next season. The earlier I can get the car obviously the better. I want to try and get some significant seat time in it before the double driving school in Feb with SCCA. Next season I would like to compete with in the SCCA NC Region and just see where we go from there.
Certainly money is a factor or else I would be driving a DP car, hence the search for something 5500 or less. These BMW's I mentioned looked good for their price, parts availiblity, and decent power. However, over the weekend I was at a track day and got to follow around a few prepped RX-7's and I must admit they get around the track pretty well. Not a lot of HP but seemed to handle very well. My heart wants to stay with nissan in a 240 or so but they seemed to be a little higher priced as so do parts.
The hunt is still going, hoping everyone keeps an eye out for that "steal of a deal".
My goal is to have a car purchased, prepped, tested, and me SCCA lisencsed by start of next season. The earlier I can get the car obviously the better. I want to try and get some significant seat time in it before the double driving school in Feb with SCCA. Next season I would like to compete with in the SCCA NC Region and just see where we go from there.
Certainly money is a factor or else I would be driving a DP car, hence the search for something 5500 or less. These BMW's I mentioned looked good for their price, parts availiblity, and decent power. However, over the weekend I was at a track day and got to follow around a few prepped RX-7's and I must admit they get around the track pretty well. Not a lot of HP but seemed to handle very well. My heart wants to stay with nissan in a 240 or so but they seemed to be a little higher priced as so do parts.
The hunt is still going, hoping everyone keeps an eye out for that "steal of a deal".
07-01-2008, 03:12 PM
#24
ITB and Vintage racing:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/bm...87306165ss.htm
And here's your tow vehicle:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/fo...96909881ss.htm
The whole shebang for around your $5K budget!
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/bm...87306165ss.htm
And here's your tow vehicle:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/fo...96909881ss.htm
The whole shebang for around your $5K budget!
07-02-2008, 05:10 AM
#26
240sx hands down. Many parts, easy to work on, cheap used parts.
944 turbo-been there done that raced it fun but $$$$ for no reason
BMW-pieces of junk, not worth the time pig heavy.
350z-great track car shoulda kept it. chassis is stiffer and better than all three above.
944 turbo-been there done that raced it fun but $$$$ for no reason
BMW-pieces of junk, not worth the time pig heavy.
350z-great track car shoulda kept it. chassis is stiffer and better than all three above.
07-02-2008, 06:32 AM
#27
Originally Posted by eat rice z33
240sx hands down. Many parts, easy to work on, cheap used parts.
944 turbo-been there done that raced it fun but $$$$ for no reason
BMW-pieces of junk, not worth the time pig heavy.
350z-great track car shoulda kept it. chassis is stiffer and better than all three above.
944 turbo-been there done that raced it fun but $$$$ for no reason
BMW-pieces of junk, not worth the time pig heavy.
350z-great track car shoulda kept it. chassis is stiffer and better than all three above.
The Spec E30's are roughly 2550 lbs or less with all the safety equipment (2750 with driver and fuel). The E36 ITR M3's are 2300 lbs. I have yet to see a 350Z in race trim under 2700 lbs.
07-02-2008, 07:12 AM
#28
The E36 ITR M3's are 2300 lbs.
Having built one ITS E36 325is for a customer and a DSP E36 325i for another customer, the best empty weight you can get these cars to is around 2,500 lbs. while still being legal.
That being said, the E36 BMWs are by no means heavy pigs and they build out lighter then you can get a 350Z, if a 350Z could run in IT. The E36 is a great car.
07-02-2008, 08:00 AM
#30
Originally Posted by betamotorsports
Sorry Marty, per the 2008 ITCS in the GCR, the E36 M3 is not classed in ITR. The E36 325is has to weigh 2765 w/driver and the E36 328is has to weigh 2850 w/driver. SCCA uses 175 lbs. as the 'typical" driver weight in its calculations.
Having built one ITS E36 325is for a customer and a DSP E36 325i for another customer, the best empty weight you can get these cars to is around 2,500 lbs. while still being legal.
That being said, the E36 BMWs are by no means heavy pigs and they build out lighter then you can get a 350Z, if a 350Z could run in IT. The E36 is a great car.
Having built one ITS E36 325is for a customer and a DSP E36 325i for another customer, the best empty weight you can get these cars to is around 2,500 lbs. while still being legal.
That being said, the E36 BMWs are by no means heavy pigs and they build out lighter then you can get a 350Z, if a 350Z could run in IT. The E36 is a great car.
07-02-2008, 08:04 AM
#31
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by eat rice z33
ehhh E30 wasnt exactly the model i was speaking of. i always think e46 since thats what my friends race. 350z isnt best track car but having a little weight isnt neccessarily bad. especially if your building for high speed large open track racing.
07-02-2008, 08:21 AM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: DC Metro
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by eat rice z33
ehhh E30 wasnt exactly the model i was speaking of. i always think e46 since thats what my friends race. 350z isnt best track car but having a little weight isnt neccessarily bad. especially if your building for high speed large open track racing.
What series does your friend race in? The E46 isn't light but it's still fairly light by 2008 standards.
I don't think you know what you're talking about, to be honest. Considering your home track is likely LRP, I'd rather have an E30 than an E46 around that circuit any day of the week.
07-02-2008, 08:23 AM
#34
ehhh E30 wasnt exactly the model i was speaking of. i always think e46 since thats what my friends race. 350z isnt best track car but having a little weight isnt neccessarily bad. especially if your building for high speed large open track racing.
but having a little weight isnt neccessarily bad. especially if your building for high speed large open track racing.
07-03-2008, 03:35 AM
#36
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Billhyco
what are some pro/con's between an rx-7 and a 325is?
Cons
- Kinda ugly from certain angles
- Rocker arms (especially performance ones) are FREEKIN' expensive!
- Needs aftermarket bits to "shore up" things for the track (rear sway mounts, rear strut mounts)
- Not very aerodynamic
Pros
- Most balanced car you'll ever drive
- Best factory brakes for a 20+ year old car hands down
- A surprising amount of power, especially with a flashed chip (@140 to the wheels w/4:10 diff)
- Easy to work on... cept maybe tranny removal
- Good on gas (20-25 street, 11-16 track)
- Plentiful aftermarket and OEM parts availability (puts Nissan/Datsun stuff to shame)
- LOTS of driver's to "play" with on track
In my opinion, you'd be better off finding a built E30 and paying a premium for it rather than buying a "street" E36 and having to prep it. If you want to do stuff yourself, you can find lots of E30s for around $3000... then spend a couple grand on updates and track mods.
07-03-2008, 04:41 AM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mhoward1
We do know of one VERY well setup E36 ITE car for sale. Reasonably priced too.
Billy... I think I missed one of your last posts... about SCCA... and I will add another con to the E30. It doesn't fit well in the SCCA's classing structure I don't think. Or at least, it's not competitive in true ITS form. Then again, maybe I'm just thinking of how SpecE30's don't fit well.
07-03-2008, 10:01 AM
#39
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Burlington, NC
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mhoward1
We do know of one VERY well setup E36 ITE car for sale. Reasonably priced too.
please do tell. only found one E30 but its in Ohio. I won't be back up there until end of the month. Like to find something a little closer.
07-03-2008, 10:18 AM
#40
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's the "reasonably priced" car they are talking about:
LINK
It IS reasonably priced for what it is, but it's a long way from the 5500 you started the thread with. Awesome car, though. Very fast.
LINK
It IS reasonably priced for what it is, but it's a long way from the 5500 you started the thread with. Awesome car, though. Very fast.