Turning a beater into an autocross car

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Ryan Holton wrote:

Quote:

DSM's: Making ordinary people into mechanics since 1989.

I can't believe you didn't post this one... classic

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:57 pm

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:09 pm

Well, at least they don't throw a CEL.................. :roll:

Bill Aycock · **Joined:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:55 pm **Posts:** 117

steve remchak wrote:

Well, at least they don't throw a CEL.................. :roll:

That's what my other car is for :lol:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:21 pm

Bill Aycock wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

Well, at least they don't throw a CEL.................. :roll:

That's what my other car is for :lol:

Brett_Murphy · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:02 pm **Posts:** 355

Before this comes up, I'll just cut it off at the pass:

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:53 pm

Brett_Murphy wrote:

Before this comes up, I'll just cut it off at the pass:

pfft, you just blowing smoke...................

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

steve remchak wrote:

pfft, you just blowing apex seals...................

Fixed that for you.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:18 am

You guys are just jealous your car can't go "brap, brap" and wake everyone up in the paddock at 6 am

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:19 pm

I drove Ryan's DSM one time and would comment that you will probably have understeer always. IIRC they are a 50/50 mechanical split. Stripped they aren't as heavy as you might think so they can corner well, just don't have a balanced feel.

That said I think a 20 year old turbo 4wd car is a bad idea. Think of all the clunky old cars that show up now. Then increase the complexity by a bunch. All that extra superfluous driveline stuff is worn out. The bushings and ball joints are worn out. Remember we haven't even made it to the engine compartment yet....

The best advantage in autox is having a vehicle that works as crisply as the day it left the factory. You notice autox is perennially the sport of the new hot car and it's because unless you have scales and a plethora of tools it's hard to keep them that way.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:21 pm

Rob Keehner wrote:

The best advantage in autox is having a vehicle that works as crisply as the day it left the factory. You notice autox is perennially the sport of the new hot car and it's because unless you have scales and a plethora of tools it's hard to keep them that way.

This is the truth. Pretty much every wear item in my Miata's suspension has been replaced. I think the front ball joints are all that remain.

JohnByers wrote:

You guys are just jealous your car can't go "brap, brap" and wake everyone up in the paddock at 6 am

I could set up launch control/anti-lag and put a rotary to shame.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:46 pm

Rob Keehner wrote:

I drove Ryan's DSM one time and would comment that you will probably have understeer always. IIRC they are a 50/50 mechanical split. Stripped they aren't as heavy as you might think so they can corner well, just don't have a balanced feel.

I'm sorry, but if you were understeering, you were driving it wrong. You can't drive one of these cars like you would a normal car and expect it to do well.

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:17 pm

I beat the owner

Must have done something right.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:21 pm

Rob Keehner wrote:

The best advantage in autox is having a vehicle that works as crisply as the day it left the factory. You notice autox is perennially the sport of the new hot car and it's because unless you have scales and a plethora of tools it's hard to keep them that way.

These two thoughts should be thought of separately, not as "one requires the other." Autocross is not perenially the sport of the new hot car, except in some Stock class exceptions. 24-year old Civics in STC, 17-23 year old NA Miatas in ES, STS and CSP, 15-20 year old E36 BMWs in STX immediately come to mind, with 6-8 year old STIs and Evos in STU, 5-13 year old S2000s etc in the next generation to name a few. This doesn't even deal with the Mod classes or some Prepared classes where 40+ year old cars win multiple national championships (John Thomas in his FP 240Z, as an example)

You are absolutely correct, however, that the car which performs best is up-to-date in replacing worn parts and upgrading as rules allow.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:45 pm

Rob Keehner wrote:

I beat the owner

Must have done something right.

Everyone beat the owner.

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Turning a beater into an autocross car

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