03impala9c1

iTrader: (3)

well i picked up a 96 z28 a4 this last fall. i was going to build it up this winter but ran into some financial issues. now the project is back on track and im workin on a list as im doing some weight reduction. need some input/info.

currently the car sits as follows:
umi mild steel non-adj poly panhard
richmond 3.73's
longtubes with ory
magnaflow catback
fe3 suspension
custom intake
comp cams custom grind cam and crane cams energizer 1.6 rr's

weight reduction measures already done:
door crash bars
abs
complete hvac system
windsheild washer system
e brake system
stereo w/speakers
drivers seat manual track conversion
rear seat/seatbelt delete
emissions (air pump, egr, evap, etc)
AC system
airbag module
firewall insulation
carpet insulation
tcs and cruise control modules

future mods include:
umi 2 point bolt in chromoly subframe connectors
umi or bmr chromoly k member
qa1 front coilovers w/275 lb springs
17" zr1's w/555r
ls1 brake conversion
front and rear bumper support removal being replaced with aluminum tubing
umi chromoly a arms
ls1 alum driveshaft


i guess my question is how do i stand currently and are my future mods looking promising? also, what rear suspension setup (coilover/spring/brand) should i look at and any other weight reduction/part recommendations? i want this car as my sunny day driver but also want to take it to the dragstrip and Road America when I want to have fun. which tq arm and lca's should i look at? which sway bars would be most recommended? i know theres a lot of questions here but i havent built one of these for any road courses yet and i know theres experts here. i want this thing to corner on a dime and still stick to the ground. thanks a ton in advance.

UnsafeAtAnySpd

As already mentioned, seat time is going to be your best mod. As far as setting up an Fbody goes, I would look into how NASA American Iron guys build their cars. That class will give you a lot of insight into fbody setups as there are a lot of them.

If you're running stock seats/belts, pick up a CGLock before your first track day. Also, as you already mentioned, good pads/fluid.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

At a glance, I would suggest ...

Do an M6 conversion.
Get a decent seat that fits and supports you.
Install a roll bar.
You will run out of gear at Road America.
Brackets, seam sealer and heat shields are another 30lbs
Ditch the poly suspension components.
Aluminum tubing in place of the impact beam is a waste. Just cut away a large chunk of the stocker.
ZR1 wheels are HEAVY. 10 spokes will save you 3 lbs per wheel

QA1s won;t take the abuse.
275 springs are WAY too soft. I am currently running 750 front and 275 rear on Bilstein race shocks.
Strano sway bars seem to be good setup.

I suggest you sign up for a NASA Great Lakes region HPDE and cruise the pits talking to the American Iron and Camaro/Mustang Challenge racers. Take lots of pictures and ask a lot of questions.

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

continue to gut the hell out of it like you are, and it wont be a nice 'sunny day driver.' if youre not going to actually compete for anything serious, you have to ask yourself is it worth it to do all that. what youre making is a stripped, gutted race car. while it may be fine on the track, why bother taking that on a trip to the mall. no interior, hvac, radio, even crash bars for safety doesnt make alot of sense on the street.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, highly suggest an M6 for a RR/HDPE car.

I run a 4.10 gear @ Road America but am shifing a little more & using 5th a lot there.
I usually get 150 @6k+ easy coming downhill into T5.

I ran my drag shock set up @ RA ONCE. QA1's all the way around it was torture. You would be better off with the stock set up.
Come out to some events like Mitch is saying & check it out.

mattf2

I've got 4.10s too, and they are a little too much. 3.73's should be fine.

I'd spend money elsewhere before going back w/ gears.

dakar318

Good tires, awesome brakes (mainly pads) and seat time is the most simple way to have fun on track. If your car is a well kept car you are off to a good start.

SVThuh

iTrader: (2)

Give Alan Blane at Blane Fab a call, and talk to Jason at Unbalanced Engineering.

You can do a google search for both of them. They have developed more CMC/AIX cars than just about anyone here can shake a stick at and are very good at what they do.

In the least, they will be able to point you in the right direction.

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

Brakes ,seat time, shocks, springs, swaybars,seat.

Keep the stock k member
Put stock shocks on
Weld in the frame connectors
Put stock lower control arms on
Put nitto nt05 on not a r.
Keep all crash supports until you learn to drive


Read all you need to read here.
WWW.frrax.com

DAlgozine

Too many questions to ask and too much info to share. Eventually, you'll need to decide if you are giong to race or open track the car. Because it is difficult to street drive a road race car. If you going racing you need to know what class, and build to that class. If you start cutting and welding you may go too far for the class that you decided to participate in. I would leave the car stock, perform general maintenance (belts, fluids, check everything), put some good brake pads and go to a NASA HPDE (High Performance Drivers Education). Theres one April 16 & 17 at Autobahn in Joliet IL. http://www.nasamidwest.com/ if you're intersted emial me and I'd be happy to assist with what ever. There are many guys racing and HPDE' ing F-body cars in NASA MIdwest.

As suggested - More info here WWW.frrax.com

Good luck
Dave
david@algozine.com

kendogg

iTrader: (2)

Hard to tell without pics. Removing the doorbars worries me though, hopefully you have an FIA seat and 6-point harnesses at the very least. If you're hellbent on weight reduction, I'd probably recommend an actual cage, but it really depends on what your overall goals are liek the post above. Also, how much track experience do you have? If you're fairly new, stop modding the car beyond maintenance and just go run track days. There is PLENTY of time left in the driver. However, if you're fairly experienced - I'm sure there are plenty of mods you can do to the car