new, looking to autocross
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
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new, looking to autocross Hi, I've been on the pontiacowners forums and they recommended I come over here since I'm looking to autocross my T/A. What I'm looking to do is build a twin turbo autocross T/A. I've never had a rwd V8. I've been in the tuner world with I4 fwd for years and this is my first venture to the otherside. Any advice you can give me on autocrossing my car would be greatly appreciated.
For autocrossing advice, try the suspension and handling section
Sam Strano is the guy you want to talk to PM or give him a call, he'll be happy to give you advice on what you need, as well as sell it to you (don't worry he won't just recommend a part just make a sale)
Sam Strano is the guy you want to talk to PM or give him a call, he'll be happy to give you advice on what you need, as well as sell it to you (don't worry he won't just recommend a part just make a sale)
first advice is if you plan on being competitive dont bother going turbo unless its a full on race car, you'll be in the full on race car class, ask me how I know, I can just barley squeeze by cause I can drive, also, twin turbo on an auto-x course is too much power, I'm feathering the throttle EVERYWHERE, I cannot go wot anymore, otherwise I'll just break loose like nothing at all(running v710's also), go n/a for now and work on the suspension, brakes, tires and most importantly the driver!
!LS1 11 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Miami
IMO, pick another car to autocross with. 
I see an F-bod being at home on a roadcourse. I see it being caged in on a tight autocross course. It's a matter of size, dimensions and weight. Sure, you can make it work, and work competitively, but I think, logic dictates that there are much better platforms out there to use as a baseline.
That said, if Fbod is the way to go, call Sam Strano. He'll point you in the right direction.
I see an F-bod being at home on a roadcourse. I see it being caged in on a tight autocross course. It's a matter of size, dimensions and weight. Sure, you can make it work, and work competitively, but I think, logic dictates that there are much better platforms out there to use as a baseline.
That said, if Fbod is the way to go, call Sam Strano. He'll point you in the right direction.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Buffalo, NY
Autocrossing is one of the best ways to learn your car and its dynamics. The best thing for you to do is take your car as is, and drive in an autocross or two, then go from there. No reason to dive in head first without toeing the water first.
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!LS1 11 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,133
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From: Miami
^
Shocks (konis)
Sway Bars (call Sam Strano)
Springs (Hotchkis)
Brakes (pads- HAWK HP Plus at the very least)
plus misc. suspension components. (LCA's, Tq Arm, Panhard rod)
chasis bracing (subframes if no roll cage).
Shocks (konis)
Sway Bars (call Sam Strano)
Springs (Hotchkis)
Brakes (pads- HAWK HP Plus at the very least)
plus misc. suspension components. (LCA's, Tq Arm, Panhard rod)
chasis bracing (subframes if no roll cage).
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Verdad Gallardo !LS1 11 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Miami
Originally Posted by rushman
Why bother with hotchkis springs when you can get whatever rate you want in eibachs for cheaper?
Last edited by SouthFL.02.SS; Mar 12, 2006 at 09:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SouthFL.02.SS
^
Shocks (konis)
Sway Bars (call Sam Strano)
Springs (Hotchkis)
Brakes (pads- HAWK HP Plus at the very least)
plus misc. suspension components. (LCA's, Tq Arm, Panhard rod)
chasis bracing (subframes if no roll cage).
Shocks (konis)
Sway Bars (call Sam Strano)
Springs (Hotchkis)
Brakes (pads- HAWK HP Plus at the very least)
plus misc. suspension components. (LCA's, Tq Arm, Panhard rod)
chasis bracing (subframes if no roll cage).
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
Knowing the rates of the hotchkis, they are good, maybe a little bit soft, but not terrible. The prokit yes, from what i have experienced and heard/red, stay away from progressive springs, however you can get a coilover/weight jacker kit from ground control (talk to sam) and run any weight eibach linear spring you want, which gives much better control over your setup.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
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Originally Posted by rushman
Knowing the rates of the hotchkis, they are good, maybe a little bit soft, but not terrible. The prokit yes, from what i have experienced and heard/red, stay away from progressive springs, however you can get a coilover/weight jacker kit from ground control (talk to sam) and run any weight eibach linear spring you want, which gives much better control over your setup.
If you want to become a good driver, learn to handle the car with manageable power first. You need to build those automatic reactions so when the car out of shape there's less chance of injury or damage.
Don't throw parts at the car. Don't replace 3 different things at once. I say that because then you'll know how each part of the suspension affects your driving. Once you become a consistent driver, you will know what to tweak your setup for different courses/tracks.
You'll likely end up with new shocks and bars anyway, but your wallet will feel better about it when you can appreciate the difference
Call (don't write) Sam Strano @ 800-729-1831. I say don't write because he gets the best feel for your goals from a personal conversation.
Learn on street tires. No need to build false confidence by going directly to R compounds.
I would recommend visiting www.frrax.com also, as it's a dedicated site for autocrossing and road racing your F-body.
Don't throw parts at the car. Don't replace 3 different things at once. I say that because then you'll know how each part of the suspension affects your driving. Once you become a consistent driver, you will know what to tweak your setup for different courses/tracks.
You'll likely end up with new shocks and bars anyway, but your wallet will feel better about it when you can appreciate the difference
Call (don't write) Sam Strano @ 800-729-1831. I say don't write because he gets the best feel for your goals from a personal conversation.Learn on street tires. No need to build false confidence by going directly to R compounds.
I would recommend visiting www.frrax.com also, as it's a dedicated site for autocrossing and road racing your F-body.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JimMueller
If you want to become a good driver, learn to handle the car with manageable power first. You need to build those automatic reactions so when the car out of shape there's less chance of injury or damage.
Don't throw parts at the car. Don't replace 3 different things at once. I say that because then you'll know how each part of the suspension affects your driving. Once you become a consistent driver, you will know what to tweak your setup for different courses/tracks.
You'll likely end up with new shocks and bars anyway, but your wallet will feel better about it when you can appreciate the difference Call (don't write) Sam Strano @ 800-729-1831. I say don't write because he gets the best feel for your goals from a personal conversation.
Learn on street tires. No need to build false confidence by going directly to R compounds.
I would recommend visiting www.frrax.com also, as it's a dedicated site for autocrossing and road racing your F-body.
Don't throw parts at the car. Don't replace 3 different things at once. I say that because then you'll know how each part of the suspension affects your driving. Once you become a consistent driver, you will know what to tweak your setup for different courses/tracks.
You'll likely end up with new shocks and bars anyway, but your wallet will feel better about it when you can appreciate the difference
Call (don't write) Sam Strano @ 800-729-1831. I say don't write because he gets the best feel for your goals from a personal conversation.Learn on street tires. No need to build false confidence by going directly to R compounds.
I would recommend visiting www.frrax.com also, as it's a dedicated site for autocrossing and road racing your F-body.
