Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track Mods Vs Racing: My dilemma

Okay. I've decided that I simply must race. Now everything that was clear to me is no longer.

So far, the only mods I have are an ITG intake and the Borla exhaust.

I had planned for upgraded struts/springs, headers, 17" wheels, and possibly e-ram.

But if racing is my priority, how should this change? What class are you all competing in? What mods could I go ahead with, and not knock myself out of being competitive?

Or, should I scrap all future mod plans, and start spending money on tires?

Go do some racing first, with your car as-is. The biggest improvements you can make early-on are in your own skills. Once you've had a chance to refine your skills, you will know what to do to your car. Some parts would seem obvious, like firmer sway bars and struts/shocks, but how are you going to pick them out until you know how you're driving and how your car is reacting.

Roger,

I am assuming you are asking about SoloII racing here...

Your topic brings back many a painful memory for me. I continually struggle with this question. I had installed a KKM intake, and a B&M shifter, both of which I dearly loved, only to remove them so as to allow me to race in GS. If your intent is to run in GS, then I highly recommend wheels and tires. The exhaust you have is fine, but the intake is not. The only thing you can do in that aspect is a K&N drop in replacement. As to future mods...The springs are out, but the struts are fine. Headers are a no-no, as is the e-ram. In order of preference, I would say tires (on stock rims or equivalent sized), then struts.

Many people run STS, which might be the way to go with your mod and wish list. It is a street tire class, but allows any size rims and tires. Intake is fine, cat-back exhaust is allowed. The headers are out, though. Short throw shifters are fine. I am not sure about the e-ram, though. (is that the electric ram-air fan thing, or are you referring to a computer chip). Chips might be out, i forget.

FWIW, I am nearly as fast, if not faster than all but the tip/top of the STS cars, and I only have the tires. They make a huge difference.

...The KKM and the B&M are collecting dust in my garage.

Best of luck on your choices.

Regards,

I've got a new set of rims and tires only. I'll be doing the bassani exhaust and the air filter. I'll probably also do my struts within the next year or so. After that, nothing.

As for STS, I think the SVT lends itself to being one of the dominant cars of the class in stock form. I'd never worry about running that class except that I think the competition in the stock classes or the modified classses is higher than that of the street tire class. At least from what I have seen around here that is the case.

I'm always faster than the top driver in STS so if your interested in trophies I'd probably go there for now. Next year the type R's and the wrx should be in a different class at which point GS would probably be the class to be in. (I'm betting that way at least for now.)

The problems with modifications is that there can be no end to the changes (money) allowed and I'm not interested in buying my wins, I'd rather do it on skill. That's why I stay in the stock classes.

Put your money into an extra set of rims and tires, you'll see a world of difference, I know from experience.

I also wish you the best of luck whichever way you decide to go.

Thanks everybody. I will now reward your good and thoughtful advice with more questions.

What about ESP? (Street Prepared) Does the "suspension" have to meet OEM specs? Can the car be lowered? My next purchase, probably in October, was going to be new struts/springs. Don't really want the chip.

For the stock classes (S or SP), does the tire sidewall have to be stock height? That is, could I mount 50 series rubber on my stock 15" wheels, even though they came with 60 series? Do the wheels have to be stock diameter?

STS still seems a bit far off, but maybe somewhere in the future. Thing is I'm starting with an SE, not an SVT, and I'm not sure I could be competitive without maxing out my mod options in that class.

Thanks again.

You'll have to find someone with a rule book for those. I don't know that class at all.

Hi rogerb;
street perpared gives you quite a bit. As far a suspension, you can change struts, springs, even add camber plates. My advise, and I'm speaking from a limited amount of experience, but as you are from KS.; get yourself to Topeka on Sept 8 - 12, and watch the SoloII national championship. Get yourself a solo rulebook, and just go out and play. By the end of next year, you'll know which way you want to go. It's hard NOT to mod, but you may save yourself some money in the long run. BTW, I also run an SE, and I am terrible, but I can't get over my adrenaline jones. seeya cp.

More comprehensive suspension mods are allowed for SP, but you'll face some pretty daunting competition in ESP... hoooo boy.

And in Stock classes, you can change your tire dimensions as long as the rim remains the stock size -- or if a larger size rim was available as a factory option for your year car, you can upsize to those as well.

BTW, here's a link to an online transcription of parts of the 2001 rulebook:
http://shell7.ba.best.com/~mouton/sccasolo/car_class_rules.html

Wow. That rulebook site was very helpful. I need to get my own, I know.

So, what I gather so far is that ESP is out, at least for me, for now.

Also, just to clarify, G-stock prohibits racing tires? Did I read that correctly? If that's the case, my choice should be easier. If I run "as is," I'll be in STS by default. May not be the most competitive, but I'll probably still have a big grin on my face when I'm done.

Or, I could re-install the stock airbox and go run GS, and do nothing else (except tires) to the car.

OK. Last question (I hope). For those of you running GS or STS, what tires are you using, or would you recommend?