Road race / AutoX classes to suit build?

[RoccoB517]

All of the swaps he mentioned are legal in SM, as they are from the same manufacturer. XP is more or less where cars end up that are swapped with engines from a different manufacturer (LS swap in a Miata, etc)

When I first looked for information on classing my car I was directed to this rule by some folks from Scca:
D. Drivetrain and related components (induction, ignition, fuel systems, etc.) are unrestricted except for the following limitations:
1. Engine block must be a production unit manufactured and badged the same as the original standard or optional engine for that model.

I was told that my M50 swap puts me in XP because it wasn't a factory option an E30 chassis. It doesn't affect me too much, since I rarely AutoX anymore, but it would be interesting to learn that I was misinformed, and didn't have to go to war against so many nasty Prepared cars.

[Nsquared97]

Just wanted to throw my $0.02 in on this and clear up some possible mis-information:

For SCCA/AutoX you'll be in SM for an engine swap regardless of what else you do. The only caveat to that is if you run R comps, in which case you'll advance to a tire class.

Not sure if you were trying to say this, but R-comps are legal in SM. A lot of regions do run a SMS (Street Mod Street Tire) class as well.

...and SM is a hard class to compete in. There are some monster cars in there!

This.

Also keep in mind that if you do a swap and gut the car that will push you into XP in autocross (look over the rules carefully).

All of the swaps he mentioned are legal in SM, as they are from the same manufacturer. XP is more or less where cars end up that are swapped with engines from a different manufacturer (LS swap in a Miata, etc)

Woah woah woah. I kick ass in SM. Faster times than turbo Miatas, and way less power.

Turbo Miata's should be in SSM...

To echo what most others have said, take your time and work on the loose nut behind the wheel first. If anything, go the route I did and built a STX car (Still not competitive against a real STX 86 twin or E36), but tons of fun and a capable car that will work great for teaching you how to drive better.

[rwh11385]

Ah, the sound of youth!

Nah, after coming off as the usual teenager looking to build a mod list rather than actually driving the car much, OP you sound like you understand pretty decently. Focus like you said on learning how to drive and the limits of your car, then slowly build up. I'd imagine you'll revise your plans a bit (as I did).

I bought a pretty well setup car and wanted to put a MAF on and hunted for the best chip and threw on go-fast bits like a M3 diff... but then after getting into it, I uninstalled the chip and 4.10, and learned to make the most of what I had already. If you look up Alex S's nationally competitive DSP car... he started with a stock ride and slowly built himself and the vehicle.

[DER E30]

Funny, I really wanted to pull my m42 and swap something more kool and faster in, but I've done two autoX's and now I just want to learn what its capable of now! Last autoX it rained and I lost 11 secs off the dry run 15 mins before. I'd like to make that time lost shorter! More HP won't help my skillz! I'd love to learn to drift better too:nice:

Also like you said, I'll probably pick up an e46M by the time I'm done with college and stuff, so the e30 will have to be swapped to more speed to keep up!

[whitebulat22]

Kind of, except the cars you would be running against would be pretty ridiculous. In NASA for instance, the kind of power/weight you are talking about is probably GTS3, which would be $60k++ e46 m3's. Aero and shocks make a pretty huge difference as well, more than you are thinking. I would do some auto-x for now, and go check out some race weekends. Look at the cars, talk to people, and see what you really want to do instead of asking. IMO, if you want to become a good racer you need to run Spec Miata first.

Def agree w/ just going out and finding out.

Stock ES with the springs and Konis, even before those is plenty of fun for me. I don't understand how it does what it does in the turns with 195s on it. I spent my money on another set of those when I could've gone bigger to learn more (not Dunlops just basic 195s). I think the idea of building up speed really slowly and feeling out the lowest path of resistance through the turns to hold the momentum carries over with this car like it would with the Miata and I've always told myself I'd spend ample time in this stage.

I'm continuing to slide and drive it as much as I can and will not be pulling the trigger on any swaps for a decent amount of time. Was just curious how slotting a more finalized build would work. Maybe by the time I decide to go for it I'll want the S54 in it's original home or something else altogether.

Thanks everybody for pounding it in that learning is worthwhile. I agreed with that path from the start and will do so some more.

[TobyB]

Might I suggest.... Pro3?

hee hee.

t

[MX339]

What's been said in this thread is very sound advice. Get out there with your putzy little E30 and have at it. If you've never been out on track, you're going to be amazed what the limit of even a stock E30 is. It's much easier and less intimidating to find said limit of a stock car on street tires than it is to find the limit of a Hoosier shod monster.

Take my word, track time is ridiculously fun either way.

[Eric]

I got started with these financial mistakes as soon as I could.

At least you have a sense of humor!


Your first post sounds like a teenager with his first car that has read more forums and build threads than minutes behind the wheel. Go bang around an autocross and HPDE for a year or two before you decide to drop quad compound turbo M73 with afterburners in your 325e.




EVERYTHING you mention will put you in a racing class that is so high, you will be woefully uncompetitive. Get some driver's ed, and while your modding the most important part (you), figure out how to build a car to the class you want to compete in.

[Jb325is]

These power to weight ratio classings sound like what I'm looking for. I feel like as long as I can find a way to decently put the power down the suspension / aero disadvantages would be existent enough to be major for a GP team but minor enough that I would never have to blame anything other than my own driving.

Kind of, except the cars you would be running against would be pretty ridiculous. In NASA for instance, the kind of power/weight you are talking about is probably GTS3, which would be $60k++ e46 m3's. Aero and shocks make a pretty huge difference as well, more than you are thinking. I would do some auto-x for now, and go check out some race weekends. Look at the cars, talk to people, and see what you really want to do instead of asking. IMO, if you want to become a good racer you need to run Spec Miata first.

[whitebulat22]

Exciting to see you guys already hunting with S54s. The experiences you guys are having in SM seem competitive enough that I would have some fun and growth in there, I don't think I'll need to flat-out win anything to enjoy myself. An 80s box not embarassing itself out there is amusing in itself.

I'd also recommend looking into Time Attack/Time Trials events in your area. That way you will most likely be classified by a power to weight ratio. That will allow you to have a fun, fast car that can also be competitive. I run with the SCCA Time Trials in my area, and it has taken a ton of work to make my car hang with the newer cars (and even more to come), but if you are like me and get enjoyment out of building as much as driving then that might be the way to go. Grow your skills and grow the capabilities of the car over time, and in pace with each other.

These power to weight ratio classings sound like what I'm looking for. I feel like as long as I can find a way to decently put the power down the suspension / aero disadvantages would be existent enough to be major for a GP team but minor enough that I would never have to blame anything other than my own driving.

Ah, the sound of youth!

I got started with these financial mistakes as soon as I could.

[matthugie]

Sure you can do well in SM depending on who's running, but if you are running against cars that are prepped specifically for SM it takes a lot to make an e30 competitive. Like 350-400hp, Motons and 275 Hoosiers. I plan to run my e30 s54 in SM next year, it will probably be competitive at Regional events, but not national

This. I'm probably going to win my local SM championship this year but only because 2 of the major SM players here are running Pro rather than open, and one other guy just didn't come to too many events. Getting an e30 to be able to compete with STi's and Evo's putting 400+ to the wheels with 315 width Hoosiers is a severely uphill battle, and one you'll never win on street tires.

[Jb325is]

Sure you can do well in SM depending on who's running, but if you are running against cars that are prepped specifically for SM it takes a lot to make an e30 competitive. Like 350-400hp, Motons and 275 Hoosiers. I plan to run my e30 s54 in SM next year, it will probably be competitive at Regional events, but not national

[16v_e30]

Woah woah woah. I kick ass in SM. Faster times than turbo Miatas, and way less power.

The best mod you can do to compete in AutoX is improve your driving abilities.

[Eric]

Ah, the sound of youth!

[RoccoB517]

Also keep in mind that if you do a swap and gut the car that will push you into XP in autocross (look over the rules carefully).

I'd also recommend looking into Time Attack/Time Trials events in your area. That way you will most likely be classified by a power to weight ratio. That will allow you to have a fun, fast car that can also be competitive. I run with the SCCA Time Trials in my area, and it has taken a ton of work to make my car hang with the newer cars (and even more to come), but if you are like me and get enjoyment out of building as much as driving then that might be the way to go. Grow your skills and grow the capabilities of the car over time, and in pace with each other.