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Project (cheap autocrosser)

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Old 03-29-09, 09:47 PM
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common sense prevails....

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Project (cheap autocrosser)

Just bought an 84 RX-7 off craigslist for a song! Car is an ex SCCA spec racer and then used in ITA Club racing. I will prep the car for CSP autocross.

Car has a 12a, stripped nikki, RB racing header/merge megaphone style header connected to a 3" exhaust to a single muffler. Car has 2 extra 5 speed transmissions, 1 extra GSL-SE rear. 3 sets of rims including some diamond racing wheels. 4 sets of new Yokohama autocross tires as well as some other autocross tires. Tokiko blues, front and rear aftermarket sway bars.

I got the engine running yesterday. Need to get the brakes working right and fix a shot clutch master cylinder.

Hopefully if all goes well I will be crossin' it at the next event.

Anyhow, now I have another RX to play with. I will keep you guys posted on how this project goes.

Here are a couple of pics.

Oh, she has a fairly straight body.....just needs a cheapo Maaco paint job to finish her off.
Attached Thumbnails Project (cheap autocrosser)-p1030411.jpg   Project (cheap autocrosser)-p1030412.jpg   Project (cheap autocrosser)-p1030413.jpg  
Old 03-29-09, 10:20 PM
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weak minds wear the crown

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damn, that must have been one hell of a song!
Old 03-29-09, 10:28 PM
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if you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for the package? and what suspension components does it have?
Old 03-29-09, 10:36 PM
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Hope we can see your autocross exploits unfold!
Old 03-29-09, 11:13 PM
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Don't go for macco, just spray bomb it! :P My snowcrosser this past winter was rustolium pastel green and bright pink.
Old 03-30-09, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by perfect_circle
if you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for the package? and what suspension components does it have?
$600.........."sound of me singing"
Old 03-30-09, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 80's old school
$600.........."sound of me singing"
Has aftermarket springs, not sure which one (they are blue), Tokiko adjustable shocks, heavy duty front sway bar, adjustable rear sway bar, stainless brake hoses.
Old 03-30-09, 10:41 AM
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I got a problem. Need some fellow autocrossers advice.

Car is an old retired Improved Touring Club car (ITA). I was wanting to run CSP in autocross. CSP rules require the car to have an interior......this car has been gutted except the dash.

Page 83 of the SCCA Solo rules book states..."Cars listed as eligible in and prepared to the current national improved touring rules are permitted to compete in their respective Street prepared classes".

With that being said one would think I could run in CSP. Problem is the previous owner sold the roll cage (Autopower bolt in) so "technically" now that it has no roll bar, it is not a valid ITA car.

What should I do? Put a full interior back in the car and make it a CSP car? (pain in the ***...not!
Put a roll bar in the car so it is a legal ITA car again and run CSP per the rules?
Will having no interior put me in a prepared class? If so I will be so uncompetitive it would be ridiculous!!! I could still run (I guess) in the prepared class and get a lot of practice with the car.

Looking for suggestions.
Old 03-30-09, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by jdjl1987
Don't go for macco, just spray bomb it! :P My snowcrosser this past winter was rustolium pastel green and bright pink.
I may do that....to be honest i really would like a satin (flat) silver paint job. The flat paint would hide a bunch of imperfections!!!
Old 03-30-09, 10:49 AM
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If the shocks are adjustable, then they are Illuminas rather than Blues.

That's a hell of a deal man!!! One concern will be whether they removed items from the car which will be required for CSP (interior for one). Also, hopefully the engine has not been ported because that would also keep you out of that class.

Let's see some pictures of the suspension setup when you get the chance....


.
Old 03-30-09, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
If the shocks are adjustable, then they are Illuminas rather than Blues.

That's a hell of a deal man!!! One concern will be whether they removed items from the car which will be required for CSP (interior for one). Also, hopefully the engine has not been ported because that would also keep you out of that class.

Let's see some pictures of the suspension setup when you get the chance....


.
OK, my bad! The rear shocks are blues. Front (I was told are Tokiko). Now if the front are adjustable, where is the adjustment? At the top of the strut?

Engine is not ported as per ITA rules. Interior is gutted except the dash! SCCA rules state that Improved touring cars can be ran in CSP...... I guess I need to call our local SCCA guy to make sure.
Old 03-30-09, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 80's old school
$600.........."sound of me singing"
must be beautiful voice...

i race in csp and i have half of the interior. no one has complained yet.
Old 03-30-09, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by perfect_circle
must be beautiful voice...

i race in csp and i have half of the interior. no one has complained yet.
You know, it might be easiest to go get some door panels, rear side panels, carpet and call it a day!! People should not complain of a trim piece or two missing here and there!!
Old 03-30-09, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 80's old school
You know, it might be easiest to go get some door panels, rear side panels, carpet and call it a day!! People should not complain of a trim piece or two missing here and there!!
I would tend to agree with that. However, the club that Perfect_circle and I race with the majority of the time is pretty laid back. I've been at other events where they were downright ****** when it came to rules (my car met the requirements, but they made me prove it).

Even if you have to race in one of the "monster" classes, you will still be getting the training you need. And with those tires, you might not do all that bad, but they do get some pretty incredible cars in those classes...

Best bet, get an interior. CSP is a pretty tough class, those other classes are just insane.....
Old 03-30-09, 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
I would tend to agree with that. However, the club that Perfect_circle and I race with the majority of the time is pretty laid back. I've been at other events where they were downright ****** when it came to rules (my car met the requirements, but they made me prove it).

Even if you have to race in one of the "monster" classes, you will still be getting the training you need. And with those tires, you might not do all that bad, but they do get some pretty incredible cars in those classes...

Best bet, get an interior. CSP is a pretty tough class, those other classes are just insane.....
Thats kinda what i was thinking...I can use this opportunity to get some valuable "behind the wheel" time.

Here in Houston the CSP is so competitive. Sometimes 30+ cars in just regional events. All won by super tricked out Miatas and MR2's. I am not gonna drive a Miata!!

I may bump up to FP class. I know it will be hard to compete, but I will not be held back by so many rules!!! I would love a bridgy in the future!!! Looks like 280Z's, Porsche 914's.....also mitsu Evo's...those would be hard to compete with!!

Main thing is....i wanna have fun. Might actually be kinda cool not running CSP!
Old 03-30-09, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
I would tend to agree with that. However, the club that Perfect_circle and I race with the majority of the time is pretty laid back. I've been at other events where they were downright ****** when it came to rules (my car met the requirements, but they made me prove it).

Even if you have to race in one of the "monster" classes, you will still be getting the training you need. And with those tires, you might not do all that bad, but they do get some pretty incredible cars in those classes...

Best bet, get an interior. CSP is a pretty tough class, those other classes are just insane.....
Once i get it working well....I think I will be calling RE-speed also for some goodies!!!
Old 03-30-09, 02:59 PM
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Naw, the 914s are underpowered, the Z's are heavy, and the Evo/STI are pretty heavy too. The Miata's can be tough in CSP, but I haven't been beaten by a Porsche in years (even in other classes).

Get your suspension properly set up, and strap on a set of those tires, and even the Miatas will keep their eyes on you...

One of the nice things about CSP is that you can fix your car up the way you would want to for a tough street car and still stay within the rules (except for porting). So if you put an interior in there, you can race in that class and also have a nice street car.
Old 03-30-09, 03:03 PM
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Yeah, I meant to ask what all you had on the car. Do you have camber plates yet? Coilovers? And is the front swaybar solid (heavy) or hollow? Can you adjust for rear end height?

Just curious what you've got to start out with.
Old 03-30-09, 07:55 PM
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nice find! just fyi there are a TON of old ita/pro7 cars around
Old 03-30-09, 08:48 PM
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what a great deal!!!

this is going to be my first autocross season and im starting out in FP. i know my car will be way underpowered by at least 100hp but im mainly doing it for fun this season and don't care where i fall ( there is only one other car in my class so at least i will get second lol)

i just got my numbers and Mazda decal kit today!!! 18 more days till race day!!!
Old 03-30-09, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
Yeah, I meant to ask what all you had on the car. Do you have camber plates yet? Coilovers? And is the front swaybar solid (heavy) or hollow? Can you adjust for rear end height?

Just curious what you've got to start out with.
I have a beauty of an 1980 SA22 (black) That will remain my street car.........this one is all track play!!!

It has a GSL rear, some form of performance springs, (not sure which but they are blue), Tokiko blues, heavy and large front sway bar, ajustable rear bar with some cool looking link ends, porterfield brakes,

I will eventually get adjustable cambers, hollow front sway bar, re speed coil overs front and back, maybe alumininas Shocks.

Today we got the brakes up and going. Tomorrow I will change the Master cylinder for the clutch.

Our next event is the first weekend of May. I have the used Yokohama A008R tires on the car now. I will learn on these and wear these out, After that I have 4 used (gently) Yokohama Advan AO48 to wear out, then a new set of Yokohama A-021R's, Then two sets of "shaved" Yokohama A-008R's, Then STILL have 2 sets of unshaved A-008r's.....also have Bridgestone Potenza RE71R's on extra rims for rain tires......

I can't believe how many tires I have!!!
Old 03-30-09, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by lx_machado
what a great deal!!!

this is going to be my first autocross season and im starting out in FP. i know my car will be way underpowered by at least 100hp but im mainly doing it for fun this season and don't care where i fall ( there is only one other car in my class so at least i will get second lol)

i just got my numbers and Mazda decal kit today!!! 18 more days till race day!!!
Where did you get your Mazda decal kit???
Old 03-30-09, 09:24 PM
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i got them from www.mazdamotorsports.com but you have to be a member to order any parts i think.

its easy just send a pic of your car and a pic of you SCCA membership card to them saying your building your car for autocross then you have to send them your results after the race to be able to buy parts. all the info is on the website.
Old 03-30-09, 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by lx_machado
what a great deal!!!

this is going to be my first autocross season and im starting out in FP. i know my car will be way underpowered by at least 100hp but im mainly doing it for fun this season and don't care where i fall ( there is only one other car in my class so at least i will get second lol)

i just got my numbers and Mazda decal kit today!!! 18 more days till race day!!!
Damn, why do you have to run in FP? It's more fun beating up on the Miatas in CSP...
Old 03-30-09, 10:55 PM
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Once you have competed in two events, then you can sign up with Mazda as an "official race car driver" and get discounts on parts, plus access to all of their race parts. Another sweet deal that I'll never make use of. Except maybe that rear spoiler, I've always wanted one of those.

Dude, I can't believe how many tires you've got!!! I wish you were my neighbor!

The Illumina shocks are adjustable at the top of the shock, 5 positions. Take a look at those front shocks....

You're going to have soo much fun at that race. I'm actually excited for you. lol. Just try to be smooth, and don't brake so hard into a turn that you "smoke" the inside front tire. That is the fastest way to kill a set of racing tires that there is. It can be hard to tell when you're doing this, so if you've got someone there spectating ask them to watch for it and let you know.

And add a touch of toe-out if you can, that really helps with the understeer these cars usually suffer from. And it sounds like you've got the same rear swaybar I do: three holes in the end of the bar, with fancy shmansy heim joint end links? Sweet. (Respeed doesn't make a rear bar yet).

Keep this thread up to date or you will develop a nasty rash


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