FINALLY AutoX'd - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Well from the first time I took a ride in my brother in law's 87 road race prepped Vette, I was hooked. I had a 03 Mach 1 5spd at the time and WANTED to race it. For one reason or another I didn't and was too nervous to break something. Next car was a 04 GTO M6 that was good for nothing but straight lines and cruising in comfort, plus being $$$ to modify other than engine and trans related. At this point I got the itch BAD and on a drive home from being at Mid-Ohio with by mother/father in law doing ride-alongs. I said to my wife "man I'd really love to do that someday". Her comment "Well why don't you? Do something about it." Which basically meant "Put Up or Shut Up" in a nice way...

That night the GTO went up for sale. 2 weeks go by until I traded for a 99 Cobra 5spd plus cash to get a cheaper platform that I knew and beat on that...well at 110K mi and the less than desirable 99 IRS...that took a hike for a 95 Z28 M6 with 60k mi. I should have for a F-Body a LONG time ago. The driving position vs the Mustangs are much better, the feel of the car is much better as well.

What I started with:
(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1472860_732816749223_689502629_n.jpg)

(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/1469840_732816829063_989692030_n.jpg)

60K mi
B&M Shifter
Pacesetter L/T's and catless mids
Borla Adjustable catback
Front strut brace
K&N CAI
Bolt in SFC's
Adj PHB
Staggered ZR1's 17x9.5 17x11
Stock shocks/springs and boxed rear LCA's.

Since then I have done the following:
Custom CAI (because I can and wanted to something "different")
Square setup on factory SS wheels with Nitto NT555's 275/40/17
Added catch can
Added PS cooler
Removed borla muffler and tips and replaced with Hooker Max Flow muffler with hidden tip
LS1 front brake swap and SS braided lines (front only)
Added Oil Pressure and Water Temp gaues on A pillar
Dyno Tune made 311/346 at the wheels

How it sits now:
(IMG:https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10003279_760355072203_7413266042514964638_n.jpg)

(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10151865_760007892953_1485670537_n.jpg)

Making that stock suspension do work!
(IMG:https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/10153803_760008421893_979298018_n.jpg)

(IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10155001_760008681373_1513999466_n.jpg)

(IMG:https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10003964_760007738263_1893165921_n.jpg)

I had a great time and learned a lot about car control. Saturday was a Test and Tune, Sunday was first official points event. Saturday I got about 6 or so runs and Sunday only got 3 in my heat. Had Zero car issues, weather was nice except for damn wind and was able to take my wife for a run. Good times!

BUT now I have a big problem...I made a large "wish list" for car goodies (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by Smitty2919: Apr 7 2014, 04:57 PM

Thanks guys.

I'm already wanting to get back out there like tomorrow lol.

For the long term mods list, how would you guys rank the following in order of importance/bang for the buck:

Race seat (I would like it on a slider and able to recline for DD use but that = more $$) $200-$400ish?
Gen4Racing harness bar $420
harness $??
Steering wheel $200-$300
Strano springs/shocks HP2.5 (go single adjustable or double adjustable?) $630
Strano Swaybars $370
Fays2 Watts link (my Adj PHB likes to clunk under hard cornering and I have tightened the crap out of the bolts lol) $650
Rod/Poly rear LCA's $200ish
Torque arm relocation mount (honestly thought about making my own) $250

This is my GRAND list that I will work at getting in the LONG run.

Also is it the front UCA or LCA's that get you more camber? I was told by a fellow FBody racer that I trust his opinion to run between -1.5* and -1.75* to keep it DD friendly but also get a benefit on the course. I'm currently maxed out at -0.5 lol.

QUOTE (Smitty2919 @ Apr 8 2014, 09:14 AM)

Thanks guys.

I'm already wanting to get back out there like tomorrow lol.

For the long term mods list, how would you guys rank the following in order of importance/bang for the buck:

Strano Swaybars $370
PHB (Rod/Rod or Rod/Poly) - It's reasonably cheap "bang for the buck" (I have one that clunks, it's a poly/poly adjustable and it needs to go)
Strano springs/shocks HP2.5 (go single adjustable or double adjustable?) $630
Brake pads....

Then, drive the car and drive it until you can get virtually everything out of it.

I'd avoid race seats in a daily driver. I don't like harnesses in a daily driver. I never needed a steering wheel.

QUOTE (Smitty2919 @ Apr 8 2014, 09:14 AM)

Race seat (I would like it on a slider and able to recline for DD use but that = more $$) $200-$400ish?
Gen4Racing harness bar $420
harness $??
Steering wheel $200-$300
Fays2 Watts link (my Adj PHB likes to clunk under hard cornering and I have tightened the crap out of the bolts lol) $650
Rod/Poly rear LCA's $200ish
Torque arm relocation mount (honestly thought about making my own) $250

This is my GRAND list that I will work at getting in the LONG run.

Also is it the front UCA or LCA's that get you more camber? I was told by a fellow FBody racer that I trust his opinion to run between -1.5* and -1.75* to keep it DD friendly but also get a benefit on the course. I'm currently maxed out at -0.5 lol.

Upper control arms.

Smitty2919 View Member Profile	Apr 7 2014, 04:50 PM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 602 Joined: 3-April 14 Member No.: 223,804	Well from the first time I took a ride in my brother in law's 87 road race prepped Vette, I was hooked. I had a 03 Mach 1 5spd at the time and WANTED to race it. For one reason or another I didn't and was too nervous to break something. Next car was a 04 GTO M6 that was good for nothing but straight lines and cruising in comfort, plus being $$$ to modify other than engine and trans related. At this point I got the itch BAD and on a drive home from being at Mid-Ohio with by mother/father in law doing ride-alongs. I said to my wife "man I'd really love to do that someday". Her comment "Well why don't you? Do something about it." Which basically meant "Put Up or Shut Up" in a nice way... That night the GTO went up for sale. 2 weeks go by until I traded for a 99 Cobra 5spd plus cash to get a cheaper platform that I knew and beat on that...well at 110K mi and the less than desirable 99 IRS...that took a hike for a 95 Z28 M6 with 60k mi. I should have for a F-Body a LONG time ago. The driving position vs the Mustangs are much better, the feel of the car is much better as well. What I started with: (IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1472860_732816749223_689502629_n.jpg) (IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/1469840_732816829063_989692030_n.jpg) 60K mi B&M Shifter Pacesetter L/T's and catless mids Borla Adjustable catback Front strut brace K&N CAI Bolt in SFC's Adj PHB Staggered ZR1's 17x9.5 17x11 Stock shocks/springs and boxed rear LCA's. Since then I have done the following: Custom CAI (because I can and wanted to something "different") Square setup on factory SS wheels with Nitto NT555's 275/40/17 Added catch can Added PS cooler Removed borla muffler and tips and replaced with Hooker Max Flow muffler with hidden tip LS1 front brake swap and SS braided lines (front only) Added Oil Pressure and Water Temp gaues on A pillar Dyno Tune made 311/346 at the wheels How it sits now: (IMG:https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10003279_760355072203_7413266042514964638_n.jpg) (IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10151865_760007892953_1485670537_n.jpg) Making that stock suspension do work! (IMG:https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/10153803_760008421893_979298018_n.jpg) (IMG:https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10155001_760008681373_1513999466_n.jpg) (IMG:https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10003964_760007738263_1893165921_n.jpg) I had a great time and learned a lot about car control. Saturday was a Test and Tune, Sunday was first official points event. Saturday I got about 6 or so runs and Sunday only got 3 in my heat. Had Zero car issues, weather was nice except for damn wind and was able to take my wife for a run. Good times! BUT now I have a big problem...I made a large "wish list" for car goodies (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) This post has been edited by Smitty2919: Apr 7 2014, 04:57 PM

Smitty2919 View Member Profile	Apr 8 2014, 01:14 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 602 Joined: 3-April 14 Member No.: 223,804	Thanks guys. I'm already wanting to get back out there like tomorrow lol. For the long term mods list, how would you guys rank the following in order of importance/bang for the buck: Race seat (I would like it on a slider and able to recline for DD use but that = more $$) $200-$400ish? Gen4Racing harness bar $420 harness $?? Steering wheel $200-$300 Strano springs/shocks HP2.5 (go single adjustable or double adjustable?) $630 Strano Swaybars $370 Fays2 Watts link (my Adj PHB likes to clunk under hard cornering and I have tightened the crap out of the bolts lol) $650 Rod/Poly rear LCA's $200ish Torque arm relocation mount (honestly thought about making my own) $250 This is my GRAND list that I will work at getting in the LONG run. Also is it the front UCA or LCA's that get you more camber? I was told by a fellow FBody racer that I trust his opinion to run between -1.5* and -1.75* to keep it DD friendly but also get a benefit on the course. I'm currently maxed out at -0.5 lol.

trackbird View Member Profile	Apr 8 2014, 01:28 PM Post #3
FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196	QUOTE (Smitty2919 @ Apr 8 2014, 09:14 AM) Thanks guys. I'm already wanting to get back out there like tomorrow lol. For the long term mods list, how would you guys rank the following in order of importance/bang for the buck: Strano Swaybars $370 PHB (Rod/Rod or Rod/Poly) - It's reasonably cheap "bang for the buck" (I have one that clunks, it's a poly/poly adjustable and it needs to go) Strano springs/shocks HP2.5 (go single adjustable or double adjustable?) $630 Brake pads.... Then, drive the car and drive it until you can get virtually everything out of it. I'd avoid race seats in a daily driver. I don't like harnesses in a daily driver. I never needed a steering wheel. QUOTE (Smitty2919 @ Apr 8 2014, 09:14 AM) Race seat (I would like it on a slider and able to recline for DD use but that = more $$) $200-$400ish? Gen4Racing harness bar $420 harness $?? Steering wheel $200-$300 Fays2 Watts link (my Adj PHB likes to clunk under hard cornering and I have tightened the crap out of the bolts lol) $650 Rod/Poly rear LCA's $200ish Torque arm relocation mount (honestly thought about making my own) $250 This is my GRAND list that I will work at getting in the LONG run. Also is it the front UCA or LCA's that get you more camber? I was told by a fellow FBody racer that I trust his opinion to run between -1.5* and -1.75* to keep it DD friendly but also get a benefit on the course. I'm currently maxed out at -0.5 lol. Upper control arms.