[Hookdup]

ok, so this is not about w2w. all about track days / hpde.
I am at a stumbling point, participating in Porsche Club HPDE,
Black/Red Advanced Racer Group, I am getting passed by 2016 Cayman Gt4's, and 911 Gt3's., and newer cup cars.
Very comfortable in the groups, 50% pass/ 50% I pass.....

I am at the point of sliding the car, just to keep up, albeit controlled.

Have I reached the limit of a 4th gen?

The car is a 1998 Trans Am, built by Wheel to Wheel for competition in the 1998 Motorola Cup Series,
then Grand Am gt, then AIX,Ite..........

Should I Accept as is, or is there something to do (cost effectively) to be quasi-competitive..
(Remember, it is only HPDE/track days, not competition)

Specs are: 1998 Pontiac Trans Am, ls6 (little cam, 392 RWHP, full cage,, 3650 w/ driver, nascar front bar, one off adjustable rear bar,
heim jointed rear links (all)
heim /roto-jointed front upper and lower arms.
Auburn R/R carrier, 3.9 rear,
295/35 Hoosier R6's...
Full Cage,
New Trans,rear, brakes, tires, wheels etc..
ALl updated....

Have I reached the limit?\

[pharmd]

While I haven't done a lot of HPDE I have often asked myself that same question. What is the max capability of the 4th Gen. On an AutoX I can say, it's on part with most cars. Brian Finch drove my car at LS Fest last year and it was right in the mix of the top 5 times....behind Danny Popp and his C5Z obviously. My car is high 3600 with me in it and has a 55/45 front bias. I have 500rwhp 295/315 Rivals full UMI suspension including K member, 10 bolt 342, no cage. My thing is, to make it more competitive I would have to make it a full race car. Cage, no AC, cut out some non essential metal, fixed back seats, remove parts of interior, lexan windows etc. My car at 3000# with 315/335 would be hard to handle I think. Saying I could hang with most stock 911s IMHO....likely if someone else was driving LOL. If I were you I would get up with some guys who really know how to set up a car and discuss what you can do to get weight out. I'm not sure if you run in a class and what those limits are, but weight and HP are key. If you can put more tire under there do so. Maximize braking as those Porsche are ridiculous.I am very interested in building a 3rd gen at some point because I don't think I am willing to hack my 4th Gen up to make it competitive. It's a really clean car with some fairly uncommon options, so I'd rather buy a decent 3rd gen then start cutting. If this doesn't make much sense I'm typing this on my phone and can't see half of what I'm typing.