[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?\

[79T/A]

That car is nowhere near the limits. Should be able to lose weight, you're still on a stock height Panhard bar, not sure what torque arm you have. Bilstein shocks leave lots to be desired. You could make the car a lot faster with a proper setup.

I doubt anyone would be dumb enough to put lead in the cage. In a car like that, ballast would be bolted to a secure location that's accessible in case it would need to be changed before/during/after an event.

I would:
-Remove as much weight as possible
-Contact Jason @ unbalanced engineering about a lowered Panhard setup, along with some new springs and shocks
-315 tires at all 4 corners

Factory ABS is junk, remove it and make sure a proportioning valve is installed. Instead of using those messy aftermarket kits, I re-plumbed my car using standard 3/16" hard line, and -3 AN flex lines at each wheel ($10 a piece at the local circle track supply store.)

If the car is loose, DO NOT stiffen the rear springs. If you need tighten the car up use softer rear springs or soften the rear sway bar. If the rear bar blades are still standing straight up like in the picture, that bar is full stiff.