[FASTFATBOY]

I have a line on a 97 Z28 six speed with a hurt engine, car is all stock....for a good price.

What do I need at a minimum to track day it, a dedicated trackday car. Can I put vette brakes on the front and LS1 brakes on the rear? I am gonna gut the car, totally gut it. Try to get it to 3000 lbs. What suspension do I NEED on this car? I am a novice..where do I need to start? As far as tires, brakes, suspension....I know I need a bar, belts and seats.


David

[trackbird]

I have a line on a 97 Z28 six speed with a hurt engine, car is all stock....for a good price.

What do I need at a minimum to track day it, a dedicated trackday car. Can I put vette brakes on the front and LS1 brakes on the rear? I am gonna gut the car, totally gut it. Try to get it to 3000 lbs. What suspension do I NEED on this car? I am a novice..where do I need to start? As far as tires, brakes, suspension....I know I need a bar, belts and seats.


David

David,

We never seem to give the expected advice around here, but we're not like other boards (who love to throw parts at stuff). Fix the car, get it safe and reliable. Fresh belts, fluids, etc. Toss a set of better brake pads on it (or do the LS1 swap, you can always sell the parts later) and go do some driving schools. You'll have far more car under you than most give it credit for. Yea, the stock shocks suck, but they won't be what's holding you back at first. Sure, we can make the car better up front, but as we increase the ultimate grip and response of the vehicle, we thin down the line between stuck and unstuck. You'll get better feedback by driving the car on track in a somewhat stock form. As you then make changes, you can decide if you like them and what exactly they did to the car. Be safe and listen to your instructors and you'll work through the learning curve the right way.

You can do pretty much all of the things you mentioned. I just wouldn't do them yet.

There is a GP for the trackbrackets C5 conversion brackets in the Sponsors section right now. Just as an FYI in case you want to get a set to hang onto, or you could install them, but if you go CMC, you'll need to swap back to LS1 brakes (though you can sell that kit complete to someone). Hence the mention that I'd not be in a huge hurry to do the C5 stuff until you get a feel for your goals (which will likely change).