Driving....again, The return of the 96 Options

[cccbock]

After about three years off the street, and two years off the track, I went down today and registered the 96 Camaro and it is now once again 100% street legal. Lights work (no horn, don't tell anyone). Hell, AC still works.

Never mind that roll bar, and the big empty spots that used to be rear seats, and radio, and spare tire. Pay no attention to those wires behind the glovebox. Those big fat tires, yeha what about 'em...doesn't everyone have big tires? And yes, everyone should have a fire extinguisher in the cabin with them, along with their 5 point harnesses, and of course who can get along without a proper electric system cut off within reach of the safety crew, uh I mean, Highway Patrol. Yes your honor, my car has a muffler...most of the time.

The car is still too low, it hits even medium size gravel in the roadway. Speed bumps....forget it. Most driveways...forget it. But I'm too lazy to raise it.

At least it is really cool......

Next post may be how much the ticket was for......wish me luck.

bock

[trackbird]

I'm all for it Bock!!!

I'll drive mine on the street (occasionally/rarely) if/when we get it done (we did work on it last night)...probably while wearing a helmet. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)


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[rocky]

Sounds like my 94. Who needs an airbag.

[1meanZ]

StanIROCZ's car is the epitome of this. Frankly, I think more of you guys should drive these cars on the street. For the money invested, keeping them street legal allows a lot more enjoyment time instead of having something that is track only. Just my $.02. I love scaring co-workers going to lunch in my car....

[CrashTestDummy]

The wife's 94 Z is like that, except it has an interior. With the top down and the rollbar sticking out for all to see, it does attract attention. It's ton's of fun to drive, even if we have to keep a second PCM on hand to pass inspections and it's sprung just a little too soft for me.

This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Oct 6 2010, 03:47 PM

[cccbock]

The wife's 94 Z is like that, except it has an interior. With the top down and the rollbar sticking out for all to see, it does attract attention. It's ton's of fun to drive, even if we have to keep a second PCM on hand to pass inspections and it's sprung just a little too soft for me.

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Luckily we don't have inspections where I live.

I'm not anticipating anyone wanting a ride from me anytime soon. The vast majority of people see the racing seat and 5 point harness in the passenger position and they just shake their head in wonderment. Then I tell them it's not really a race car because the real race cars don't have a passenger seat! Nobody will get in it but my youngest son (22).

I went for a ride this afternoon and filled up the gas tank for the first time in awhile. 40 bucks worth of premium.

Went to the parts store to buy some Seafoam gas treatment. I got on it a little bit leaving and the employee that was leaving work right then just stared with disbelief. Most of the 96 Camaro's they see are coming in for some oil and radiator stop leak, and maybe some muffler patch and a smelly mirror hanger. Mine sounds more like a jet when I run it up through the first three gears. Cant get past three gears anywhere in town, at least not with any hope of avoiding a ticket.

My stereo guy desperately wants to put a system in the car.....I'm thinking about it. He just did my Ridgeline, and it is sweet!

Still having fun!!

bock

[cccbock]

I'm all for it Bock!!!

I'll drive mine on the street (occasionally/rarely) if/when we get it done (we did work on it last night)...probably while wearing a helmet. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)


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working on the pictures

[1meanZ]

Went to the parts store to buy some Seafoam gas treatment. I got on it a little bit leaving and the employee that was leaving work right then just stared with disbelief.

That is exactly what I'm talking about. Aside from being able to enjoy my work more often by driving on the street, I love to see people's reactions. The guys at the local NAPA always like to see the car and they like it when I leave (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

A few weeks ago I went to Advance Auto for some heat reflective wrap (NAPA does not stock that stuff) and the guy said my car sounded nice when I pulled in. He asked what it had in it and I told him. Then he peered out at it again with a puzzled look and said "hey man wtf is up with your exhaust? How can it go under the diff like that and still be tucked up?"

[StanIROCZ]

I don't see why most people 'track people' take their cars off the street. What's the big deal?

Does it have head lights? check
Turn signals? check
Brake lights? check
Wipers? maybe
horn? no, but the wire is there and I can plug one in 15 minutes
muffler? check
pump gas? check
Modest clutch? check
A cage that you won't bang your head off of? check (major requirement of mine)
no state smog inspection or an inspection that you can pass? check

Keeping things above that I would otherwise remove in a 'track only car' cost me what, maybe 10 lbs?

If nothing else it is a great way to work bugs out of the car before you spend hundreds of dollars in tow rig gas and track time. Also a good time to get comfortable with the car, especially shifting since most DD's are automatics.

For me, I love it when someone turns their head and says "WTF is that?" that right there makes it all worth it (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I should also add that I'm a 'car guy' first and a 'racer' second.

[nape]

Threads like this make me want to build a "track car" or a street car built out of used race car parts. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Especially at this time of year when you can buy people's projects for pennies. Maybe I'll go check craigslist again...

[rocky]

I can see the reason why to take the car "off the road" if it is strictly a race car especially the high powered ones. Parts are not cheap. But for someone like me who is only DEing and Autoxing there is no reason to "take it off the road". Most of the people I know hardly drive there toys at all. I drove mine to work today and usually drive it all weekend. It is too much fun not to drive it. I agree on whats the point of having a car if you do not drive it.

[cccbock]

I can see the reason why to take the car "off the road" if it is strictly a race car especially the high powered ones. Parts are not cheap. But for someone like me who is only DEing and Autoxing there is no reason to "take it off the road". Most of the people I know hardly drive there toys at all. I drove mine to work today and usually drive it all weekend. It is too much fun not to drive it. I agree on whats the point of having a car if you do not drive it.

I had several reasons for taking it off the road originally.

1. Money.
2. Money.
3. Money.

Other than that, no good reason. I decided that the likelihood of racing is again is pretty far out in the future, so why not enjoy it now.

[trackbird]

I don't see why most people 'track people' take their cars off the street. What's the big deal?

Does it have head lights? check
Turn signals? check
Brake lights? check
Wipers? maybe
horn? no, but the wire is there and I can plug one in 15 minutes
muffler? check
pump gas? check
Modest clutch? check
A cage that you won't bang your head off of? check (major requirement of mine)
no state smog inspection or an inspection that you can pass? check

Keeping things above that I would otherwise remove in a 'track only car' cost me what, maybe 10 lbs?

Per this list, I'm about screwed...

Does it have head lights? Nope
Turn signals? Nope
Brake lights? Once I hook them up
Wipers? nope
horn? nope
muffler? check
pump gas? check
Modest clutch? check
A cage that you won't bang your head off of? Nope
no state smog inspection or an inspection that you can pass? check


Removing the wipers will save you 10 lbs. Pulling the headlights, headlight structure and building a bumper instead of the overweight crash bits will probably save you close to another 60 lbs. Pulling the guts out of the doors and removing the glass is likely worth up to 225 lbs or so (if you believe the fully loaded weight of a door, glass, power motors, etc to be roughly 156 lbs each as stated somewhere on frrax).

I'd guess there's closer to 300 lbs between a "street car" and a "race car" (assuming your street car is lacking AC, carpet and most of that stuff while retaining full doors, wipers, lights, bumper "guts", etc). On the other hand, you'll enjoy yours a lot more, so it's not a bad thing. And, that stuff can easily come out later when/if you change gears.

I'll still have tags on mine.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Racing Geek]

cccbock, do you have a video clip of the car somewhere? I'd like to hear how it sounds.

1meanz, if you are ever around the Milwaukee area with the IROC please let me know. I would love to get a better look at your suspension swap and the car in general. Time it right for an autocross event? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


After the first ride no one ever wants a second ride in my car. They all say it's too rough. I don't have a roll cage to impress? people but I do get a ton of comments on the massive tires.

[StanIROCZ]

the wipers will save you 10 lbs.

I'd still keep these if it was a track only car. It seams to rain at Grattan more times that it doesn't. I have mine in place still but I'm going to really try rainX to avoid using the wipers as much as possible.

Pulling the headlights, headlight structure and building a bumper instead of the overweight crash bits will probably save you close to another 60 lbs.

Headlights and the headlight bar might be around 10 lbs. The entire front bumper is ~20-30 lbs (I've weighed rear bumpers which are similar in construction 21-24 lbs). A tubular bumber that is worth anything will still be ~12 lbs. No way to get 60 lbs, and still, these are 2 separate things - I can replace the bumper and still keep the headlights to keep it streetable.

Pulling the guts out of the doors and removing the glass is likely worth up to 225 lbs or so (if you believe the fully loaded weight of a door, glass, power motors, etc to be roughly 156 lbs each as stated somewhere on frrax).

This is the biggest thing that I forgot. Going 'skins' would save 150 lbs on my car. This is without question the biggest sacrifice I am making. FYI, 3rd gen doors are 89 lbs /ea http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=13703

I'd guess there's closer to 300 lbs between a "street car" and a "race car" (assuming your street car is lacking AC, carpet and most of that stuff while retaining full doors, wipers, lights, bumper "guts", etc). On the other hand, you'll enjoy yours a lot more, so it's not a bad thing. And, that stuff can easily come out later when/if you change gears.

In my extreme case, I'm leaving ~160 lbs on the table.


Bock, I'm glad you are enjoying your car again!

[StanIROCZ]

After the first ride no one ever wants a second ride in my car. They all say it's too rough.

You are giving the wrong people rides (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Took my mother-in-law for a ride once... she'll never make that mistake again.. I even drove somewhat nice?!? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I have 1200F and 400R lb springs in my basement that I'm going to try. I'm weird though.

[trackbird]

My wipers wouldn't clear my hood. So I just pulled them...lol

I thought TJ said he pulled 55 lbs off of the nose, but I'd have to ask him. And I must have added the door weight (counted it twice). On the other hand, I probably have 50 lbs more cage than you do (maybe not, but I feel like I put a "ton" of steel in that car). You might actually wind up lighter than me (wouldn't that suck...lol).

[Racing Geek]

After the first ride no one ever wants a second ride in my car. They all say it's too rough.

You are giving the wrong people rides (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Took my mother-in-law for a ride once... she'll never make that mistake again.. I even drove somewhat nice?!? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I have 1200F and 400R lb springs in my basement that I'm going to try. I'm weird though.

Yeah but I don't have many freinds that are gear heads and the ones that are, are into trucks and off road vehicles. Still a blast but not the same. Even my dad who really supported me getting into autocross is thinking I'm taking my car too far.

I also try and drive nice unless they tell me to show them what the car has. Pretty much everyone tells me to go for it and like you said, they regret it. Oh well. I'm the driving the car and I enjoy it the way it is.

[Jeff94TA]

Does it have head lights? check
Turn signals? check
Brake lights? check
Wipers? maybe
horn? no, but the wire is there and I can plug one in 15 minutes
muffler? check
pump gas? check
Modest clutch? check
A cage that you won't bang your head off of? check (major requirement of mine)
no state smog inspection or an inspection that you can pass? check

That's mine but I even have a horn still. My race seats are on sliders so the only hope of getting out of the car comfortably is to slide the seat back so you can clear the steering wheel.

[1meanZ]

1meanz, if you are ever around the Milwaukee area with the IROC please let me know. I would love to get a better look at your suspension swap and the car in general. Time it right for an autocross event? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


After the first ride no one ever wants a second ride in my car. They all say it's too rough. I don't have a roll cage to impress? people but I do get a ton of comments on the massive tires.

Due to our move I couldn't go on the power tour this year, but I'll be on the 'tour in '11. If you come you'll see me.

I took a co-worker to lunch a few weeks ago. He had no idea the car had a roll bar. When he opened the door and saw the bar he had to fall over to get in the seat he started laughing. Needless to say, my wife does not wear a dress when we take my car to church... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)