hello. i'm new here Options

[DavidB]

looking to get into road racing. i got a 89 GTA, mainly stock.... for now. not looking to build an all out racer just something mainly for the track but able to take it to work every once and a while.

so far what i've got...
the car, duhh
(IMG:http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/scuddy23/P6180202.jpg)

few parts
(IMG:http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/scuddy23/PA030231.jpg)

wheels i plan on running, 17x9 with 275/40/17 tires, just need to do something about the center caps
(IMG:http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/scuddy23/zr1s.jpg)

the engine, 11K mile 05 5.3l. soon to have heads and cam
(IMG:http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/scuddy23/P2060122.jpg)

that's all i got so far

[trackbird]

Very nice. Welcome aboard! We need more 3rd gens here. If I can make a suggestion, those A arms look a little spindly to me. I'd probably dump those and use that money for Koni's (they are really worth it). Global West Del-a-lum bushings or energy suspension bushings make a huge difference in the front arms.

[Casey_SS]

Welcome! Looks like a fun project you've got there. Keep us posted as things progress and don't be shy about asking questions and sharing your trials & tribulations....there's a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum and everyone is very generous about sharing it.

[CMC #37]

'91 Formula project

Here's mine. A slow going project but it is going!

[CrashTestDummy]

Welcome! It'll be fun to see your LS* project progress.

What Trackbird said. Ditch those drag-racing LCAs and shocks, and use the money for a set of Del-Alum bushings on stock LCAs and some Koni Yellows. There are a lot of posts on this forum about aftermarket LCAs breaking with track use.

You may want to also spring (pun intended) for some springs, although with the lighter engine, front springs may not be as big an issue. Most usually end up with higher-rate springs, but you may want to put your particular combo together first and test.

[DavidB]

thanks for the input guys. where can i find some del-alum bushings?

i also planed on a tubular k-member, how do those hold up with track use?

[CMC #37]

thanks for the input guys. where can i find some del-alum bushings?

i also planed on a tubular k-member, how do those hold up with track use?

Global West for your del-alum bushings.

[DavidB]

thanks man.

what rear end are you guys running? i'm not looking to spend $3K on a 9" or 12 bolt.

[trackbird]

I've not seen a tubular K member that convinced me that the weight savings was worth the risk of failure. I'm running a stock K member in my '92 as are most of the 3rd gens here. I'd probably pass on that too.

[nape]

Stock K-member and a-arms are the way to go on a 3rd gen.

I was talking with someone last weekend who basically put the Spohn catalog front end on their Time Trials car and he said "Other then looking cool, I spent a bunch of money to not go any faster." I'd say he's right.

I'd say one of the best mods on a street 3rd gen is to get LS1 brakes for the front. They fit inside GTA wheels and are way better then stock.

[BigEnos]

Maybe the RR guys will hop in here and correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I'd forget about the SFCs and use a cage to do that same job for you (as well as protect you in case it all goes wrong). Besides, how cool is it to go to work and have to crawl out of your car! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

[trackbird]

Brian has a good point. I just cut the SFC's out of my 1992 so I could weld in a cage. However, it depends on your exact plans for the car and how serious it's going to be at the track.

[CrashTestDummy]

thanks man.

what rear end are you guys running? i'm not looking to spend $3K on a 9" or 12 bolt.

9" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif) But we ran a 9-bolt until we just wore it out for several years. There are viable solutions with stock diffs. Spend some time with the search utility, you'll find many, many, many answers on the subject.