Contemplating FRS for track car

[gtpvette]

I think I'm in the upgrade the Miata camp. Stick an LFX in it,, V8 roadsters makes a kit.


This dude built a monster.


https://www.mazdatalkforum.com/viewt...hp?f=10&t=3528


As a sidebar,,, it fits in the FRS as well. Well sort of.

[Sleepless]

@GrandSport do you still have the Miata? If yes, I'm not sure the 86 is faster and it certainly is more balanced...

[CatDaddysBBQ]

It genuinely depends on what you're after.
Honestly, a m3 will still seem somewhat slow compared to the vette, so it's a matter of what the goal is.

If you're trying to make a fun track toy that is (pretty) reliable, dynamic and fun that uses pretty cheap consumables at a fairly slow rate? 86 cars are fantastic for that.

If you're trying to get as close to your corvette for cheaper running costs, the 86 is probably not a great choice. Even with a supercharger it'd feel slow if outright speed is your primary focus. The M3 would be a nice middle ground, but I imagine the running costs would be in between (but possibly closer to the corvette than the 86).

As for the mods, a header and tune will help a BIT, but it won't transform into some fast straight line monster by ANY means. One could argue that the header and tune does more for it as a street car than a track car - the lack of torque dip is a greater gain than the 15-18hp up top is.

That said, what kind of tracks are you going to? If you're on shorter circuits (like 2.25 and under with 8+ turns) you may not care, and LOVE the twins for that. If you're on a larger course with some serious straights they're really going to feel gutless as you wave 3 cars past on every straight section.

Around chicago area where I live, there's a few track options. When I go to Blackhawk Farms (short technical circuit) I honestly don't feel that my frs (with a header/tune) is that slow - not many things can keep up in the twisty bit between t2 and t6, and fine, on the straight I let people pass.

But at Autobahn CC (especially the full 4+ mile configuration) it seems like i'm driving a go-kart. There are multiple passing places where I let half the pack go by some days, but I reel them in during braking zones, turns, etc.

So really, you need to decide what you're looking for. Fun, dynamic and cheap? OR Fun, pretty dynamic, quick(not fast) and medium costs?

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by CatDaddysBBQ

It genuinely depends on what you're after.
Honestly, a m3 will still seem somewhat slow compared to the vette, so it's a matter of what the goal is.

If you're trying to make a fun track toy that is (pretty) reliable, dynamic and fun that uses pretty cheap consumables at a fairly slow rate? 86 cars are fantastic for that.

If you're trying to get as close to your corvette for cheaper running costs, the 86 is probably not a great choice. Even with a supercharger it'd feel slow if outright speed is your primary focus. The M3 would be a nice middle ground, but I imagine the running costs would be in between (but possibly closer to the corvette than the 86).

As for the mods, a header and tune will help a BIT, but it won't transform into some fast straight line monster by ANY means. One could argue that the header and tune does more for it as a street car than a track car - the lack of torque dip is a greater gain than the 15-18hp up top is.

That said, what kind of tracks are you going to? If you're on shorter circuits (like 2.25 and under with 8+ turns) you may not care, and LOVE the twins for that. If you're on a larger course with some serious straights they're really going to feel gutless as you wave 3 cars past on every straight section.

Around chicago area where I live, there's a few track options. When I go to Blackhawk Farms (short technical circuit) I honestly don't feel that my frs (with a header/tune) is that slow - not many things can keep up in the twisty bit between t2 and t6, and fine, on the straight I let people pass.

But at Autobahn CC (especially the full 4+ mile configuration) it seems like i'm driving a go-kart. There are multiple passing places where I let half the pack go by some days, but I reel them in during braking zones, turns, etc.

So really, you need to decide what you're looking for. Fun, dynamic and cheap? OR Fun, pretty dynamic, quick(not fast) and medium costs?

Just wait until you do Road America. Climbing the hill on the front straight takes

[Jamestl]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

Just wait until you do Road America. Climbing the hill on the front straight takes

Yes, but it's a nice mental break where you can think about the lap you just did

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Jamestl

Yes, but it's a nice mental break where you can think about the lap you just did

True. I love Road America, especially if you can get up there in the fall. Easily one of the most scenic race tracks in the country.

[CatDaddysBBQ]

Oh, trust me, I fully know it, and I'm anticipating it being hysterical.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

I think I'm in the upgrade the Miata camp. Stick an LFX in it,, V8 roadsters makes a kit.


This dude built a monster.


https://www.mazdatalkforum.com/viewt...hp?f=10&t=3528


As a sidebar,,, it fits in the FRS as well. Well sort of.

Kind of a weird deal. The Miata is my firm's car (but I'm the only one who uses it). So I don't want to dump money into it. It's a great car to have, and it will be there for when I want it.

Originally Posted by Sleepless

@GrandSport do you still have the Miata? If yes, I'm not sure the 86 is faster and it certainly is more balanced...

Originally Posted by CatDaddysBBQ

It genuinely depends on what you're after.
Honestly, a m3 will still seem somewhat slow compared to the vette, so it's a matter of what the goal is.

If you're trying to make a fun track toy that is (pretty) reliable, dynamic and fun that uses pretty cheap consumables at a fairly slow rate? 86 cars are fantastic for that.

If you're trying to get as close to your corvette for cheaper running costs, the 86 is probably not a great choice. Even with a supercharger it'd feel slow if outright speed is your primary focus. The M3 would be a nice middle ground, but I imagine the running costs would be in between (but possibly closer to the corvette than the 86).

As for the mods, a header and tune will help a BIT, but it won't transform into some fast straight line monster by ANY means. One could argue that the header and tune does more for it as a street car than a track car - the lack of torque dip is a greater gain than the 15-18hp up top is.

That said, what kind of tracks are you going to? If you're on shorter circuits (like 2.25 and under with 8+ turns) you may not care, and LOVE the twins for that. If you're on a larger course with some serious straights they're really going to feel gutless as you wave 3 cars past on every straight section.

Around chicago area where I live, there's a few track options. When I go to Blackhawk Farms (short technical circuit) I honestly don't feel that my frs (with a header/tune) is that slow - not many things can keep up in the twisty bit between t2 and t6, and fine, on the straight I let people pass.

But at Autobahn CC (especially the full 4+ mile configuration) it seems like i'm driving a go-kart. There are multiple passing places where I let half the pack go by some days, but I reel them in during braking zones, turns, etc.

So really, you need to decide what you're looking for. Fun, dynamic and cheap? OR Fun, pretty dynamic, quick(not fast) and medium costs?

Unless I get a C5Z06, I'm not approaching the GS's speed or lap times. I'm aware of this. I'm not looking for a GS. I actually want less power (and weight!) and consumables. I'm looking for something between the Miata and GS that I won't get bored with.

Really, a spec boxter would be ideal, but I don't have $30k to drop on this car. Maybe in a year or two I could, if I'm not paying GS operational cost.

As far as tracks: ECR definitely loves power, but they are changing it up a bit. It's probably 50-50 power vs technical now. I'd imagine it will 40-60 after the new layout. MSR-C is between 40-60 and 25-75 depending on the layout we're running. COTA is a huge track, but I'd be driving the Grand Sport there.

[Jamestl]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

True. I love Road America, especially if you can get up there in the fall. Easily one of the most scenic race tracks in the country.

Yeah it's beautiful. And there are so many areas around the course where you can just go and hang out and watch cars go by. You can do that at other tracks too but it's not the same - RA has the ambiance combination (tree, elevation, etc.) that most tracks simply do not have.

[redlined600]

Originally Posted by Jamestl

Yeah it's beautiful. And there are so many areas around the course where you can just go and hang out and watch cars go by. You can do that at other tracks too but it's not the same - RA has the ambiance combination (tree, elevation, etc.) that most tracks simply do not have.

Now that they put in a paved path along the kettle bottoms

If you are already planning power mods then, imo, just start with a faster car.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by redlined600

Now that they put in a paved path along the kettle bottoms

If you are already planning power mods then, imo, just start with a faster car.

I preferred it before then, when you could sneak down through the woods and get right up by the barrier. When the GT and GTLM cars came through it was deafening, especially the 458s and Corvettes. Though the people like me, who did that, are probably part of why they put the path and gate in. haha

[GrandSport]

Slight curveball. My friend has a Lotus Elise he'd sell me really cheap. It's a lot more money, but I can't imagine I wouldn't make money selling it in a year.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

Slight curveball. My friend has a Lotus Elise he'd sell me really cheap. It's a lot more money, but I can't imagine I wouldn't make money selling it in a year.

Always buy the Elise.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

Always buy the Elise.

Life advice: Buy the car, kiss the girl, take the trip. Three things you'll never look back on and regret.



edit: Well, I guess if the plane crashes or you get herpes or something you'd regret it.