Contemplating FRS for track car

[Tristor]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

No other thoughts on price/value of the track car?

If you believe the modifications that are already done to the car are to your liking and standards, then $17k ready to go is not a bad deal. It's mostly a question of whether the setup will work for you, since a track vehicle setup is somewhat of a personal preference.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

I think he said it was 2550lbs. No AC but still has power windows.
As far as coilovers, they're not the best, but honestly, shocks don't make THAT big of a difference.
When my magnetic ride controller overheated and failed mid day, and I was riding on all 4 at their softest setting, I was < 1 second slower. That's going from an electronic, dynamic/on the fly suspension controller that adjusted every tenth of a second or something like that based on loads and acceleration, etc to having full soft. I definitely made some adjustments (and then more adjustments when I got a new one) but once I made them, I was fine.
If this was supposed to a super competitive race car, sure, there are many reasons to spend big bucks. But for HPDE, I'm not concerned.

They make a HUGE difference, when your lap time is mainly made up by cornering faster, rather than optimizing your corners for powering out the exits.

Heck, even on your Vette, I'd put good money that while you only lost 1 second to a failed controller, you'd gain many seconds with a nice set of Penskes, JRZs, Ohlins, or similar.

[GrantedTaken]

Are you looking for a pure track car?
Or a trackable street car?
That is your answer.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

They make a HUGE difference, when your lap time is mainly made up by cornering faster, rather than optimizing your corners for powering out the exits.

Heck, even on your Vette, I'd put good money that while you only lost 1 second to a failed controller, you'd gain many seconds with a nice set of Penskes, JRZs, Ohlins, or similar.

Man, I don't know. The difference from street tires to slicks is like 2.5 seconds. Super Sports to Cup2 was a bit under 2 seconds for me. You ask any racer would they rather run slicks and crappy shocks or the best shocks and street tires, and the answer will be very unanimous.

[tony_r]

A proper set of shocks make a huge difference, particularly at tracks with aggressive curbing and/or fun bumps. That said, you do not need to go as expensive as Penske to get that.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

Man, I don't know. The difference from street tires to slicks is like 2.5 seconds. Super Sports to Cup2 was a bit under 2 seconds for me. You ask any racer would they rather run slicks and crappy shocks or the best shocks and street tires, and the answer will be very unanimous.

You're right. I quit eating healthy, because while healthy food isn't that beneficial, any person knows that drinking water is more important

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by fatoni

You're right. I quit eating healthy, because while healthy food isn't that beneficial, any person knows that drinking water is more important

huh? I said I don't think shocks are as important as slicks, and slicks are only about 2 seconds above street tires. Therefore, good shocks to mediocre shocks won't be "many seconds" faster- not that you shouldn't upgrade suspension at all. You'd really be surprised how little difference shocks make on lap times. They matter, but not nearly as much as stuff like weight, power, and most important- tires.

[Lynxis]

Something to consider is cost to repair if you end up colliding with something which is not a matter of if, but when. I've had a few destructive off-track excursions now and I personally had a very hard time finding used parts in decent condition for these cars that were close enough to bother with and pray you never need a quarter panel repair.

Edit: The point I nearly forgot to make is to just consider what it might cost you to fix damage caused on track. I spun once and ended up ass end first into a concrete barrier that ended up costing me about $6000 to fix and that was with me doing all of the work I could do by myself which was basically anything but cutting and welding.

[tony_r]

You cant quantify the difference shocks make like that, since what they add is control and consistency. It's the difference between an upset and unruly car, and a stable, predictable car you have confidence in.

I will always be faster lap over lap with a proper set of shocks.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by tony_r

You cant quantify the difference shocks make like that, since what they add is control and consistency. It's the difference between an upset and unruly car, and a stable, predictable car you have confidence in.

I will always be faster lap over lap with a proper set of shocks.

Agreed. The laps with the shocks out (or their controller anyway) were definitely more white knuckle, but I was one of 3 cars on track that day. Overall difference was only about a second (which is an eternity in a race) but yeah, I wouldn't want to race wheel to wheel like that. I just don't see gaining 2 or 3 seconds on shocks alone. Like I said, it was <1 second difference from an awesome (for OEM) electronically controlled setup to those shocks at full soft running (effectively) solo laps. I can't see one aftermarket coilover system to another being some sort of massive jump.

Originally Posted by Lynxis

Something to consider is cost to repair if you end up colliding with something which is not a matter of if, but when. I've had a few destructive off-track excursions now and I personally had a very hard time finding used parts in decent condition for these cars that were close enough to bother with and pray you never need a quarter panel repair.

Edit: The point I nearly forgot to make is to just consider what it might cost you to fix damage caused on track. I spun once and ended up ass end first into a concrete barrier that ended up costing me about $6000 to fix and that was with me doing all of the work I could do by myself which was basically anything but cutting and welding.

One of the many reasons for FRS/BRZ over the Grand Sport. My splitter alone is $2k.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

No other thoughts on price/value of the track car?

One of the first questions I have when looking at a track car listed for sale is: Who built the cage? Is it good?

- Andrew

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

One of the first questions I have when looking at a track car listed for sale is: Who built the cage? Is it good?

- Andrew

I have pictures and it looks (lol) to be pretty good. It was professionally installed by a reputable shop. Nothing about this build makes me think corners were cut in the sense of half assing it. Obviously, you can always buy more expensive parts, but it's not like the guy was using dry wall screws to mount stuff.

Assuming done well and clean (and I'd verify in person), what do you think it's worth on the market? I'm a bit new to this FT world and this is anything but a generic stock car.

Thanks!

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

I have pictures and it looks (lol) to be pretty good. It was professionally installed by a reputable shop. Nothing about this build makes me think corners were cut in the sense of half assing it. Obviously, you can always buy more expensive parts, but it's not like the guy was using dry wall screws to mount stuff.

Assuming done well and clean (and I'd verify in person), what do you think it's worth on the market?

Thanks!

Can you PM a link? I promise I won't buy it lol.

- Andrew

[cjd]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

Man, I don't know. The difference from street tires to slicks is like 2.5 seconds. Super Sports to Cup2 was a bit under 2 seconds for me. You ask any racer would they rather run slicks and crappy shocks or the best shocks and street tires, and the answer will be very unanimous.

If the shocks (spring rates/damping/etc) can't handle slicks, you're in for a rough time either way.



Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'd take a well tuned suspension setup over stickier tires any day.