Autocross options

[Draff]

Hi Guys,

I’ looking at starting up autocross next year and I’ hunting around for cheep options (as my budget is very much in the low for starting out) as far as cars go.
I’ve been mainly looking at galants as they are more available and when I can find them lancers (early days).
Also looking in to perhaps a scorpion or even a sigma but the only trade off is there I will have to lug a few extra hundred kg of weight around the track. There is a bit of a trade off there I guess for a bit more strength diff and axle wise.

I guess my real questions are
-What galant models would be the best out of the group ?
- What Lancer models would be the best and can you still get parts for them?
-How do the sigmas and scorps go on the dirt tracks? Are they getting a little to much on the heavy side or can you still post some alright times.

Thanks again for your time guys

Regards

Draff

[panda]

I originally used my GJ Siggy as an Autocross car before converting it to a Rally car. A good driver can push these hard enough to be quite competitive & very reliable.
After gutting the interior, plus removing everything that wasn't needed, then adding a roll cage, tipped the scales at 1200kg. Converting to King springs & Koni adjustable shocks all round made a huge difference to lap times. The motor, well have had several, all 2.6 carby Astrons. Used a diff out of a 2.0 Manual GJ Siggy which is 3.7:1 fitted with disk brakes.

Alternatively, you could go Lancer or Galant with a 2.6 Astron for even better power/weight ratio, but possibly not as tough.

cheers, panda

Final note - I'm now running a Starion at autocross which is even better again

[karl_2ltgc]

Difference between a stripped out galant an a sigma aint that much of a big deal. Sigma benefits from better strut front end and 4 link rear outweight the 150kgs or so extra which aint even that much at the end of the day especially if your dropping a 2.6 donk into a galant....

Most of the extra weight is in the motor, box and diff. Shells are not very different in weight.

[psshhhht]

mate, if you're a beginner, I would suggest the sigma is the best bet. The extra weight may lose you possibly a couple tenths of a second overall, but that extra weight could make it a bit easier for you to learn the ropes. When they slide, they don't just snap, it's a bit more progressive and easier to work with. I raced a LC lancer coupe once and that was nuts, just too snappy... i mean it all comes down to personal preference and driving style I guess, but yeah I'd recommend the sigma. Apart from anything parts easier to come by and they're generally stronger to begin with

Good luck mate, I'm also considering getting back into the game!

[Draff]

Thanks for the input guys, i'm starting to lean towards a siggy or a Scorp after the advice.

Good point psshhhht as i'm really just starting out, best to minimize the amount of times i spin my car out from lack of experience
i have access to another GJ scorp at the moment so im toying with the idea of snapping that one up as they seem to be slightly stronger with out modification and i have a few spare parts kicking around in the shed.

Thanks again for the response guys, ill keep you posted on how i go hunting for a car

[75wagon]

Just a thought, before you start. Go to the place you want to race and see what the catagories are. Then build a car to a class instead of having to put your car in a class because of some mods that you made, and then having to race an uncompetitive car.
I took my galant wagon to awaba rally club (or whatever they are called) and because I had extractors and wider wheels it meant I would be racing against cars way faster then mine. To race against comparible performance cars I would have had to put my standard exhaust back on.
If you put a 2.6 in a galant you'd be racing against stuff like escorts with cosworth turbos in them.
The rules where you race may be different, but the theory is the same. Read the rules, understand the classes and buy the car that fits it best. Saves a lot of time and money in the long run.
Who wants to race knowing they will come last in class before they start?
If I race, I want to be competitive, and at least have a chance of being in the top runners, and let my driving be what holds me back, not my car.
Good luck mate.
Hope you do well.

[Draff]

Just a thought, before you start. Go to the place you want to race and see what the catagories are. Then build a car to a class instead of having to put your car in a class because of some mods that you made, and then having to race an uncompetitive car.
I took my galant wagon to awaba rally club (or whatever they are called) and because I had extractors and wider wheels it meant I would be racing against cars way faster then mine. To race against comparible performance cars I would have had to put my standard exhaust back on.
If you put a 2.6 in a galant you'd be racing against stuff like escorts with cosworth turbos in them.
The rules where you race may be different, but the theory is the same. Read the rules, understand the classes and buy the car that fits it best. Saves a lot of time and money in the long run.
Who wants to race knowing they will come last in class before they start?
If I race, I want to be competitive, and at least have a chance of being in the top runners, and let my driving be what holds me back, not my car.
Good luck mate.
Hope you do well.

Really good point as well,

i have done a little bit of looking (need to do allot more though) in to the classes they have up at the light car club where will be joining and as long as i dont do any crazy mods to the car i should be fine. as soon as you do any major mods that involve IE: puting a motor in the car that this type of car never came out with standard (say change out the 4g54 for a SR20DET) or the suspension (say from solid axle to independent rear) i should be fine to put it in the standard rear wheel drive section that they have.
Seems they are a little bit more loose on the requirements at this club IE if you change the carb to a Weber they look at is as if the car still came out with a carb from the factory so that should be fine, other mods like electric fuel pump, extractors ect. seem to be no issues, a few of my friends race 1200 & 1600 rollas at this club with similar mods and are pretty sure ill end up in there group providing i don't go over the top and put a evo motor in her and seeing i'm being a tight arse about this to start off with i don't think that should be a problem


Again thanks for the input guys appreciate any knowledge from the old race buffs or anyone for that matter

[cheaterparts]

I ran a GH sigma for a while at autocross/dirthillclimb
and it is worth running through the rules of clubs as its been said

I ran in the std up to 2Lt class at boisdale and we could fit rally recaps in the std class
if I ran group 5 that put me into the modifide class

what club are you going to join

I moved to a cordia for autocross and found it better than the sigma
at boisdale you can run a turbo cordia with rally recaps/remoulds in the std class and watch the guys with big cars sook up

if you do get up and running at autox give the long track twilight hillclimb meet a go
look up http://www.madcc.com

[wheelnut]

i,m building up a gn siggy atm so ill see how that goes. at least siggys are cheap.

[GC75]

i rekon gc/gd out of the galants, easier to obtain parts rather then ga/gb...

dont get a coupe, get a sedan there more common.

personally go the gc, gd is crud with its light fascia at the back, hard to replace if smashed also...

[Draff]

Thanks for your input on this one guys, i had access to a cheep scorp so i ended up buying that & should be picking her up next week. then it will be time to get to work on her and get this show on the road

[panda]

Great choice, now don't forget to keep us all informed with lots of pics in the "Build" section.

panda

[cheaterparts]

Great choice, now don't forget to keep us all informed with lots of pics in the "Build" section.

panda

and also let us know when your first autox is and where

[Draff]

Great choice, now don't forget to keep us all informed with lots of pics in the "Build" section.

panda

and also let us know when your first autox is and where

will do, sorry cheerter missed your last comment, i'm aiming to join the light car club in Ballarat, ill be sure to keep you all posted on my first event/ build of the car as well.

Thanks again guys!