who among you autocross your C3? i did it a while back just for fun and really liked it. would like to do more. would appreciate input from forum members on best suspension setup for autoX.

 

Hell - Put the strongest springs on you can find and the stickiest rubber.

#1 factor isn't the car though, it's the driver.

 

I'll pass along some advice to you that I was given when I started: Don't modify the car. Spend your money on getting as much seat time as humanly possible. If you can drive one of these cars well, you can drive just about anything! Also, having new parts at every event is going to make it difficult to get to know the car and how it behaves, you'll basically be hopping into a new car every event.

Unfortunately I didn't really follow that advice, and spending money modding my car has deprived me of the funds to get as much tracktime as I'd like. Oh well, both have their benefits. Our suspensions are a big can of worms just waiting for you to look for defects. Convert your car to Gymkhana specs if it isn't already. (550lb/in, 1/18" fr. 7leaf 300lb, swaybar??? rear.) Otherwise, just enjoy!

 

As far as the car goes, make sure that your suspension is all in great shape. Replace any worn or damaged parts. You could be the greatest driver in the world, but if your suspension is flopping all over, you're lost. Get it aligned with a bit more negative camber front and rear. Then go racing. I used to do it with my '69 and had a blast. In the process I really learned how to handle the car better.

Good luck,
SharkPilot

 

my sticky is still over in A&R. go check out that thread. lots of people with lots of experience have posted to it. i'd suggest you just read the first page or two a couple times and not read beyond that until you've driven a number of events and have a good grasp on the basics.

 

I autoX my 71 stingray and my 02 S2000. Both cars are fun, and unique in there own ways, but the honda is definetely the better car. The best upgrade for autoX on a vette is better, bigger wheels and tires. Although, this is probably the only handling upgrade i havn't done. Regardless of what you do to your car, its mostly determined by the aptitude and skill of the driver. I'd recomend starting off with a larger front sway bar, small rear, 450lb or higher springs (i went with 550), some longer bolts to lower the rear, and, if you have money left over, a composite rear monospring. That would make a world of difference. If you can't afford the wheels, or don't like the look, i'd suggest getting pirellli scorpion zero's, they have a much better sidewall, and stick better than any of the other S, T, or H rated tires out there.

 

Here is clutchdusts sticky... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=673766

 

I have done it a few times with my 82, and I always come home with a huge smile on my face.

I didn't run for the competition, just for fun. So it wasn't important to me to be the fastest out there, just the one having the most fun...

 

I don't quite agree with your spring advice. I run F-41 springs on my 72 LT-1 and do quite well in autocross events. Expirience, alignment, tires, and car set-up are the biggest factors. You need to "know" your Vette and how it reacts! I have watched drivers with cars I know I could never drive do impossible things in our local WSCC autocross races. Seat time is probably the most important aspect of autocross racing. You should read a few books on driving, chassis set-up and go out and DO IT! you will have FUN! I would not try to get my car set-up with "killer" parts and "sticky" tires for the first season. Go to the races and talk with some of the fast guys, some will help you to make you abetter driver. I would have my chassis and brakes checked to make sure they are in good condition before going to the races.

 

I did it for the first time last year. Found out how little I know about the handling of the car. I had a SCCA driver ride with me for a lap. He gave me some great pointers. Seat time is the best thing. I was running faster with each lap. I hope to do more of it this year. Came home with a big grin on my face.

 

Autocrossing a C3 Corvette can be a lot of fun, but it can also be frustrating. If you Autocross with the SCCA, keep in mind that they set up their courses very tight with little straightaway. (They do this to ensure speeds stay within the limits SCCA places on them.) For this reason when I autocrossed my 1973 in Hawaii for three years I never got out of 1st gear. Needless to say I was not competitive against most other non-C3's in my class - like 911's. I eventually moved out of the stock class but even with Hoosiers and numerous suspension mods, I could not be competitive with some of the other class times.

For this reason, I would suggest that if you are serious about autocrossing again, you look at a lower gear. I have 3:36's and while they're fine on the street, I would have been much more competitive with 3:90's or possibly 4:11's. I would have been able to take better advantage of the power band of the L82 cam as well as all of the other suspension mods I made. I realize you'll have to weigh the lower gears against things like rpm's on the street, but the only other option is to mount some very small diameter and very wide race tires???

Don't get me wrong, autocrossing the 1973 was fun, but being competitive is even better.

GUSTO

 

Get the Vette Brakes & Products Street/slolam kit and ask to substitute in a 5/8ths rear sway. They also have the ball joints and steering kit for another $199 or so. It's the best $1250 you'll spend on your vette

IMO - auto-X is a waste of time. You spend all day and maybe get 4 runs two practise and two for reals. I'd rather go to road racing track and spend $75 for a half day or $150 full day. Two day events are usually about $340 with rented x-ciever for lap timers.

I don't know where you live, but some tracks are extreemly safe. You would really have to try hard to hit a solid object.

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=483

Name: Street & Slalom System 78-79
ID: 42002A

Manufacturer: Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.

Desc: Our Composite Monospring rides and reacts better than a stock steel spring, Bilstein¨ sport gas shocks dampen better and adjustable struts lock down the rear alignment. Our kit features: 1.125" front Addco anti-sway bar kit, .750" rear Addco anti-sway bar kit, Bilstein sport gas shocks, poly shock mount grommets, poly-adjustable Smart Struts, 360 lb/in Composite Monospring and Monospring hardware kit.
Price: $1,049.95

 

I just went out to the Van Steel sight and they have the same kit for less. In all fairness shop around! I just have VB&P stuff

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=603