Performance Car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Indiana
Performance Car
I am looking to build a car that is all performance. It will probably be a type of road racing car. I am planning to build it from the ground up. Can anyone offer me any suggestions on where to get parts and how to build it? Is there a book on how to build performance cars or do I use an assembly manual and replace stock parts with performance parts?
Thanks
Doug
Thanks
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
If your starting out with a C3 Vette, part it out, make LOTS of money and buy a C5 Z06 Vette. Add to the Z06: sticky tires, racing seat/harness, good brake pads/fluids and go have fun running FAST.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
Is this going to be a street legal performance car or a ***** to the wall road racer? SCCA? What class?
Daily driver or trailer queen till you get to the track?
Were you planning to build this on a stock or tube frame?
Were you planning to build and tune a racing suspension?
Brakes? Tranny? Gears? Rear?
Haven't even asked about the motor...
Shedding weight or is this a consideration?
Questions...questions...questions...
Let us know some details so we can argue about it!
Daily driver or trailer queen till you get to the track?
Were you planning to build this on a stock or tube frame?
Were you planning to build and tune a racing suspension?
Brakes? Tranny? Gears? Rear?
Haven't even asked about the motor...
Shedding weight or is this a consideration?
Questions...questions...questions...
Let us know some details so we can argue about it!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I am looking to build a car that is all performance. It will probably be a type of road racing car. I am planning to build it from the ground up. Can anyone offer me any suggestions on where to get parts and how to build it? Is there a book on how to build performance cars or do I use an assembly manual and replace stock parts with performance parts?
Thanks
Doug
Thanks
Doug
Road racing my Vette.............. My sets of tires are $1340 for front and rear mounted and balanced. I hope to get 2-3 races day on the rears and 5-6 on the front. Although last year I only got one day on a set of rears. Actually about 20 minutes to be exact.
Entry fees with transponder and SCCA fees amount to about $200 a day.
So at least two sets of rears are needed for 6 races. So for 6 races you need about $2200 for tires and $1200 for fees. Couple hundred for fluids and fuel. So if nothing breaks or wares out it only costs you $600 a day to go racing on top of your $30K worth of improvements
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Indiana
I would like to build the car on a stock frame. It would probably be a trailer queen. I would like to use either a 327 or 350. I would like to make around 600 horsepower with about 600 torque(the engine would be in higher rpms for the majority of driving). I want to use a Muncie 4 speed transmission(don't know if they can withstand the abuse), and it would probably be just the bare essentials inside(no interior except racing seats, preferably manual windows, and t-top or convertible).
Don't know if this helps but I don't really know too much on this subject.
Don't know if this helps but I don't really know too much on this subject.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
I would like to build the car on a stock frame. It would probably be a trailer queen. I would like to use either a 327 or 350. I would like to make around 600 horsepower with about 600 torque(the engine would be in higher rpms for the majority of driving). I want to use a Muncie 4 speed transmission(don't know if they can withstand the abuse), and it would probably be just the bare essentials inside(no interior except racing seats, preferably manual windows, and t-top or convertible).
Don't know if this helps but I don't really know too much on this subject.
Don't know if this helps but I don't really know too much on this subject.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
To get that HP and torque you are probably talking at least 430+ cubic inches. Even at that CI you are pushing it.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I use a 434 ci Motown small block probably in the 650 hp range. They are about a $10-12K motor. I just did a Wilwood front 13 inch brake and front coil over setup for about $5K 2 new front wheels and 295/35/17 tires to clear the larger front brakes $1400. The 5 speed over drive tranny, Racing Clutch, and blow proof bell housing was a $5K. Couple $thousand in the rear end to take on 650 hp.
It really does cost about $30,000+ on top of the cost of your Vette. Mine is insured for $48,000. It would cost me that much to recreate what I have now
I know how to build them. I work at a race shop. You are better off searching for an already built used race car. The time, money, and effort to take a street car and make it into a race car is prohibitive.
It really does cost about $30,000+ on top of the cost of your Vette. Mine is insured for $48,000. It would cost me that much to recreate what I have now
I know how to build them. I work at a race shop. You are better off searching for an already built used race car. The time, money, and effort to take a street car and make it into a race car is prohibitive.
Last edited by gkull; Mar 25, 2008 at 10:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
How much are you willing to spend and do you want to drive it on the street?
I don't think you know what you're getting into. I knew what I was getting into and it has cost me twice as much as I though it would (approaching $60,000 incuding the initial $7,500 for the car).
I don't think you know what you're getting into. I knew what I was getting into and it has cost me twice as much as I though it would (approaching $60,000 incuding the initial $7,500 for the car).
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,708
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
How much are you willing to spend and do you want to drive it on the street?
I don't think you know what you're getting into. I knew what I was getting into and it has cost me twice as much as I though it would (approaching $60,000 incuding the initial $7,500 for the car).
I don't think you know what you're getting into. I knew what I was getting into and it has cost me twice as much as I though it would (approaching $60,000 incuding the initial $7,500 for the car).
(guess why?
)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
EASY... Buy this car for $6,500
1973 fully outfitted to kick@ss...
http://www.corvettesnccc.org/4SALE.html
Then...
Buy a BB crate engine
You're done! AND you would only be into the whole thing around $10k to $15K tops.
1973 fully outfitted to kick@ss...
http://www.corvettesnccc.org/4SALE.html
Then...
Buy a BB crate engine
You're done! AND you would only be into the whole thing around $10k to $15K tops.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
To answer your question about a book, buy Smokey Yunicks book.
with the others that you may not know what you are getting into. As much as I like C3s and Corvettes for that matter, for what you are asking about you are better off money wise with a C5 or an LS1 Z28 or T/A and start from there.
with the others that you may not know what you are getting into. As much as I like C3s and Corvettes for that matter, for what you are asking about you are better off money wise with a C5 or an LS1 Z28 or T/A and start from there.