C4 automatic in autocross?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,116
Likes: 3
C4 automatic in autocross?
After attending several Solo II autocrosses during the last several years, I’ve been anxious to give it a try. My intent has been to buy a small FWD manual-trans beater to freshen up with new factory shocks, bushings, tires, etc. to start out in, but it just hasn’t worked out, mostly because of time constraints, plus the wife isn’t crazy about losing garage space and other resources for a third car. It’s also hard to find time to chase classified ads leads, and then work on tuning up an extra car. I’ve been thinking of just trying to work with what I have, and what I have is a ’93 C4 automatic daily driver in great shape. It might need new tires (it needs these anyway) otherwise it’s in great shape.
My question is, is it even worth trying to auto-x an automatic with 2.59 gears? I’ve seen plenty of automatic cars at the autocrosses I’ve watched, but they’re generally in the lower classes. I’m not that crazy about having to run in A stock or whatever they put C4s in anyway, I don’t think the local events in my area even run a novice class. I’m anxious to hear about anybody else who has ran a C4 auto in Solo II.
Thx!
My question is, is it even worth trying to auto-x an automatic with 2.59 gears? I’ve seen plenty of automatic cars at the autocrosses I’ve watched, but they’re generally in the lower classes. I’m not that crazy about having to run in A stock or whatever they put C4s in anyway, I don’t think the local events in my area even run a novice class. I’m anxious to hear about anybody else who has ran a C4 auto in Solo II.
Thx!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Who cares if its competitive! Drive your car and have fun doing it; that's all that matters. I plan to do my first Auto-X very soon, and I don't really care how I place. It's all about having fun driving your car. 
So, I say go for it.
So, I say go for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Use the course to improve your driving skills, have some fun and do some things that would get you jsiled on the street
Yes, and automatic can be competitive. It will take some work and $$ to make it so, but it can be
Others will likely tell you otherwise, but i've seen it myself.So "run what you brung!"
Now...go out there and have some fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 0
From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
In addition, C4's are known to be the BEST for autocrossing. That's a fact.
Plus, I've been to many autocrosses here in MI, where people in competition own newer vettes, and they choose to autocross with their C4's! Both manual and automatic!
Watch the winners in autocrossing, C4's are usually always in the top 5.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
Most of the C4s I see running in autox around my way are autos, see very few stick cars. They can be competitive, just learn how to drive it and anticipate what it's going to do. Just lock the trans in 2nd and go, or in your case with an LT1 and 2.59s, you may be able to just run 1st gear the entire course. btw, AS is not an easy class, and I wouldn't consider it a lower class, there is only 1 stock class above it, SS. The S2000s and STIs put up a good fight.
A few of my runs are out on you tube they are listed under 515racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ndnBfFXRE&NR=1
A few of my runs are out on you tube they are listed under 515racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ndnBfFXRE&NR=1
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood CA
I have and still continue to race my automatic 86 Z-51. Depending on what group you are planning on racing with, you may be able to make some changes like converting to a Z-51 package so you can utilize the faster steering ratio rack, stiffer springs, larger sway bars and a better rear gearing. I have been pretty competitive with mine and continue to enjoy it. Smaller, tighter courses will be better suited for the gearing that the auto has but the longer, larger courses you will be at a slight dis-advantage. You should be able to stay pretty competitive on average. Either way it is a rush like no other!!!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 548
Likes: 27
From: Port Charlotte, FL.
I have auto crossed for many years with nothing but corvettes. I have raced C2's, C3's, C4's, and C5's - Most were autos except a 72 vert and a 97 coupe.
I campaigned an 81, 190HP (before I got a hold of it) auto trans car on the autox circuit for several years. I never took anything less than a second place. It can be done and as someone else already pointed out.... it is not necessarily the car, but more the driver and the experience that the driver has.
Good luck and have a great time.
MRHTRD
I campaigned an 81, 190HP (before I got a hold of it) auto trans car on the autox circuit for several years. I never took anything less than a second place. It can be done and as someone else already pointed out.... it is not necessarily the car, but more the driver and the experience that the driver has.
Good luck and have a great time.
MRHTRD
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
With a stock engine you should be OK. When you start adding HP is when you have prob. with stock autos. Look for a NCCC Corvette Club in your area, most of them Auto X & can help you. If your profile was filled out I would look one up for you in your area. Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Stamping Ground Kentucky
C4 auto has its plusses and minuses in autoX.
I have the 2.59 rear end in my L98. It's good to 60-some mph, so I rarely have to leave first on most courses. LF braking is another plus. A word of caution if you put it in 2 on some courses - unless you have a shift kit, the car will shift up and down between 1 and 2 as it sees fit, and of course the car doesn't know what's coming up in the course like you do. You're better off to leave it in 1 and only bump it to 2 when needed on course. There are other minuses, too, but don't let that stop you for a minute. Just go out and have fun!
Seat time, alignment, suspension, and tires will make much more difference than tranny when you're starting out, esp. seat time.
I have the 2.59 rear end in my L98. It's good to 60-some mph, so I rarely have to leave first on most courses. LF braking is another plus. A word of caution if you put it in 2 on some courses - unless you have a shift kit, the car will shift up and down between 1 and 2 as it sees fit, and of course the car doesn't know what's coming up in the course like you do. You're better off to leave it in 1 and only bump it to 2 when needed on course. There are other minuses, too, but don't let that stop you for a minute. Just go out and have fun!
Seat time, alignment, suspension, and tires will make much more difference than tranny when you're starting out, esp. seat time.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Idianapolis Indiana
The AT in the C4s is very tough when modified and like said earlier with a good shift kit w/eng braking you'll do a lot better than you thought. Had the same trans in a 92 camaro with a 383. Never did a manual conversion because once I had a valve body, torque converter, and gears I was slaughtering manuals. The main problem is the engine rev limiter with the 1/2 shift. If you can turn your engine about 6300 its not that bad. The 4L60-E / 700-4R trans isnt inferior to a manual. I just needs modification. But by all means, the man who races his junk gets more respect from me than the guy with 80k race car he never takes out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,116
Likes: 3
Thanks for the replies. Would a shift kit knock me out of A-stock? I've thought of that, and I had one on my 93 Z28, but I'm very keen on not modding the car in a way that puts me in one of the more advanced classes.
Another question: my 1993 has staggered wheels, however I have seen several C4 guys on this board running the rear-diameter wheels in front. Would this be acceptable for A-stock?
Another question: my 1993 has staggered wheels, however I have seen several C4 guys on this board running the rear-diameter wheels in front. Would this be acceptable for A-stock?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
A shift kit would most definitely knock you out of AS, and I think would kick you straight to SM2, where you don't want to be. The cars you see running the same size wheels all around typically have the Z51 or Z07 suspension package on them. You could probably get away with running all 4 wheels the same size in AS depending who you run with, or you could convert the suspension to make it legal. Rules are here http://scca.org/documents/Solo%20Rul...lo_Rules_2.pdf
I wouldn't worry about changing anything yet, just go out and drive it and have some fun, save the changes until you get some seat time.
I wouldn't worry about changing anything yet, just go out and drive it and have some fun, save the changes until you get some seat time.
Last edited by shotchkiss; Feb 5, 2008 at 07:14 PM. Reason: Fixed link
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
C4 have great low end torque and can handle G- force well. Until the C6,the best Corvette for the skid pad was the '84 with the Z51 package.
A good friend of mine runs an Auto '93 and is very competitive in his stock class.
The National Council of Corvette Clubs runs Corvette only Auto-x across the country.
You do not have to be a member to participate.
Here is a link to their site to help you find a club in your region. Checking out their regional web page should give you a list of flyers (advertisements) for auto-x events in your region.
http://www.corvettesnccc.org/FindClub.html
A good friend of mine runs an Auto '93 and is very competitive in his stock class.
The National Council of Corvette Clubs runs Corvette only Auto-x across the country.
You do not have to be a member to participate.
Here is a link to their site to help you find a club in your region. Checking out their regional web page should give you a list of flyers (advertisements) for auto-x events in your region.
http://www.corvettesnccc.org/FindClub.html
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 2
From: Doylestown PA
I ran an 87 auto with 2:59 gears in A-stock and finished 5th overall in my first year of autocross. That was with stock everything! With sticky tires a better set of shocks AND more seat time I should be more competitive.
GO FOR IT! And have fun!!!
GO FOR IT! And have fun!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood CA
If you are running A Stock with SCCA, the only things you can change from the factory setup are the front sway bar, shocks and alignment. If you want to do the work you can convert the car to a Z-07 car. The only thing is you would need to take everything that was part of the Z-07 package and put it on your car. You can't take a couple pieces and call it a Z-07 car. A good friend of mine let me borrow his 87 Auto Z-52 car to race when my tranny went out coming home from an event. I took third that day and all his car had was my race tires, no other changes. If you want to change over to a Z-07 you can gain a lot by having stiffer front and rear springs, larger front and rear sway bars, faster steering rack and 9.5 inch wide wheels on all four corners. My advice would be get a race alignment done and get some Hoosiers or Kuhmos and go drive it. Learn the car and what she can do. Then after driving for a bit see if you wanna make the change to convert it. It can get costly. But, you have plenty of help from us here. Good luck and enjoy it!!! That's what your car was built for!!