86 SCCA Solo2 BSP
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
86 SCCA Solo2 BSP
I looked at similar threads pertaining to autocross but decided to start a new thread since my interest is specifically focused on SCCA Solo2 BSP.
After many years away from Solo2 (twin boys that just turned 13), I've decided to get back into it with my 86 Corvette. Long ago I had some info collected on what mods made sense and how to go about them. Given that I'm constraining myself to BSP, what can I do to the car to get the most bang for the buck and what modifications are required to get there? ie, if I go to 315R35 17 tires all around, what wheels, what back space, any spacers? What suspension mods to make this work? what limitations?
I'll be chasing a very well prepared BSP Honda S2000 with a great driver with much experience so I'm not sure I can ever catch him, but I want to do the best I can while enjoying the ride as much as possible.
My car is a convertible. I've always been told that it's a waste of time to mod an early C4 convertible for Solo2 because it is too flexible, but it's what I have and what I need to run.
I recognize the names of several of the posters on this forum from the old BSPvettes email list.
Thanks for any assistance,
Mark
After many years away from Solo2 (twin boys that just turned 13), I've decided to get back into it with my 86 Corvette. Long ago I had some info collected on what mods made sense and how to go about them. Given that I'm constraining myself to BSP, what can I do to the car to get the most bang for the buck and what modifications are required to get there? ie, if I go to 315R35 17 tires all around, what wheels, what back space, any spacers? What suspension mods to make this work? what limitations?
I'll be chasing a very well prepared BSP Honda S2000 with a great driver with much experience so I'm not sure I can ever catch him, but I want to do the best I can while enjoying the ride as much as possible.
My car is a convertible. I've always been told that it's a waste of time to mod an early C4 convertible for Solo2 because it is too flexible, but it's what I have and what I need to run.
I recognize the names of several of the posters on this forum from the old BSPvettes email list.
Thanks for any assistance,
Mark
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I am not completely on top of the rules for BSP since it has been a couple of years since I ran that class. But here is what I would suggest and double check these upgrades for compliance.
Larger anti roll bars- 30/32 mm front- 24/26 mm rear.
VBandP High Rate adjustable front spring and high rate rear
Double adjustable shocks on all 4 corners
off set lower a arm bushings - helps get more negative camber
12" Front and rear rotors
Hawk HP Plus Pads or similar that will heat up quick
Hoosier A6's
17" wheels 50mm or 52mm backspace
Remove A/C
good alignment and corner balance
and most importantly- SEAT TIME
Larger anti roll bars- 30/32 mm front- 24/26 mm rear.
VBandP High Rate adjustable front spring and high rate rear
Double adjustable shocks on all 4 corners
off set lower a arm bushings - helps get more negative camber
12" Front and rear rotors
Hawk HP Plus Pads or similar that will heat up quick
Hoosier A6's
17" wheels 50mm or 52mm backspace
Remove A/C
good alignment and corner balance
and most importantly- SEAT TIME
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Seems that the S2k and M3 dominate BSP.
How about a different class where the 3400 lb Vette has a better chance?
Like the new CAM class. Lots of mods, needs to be street legal and 200 wear tires.
Linky to rethinky
How about a different class where the 3400 lb Vette has a better chance?
Like the new CAM class. Lots of mods, needs to be street legal and 200 wear tires.
Linky to rethinky
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
L98TPI, thank you. Those are the kind of things I'm looking for.
JrRifleCoach, I was interested in CAM but was told that the C4 and up Corvettes are not eligible, though I've not been able to find that in print.
Any thoughts on what wheels would be the best; of course cheaper is better, but I need to know what it takes.
Can I run 315R35 17s on all fours without modify the fenders or suspension for clearance?
Agreed on seat time is the most important, but that will take time. I hope to make all events and driver training this year, though life has a way of getting in the way on that.
Thanks,
Mark N
JrRifleCoach, I was interested in CAM but was told that the C4 and up Corvettes are not eligible, though I've not been able to find that in print.
Any thoughts on what wheels would be the best; of course cheaper is better, but I need to know what it takes.
Can I run 315R35 17s on all fours without modify the fenders or suspension for clearance?
Agreed on seat time is the most important, but that will take time. I hope to make all events and driver training this year, though life has a way of getting in the way on that.
Thanks,
Mark N
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 99
From: Seattle WA
Isn't there a 30-year time limit in the street classes? That would mean you have only one more season where your '86 would be eligible to run. You may want to think about where you'd run after next year, and start there now.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The "real ZR-1 wheels have a 36mm offset and they will work on an 86. But I would not use a tire much bigger than the ZR-1's 313/35-17. That size will work with no rubbing as long as the front is not lowered too much.
If the rules allow, consider going with a C5 front brake upgrade. If you run courses that will have higher speeds, bigger brakes would be a help. That upgrade gives you larger pads up front, 13" rotors and they will fit under 17" ZR-1 style wheels. Add a Doug Rippie brake bias spring to the master cylinder (get the ABS spring version!) A good set of stainless flex lines like Goodridge or Earl's and DOT4 fluid.
Also look at the Banski Motorsports rear suspension components. This will be a huge improvement over stock.
I have a friend that runs an 91 'vert in SCCA B-stock and he does very well with the car. He runs stock size 275/40-17 Hoosier A6's and the only upgrade is a set of Penske adjustable shocks. From what he said, they are really expensive but are quickly adjustable for any given course. The convertibles didn't get the Z07 suspension option so the OEM base stuff is pretty soft. Again, I'm not sure what you can run in a stock class but I would think that BSP would allow for aftermarket stuff like springs, sway bars, and the rest of the suspension stuff.
If the rules allow, consider going with a C5 front brake upgrade. If you run courses that will have higher speeds, bigger brakes would be a help. That upgrade gives you larger pads up front, 13" rotors and they will fit under 17" ZR-1 style wheels. Add a Doug Rippie brake bias spring to the master cylinder (get the ABS spring version!) A good set of stainless flex lines like Goodridge or Earl's and DOT4 fluid.
Also look at the Banski Motorsports rear suspension components. This will be a huge improvement over stock.
I have a friend that runs an 91 'vert in SCCA B-stock and he does very well with the car. He runs stock size 275/40-17 Hoosier A6's and the only upgrade is a set of Penske adjustable shocks. From what he said, they are really expensive but are quickly adjustable for any given course. The convertibles didn't get the Z07 suspension option so the OEM base stuff is pretty soft. Again, I'm not sure what you can run in a stock class but I would think that BSP would allow for aftermarket stuff like springs, sway bars, and the rest of the suspension stuff.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I have a Camber bar for your model. 75+shipping
Recommend pulling as much weight out as you can afford.
A good roll bar, X-brace and the J55 or C5 front brake upgrade.
You can run any spring from the 84-87 years. Consider finding a 84 Z51.
Grab the steering rack and F/R springs.
.
Recommend pulling as much weight out as you can afford.
A good roll bar, X-brace and the J55 or C5 front brake upgrade.
You can run any spring from the 84-87 years. Consider finding a 84 Z51.
Grab the steering rack and F/R springs.
.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Mar 9, 2015 at 12:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Some good ideas from all of you--thank you; I'll have to check on what is legal in Street Prepared. This is also a street car, and I do live in East TN so pulling out the AC is extreme. Maybe there is someway I can bypass the compressor beltwise just for races. It wouldn't save on the weight but would cut hp loss on the engine...some.
Something else I'll have to do is put a trailer hitch on it so I can take my race tires to events. One of the venues is only 10 miles away, but two of them are more--60 and 110 miles. I already have a Da'lan complete, but I have just the main frame piece for a Reese (ie would need all the other parts). I really like the Reese better. Anyone know where I can get parts? Haven't looked recently but when I was looking I wasn't seeing much of anything on ebay. As far as I can tell, Reese has long since discontinued them.
JrRifleCoach--how does the camber bar work/mount? If it's what I think it is and it goes on the front, it may not be SP legal, but otherwise I would be interested.
Something else I'll have to do is put a trailer hitch on it so I can take my race tires to events. One of the venues is only 10 miles away, but two of them are more--60 and 110 miles. I already have a Da'lan complete, but I have just the main frame piece for a Reese (ie would need all the other parts). I really like the Reese better. Anyone know where I can get parts? Haven't looked recently but when I was looking I wasn't seeing much of anything on ebay. As far as I can tell, Reese has long since discontinued them.
JrRifleCoach--how does the camber bar work/mount? If it's what I think it is and it goes on the front, it may not be SP legal, but otherwise I would be interested.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
PS...when I was running before, mostly in the 1990s, I did no more than put Hoosiers on it while running an autocross alignment...at least as much as the front would behave for it. Before doing that, I ran in the bottom third of the event. After doing that (and much seat time), I pretty consistently ran in the top 20 - 30%, still no match for the ProSolo guys but at least not ashamed of my performance. Thanks again...I know I'll have a lot of questions. Thanks for your patience.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I found it tightens up the front end especially when carving tight turns.
Completely SP legal as an add-on aftermarket suspension/frame component.
Does not change the original suspension mount points or geometry.
Ship to the mid east around 25-30.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Agreed SCCA says they are legal for BSP. It seems that there's a lot of argument as to how well they work, especially on a car that doesn't have a modified/stiff front suspension. I'm interested but will wait for now. Thanks.