The 2270cc powered Bug goes autocrossing!

Tom Perso · Post by **Tom Perso** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:28 pm

Hey Guys,

I went to my first auto-x today. What a blast. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

I was running in the Street modified class. My competitors were an Acura Integra with a supercharger and lots of suspension mods (and a nice guy to boot, no rice here) and a guy with a heavily modified 944 Turbo (BOV valve, downpipe, different turbo, lots of suspension and other goodies).

I finished last in my class, but was close behind and I was fairly competitive to other times in the field.

I was running my Sumitomo cheap street tires, so once I get my race rubber mounted, I should have some decent times.

The car ran perfect and it handled better than I thought. It had plenty of down low torque in second gear to get around the salom course and the tight corners.

In the sweepers, I would pick up the inside front tire and carry it throughout the turn. Adding a little throttle would put me into a 3-wheel drift - it was a complete blast!!! I just need to tweek the suspension to try and keep all four on the ground.

Once, when I went into the sweeper, I started into the turn in 1st gear and when I shifted to second, a couple of the corner workers noticed that I lifted both front tires! Shifting into second!!!

I knew right when I did it since I was going straight for just a flash, but man - it was a wild ride.

I'll try and get some pics from the next event!!!

Try an auto-cross if you get a chance! Contact your local SCCA and see what events are happening. Just mention that you are a newbie and tons of people will be happy to help.

Later!
Tom

Chris V · Post by **Chris V** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:45 pm

Sounds like a blast! I've been meaning to look into auto-X...that's the primary goal for my car

Mind giving me a quick run-down of the classes? Would I compete in the same class with my 1775 and suspension mods?

Chris V · Post by **Chris V** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:59 pm

This is what I just found...they put you in a more competitive class than I would have imagined.

http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/faq/auto.htm#102

MASSIVE TYPE IV · Post by **MASSIVE TYPE IV** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 5:28 pm

Great to Hear Tom....alot of Auto X is seat time from what I have heard from my Auto X customers...I have never done it but will be soon in my 2316cc 914..

The 2270 is such a beast, that torque is phenomenol!

NextGen · Post by **NextGen** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 5:56 pm

I did it a few years ago and did real good. Even though my bug is a bit better then a 2.0 stocker it's 2nd and 3rd are real pullers, exactly what is needed in a Autox. My car is well set up for a street car. Dropped front spindles, KYB GAS ADJUST shocks, front and rear anti sway bars. 195 tires all around. ALso 4 wheel discs. I don't know if the heavy flywheel helped or hindered. There is the school of thought that a lighter flywheel is the way to go in a autox because as soon as you let off the gas the car slows down real fast. Hit the gas and it goes. I agree but I think what helped me was the damn flywheel being so heavy made me go faster because I could not slow it down. Therefore I would not have took it to the limits I did, with out being nuts. I won but in my class there were some street cars or no real threats.. If I was going to get into it I would go for low profile tires and a light flywheel.
I still have a little alarm in my head reminding me about my 914 I spun out doing 70mph totaling the car and taking down a pole some mail boxes and 90 feet of guard rail cable. One second doing 70 and feel a drifting next second my glasses are off my face all the windows are broken, the dash is bent and the stick is in my hand not attached to the car. I had seat belt brused to my chest. MY 914, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Joe

Tom Perso · Post by **Tom Perso** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 5:58 pm

Chris,

Since I have a T4 motor, I am put into the SM class. Compare it to a Honda Civic with an Acura Integra motor. Same basic manufacturer, but the motor never offically ended up in that car. It just happens to fit..

I think you would be put into that class as well since Street prepared does not allow for cam and C/R changes.

I never went into this to be competitive, I just want to have a good time.

Email me offline (or I'll email you) and we can discuss some chassis setup if you'd like. I found out some interesting things just from this one run.

Tom

Class 11 streeter · Post by **Class 11 streeter** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 9:44 pm

Tom

Do you have any oil pressure issues during high G cornering or have you done something for that?

Tom Perso · Post by **Tom Perso** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:38 am

I noticed no oil pressure issues, but I overfilled the case by a shade... 1/4 - 1/2 quart or so.

Tom

Shad Laws · Post by **Shad Laws** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 7:51 am

Hello-

I went auto-x awhile ago, too. What a blast! I had more torque (2600cc's tends to do that

, but also more weight...

My suspension is setup fairly well. It has more to be desired - the front suspension is pretty sucky, IMHO. However, I still was able to handle pretty well.

In fact, a little too well. I _did_ have oil pressure problems. On hard turns, the pressure would drop from 70psi to 20psi. I never hit 0, and the light never came on. Of course, this happening on a right-hand turn is obvious (it'll make the needle move in the gauge from the G's

. However, on a left-hand turn, that's not good.

I need a dry sump.

Take care,

NextGen · Post by **NextGen** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 11:14 am

Typical Shad, you had time to look at the gauge!!! I was watching the damn cones.
Joe

Shad Laws · Post by **Shad Laws** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 11:19 am

Hello-

Typical Shad, you had time to look at the gauge!!!

Hey!

Not all the time, but occasionally...

I was watching the damn cones.

I was watching them, too... as they passed under my front bumper...

Take care,

Ephry73 · Post by **Ephry73** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 12:20 pm

Sounds like a lotta fun Tom! hey, did you ever install the TG Fab brace in the car? if so, how's it holding? Ever get the problem taken care of with the rear end?

Keep having fun with it! and thanks for letting us know about it

E

Tom Perso · Post by **Tom Perso** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 12:45 pm

Bracing? What's that???

Nope - I have nothing bracing the rear of the motor. It's just sitting on 3 poly mounts... (!!!!).

It worked fine, I didn't launch really hard, once it was really hooked up, I was giving it all she had. I was shifting at 7000rpm and laying some good 2nd gear rubber...

I just make an effort not to launch too hard.

Later,
Tom

Brent Bousman · Post by **Brent Bousman** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 12:47 pm

Tom,

Good to hear you like auto crossing in Street Mod. I have run my Ghia in EP for a few years and have thought about moving to SM2 since there are more people there to race against.

Add Hoosier autocross tires, 27mm rear torsion bars, lots of practice and mix well. That combo will help keep the rear from squatting and picking up a front tire. You should also be able to come out of the corner a lot faster.

Keep an eye on that oil light or get a bigger light that you will notice at the limit (while you are really busy it's very hard to read a gauge). You know a dry oil pick up in the corners can lead to a quick rod knock (don?t ask me how I know this). You may need something to keep that pick up wet and happy.

Keep us posted on the T4 autocross news ? I love it!!

powerzen · Post by **powerzen** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:04 pm

this is definitely on my list of to-do's when my car is up and running. looking forward to what this RAT 2316 can do. was planning on running the 951 in the meantime, but just found out i am not too far from a clutch change and can't risk failure until i have my bug on the street.