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+--- Thread: I need your help MM: Future of the STi (/showthread.php?tid=4789)
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I need your help MM: Future of the STi - WRXtranceformed - 09-15-2006
So, in advance I know what a lot of you guys are going to recommend, but I figured I'd ask you for honest opinions and advice anyhow because I know a lot of you guys are pretty tied up in racing competitively.
Lately as my STi project is coming to somewhat of a conclusion, I've started to get the idea of turning the STi into a full-on race car dedicated to rare street driving and mostly track stuff. I'd really like to get into some track racing training sessions and take it out whenever I can, even if it's not competitive racing
What do you guys think? Right now, my car is really set up with a lot of those fun but useless toys that I'm thinking of stripping out of it. I.E. touch screen, in car PC, the custom sub enclosure, sub and amp I haven't installed yet, etc. The motor, clutch, suspension and electronics have all been set up for a racing application. I looked at my car the other day and I was like damn, what if I just stripped everything out of it except for the driver and passenger seats, minor stereo stuff just so I could enjoy some music on the way to the track, and installed a roll cage and went all out.
The decision to make it a track only car would only further increase the amount of money I would invest in this thing in the long run, which I'm really not that crazy about. I.E. tires, probably the drivetrain components will break and require replacement, I need to look into a dry sump oil system if the current oil delivery system isn't adequate for this motor, brake pads and rotors wearing super fast, etc.
The more I think about it though, the more I realize that that's where this car is really going to be at home, and it's one of the only places that I'll be able to drive it how it should be driven LEGALLY.
I really like the way everything in my car is set up right now, but I'd really like to put this car at home on a track too if I can find the time outside of work. Any of you guys here who have dedicated track cars, or anyone in general have any input?
A lot of this stems too from my recent purchase of the IS that I'm actually enjoying driving more than the STi right now hah.
- Nis01 - 09-16-2006
Do it up Lee... but take your time with it. You can run it pretty much as is for a bit with the HPDEs and then start gutting and prepping the car. Id have to imagine its going to be VERY expensive to keep that car running on the track. These are fairly heavy cars and eat through materials at a pretty impressive rate. I'm all for you piecing it together for a full out race car. With the way that car is heading.. It should be right at home on the straights. :lol:
- .RJ - 09-16-2006
Nis01 Wrote:Id have to imagine its going to be VERY expensive to keep that car running on the track. These are fairly heavy cars and eat through materials at a pretty impressive rate
+1...
If you want to do some DE stuff, tune down the engine for reliability/driveability and just go have fun to see if its something you want to keep going with.
- Goodspeed - 09-16-2006
I say make it an all around ass kicker. Keep it a street car, but on the track make it fast for a street car, if you get what I'm saying. Full on racecars are fast, but largely unremarkable IMO....a car that comes to the track, runs an impressive time then goes home with the AC on and CD playing is more impressive in my book. Find a good compromise between livable on the street and fast on the track and go with it
- Mike - 09-16-2006
het godspeed, i bet a 140hp civic that is fully streetable would make you vomit...
have you even been on a car on track driven by a decent driver? my guess is no.
- Goodspeed - 09-16-2006
The best yet would have to be the 455rwhp 03 Cobra at last years Verona auto-x. And I'd like to do it again, in different cars, in different environments. On the street, I've been in a few fast cars that have scared me. I feel I have enough experience around cars to know what I like and think is cool in my OPINION. And its Goodspeed, ass.
- navin - 09-16-2006
Hey Lee,
it sounds like you are stuck between a hard decision, im not sure what "race" class you would run if you wanted to run w2w racing, but I would def. check out some DE events, just to get your feet wet and see if you really are into it.
Maybe sell off some of the "bling" you have that wont be needed at the track and sign up for the October Summit event, and get the car tuned to be more reliable, rather than all out power. (again ive been following your build not that close)...
I think your basically at the crossroads which i was at, i wanted a car I could take to the track and drive home and still drive around when i felt necessary. Now as of late I am realizing I most likely wont be doing any w2w racing, because im just not that passionate about it as I was, and have been looking into Time Trials just because I'm a competitive jackass...
but, to summarize. If you cant make up your mind, either sign up for a track day or come out to Summit event in October. Get ride-alongs and what not, it got me hooked... and I rode with Maeng too
- D_Eclipse9916 - 09-16-2006
The main question: Can you afford putting the STI into the wall at 80 mph on track? Youve spent so much money into that thing, it would be a shame as (I dont know your trach experience) but one of your learning times you one-wheel off and it throws you into a wall.
Or you could be stupid and like me, I will be tracking my daily driver
A few questions though:
I know the STI probably has an upgraded radiator, but do you have an oil cooler setup? Or even a Moroso Oil pan? With how much power your pushing down I would suggest either or both of those. They not only help cool the oil, it also allows you to have another quart or two or oil capacity.
Do you have any warning systems such as an accurate water temp, oil temp, oil pressure gauges?
These are some thingss why I wont be able to make it out in October for the last track event of the year (among other duties like B/F duties). My oil cooler adapter fittings wont be here in time, and I also dont have the car tuned or have all those gauges properly setup yet. Yes I can watch them through my laptop on my "standalone" but on track its gonna need very big annoying gauges.
These are some of the things that you are gonna have to worry about with power. Hell I would almost think you should do a tranny cooler setup on that transmission, with you having so much power...
- WRXtranceformed - 09-16-2006
Good stuff guys.
See, this is what I'm grappling with. The inevitable cost of "just a few more things" to just get it "ready" for the track... and then of course the replacement of stuff when it breaks. I need to do a few ridealongs and see if it's something I'm willing to invest in.
- Feersty - 09-16-2006
People always say that is easier to start in a low powered car so you can learn proper technique, and then move on to something more powerful as you feel comfortable. Just because it is AWD doesn't mean it will stick to the track better either, so be advised.
Personally I would do one HPDE with it, and take it slow. Making it a full on racecar, is as was said before, is going to take lots o' money. But if you got that, more power to you. There is a beautiful Legacy GT that runs HPDE4, I think, driven by this Asian dude. STi's and EVO's do run at track fairly often and it's cool to see them on track.
I know you are pretty competitive Lee, but when you first start, you got make sure you are there to learn, and not just win HPDE.
- NTIman - 09-16-2006
One of the racers at VIR told me soemthing you may want to keep in mind. Before you can learn to drive your car to its limits,you must first learn to hate your car. As far as HPDEs I think the chances of tearing your car up really bad are slim. We have seen cars get pretty roughed up in them though. I think Chad can testify that you should only take your car out on track unless you can consider it to pretty much be a total loss if something goes wrong.
- ScottyB - 09-16-2006
Lee, we'd all love to see that car kick ass out on the track. with the amount of force that car has at it's disposal, who wouldn't?
thing is, that thing will most likely be a handful when its finally unleashed in an environment like that. like others have said....do an HPDE. its relatively low risk, you'll have a blast, and for what you learn its kind of a bargain. after that, you may find that continuing on with the STi is what you want, or you might put it on the back burner and buy something more disposable....i'd cry if i saw a picture of that thing buried in a wall. you might not like HPDE at all. either way, if you want to get into any kind of racing enviornment you should start with a few HPDE's and work your way through them.
- BLINGMW - 09-16-2006
Feersty Wrote:Personally I would do one HPDE with it, and take it slow.
I think that's the way to go. I think it'll help you figure out if it's waaaay too much car, which it is IMHO. But take it out and have fun! Stretch its legs and GOOOooooo....
Then sell it. I think you'll have more fun, learn more, and have less at stake if you sell it to someone else who's where you were a few years ago and would love it just as is. Then buy something you can afford to wreck, fast, fun, light, whatever you want and make it your bitch. Liking the lexus? Maybe another Toyota product would suit you? Maybe an older Subaru? Of course there's always E30's! :wink:
- .RJ - 09-16-2006
BLINGMW Wrote:Then buy something you can afford to wreck, fast, fun, light, whatever you want and make it your bitch. Liking the lexus? Maybe another Toyota product would suit you? Maybe an older Subaru? Of course there's always E30's! :wink:
Buy my integra
- Maengelito - 09-16-2006
take it from the guys that have experience on track lee. do an hpde or two, get some ride alongs, learn the experience of the track before deciding that your 500 whp awd needs a roll cage and fire suppression and 70-way active suspension adjustability, etc. those of us that track our cars have been doing this for several years and we see it time and time again. first you see people drop tons of money on cars. then they are scared to track it. then they learn about the track. then they get out on track. then they wish they had spent their money on different parts instead of the ones they originally bought. then they wish they had a cheaper car to track. my miata is essentially stock aside from the safety bits in it and i'm sure i could scare the piss out of you with it (even though i'm slow). and there's a HUGE difference between a fast car and a fast driver. you'll understand when you come out to the track. come in oct. i'll give you a ride-along.
- BLINGMW - 09-16-2006
Maengelito Wrote:70-way active suspension
That's a lotta ways! Damn...
anyone want to buy my old 58-way adjustable system?
- .RJ - 09-16-2006
Does your e30 even have a suspension? :lol:
- WRXtranceformed - 09-16-2006
Yeah a couple of HPDE's sounds like the way to go to determine if that's the route I want to take with this car. As far as selling it goes, right now I'm really not in a position nor do I have the desire to do so. The only way I'd give serious consideration to getting rid of the STi is if it is to upgrade to something better, or if I get into a position where I flat out can't afford it anymore.
I wouldn't be opposed to paying cash for a cheap beater and tracking it if I really found that I enjoyed it, but I doubt I would trade up for one. The STi puts too big of a smile on my face =p
- Sijray21 - 09-16-2006
WRXtranceformed Wrote:I need to do a few ridealongs and see if it's something I'm willing to invest in.
i recommend this. I know that the only thing that i've driven on track is a 140whp Civic Si and a (est) 125 whp Integra. Both FWD and i've even had my scary 'oh shit' moments on track. i can't imagine this feeling with 20-30% more speed with a lot more power. I would hold back from pushing the car hard for a while until you feel very comfortable on-track. This car will have some VERY serious power on-track (scenes of that Evo in the Pit Wall keep coming up when i think of a lot of power with little or no track experience :x ). I think you should definitely come out and take a few ride along, hopefully in an STi!
i wouldn't sell it just yet, just see if it's the car for you on-track. I'd just take it slow and have some fun. Hurting yourself in HPDE 1 is unlikely if you have a level head about it with an ego that's left in the paddock. I think you've got a good head on your shoulders and i would love to see you on the track! I'll start practicing my point-by's
- Feersty - 09-16-2006
Sijray21 Wrote:i wouldn't sell it just yet, just see if it's the car for you on-track. I'd just take it slow and have some fun. Hurting yourself in HPDE 1 is unlikely if you have a level head about it with an ego that's left in the paddock. I think you've got a good head on your shoulders and i would love to see you on the track! I'll start practicing my point-by's
already said this