AutoX Z, what to look for

[Smokey]

Going to check on a long shot on Saturday (tomorrow). It is a '71 with a L28 bored out to about 2.9L with 3x Mikunis, Racer Brown cam (adjust 360 degrees), stiff valve springs. It has a 3.9 rear end with LSD and Tokico 5 way adjust shocks. Interior has Sparco cloth racing seats, and 4 pt. roll cage. Also has front and rear strut braces. There is more, but that hits the high points.

Question is this, he has autocrossed the car for a few years. He says everything is solid and there are no issues with the body or chassis. What are areas that I should be concerned with that are different from a non-raced Z? Any stress points that I might miss?

Plans for this car are pretty much to make it as streetable as possible, and use it as a weekend play car. Doubt I will autocross it....but you never know. He already has it completely set up, I would just need to turn the key and turn the corners.

Thanks.

[Steve Parmley]

I have broken radiator brackets and torn sway bar mounting bolts out. I have heard of cracking in the roof near the top of the hatch. Drive it and make sure it is not sprung to stiff for street driving. If it is a stroker motor you will be out of Street Prepared and Prepared classes and bumped all the way to Modified if you SCCA auto-x. Look for worn bushings, I went through several sets of the delrin camber bushings. Mainly look for rust like any Z. I have looked at some sad examples even here in California.

[e_racer1999]

...Mainly look for rust like any Z. I have looked at some sad examples even here in California.

like my poor floorpans...

anyway, the car sounds nice. i have been wondering some stuff about auto-x as well, namely how much i can modify my engine before changing classes....

[Steve Parmley]

If it really matters to you what class you run in, buy a rules book from the club you want to join with before spending a dime on modifications. If it is SCCA solo 2 then you can buy a book at http://www.sccaclothing.com/cgi-bin/storemirror/agora.cgi?cart_id=1227783.22398*m41Su5&xm=on&product=Publications

2004 books are sold out but next years book will appear on that page with a major overhaul happening in the Prepared category. Your biggest improvemnts in time will be by just entering events and learning to autocross, and then sticky tires. After that you will know people in your club who can help you in effective mods to your car.

[Chino 240Z]

Sounds like a good start of some fun. Auto-x is okay and all but the ride is over too quick! That car would be a blast at some open track events where your ride will go on for 20 to 30 minutes at W.O.T., 5 times a day! I bet you'll leave the track after a day of that physically drained and a proud owner of a 3rd ball!

Right Steve!

[Steve Parmley]

Autocross is a great place to learn the line and safely test you and your car at the limit. You will be surprised when you go to an open track event how far ahead you are in skills, from what you have learned in parking lot racing.

[gramercyjam]

True about autox vs track. For me, the thing about track is the way higher cost and level of preparation required for tracking a car VS autox a car. Sort of like the difference between buying clothes at your local Walmart VS shopping in Beverly Hills.

[Chino 240Z]

That is for sure! Starting from scratch for Auto-X or Track can be costly and time consuming, then to find out you don't like it. Not a bad idea to get a work in progress, you'll get in quick and probably at a fraction of the cost. Once in and running you can modify in any direction or sell and take the next step up. Either way the people and the running is too much fun!

[Steve Parmley]

The reverse can be true too. We have two former Trans-Am tube frame Mustangs and a Corvette built by a former Trans-am driver/builder running auto-x! They make my car look pretty home grown. It's lucky that Z's are a great car to build on.