I am starting my racing career

[SoopA]

hi! im about to start my racing career and i was looking into buying a Z car to race in. i dont know a lot about Z cars, but everything i have ever read or heard makes them seem incredible. as of right now, i have a couple deals, one is a 1972 240Z with a L28 turbo swap. this one looks good, but the left rear quarterpanel is completely destroyed and when i looked in the engine bay, it seemed like there was a little rust on everything except the newer turbo parts. the other deal is a 1974 260z which is a lot cleaner, but it doesnt have a turbo. the 240z is $1500 and the 260z is $1600. what do you experts think i should do?

[sblake01]

Well, I don't think you'll like my answer but I'd say find something else to race. I don't think there's an actual class for 240Zs with 280z engines, turbo or not, and it would take a considerable amount of money to make a competitive race car out of either of the ones you mention.

[Arne]

What class and organization are you planning to race in? Better get a rulebook and find out what's allowed before you buy your car. The turbo may be forbidden in many classes.

[jmortensen]

My suggestion is to find an old racecar, make sure it is still legal for the class you want to run in, and buy it. ITS would be the most "entry level" class for a Z car to roadrace in.

Buying one of the cars you mentioned and then adding roll cage, fire system, fuel cell, and all of the other required safety equipment would cost 2-3 times the cost of the car alone, and then you'd still have to sort it for whatever class you want to be in.

Used racecars, if they're done right, don't need all the extra work and will end up being a LOT cheaper in the long run. Plus you just buy and drive and don't have to build and fabricate every freakin piece of the car before you get to drive it. That gets old, I speak from experience.

[SoopA]

the thing is, my older brother and i want to do all the work ourselves. we want to fabricate everything and put it together on our own, just so we could say its home built. but i will look into the the rulebooks and find out what i can. thanks for the help guys.

[junkyarddog]

Hey, JYD here! I was on a 240Z race team for 10 years in the SCCA ine the NE Region. We raced in the GT2 class and ITS class. When money is no object this is a good class. But, if you are starting out and want your owne car expenses add up quick for parts and off road excursions. You really need to decide what your yearly budget is going to be and then find the best class to get into. But if is 240Z, go the ITS class as a better cost option to GT2.

[SoopA]

do you know how i would get started in ITS? i really have no idea how to go about doing all this stuff, and if you have some info for me, my email is Joe.Caudillo@us.army.mil, thanks guys!

[xray]

Joe,

http://scca.com/home.aspx

Go to the Club Racing page here

http://scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=44

Download the 2008 GCR .pdf file and review it.

Find your local division here

http://scca.com/divisions.aspx

I assume you're So Pac Division...

http://scca.com/divisions.aspx?div=sp

Check the Membership guy's phone and email...He'd be your first contact, I'd wager

...San Diego Chapter SCCA website....

http://www.sdr-scca.com/

Talk to them about details regarding build ups, speed shops local to you, upcoming DE events etc

Good luck!

Living vicariously through you and others,

Steve

[SoopA]

thanks brother! i appreciate it.

[SoopA]

hey can you guys recommend an intake and exhaust system for the 260z? or any other modifications i can use for speed? i dont mind to much about looks or sounds, im just trying to run fast and turn sharp, so any advice would be appreciated!!!

[gira]

Soop,

The information above is all spot on and Jon's recommendation to go with a race car that's at least partially prepared is a good one. OK, is this just for fun? I can't race just for fun as sick as that is. Maybe when I get older, but right now if we're not top 3, we're back to the drawing board. The cost to prep yourself AND be competitive is exponential. There is not doubt that tons of seat time is also necessary, so don't forget about that.

I emailed you. Feel free to give me a call.

Good luck,

Greg Ira

www.revtec1.com

[gogriz91]

Here's a prepped ITS car looking for a new home! $7K seems like a decent asking price not having seen the car in person.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/520892542.html