Narrow body 3.0L 6 driver & AX weapon, Would ya do it? Options

[GaroldShaffer]

So...... since I sold the old FP car that I used for AXing with a 3.0L six this spring I still have the itch for the /6.

My first thought was to maybe build another car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) That's not going to happen. Before the FP car came along I used my 70 914 for AXing. It's been setup for street & AXing and does really well I think. I LOVE my 70, but I really have the itch for a /6. My issue is that I don't want to modify the body (add flares) to it.

I'm wondering about doing a /6 conversion to it, but leaving it a narrow body car. Anyone run a narrow body /6 for AXing? I know all about the cost of doing a /6 conversion, more interested in any issues you have seen. I would think one issue is having enough tire under the car to handle the power.

your thoughts?

Here is "mygokrt"

[GaroldShaffer]

So what class do you want to run in?

More likely XP

Are you still interested in driving the car on the street?

Yes, It must do both street & AX Sorry Ed I can't make it this weekend.

If you go to the 6 would you be running slicks for autoX. Meaning 205/225 front / rear respectively equivalents in slicks? Are you also willing to upgrade the suspension?

Yes.

Britain, I'm not ready to make the jump just yet. I need to make sure my J O B is still here next year once the Motorola / Nokia Siemens Networks buy out is completed.

Thanks for the input guys.

[Randal]

So what class do you want to run in?

More likely XP

Are you still interested in driving the car on the street?

Yes, It must do both street & AX Sorry Ed I can't make it this weekend.

If you go to the 6 would you be running slicks for autoX. Meaning 205/225 front / rear respectively equivalents in slicks? Are you also willing to upgrade the suspension?

Yes.

Britain, I'm not ready to make the jump just yet. I need to make sure my J O B is still here next year once the Motorola / Nokia Siemens Networks buy out is completed.

Thanks for the input guys.

Talk to the Avon guys in the UK. What they will tell you is that most US racers, when it comes to tire size/slicks, think more is better. I know that is what I thought. Anyway, if the tire isn't reaching operating temperature, especially the soft slicks, then it can't do it's job.

The Marina is the world's greatest example. If you check your tire temperatures there and aren't getting up to the operating range of the slick, like 180 degrees or better, then you aren't getting the benefit of the compound.

I had one experience at the Marina where this played. I was running Hoosier 205 slicks (autox compound) on my 914 and one day it just ended up being hot, which is unusual. That day my tires were (finally) reaching the correct operating range and the car's handling was just unbelievable. It was just sticking. So what I subsequently learned, when talking to the Avon guys, was on that particular day I just happened to find the right conditions and my tires got hot enough to really work.

I personally don't think I've ever got my bigger slicks to the correct operating temperature, especially with autox, to feel that same degree of handling.

Conclusion: You could have a blast with a 205 / 225 tire combination with slicks like the rain compound slicks from Avon on a 914-6.

But that being said I would also suggest some front sway bar upgrades as well as making sure I had some great shocks underneath the car. I'm going to be upgrading my shocks shortly, going to a reserve reservoir type of shock where I know I have more control over the handling.

I personally don't like sway bars in the back, instead vote for figuring out the right spring combination, but others will have strong opinions on this.

The other thing that will greatly enhance your handling will be a cage to stiffen up the car and allow the suspension, as set, to work.