Give a New Racer Some Guidance!, Build plans for SCCA car Options

[Redhorseracing]

Hey guys,
So I have started to clear out my garage enough to be able to start thinking about where i want to go with my 914 project. But before I got too far I figured I would present my conundrum and see what you all think.

I am trying to get into racing as driving and building cars is my passion. The best place to start seems to be SCCA Club Racing. Of course I have read over the rule books over and over and my mind is numb trying to figure out all the classes and limitations. In a nutshell, my goal with the car is to build a car that I can compete with and do well in. Maybe not nationally but hopefully locally and regionally. ( I am in Orlando Florida btw) My sub-goal is to build a fast car. I currently drive a 440hp BMW M5 as my daily and am planning on selling it to fund this project and also buy a more useful tow vehicle and trailer. So I don't particularly want to build a stock 1.8, I'd like to have a bit more oomph to satisfy my cravings lol.

The original plan before I realized how strict some of the class rules are, was to put an LS2 with either a Boxster or G50 trans in it and a fiber glass body all around. But is that going to be a useful race car? I mostly drew that up by seeing Patrick Motorsports Blown V8 Monster build.

Now currently I have a 1.8 motor and a 901 transmission in my garage that I am selling.
What type of class would be the best to build towards? I know I know, everyone asks this question, but atleast I know a little bit:
I know that I cant afford a 914-6 conversion so no hyped up class, and that if I do a LS or equivalent conversion I go straight to XP.

My last car was a 2.0 that was built all from FAT parts in Cali and was a stroker and put down about 130hp. It wasn't too expensive and I would be able to easily build a motor like that again. If I were to stick to a 4 cyl would it even be useful to keep the 1.8 motor? Or should I just go straight to building a more powerful motor? Where in the mix of class is the 914 best?

I am also dabbling in the go kart world and plan on entering the Rok Cup next year, so I know my car wont be finished for atleast a year or two. But still I would like to draw up a game plan and start moving towards the end goal.

Thanks for all your time if you read this far
I look forward to hearing any advice you guys have.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Redhorseracing]

Thank you guys for the replies I really do appreciate it.

I do realize that buying someone elses project is probably cheaper, but I'm ok with that. I have already built one before and in all honesty it wasn't that expensive. My full built motor cost only a few grand. My M5 coilovers ran me $2100 for KWs. I realize that any build from the ground up is going to be costly but I will have a good amount of cash and a lot of time. I would probably be comfortable spending upwards of $15k if it took that much by the time I was finished with it in a couple years. The other thing is that the car I have now does not have a spot of rust. No kidding. No hell hole, no underbody rotting, literally none at all. My last car was practically swiss cheese compared to this. So I feel like its a really good starting point. Plus I still have loads of parts 2 trannys and 2 engines and I have paid for the whole car by what else I have sold from it. So the car is nothing but profit at this point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also my last car I used to take to auto x all the time and had a blast but it just didn't feel the same as the few times I've been on a racetrack such as Homestead and Sebring. And is the 914 really not that competitive?? I've seen a few for sale saying that they are class winners, or regional competitive cars. I think even the past few years the winners of SCCA has been a 914 in F prep and DSP and one other I think. So they can't be the worst thing out there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks again guys keep the comments coming!

[brant]

Thank you guys for the replies I really do appreciate it.

I do realize that buying someone elses project is probably cheaper, but I'm ok with that. I have already built one before and in all honesty it wasn't that expensive. My full built motor cost only a few grand. My M5 coilovers ran me $2100 for KWs. I realize that any build from the ground up is going to be costly but I will have a good amount of cash and a lot of time. I would probably be comfortable spending upwards of $15k if it took that much by the time I was finished with it in a couple years. The other thing is that the car I have now does not have a spot of rust. No kidding. No hell hole, no underbody rotting, literally none at all. My last car was practically swiss cheese compared to this. So I feel like its a really good starting point. Plus I still have loads of parts 2 trannys and 2 engines and I have paid for the whole car by what else I have sold from it. So the car is nothing but profit at this point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also my last car I used to take to auto x all the time and had a blast but it just didn't feel the same as the few times I've been on a racetrack such as Homestead and Sebring. And is the 914 really not that competitive?? I've seen a few for sale saying that they are class winners, or regional competitive cars. I think even the past few years the winners of SCCA has been a 914 in F prep and DSP and one other I think. So they can't be the worst thing out there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks again guys keep the comments coming!

the 914 can be competitive absolutely
but in scca wheel to wheel, you will be jumping into the deep end of the pool with really good drivers. honestly, I'll bet Chris at CFR would have 75-100K into his car

the thing about your past motor, and past experience with M5 coil overs, is that they may or may not be legal depending on the class and sanctioning body you go to.

Seriously.... each sanctioning body has quirks of what they allow and what they do not allow. building first without planning and reading a rule book for your final destination... is like going on a road trip when you don't know where you are going

it could be a blast... but you don't end up anywhere specifically, and you won't be as competitive as the guy who did read the rule book and abide by it. you might even have a faster car than that guy... but you won't be allowed to play with him legally.

go visit an SCCA race in your area
go visit a vintage race in your area
go visit a PCA race in your area (usually only about 1 per a year with club racing)

then talk to guys, look at cars at each of those clubs before deciding which direction your road trip will take you.

[ChrisFoley]

the 914 can be competitive absolutely
but in scca wheel to wheel, you will be jumping into the deep end of the pool with really good drivers. honestly, I'll bet Chris at CFR would have 75-100K into his car

If I counted my labor and had paid full retail for all the parts I would have at least that much in it by now.
F Production and E Production are a great place to race a 914 if you have the budget. There's a nice variety of cars represented.
The 2005 FP Runoffs winning 914 reportedly cost over $250,000 to prepare for one race.
Racing competetively at the National level was a bit too much for my budget over the long term.
Chasing Regional Championships is a lot easier.

go visit an SCCA race in your area
go visit a vintage race in your area
go visit a PCA race in your area (usually only about 1 per a year with club racing)

then talk to guys, look at cars at each of those clubs before deciding which direction your road trip will take you.

There aren't a lot of 914s active in SCCA road racing right now, but I know of at least one person in Florida.