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)

[Seabird]

Redhorse,

You should come out to the next NASA event at Sebring; a month or so from now. I expect Shane will be there and so will I. We are currently in the HPDE program not w2w. There is also Joe with his v8 conversion that attends from time to time.

Prepping a car for w2w is a lot more than it seems from the outside. I have slowly been getting my 914 2.0L ready to run with HSR. I bought it in November and its been a steady stream of rip and replace. Complete new suspension, wheels and tires, fuel system, fuel cell, ignition system, rewired the whole car, race seat, race seat again (in progress), modifying existing roll cage, replacing carbs (again), removing illegal mods.... The list goes on. Still need to address the fire suppression system.

Swapping to coilovers on an M5 is not the same as building a race car. I was very proud of myself when I did my first suspension swap (on my now ex-e30); and you should be too. Looking back all the prep work and maintenance work I did to take the e30 out as a track day car pail in comparison to what it take to build a race car for w2w. (And that's coming from a guy who is building a 914 for vintage w2w on the cheap side of the spectrum that does not expect to be competitive with it.)

Chump is cool but cars get beat up a lot racing in Chump. I am part of a Chump effort and its a great way to get out on the track in w2w without any prior experience BUT remember a fair number of the people out there on the track with you are in the same boat!!! No driving school experience, no licence, no seat time. Don't expect your car to stay pretty.

Also if your looking for a big power experience like you have in the M5, the 914 is going to be a let down. I you want to hone your skills and brag that c5s and a m3s can not take advantage of their gains on the straights because you catch them with amazing mid corner speed, well then welcome to the 914.

There are a lot of 914s being tracked in Florida right now which is cool. Especially when your having a bad day on the track and Shane is there to give moral support, thanks Shane! A bunch of them which run in HSR don't even hang out here on the forums (mostly -6 conversions) too.

Give me a ring if you want to chat about 914 prep (look for a PM).

Miguel