Sub-20K track toys

[AveryPlaysBass]

As the title suggests, I'm interested in hearing suggestions on decent platforms to begin with for someone looking to autocross/road course race. I have little track/auto-X experience, more drag experience than anything. The car would need to be a solid base for adding mostly suspension stuff so I would like to start off with a reliable, stout, naturally aspirated engine out of the box. Keeping it under 20K, I have been scoping some Mustang 5.0's, 370Z's, BRZ's and even BMW Z4M's. Im not opposed to a Cayman or Boxster, nor am I opposed to AWD. Just want to keep the Speed as a daily and try a new drivetrain layout.

[Bingo]

C5 vette. You could get them really cheap, and they're quite a blank canvas if you want them to be.

[AveryPlaysBass]

I originally liked the idea of the vette but there is something about the stigma attatched to them that kinda bothers me. Regardless, would you rather have the Z06? Do those LS7's have the same problems the C6's had with dropping valves?

[Code Monkey]

C5 Z06

S2000

BRZ/FRS/86

350Z, one good example here

NC Miata with a 2.5 L swap and good suspension

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by AveryPlaysBass I originally liked the idea of the vette but there is something about the stigma attatched to them that kinda bothers me. Regardless, would you rather have the Z06? Do those LS7's have the same problems the C6's had with dropping valves?

Well I would have the Z06. The reason I'm not going BT is because I've decided my car fund is going into saving for a C5 Z. Additionally, who gives a damn about the stigma? It's a track car, you drive it because YOU want to. If you care more about what others think about your car than how much you enjoy it, then you'll never enjoy a car for what it is (and a C5 Z or standard is a damn good car).

[Fstrnyou]

Get an FD with a blown motor. Drop in an LS2. Enjoy.

[Rose City Speed6]

You can get an older spec Miata real cheap. Race ready and cheap to keep running. BTW, Miatas tend to rule most autocross races.

[NiL]

Get a 350z. not a 370z.
I have a Nismo 350z and it would drive circles around a Nismo 370z.
The 370z Is also prone to the fuel pump basket snapping, and fuel starve with over a half a tank of fuel on heavy right hand corners. The price to fix that whole issue is around 3 grand not counting labor.

If you do get a 350z get an HR. After exhaust mods (the 350z main choke point with the HR) it will be 10HP under a 370z mod for mod, with 330-340whp obtainable with boltons, More if you do heavy port work and cams. The VQ35HR engine is the exact same block as the VHR37 but the 37 is stoked slightly more and has different heads that do not use a cam for the intake side. This plays into the next issue. Overheating. The VHR37 uses oil to to change the profile of the VVEL causing the oil to overheat. Even if the rest of the system is cool, the VVEL can burn and scorch the oil in the VVEL actuators under heavy track load. This is why most race teams use the HR heads on the VHR bottom.

About the Nismos. The 350z Nismo was made for the track. The 370z Nismo was made to look good in a garage.

[AveryPlaysBass]

Originally Posted by NiL Get a 350z. not a 370z. I have a Nismo 350z and it would drive circles around a Nismo 370z. The 370z Is also prone to the fuel pump basket snapping, and fuel starve with over a half a tank of fuel on heavy right hand corners. The price to fix that whole issue is around 3 grand not counting labor. If you do get a 350z get an HR. After exhaust mods (the 350z main choke point with the HR) it will be 10HP under a 370z mod for mod, with 330-340whp obtainable with boltons, More if you do heavy port work and cams. The VQ35HR engine is the exact same block as the VHR37 but the 37 is stoked slightly more and has different heads that do not use a cam for the intake side. This plays into the next issue. Overheating. The VHR37 uses oil to to change the profile of the VVEL causing the oil to overheat. Even if the rest of the system is cool, the VVEL can burn and scorch the oil in the VVEL actuators under heavy track load. This is why most race teams use the HR heads on the VHR bottom. About the Nismos. The 350z Nismo was made for the track. The 370z Nismo was made to look good in a garage.

Thank for the distinction, I was made to believe both the 350/370 were prone to overheating and fuel starve but obviously not. Probably why you see so many 350z drift cars. I guess it'll come down to this and a BRZ/86 for me.

[NiL]

Yeah after you put an oil cooler on a 350z you are 100% good to go, and even without one I have done many trips in the mountains over 4-5k in my Z for 1-2 hours and never had an issue. I have seen it be an issue on the track though. Usually a 500 dollar oil cooler setup and a 135 dollar Nismo radiator for the power steering fluid (Autocross is the only issue i have ever seen with the PS fluid) and the car stays cool.

As you can tell i'm not super impressed with the 370z. It's not that they are bad cars, once you do the little fixes you can work around it and make it a great track car, many guys in my car club love theirs. It just feels like Nissan half assed it and it was never made for the track. It's just too rough on them. The 350z was built with something to prove.