1fasZ

Currently I am running in SOLO II events in ESP class and I am having a hard time competing with those damn Mustangs!!! Mainly because I have 15 inch wheels with street tires and everyone else is running aftermarket wheels and soft compound tires but I can't afford it right now because I spent it all on the motor and suspension. I am new to autocross but I love it and am slowly but surely getting it ready to run SOLO events then on to thr real SCCA race.I am using using a powertraxx lockright unit, does any one know if I would be better off using my spider gears so both wheels don't get out from under me when I gass it?
Thanks,
Mike

1986redbird

I'm not familiar with road racing but, it would make sense that you don't want both wheels spinning. it would probably be better if only one wheel spun at a time that way the car won't get sideways on you.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure what you are trying to do ... do you only want one wheel spinning like it's an open differential when you hit the gas? If so, you are not going to improve anything. Just trying to diagnose driving style over the internet, it sounds like you need to practice a little more throttle modulation. The skinny pedal on the right isn't an ON/OFF switch.

Ideally, you want both tires putting power to the ground equally ... but not too much power.

I'm not familiar with Powertraxx ... what kind of differential are they (clutch type? helical/gear?)? Do they wear out like Auburns? Are they rebuildable?

Pat
'90 Formula (LB9), Torsen "take out" inside
'91 Sentra SE-R, Quaife inside

KeithO

I know that you don't want to hear this, but I'll say it anyway. The most important performance enhancements to autocross performance are to the "nut" behind the wheel.

Conventional wisdom states that stickie tires are good for about 2 seconds on the average course. Are you within 2 seconds? If so, this should be your next mod.

Based on what you say, hp is not your problem. So, I'll leave that alone (even though the L69 isn't the strongest motor in ESP).

In addition, the f-body suspension is truly superior (in stock form) to the Mustang. Assuming that you are being beat by more than 2 seconds, this means that you are either being out-driven or your suspension modification choices did not improve your car as much as the Mustang driver's modifications...

So:
Are you within 2 seconds?
Have you considered buying used r-compound tires? This is what I started buying.
How do your suspension mods compare to the other 3rd gen f-bodies at your event?

...from and ex-3rd gen autocrosser... ...I now autocross an LS1 4th gen...

1fasZ

Of course I am no Mario Andretti this is only my second event. Between my time and the number 1 time 5 seconds. The Powertrax unit diverts more power to the wheel that is not spinning its kinda noisy though...the car has 373 rear gears and I really can't get it out of second and it revs really high and gets squirlly it even popped out of gear on me once and I lost it coming out of the slolems.

KeithO

First:
Just so you know - one of the fastest ESP cars locally is running a locker. Yes, you can hear his rear and see how the car reacts. I do not think you should be looking here.

Second:
Experienced autocrossers have told me (and I have learned first-hand) that changing too many things while you are trying to get the most out of the car will muddy the waters... When I say this, I mean that when you are seeing improvements as you are still learning the sport, you may end up attributing a change to an improvement when in fact you are driving better. Leave the car alone for a number of events and really try to learn what it can do in it's current state.

My advice is to get some seat time and keep notes of what you *think* the car is doing wrong. In some instances, you will come to realize that the car is not necessarily the problem, but the problem is you are asking it to do things that it cannot (and never will) be able to do. Slowing way down on turn entries to avoid understeer is one of those things that feels "slow" by actually will improve your times.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, I autocross an LS1 f-body on street tires. This means that my accelerator is NEVER an on/off switch. The two hardest things in autocrossin these cars is learning how hard to hit the accelerator, and slowing down for turn entries. If you get this - everything else will fall into place.

1fasZ

I think I found alot of my problems I was installing a freshly rebuilt t5 transmission(built by me I hope it works),and when I disconnected the torque arm it was just flapping in the wind. No wonder it felt like I was racing on ice any way I tightened the bolts and hopefully that will make me faster on the corners.

KeithO

Well, let us know how it goes on the next outing. Good luck.