Well I took the plunge. Went racing Sunday. What a blast! I'm hooked. Currently running as a novice, of course, but my class (with my RS) will be STX (the Z will be STU because of the engine, if I run that car... no suspension upgrades on the Z yet though). I have suspension mods on the RS that put me there (STX)... anyway, I have Eibach Sportline springs, Tokico shocks, BMR rear arms, and an adjustable panhard... not because of racing, just, well, because. :-) Anyway, I will be adding a steering brace (wonderbar), better tires (currently on slippy Kumho Ecsta AST's, getting Yokohama AD08's maybe, but will need 17's for a decent width, need to keep it to road tires for now as I can't trailer yet). Want to do SFC's too. Manual valve body? Shift kit? What do you more experienced peeps recommend? Bang for the buck?

Not looking to be wicked competitive, just enough to have fun and maybe push a little within my class for now. I ran ITC years ago, so have some experience, just not in Solo events... different animal. I'm proud to say Sunday I ran well, within +2 of most of the STX cars running, and killed no cones (). Heck I even bestest a Lotus Elise and a C6 Vette that were running Novice, so I feel good.

Oh, and any FL peeps run AutoX at CFRC? Thinking of heading there this weekend for giggles and practice.

Even stock, I believe you're still in STX. Eventually you should get some sway bars. If you have an automatic you should get a T-56 or a Richmond 5 speed after a couple of seasons to save up some money. A torque arm will transfer power better than the stock arm.

You already have quite the suspension mods so you may already be close to a finished suspension setup.

It's mostly about the driver's abilities so you need to just keep on racing.

Practice is the #1 mod you can do in Autox. When you've run "a lot" & think your good? Go ask an ESP driver in a F-body to run your car around. With no previous experience in your car? They'll kill your best time & really make you feel humble. Please don't ask how I know this.....

Funny you mention this... I let an SCCA instructor with 20 years experience drive my car, and he shaved 4 seconds off my best. I don't think the tires even squealed, LOL. I plan on taking advantage of the instruction and ride-alongs at every event.

CFRC does AX every other saturday, and the local SCCA club runs at least once a month. I will be taking advantage of all.

And thanks for the parts suggestions. I will be ordering swaybars this week.

Everybody on this board says that sub-frame connectors are maybe the second best chassis modification so you should get that next.

My camaro needs sub-frame connectors too and I'm actually going to get two sets, one for the outer style and one for the inner style. Tires are the most important part of the car so that needs to be in consideration too. I'm most likely going to get a set of Yokohama S. Drive summer tires (not the most grippy, but good) before I race my car.

I would be careful doing 2 sets of SFC's, as doing so will put you into CP class in SCCA autocross. You also cannot weld to the seam if you want to be ESP legal.

I intend to do Spohn SFC's welded at the two ends and the third spot towards the middle of the car. 2 main points and one other are all that is allowed for ESP.

http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...ry_reduced.pdf

That should be a link to the rulebook.

I will check the rulebook about that. I didn't really check about 2 sets but I may be the only CP competitor if next season goes like last season (no one ran CP in my primary organization last season.) During my state championship there was only one competitor that signed up for CP and he just happened to have a 3rd gen camaro. He didn't show up which was a huge letdown because I could have picked his brain about the chassis work and everything else.

I haven't even raced my camaro yet and I'm already in SM due to the T-56 swap (I'm pretty sure).

What do you mean by welding to the seam?

My camaro is practically a purpose built race car and modifying it to only be in CP will save me a little money with only buying decals for CP and not additional classes. The strength of an "extra" set of sub-frame connectors will be welcome. It's eventually going to get a rollcage, fire extinguisher, and other race equipment to be able to compete in other race events.

It is usually recommended to weld the SFC to the seam that runs along the length of the car underneath. In the SP rules it clearly states you cannot do this.

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-Top-Cars.html

If you look at the 5th photo on this product page, you will see what I am talking about.

I would look into some quality shocks/struts, poly bushings on the sway bars. Make sure your alighnment settings are good. Good brakes/brake fluid. A good set of Shocks/Struts paired with the right size sway bars, and a good set of tires would be the best mods to start out with as a novice. Then its just a matter of getting some seat time, and working on your driving. Good luck out there, do they run AutoX year round in florida? if so your lucky Ive got 4 months till i can get back out on course.

SFCs are good to keep the unibody from flexing, creating cracks on the roof of the car. They are a great idea for nothing more than that. They also nicely firm up the chassis. As another poster indicated, you need to really closely-study the rulebook for the class you plan on running. One wrong mod, and you're either looking for another class and probably replacing a bunch of parts to stay competitive.

I'll disagree on tires being the most important part of the car, that position is taken by the driver. Nothing, absolutely NOTHING can replace seat time and paying attention to instructors. Tires are a nice second.

I've got the springs / struts / shocks. I think I'm doing sway and brace next. I'm holding off on the tires until spring, it'll force me to learn to drive what I have. In just a couple events I'm already no longer coming in dead last . I'm already out of FS and into STX just for the springs, going to try to stay in STX. And yes, year round! One of the good things about Florida. :-)

Yes the driver is the most important aspect of racing but technically they're not part of the car.