I have decided that it would make more sense to keep the Camaro as a dedicated race car and buying or using a friend's truck and towing it to where ever the race is. The reason is 100% the insurance for me on a Camaro at my age is completely unaffordable for me. But which way should I go?

Strip- Build the 350 into a 383 that could run hard and pass E with a smaller cam in a few years when it goes back on the road. Parts like E bay alluminum heads, Weiand single plane, SLP headers. With my knowledge base I think I could make a 450-500 hp 383.

AutoX- Get some good rims and tires on it and autocross it and use it for local track days. Parts like GTA rims, Toyo UH or Race compund tires, coil overs, bushing set, boxed LCAs with relocation brackets.

I think I could go either way. I can put about 2-3 grand in it over the next couple of years. I am just stumped, I really could go either way. Ty for your help!

 

Go for a road-race car overall with adjustable rear shocks so you can still get a good launch at the strip. I'm going the road-race(with some auto-x) route myself. About to purchase some weight jacks and shortened eibach springs(linear) for adjustable ride height, roll centre and whatnot from Ground Control. Check out their website. They offer spring rates from 650 to 1400 for fronts and 125 to 300 I believe for rears.

 

For me balancing the car through a series of fast corners is more fun than flogging it in a straight line.

Auto-X (solo one, solo two) is probably cheaper initially because you'll see more gains from improving the driver rather than pouring money into the car.

The real satisfaction though is in winning a road race with other people on the track at the same time.

However, the drag and auto-x events are inexpensive as well as safe and there's no one calling your bluff on the way into a corner at 100 mph - which is where you find out if you really want race or not.

 

build your car for what you like the best and will do the most with. dont build a drag car if you only go out 2 times a year

 

Do the motor first..You cant go fast in a corner if you cant go fast to begin with

Daz

 

Ya true Daz.

I should have mentioned that I read John Lingenfelter's book on Sbc's and then Don Alexanders "Performance Handling." I think that it is fun and challenging either way. There is crosswieght, pyrometer, shock, sway bar... all that cool tuning stuff. But building a solid engine has alot of bragging rights to it too. Cost wise, well, tires for autox are the price of some decent heads on Ebay. The only difference I see in the cost is that auto x is less hard on parts, but the tires make up for it. Any way... it is not a question about what I like, because I like them both! And I will eventually do both... eventually. It is just 1 before the other.

 

Don't underestimate the wear and tear of x-cross...brakes, tires, not to mention the odd trip into the gravel trap