how many people on here race in the SCCA? what kind of set-up are you running (engine , suspention, etc.? lets see those cars and how well they place compared to other cars.
------------------
DONE: 86gt 5 speed 4.9 complete rebuild with buds outback northstar pistons , delta cams E303 cam , full ported , polished , stronger head springs, and flow tested heads and manifolds. rockcrawl's custom chip , polished crank . too much to list
Why are you thinking of purchasing a certain Fiero Chris? Haha Joking. Ah unless you really are interested? I don't know much about setting up a Fiero specifically but I may be able to help. BTW are you talking able Solo II, Solo I or road racing?
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08:08 AM
wiccantoy Member
Posts: 3372 From: northwales , pa / Williamstown nj Registered: Mar 2002
Why are you thinking of purchasing a certain Fiero Chris? Haha Joking. Ah unless you really are interested? I don't know much about setting up a Fiero specifically but I may be able to help. BTW are you talking able Solo II, Solo I or road racing?
not sure getting idea's . my old lady knows i want to get back into some sort of racing. she wants me to get back into 1/4 mile . but saldy , even though i love all my fiero's . if i get back into 1/4 mile it wont be in a fiero. so im checking my intrest in other venues. its kinda a sickness for me though. like everything i do if i get started im going to get carried away with it . the same as i do with everything else i compete in. it would take time and have alot of growing pains but i miss the work and rush of the race.
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08:27 AM
The_Stickman2 Member
Posts: 1030 From: Lehigh Valley Pa. Registered: Sep 2007
Then I would suggest getting into AutoX to start and you could also do some drivers school track events. AutoX is cheap and easy and a good day for the family. Let me know if you need more help. You know where I am and how to get a hold of me.
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11:54 AM
crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
When I checked out the results, I was amazed to see that someone was autocrossing an Aston Martin Lagonda. Isn't that a big (albiet "wedge shaped") sedan? I didn't realize that they handled.
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12:44 PM
crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
I was wondering why the miatas were doing so well. Looks like that 4.9 fiero did well for what it is. Was it gutted in any way or are they running in street trim?
I thought the quad 4 would have been higher up than that.
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05:07 PM
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crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
My 4.9 served me very well while autocrossing. Lots of low end power and great response. I went to the kumho super challenge in vancouver a couple years ago and saw some crazy miatas there, very fast!
And the fastest car was this one, just rediculously fast. I beleave he holds the record for the knox mountain hill climb.
[This message has been edited by Zac88GT (edited 09-30-2007).]
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09:13 PM
crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
I am the Quad 4 that Crzyone was talking about. Just had the last race of the year today. That race I did badly on, I had a front left tire that was falling apart after the 1st race, so I took all the right hand corners easy, and most of the corners were right hand. As for my car, it is a stock 1986 Fiero Base Coupe with factory suspension, including bushings, with 270,000KM on it. The engine is a rebuilt Quad 4 HO, internally stock.
Club racer here. Fieros are not a very popular car down here in Florida as I have only seen 1 4 cylinder car and only know of 2 other 6 cyl cars during the past 2 years of racing. It is a fun car to learn in as it is pretty sensitive at its limits. Exceed the limits though and regaining control can be a challenge. Compared to some of the other cars in its class, a lot of people have told me it is underpowered in race legal form. I just completed another race engine. If this one turns into a boat anchor like the last 3 (street spec. engines) did, than I am moving up to a faster car. Other groups allow engine swaps and other serious mods but I like our local SCCA group.
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11:03 PM
wiccantoy Member
Posts: 3372 From: northwales , pa / Williamstown nj Registered: Mar 2002
Club racer here. Fieros are not a very popular car down here in Florida as I have only seen 1 4 cylinder car and only know of 2 other 6 cyl cars during the past 2 years of racing. It is a fun car to learn in as it is pretty sensitive at its limits. Exceed the limits though and regaining control can be a challenge. Compared to some of the other cars in its class, a lot of people have told me it is underpowered in race legal form. I just completed another race engine. If this one turns into a boat anchor like the last 3 (street spec. engines) did, than I am moving up to a faster car. Other groups allow engine swaps and other serious mods but I like our local SCCA group.
what car are you useing?
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11:05 PM
SCCAFiero Member
Posts: 1144 From: Boca Raton, Fl USA Registered: Apr 2006
i do local events in central florida with mscc. i get to race with prepared race tired miata's. three or four of the guys in my class are professional instructors. although since i've gone to hoosier a6's i did place in the top 4 in my class. i'll be in smrt next time out since i'll be swapped
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03:59 PM
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befarrer Member
Posts: 1962 From: Westlock, Alberta, CANADA Registered: Aug 2002
I'm in modified, I raced against a 72 Chevelle SS 350 (odd car to autocross in), he pulls some amazing times with it. The entire suspension and braking is aftermarket. Also, at this last event, there was 4 AC Cobra kit cars there, one with a built 408, I was faster than all of them. Only thing not stock on my Fiero is the engine, which is actually stock, but it isnt supposed to be there, so it is instant Modified class for me.
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08:43 PM
Oct 2nd, 2007
crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
I'm in D modified although I shouldn't be. My car is pretty much stock engine wise. Because its imported from Japan its instantly D mod, they don't want to go through the trouble of classing it....
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02:03 AM
squisher86SE Member
Posts: 1350 From: Franklin, IN, USA Registered: May 2005
I've been running in CSP with my Fiero, and honestly they are underpowered compared to other cars that run in their classes. I usually do pretty badly actually, but I run street rubber, stock suspension (+ poly bushings) and the Trueleo intake/header combo.
I am pretty sure that I'm still down on power, because I usually run between 4 and 5 seconds behind the other Fiero, lately I've been between 7 and 9 seconds behind him (87 GT, fully built suspension on Kumho V710s) It's gotten particularly bad (for me) since he switched to his new tires.
He's only got ~30,000 miles on his engine though, and mines at the 177,4xx mark.
On the plus side, the Fiero is GREAT fun to race.
*edit: engine mileage. Not like it matters much when it's as high as mine, but I like to be accurate (1778xx vs 1774xx)
[This message has been edited by squisher86SE (edited 10-05-2007).]
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09:08 AM
The_Stickman2 Member
Posts: 1030 From: Lehigh Valley Pa. Registered: Sep 2007
I've been running in CSP with my Fiero, and honestly they are underpowered compared to other cars that run in their classes. I usually do pretty badly actually, but I run street rubber, stock suspension (+ poly bushings) and the Trueleo intake/header combo.
I am pretty sure that I'm still down on power, because I usually run between 4 and 5 seconds behind the other Fiero, lately I've been between 7 and 9 seconds behind him (87 GT, fully built suspension on Kumho V710s) It's gotten particularly bad (for me) since he switched to his new tires.
He's only got ~30,000 miles on his engine though, and mines at the 177,800 mark.
On the plus side, the Fiero is GREAT fun to race.
I have to say tires are a huge deal. I resisted going to racing rubber for a long time. But once i did what a difference. And I was running Goodyear GSCS tires which are harder than most but are better roadrace tires. But they still made a difference. And I got them used and cheap.
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09:26 AM
crytical point Member
Posts: 569 From: sanford FL USA Registered: Feb 2006
I raced a 78 chevy monza in auto X and only 2 races of scca in the modified class and you can't win against a miata with a turbo with a carbed 2.5 and a 3spd auto.
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10:10 AM
squisher86SE Member
Posts: 1350 From: Franklin, IN, USA Registered: May 2005
True, racing tires help a lot, which I always attributed my 4/5 second gap between me and him to. But this is the first time he's had *new* R compounds, the ones before were used. Maybe new ones are just that much better.
Granted, his suspension is a lot more *prepared* than mine also. Really heavy springs (450lb +), 1.25" swaybars and delrin bushings.
Gokart in every sense!
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12:55 PM
crzyone Member
Posts: 3571 From: Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2000
Falken Azenis Rt615s are a good street/track tire. Closest thing to an R compound tire for the street. My next set of tires will be these so I don't have to run 2 sets of rims and rubber.
[This message has been edited by crzyone (edited 10-02-2007).]
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03:27 PM
Fieroseverywhere Member
Posts: 4242 From: Gresham, Oregon USA Registered: Mar 2006
I'm looking on getting started in some autocrossing next season. I am building the car right now but it will not be a dedicated track car. 85GT 4.9 manual with 88 cradle. Any tips you guys want to give me?
[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 10-02-2007).]
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07:10 PM
wiccantoy Member
Posts: 3372 From: northwales , pa / Williamstown nj Registered: Mar 2002
I'm looking on getting started in some autocrossing next season. I am building the car right now but it will not be a dedicated track car. 85GT 4.9 manual with 88 cradle. Any tips you guys want to give me?
4.9 seems like it would be a great engine to use . but that would have to put you into a very modified class.
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07:58 PM
ccfiero350 Member
Posts: 826 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Feb 2003
I've raced with the BMW & PCA club and get classed with all the 4 cylinder non-club brand cars. I've been beaten by just about any econo box car out there by better drivers and all the miatas. I've gotten the better of cars that out cost mine by 10x to 15x driven by noobies with walets. My first goal is to beat a certain red 3800II GT with a 4 cylinder. Each event I get a little closer.
------------------ yellow 88 GT, not stock white 88 notchie, 4 banger
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10:23 PM
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The_Stickman2 Member
Posts: 1030 From: Lehigh Valley Pa. Registered: Sep 2007
4.9 seems like it would be a great engine to use . but that would have to put you into a very modified class.
Not really if your just doing AutoX. You would be in the SM(street modified) class. It's like SP(street prepared) but more open to the street tuner crowd.
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11:40 PM
Oct 3rd, 2007
crytical point Member
Posts: 569 From: sanford FL USA Registered: Feb 2006
I have ruined the uni body on the monza in a auto X to beat a miata, when the seam broke on the driver side the windshield broke and the car got squirelly. I have a new engine and I have welded the frame back together and replaced alot of things so now it will be a beast on the track. I found an old 65 triumph spitfire that had a cage and welded doors and it use to be an old SCCA and when I opened the hood there was a supercharged 4cyl with so many home made parts. I had asked the guy how much he wanted for it and his responce was the perfect " I bought that car from the dealer new and I built it with my own two hands and raced it for over 2 decades and I will be burried in that car". Of course I was disappointed but every time I see him or his son I ask about it because with a simple 13B or 12A rotary swap it will be awsome on the track with 200-300hp on a 1500lb car.
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10:05 AM
Fieroseverywhere Member
Posts: 4242 From: Gresham, Oregon USA Registered: Mar 2006
4.9 seems like it would be a great engine to use . but that would have to put you into a very modified class.
I had figured on a heavily modified class. There really isn't anything on the car I am not going to improve in some way. Changed to 88 cradle and rear suspension, isuzu 5 speed, poly suspension bushings and engine/tranny mounts including top strut mount, new Kyb all around, einback lowering in front and coilovers in rear, 12" vette rotors and 88 fiero calipers all around, rebuilt and modified 4.9 (cam, ported intake, heads, exhaust manifolds) with custom intake (cold air though deck lid) and exhaust with dual O2, front mount battery. I set it up to reduce low end a little to increase the upper end some. I was just hoping to get some setup tips while I was building the car so I can adjust accordingly.
Dad has autoed a couple of his. One 88GT and one 84SE. The SE beat the GT buy quite so I know power is not the only consideration to take into account. Both were completely stock but the SE only had 50K original miles compared to the GT's 150k.
[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 10-03-2007).]
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03:31 PM
Primaris Member
Posts: 550 From: Oak Grove, KY USA Registered: Aug 2001
I autocross a lot, but not with the Fiero yet. I've been running my '03 SVT Focus. If you want to you can check out my web site http://autocross.mellow-one.com
To those just starting remember Autocross is 95% driver 5% car. If you're loosing by more than 1 second look very hard at the nut behind the wheel I also tell all newbe's to autocross to expect to get crushed their first dozen or so times out. The reason I say this is to set their expectations low, since autocross is MUCH harder than it looks. Plus for some reason we all think we are the best drivers in the world. How many people here think they can beat Tiger Woods at golf? Yet we expect to kick a$$ and take names at the autocross course, lol.
I highly suggest to all autocrossers to take one of these classes: http://autocross.com/evolution/modules/news/ I also strongly suggest staying on street tires for at least 24 or so events. DOT R compound race tires will hide a lot of mistakes and cause you to develop bad habits if you jump to them too soon.
On to my Fiero: Unless I can get replacement factory bushings, which will let me run in ES, I think I will try CSP first. If I go with CSP I plan on running full poly, coil overs, 15x9 light weight rims, and 275/35-15 Hoosier A6's as the first modifications. I'll call koni and see what they have to say about getting some custom valved shocks/struts for the '88 made.
If I can run ES the main problem I see with the Fiero being competitive is the lack of any tire wider than a 225. Since I'd be stuck on a 225 the lack of a LSD and the extra heft of the Fiero will come into play.
. . crzyone, It is in the rules. Your car wasn't sold in the US so it is not able to be classed in the Stock, Street prepared, Street Modified, or Street Tired classes.
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09:40 PM
Primaris Member
Posts: 550 From: Oak Grove, KY USA Registered: Aug 2001
I had figured on a heavily modified class. There really isn't anything on the car I am not going to improve in some way. Changed to 88 cradle and rear suspension, isuzu 5 speed, poly suspension bushings and engine/tranny mounts including top strut mount, new Kyb all around, einback lowering in front and coilovers in rear, 12" vette rotors and 88 fiero calipers all around, rebuilt and modified 4.9 (cam, ported intake, heads, exhaust manifolds) with custom intake (cold air though deck lid) and exhaust with dual O2, front mount battery. I set it up to reduce low end a little to increase the upper end some. I was just hoping to get some setup tips while I was building the car so I can adjust accordingly.
Dad has autoed a couple of his. One 88GT and one 84SE. The SE beat the GT buy quite so I know power is not the only consideration to take into account. Both were completely stock but the SE only had 50K original miles compared to the GT's 150k.
I think the cradle change will bump you out of Street Modified into Modified. Modified is where people run a body shell, four tires and an engine I might be wrong about this though. Larger rotors are not needed for autocross. You'd want better shocks than KYB's for autocross. And, you didn't mention what tires.
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09:45 PM
Oct 4th, 2007
crytical point Member
Posts: 569 From: sanford FL USA Registered: Feb 2006
I ran monroe's my first season and switched to kyb's and my monza hit the corners alot better. Though the monza is out of races till I finish the 2.0 cosworth swap with T-5 trans and a LSD with a 4.1-4.5 gear. I am looking into replacing the front clip with fiberglass and I already have race springs, poly bushings, kyb shocks (ride real nice) 1 3/4 front bar and a 1" rear bar. If I ever put coilovers on the car it will be just in the rear with tube LCA's and a 8 point roll cage because the unibody will flex to much through the corners. I have talked with ALOT of people in auto X and SCCA that race the H-body (vega, monza) platform and one of them got his start in SOLO1 with a cosworth powered vega. I got my start in racing by learning on a dirt track (asphalt has it easy) and then moving into autoX where I learned that even a 50 profile tire will fold off a rim at 30mph where the same tire would fold at 50 on dirt so lessoned learned and I will be running 15x8 rims with 245/40 with beadlocks. I like to talk to some of the older racers because they are over the whole ego thing and will give you some pointers and let you ride in the passenger seat and then they will wanna see what you can do and give you tips. Though I am very competetive and I don't like people picking on my poor little 30yr old monza and I like to beat them at there own game and if that means breaking my car to do it I will and I have started a run with all my motor mounts and finished with one and no transmission mount.
After one thing breaks then your in it for the long haul and you better make the race worth it! though you can get disqualified for excessive recklesness.
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09:22 AM
Fieroseverywhere Member
Posts: 4242 From: Gresham, Oregon USA Registered: Mar 2006
I think the cradle change will bump you out of Street Modified into Modified. Modified is where people run a body shell, four tires and an engine I might be wrong about this though. Larger rotors are not needed for autocross. You'd want better shocks than KYB's for autocross. And, you didn't mention what tires.
Seems stupid that you can race an 88 fiero in the stock class but if you switch an 84-87 to an 88 cradle you go into modified. Its still stock fiero suspension and I'm not even changing the front.
I know I dont need the larger rotors for auto-X but I may need them later so I am doing it all while the car is in pieces.
I went with the KYB mostly because of the screaming deal I got on them. I may upgrade to the koni's later but I'm not in a big hurry on that. The KYB's are brand new and they will work great when on the street. Its a road car that will see some auto-X.
Haven't bought wheels or tires yet. I will need at least a 16" to clear the rotors but other then that I am open to suggestions. I was looking at the Motegi Trak-lites since the 16's are only 12 lbs each but I think they are too light to use these on the street. Tires are still open also but I'm leaning toward the Pirelli P-zero Nero's. Any thoughts or suggestions of something better?
[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 10-04-2007).]
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04:17 PM
SCCAFiero Member
Posts: 1144 From: Boca Raton, Fl USA Registered: Apr 2006
....... and I like to beat them at there own game and if that means breaking my car to do it I will...........
After one thing breaks then your in it for the long haul and you better make the race worth it! though you can get disqualified for excessive recklesness.
Kind of like the time my clutch hydraulics went out after about 5 laps of a 2 hour enduro and we shifted the rest of the race by RPM matching, which neither me nor my co driver knew how to until then. It's a good thing we don't run mufflers otherwise everyone would have heard lots of grinding that day. At least I learned how to rebuild a Getrag. LOL We are a strange breed.
[This message has been edited by SCCAFiero (edited 10-04-2007).]
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11:41 PM
Oct 5th, 2007
Primaris Member
Posts: 550 From: Oak Grove, KY USA Registered: Aug 2001
Seems stupid that you can race an 88 fiero in the stock class but if you switch an 84-87 to an 88 cradle you go into modified. Its still stock fiero suspension and I'm not even changing the front.
I know I dont need the larger rotors for auto-X but I may need them later so I am doing it all while the car is in pieces.
I went with the KYB mostly because of the screaming deal I got on them. I may upgrade to the koni's later but I'm not in a big hurry on that. The KYB's are brand new and they will work great when on the street. Its a road car that will see some auto-X.
Haven't bought wheels or tires yet. I will need at least a 16" to clear the rotors but other then that I am open to suggestions. I was looking at the Motegi Trak-lites since the 16's are only 12 lbs each but I think they are too light to use these on the street. Tires are still open also but I'm leaning toward the Pirelli P-zero Nero's. Any thoughts or suggestions of something better?
I'm not going to address the street side of your concerns, because that idea never entered my mind before this post. Thanks! :P
But, for autocross you want the lightest rim you can afford. Its width ideally should match the widest possible tire that fits the car (or rules allow). For budget conscious I like TeamDynamics Pro race 1 and Pro race 2 wheels. They come in a wide range of sizes, widths, and offsets. http://www.teamdynamicsraci...mpetition_wheels.htm They are not the lightest but they are easy on the wallet and have proved to be strong.
[This message has been edited by Primaris (edited 10-05-2007).]