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can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car?

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Old 12-12-2003, 01:14 AM
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Default can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car?

ok so my bro has had this car for sale on here for a while but no bites. so it crossed his mind to turn it into a road race/autocross car, but it has a hole in the trunk . do you guys think he would be able to race like it is in the pic? would adding a rollcage in it let him be able to road race/autocross it? thanks



Old 12-12-2003, 02:35 AM
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hell yeah race it. there may be other problems, but that hole inthe floor looks like it was perfectly cut for a fuel cell. Not the best place to mount it, but it will work.

Disclaimer-I couldn't tell you if a fuel cell is even legal for autocross, but no sanctioning body of road racing is gonna turn you away. It is considered a safety item.
Old 12-12-2003, 06:00 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

I believe the NOS bottle would have to go for either type of event (maybe not autocross). And you'd need a cage to Road Race, but not HPDE or Autocross.

For the most part, you *can* race anything. The question is how much money to make it legal, and how compeditive would it be.
Old 12-12-2003, 06:10 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

install a fuel cell, then tin around it where the hole is in the back.
Old 12-12-2003, 07:57 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (rodney)

i'm assuming your bro would be a n00b to road racing? he'd have to ditch the naaawwwwzzzzz bottle for another seat unless his instructor likes stradling the funny fog

-brian
Old 12-12-2003, 08:01 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Maengelito)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Maengelito &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">unless his instructor likes stradling the funny fog</TD></TR></TABLE>

Like your mom?
Old 12-12-2003, 08:20 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Maengelito)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Maengelito &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm assuming your bro would be a n00b to road racing? he'd have to ditch the naaawwwwzzzzz bottle for another seat unless his instructor likes stradling the funny fog</TD></TR></TABLE>

The instructor does not sit with you in your race car, at least not in SCCA club-racing school. Most race car's don't have a passenger seat.

Old 12-12-2003, 09:27 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (uncleben)

Your in the perfect location to race Honda challenge in Norcal. I don't know about that front body work for H1, but that is a sick looking car, maybe they would let you in if you begged. Or at least HPDE it, definately don't waste the shell.

If you need a great cage at a reasonable price, Kirk makes awesome weld in Kits for our cars for around $600. And if you need someone to weld it in, my brother, who fabs for my team, has recent experience installing the kirk kits, and will do the final cuts and welds for $500. The Job takes two days usually. 1.5 really depending on the state of the interior. Ask 95tegLSS for a reference, he put a beautiful cage in his integra.

His cell:

Mike Lock (831)801-6803

or post back here and I can set it up for you.
Old 12-12-2003, 10:55 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (gotocrx)

thanks for everyone's reply. yeah.. drag racing is getting a little old and he just wants to try something new. of course the NOS bottle wouldnt be in there, let alone the LS motor.

what does HPDE stand for?

also it has lexan on the side windows (front and rear is still glass), would he have to put glass back in?
Old 12-12-2003, 11:12 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

no offense but that fab work is gross.

it doesnt look structurally sound at all...
Old 12-12-2003, 11:27 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Doctor CorteZ)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doctor CorteZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no offense but that fab work is gross.

it doesnt look structurally sound at all...</TD></TR></TABLE>

its not really "fab work" we just cut it . yes it doesnt look structurally sound, that is why i ask what you guys think if we turned it into a road racing/autocross car.
Old 12-12-2003, 11:38 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

It's got a hell of a lot more steel in it than my race car did after I finished cutting out the "not required" bits. My hole in the back (I think I should rephrase that) went from the rear panel all the way up to the front seats. Mind you, my rear lower control arms were then mounted to the roll cage.
Old 12-14-2003, 10:14 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (MightyMouseTech)

HPDE is for High Performance Driving Event, and if you've never been to one of these, don't even think about getting into road racing yet. Do some of these (HPDEs) to get some track time under your belt.
Old 12-14-2003, 10:49 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

Someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but by the looks of it in pics, the metal that was cut is just the spare tire well, which is just wimpy sheet metal. For a fuel cell or a solid rear drag axle? Anyway, the structural stuff goes along each side of the well. I notice the cut sheet metal along the sides fore/aft of the wheel well as well. Again, just sheet metal, not really critical structural stuff. Regardless, a full cage would stiffen things nicely back there. Just check with your local sanctioning body beforehand just to be sure...

And yeah the nawz bottle and the unvented battery next to the driver would have to be removed or relocated most likely.

In autox this kind of weight reduction would class the car at least in E-Prepared and maybe D-Mod. Not sure about road-racing series, but it seems not many series allow hacking the interior like that, afaik....
Old 12-15-2003, 06:32 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kid1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> </TD></TR></TABLE>
This part would concern me, until you put a good cage in.
Old 12-15-2003, 07:41 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (jsi)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I notice the cut sheet metal along the sides fore/aft of the wheel well as well. Again, just sheet metal, not really critical structural stuff.</TD></TR></TABLE>

um , you couldnt be more incorrect.

all that has been cut is critical , EVEN with a full cage.
Old 12-15-2003, 09:28 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Doctor CorteZ)

Not scca legal even w/ a cage. To much cut out of the structure.
Old 12-15-2003, 09:41 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (INTEGRAMIKE)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by INTEGRAMIKE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not scca legal even w/ a cage. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I never said it was.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by INTEGRAMIKE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
To much cut out of the structure.</TD></TR></TABLE>

it would be "too", actually.
Old 12-15-2003, 09:51 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Doctor CorteZ)

Dr. cortez dont take it personally. I only know some of the scca rules and none of the other sanctions rules. Thanks for the english lesson!
Old 12-15-2003, 09:51 AM
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i think even with the cage it might not meet the min. weight for H1 and all that cutting in the rear i think would effect the flex even if is thin to begin with but with some work i think it could be done..
Old 12-15-2003, 09:52 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (INTEGRAMIKE)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by INTEGRAMIKE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dr. cortez dont take it personally.</TD></TR></TABLE>

das OK

Old 12-15-2003, 11:05 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Doctor CorteZ)

what if he cuts a rear tub part out of another junked up hatch and weld it back in there?
Old 12-15-2003, 11:15 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Kid1320)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kid1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what if he cuts a rear tub part out of another junked up hatch and weld it back in there?</TD></TR></TABLE>

maybe.

the skeleton part you cut from the sides is a vital part of the cars structure.

some sheet metal riveted and bonded with structural adhesive would do wonders.

Old 12-15-2003, 11:34 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (Doctor CorteZ)

I dunno, but it would seem the sheet metal in question between the B and C pillars is about the same as the one used on the inside of the doors which is frequently cutout for nascar bar clearance. I'm sure it provides some rigidity, but logically one would think that most of the critical rigidity would be provides by the thick B and C pillars and the connecting structure just below the rear side window. Anyway, i am not a structural engineer, but I just dont see how that sheet metal could be critical structurally. You can (and I have) cut parts of it with hand sheet metal cutter. You can actually flex it by hand. I wouldnt be surprised if the window glass provides more rigidity than that...

I did see this metal removed on full race cars in some modified classes. They also has something like 16pt roll cages... But anyway, in this case it would depend more on which class/race series the car would run in and the applicable rules.
Old 12-15-2003, 11:41 AM
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Default Re: can this be turned into a road racing/autocross car? (jsi)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ii am not a structural engineer, but I just dont see how that sheet metal could be critical structurally. You can (and I have) cut parts of it with hand sheet metal cutter. You can actually flex it by hand. I wouldnt be surprised if the window glass provides more rigidity than that...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

you're thinking compression , you want to think about tension.

both are important , one is often overlooked.


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