I met Paul, from an ebay auction actually, and asked if I could come examine the stalker design.

Here is the picture of his car



Stalker v6 in Elanor colors.

Engines a Pontiac GTP (yep the supercharger) with all emissions stuff removed!

All I can say is this was beyond fast! It was blistering! It made the viper I have driven appear to be like an electric car!

Handling left me in some serious *** puckering moments!

1500lbs, 275+hp and 300+lbs of Tq! The Azenas never stood a chance!

 

man, that thing looks like it would MOVE.

 

wow 275hp in 1500 lbs would be incredible!

 

It looks like a four-wheeled coffin.

 

mine weighs 1053, wet, and only has 145 hp. and it is incredible. i can't imagine what another 130 hp, with TORQUE, would be like!

now its time to tell him to put a bit more cage in it (i have the full FIA cage in mine) and tell him to take it to a DE!!!!!!

 

I've wondered about those things...the Stalker is the one that takes Chevy S-10 running gear right? Seemed like a cheap and potentially very cool toy.

Did it handle poorly, or was it just a "too much power and not enough tire" kind of thing?

Got to drive an original, 1963 I think, Lotus 7 to the gas station last month at an autocross. That was really something. Had a twincam Lotus inline 4 in it. When it wasn't busy being British...sticking throttle cable, non-working gauges...it was a blast.

 

There was a guy that tried to run a Caterham with a chevy small block in Solo I a few years ago. No matter what he did (and he did alot with alot of help and advice) he couldn't get any rear traction. Too much torque and not enough weight over the drive tires. That thing was a menace. In order to keep it pointing in the right direction he had to soft pedal it so much that my daily driver Integra was always faster.
Meanwhile, a regular Caterham with some sort of Ford (I think) 4 cylinder was regularly scoring FTD.

Yes Virginia, there is a such thing as too much motor and not enough car.

Fastest car I've ever been in... Rich Shafers CP Trans Am. Some sort of 2nd hand NASCAR motor with over 600whp and Hoosier slicks bigger than my kitchen table. He had to weld a cage in the car because the entire chassis was twisting under acceleration.
That thing was friggin brutal.

 

It is infact a stalker.

The issue of handling was interesting.
The car wears 225-45-16 tires which were Falkon Azenas. When we left his driveway it was nothing but smoke and noise! Then we finally got some heat in the tires ( I would guess they were over 100degrees when we returned 10 minutes later) It gripped like a son of a bitch! Oh My! I simply cannot describe how grippy it was. We took a sharp 90 degree corner and he slip the back around slightly but when I looked at the Speedo we were doing 120mph. It was an *** puckering realization because i know I would not have done 50 thru that turn in my M coupe.

So I would say with Hot tires it was amazing in the handling department.

Does it need a cage ? Without a doubt in my mind! I constantly feared hitting something and feeling so exposed.Mine will have a cage.

It is infact a stalker. It has the new supercharged motor. 5 speed transmission but first gear only gets it on a trailer.. Or into a cloud of smoke. Disc brakes on the rear and a solid axle. I didnt think they could handle this well !

The headers actually had mufflers so it was nice to listen to! I really enjoyed it!
Not loud, but not so quiet that I could hear the supercharger

But every gauge worked in it. I must say the fit and finish was fantastic!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The car wears 225-45-16 tires which were Falkon Azenas. Then we finally got some heat in the tires ( I would guess they were over 100degrees when we returned 10 minutes later) It gripped like a son of a bitch! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Really?
I've found (in 3 years of using them) that Azenis lose grip as they heat up. And after 10 minutes of "smoke and noise" I'd assume that they were pretty hot.
Seems contrary to known behavior of the tire.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We took a sharp 90 degree corner and he slip the back around slightly but when I looked at the Speedo we were doing 120mph. It was an *** puckering realization because i know I would not have done 50 thru that turn in my M coupe.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Really?
90 degree turn?
120mph?
Either you are exaggerating your *** off or you were in a car that can kick an F1 cars ***.
Sure you don't want to apply a little more thought to that statement?

Of course, if you guys were driving around public roads at 120mph you are both raving asshats.

The "kills" forum can be found on the main menu.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Really?
I've found (in 3 years of using them) that Azenis lose grip as they heat up. And after 10 minutes of "smoke and noise" I'd assume that they were pretty hot.
Seems contrary to known behavior of the tire.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have never owned them or used them.. I can say I was impressed with them.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Really?
90 degree turn?
120mph?
Either you are exaggerating your *** off or you were in a car that can kick an F1 cars ***.
Sure you don't want to apply a little more thought to that statement?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I will stand by that statement. The corner had some good cambering but if your not believing I can give you his email address and you can go for a ridfe when your in Alpharetta.. he wont mind. Also the thing you forgot.. How big was the radius.. It was BIG! no tight 90's
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Of course, if you guys were driving around public roads at 120mph you are both raving asshats.

The "kills" forum can be found on the main menu. </TD></TR></TABLE>

perhaps.. I thank you for your recommendation.


Modified by Want2race at 4:13 PM 6/26/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Really?
I've found (in 3 years of using them) that Azenis lose grip as they heat up. And after 10 minutes of "smoke and noise" I'd assume that they were pretty hot.
Seems contrary to known behavior of the tire.

Really?
90 degree turn?
120mph?
Either you are exaggerating your *** off or you were in a car that can kick an F1 cars ***.
Sure you don't want to apply a little more thought to that statement?

Of course, if you guys were driving around public roads at 120mph you are both raving asshats.

The "kills" forum can be found on the main menu. </TD></TR></TABLE>

One thing to remember is that we are talking about a 1500 lb car. Not your typical 2400 + lb STS car. Big difference.

I have rode along with Norm Beavers DM Lotus 7. That was an amazing ride. The car is 1100 lbs and is pushing about 290 hp according to Norm. The car was had amazing amounts of grip, but I would say not amazingly more than CSP CRX's I have driven. The thing that amazed me was when he hit a striaght and could actually open it. The only way I can describe it is my vision of the direction of where we wanted to be became real sharp, everything else became mearly a blur and then we were there. It is the closest I have experienced to the special effects of jumping to light speed in like starwars movies. It sounds funny, but that is the visual. You look ahead and see where you want to go and zooooop you are there. What is funny is Norm was saying how slow the car was with the extra weight of me in there. I was VERY impressed, again made me believe more and more in small light cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also the thing you forgot.. How big was the radius.. It was BIG! no tight 90's</TD></TR></TABLE>
Since when does a 90* turn have a radius A 90 degree angle is is 90 degrees.

(If you don't see the sarcasm here, I must stress that I find it vague and silly when someone describes a turn as "90 degrees" and proceeds to tell me how fast they went around it.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Also the thing you forgot.. How big was the radius.. It was BIG! no tight 90's

</TD></TR></TABLE>

OH... OK. NOW it makes sense!!!


Sorry man. I'm sure its a very fast car but you didn't pull 120mph in an "open" 90 degree turn on a public street.
I wouldn't even believe triple digits.
The E Production Lotus/Caterham cars aren't even getting CLOSE to 120 in turn 1 at Road Atlanta and they are purpose built race cars on slicks.

A Stalker, Caterham, Lotus 7... at 120mph in a straight line would be a hell of a ride due to lack of aero stability and light weight, and you're trying to say you were doing it in corners... On street tires???
OK, you go ahead and stand by that statement, but don't stand too close. The smell might get on your clothes.

Try this post at Club Si. I'm betting they'll believe it over there.
Hell, they probably know of some CRXs that'll do 110 backwards 'cause they have b00st.

 

So I fucked up and said radius when I should have said the length of the 90 degrees. You understood, dont act stupid.


Modified by Want2race at 2:24 AM 6/27/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> You understood, dont act stupid. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont even understand.

120mph in a turn on a public street on street tires?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">120mph in a turn on a public street on street tires? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, shoulda been on slicks.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Since when does a 90* turn have a radius A 90 degree angle is is 90 degrees.

(If you don't see the sarcasm here, I must stress that I find it vague and silly when someone describes a turn as "90 degrees" and proceeds to tell me how fast they went around it.)</TD></TR></TABLE>


Oh jesus, thanks for the sarcasm note, I was about to make an *** of myself!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yeah, shoulda been on slicks.


Oh jesus, thanks for the sarcasm note, I was about to make an *** of myself! </TD></TR></TABLE>

point taken.. Well regardless.. Im letting the thread die.. Bottom line.. The car was quick in all respects. How quick ? Drive it and you will know.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I looked at the Speedo we were doing 120mph. It was an *** puckering realization because i know I would not have done 50 thru that turn in my M coupe. </TD></TR></TABLE>

a = v^2 / r

If you're a sane driver, with nice summer tires, you might push through said turn at 50 MPH at 0.5G. That's a 100 meter turn (101.96 m). Big, sweeping turn, maybe like an on-ramp.

If you drive like an asshat and take a 50 MPH turn at 0.8G, that's a 64 meter radius turn. Like a really tight on ramp. Let's assume this is NOT the case.

If he was doing 120 in the bigger 100 meter radius on-ramp turn as an example, he's pulling 2.9 g's. On Azeins without any appreciable downforce.



-Chris

 

What does this have to do w/ Road Racing/Autocross?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phat-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What does this have to do w/ Road Racing/Autocross?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I see your point, but I'll say that this doesn't really bother me. We have lots of entertaining threads around here that have nothing at all to do with RR/AX.

But, when a guy says something this stupid, and you give him a chance to say "well, OK, I exaggerated a bit" and he STILL stands by his claim... Well... Thats good stuff.

And this guy is building a race car. Thats just excellent.

 

An on-ramp is a pretty tight turn compared to high-speed sweepers you may see on a track, so it was probably a lot more than 100m. Maybe he's exaggerating about how tight the turn was compared to the speed (not like this car has a g-gauge).

In any case, 120mph isn't pretty damn dumb on the street. If your friend doesn't track that thing, then I see no point in owning one.

Edit: Hmmm...make that 120mph [b]is[/i] pretty damn dumb.


Modified by GSpeedR at 12:35 PM 6/28/2005

 

Lotus 7 knock-offs are definitely fun to drive. Gobs of mechanical grip, and loads of accelleration.

However, a few things to consider before you run out and buy one. Without a cage, you feel (and are) VERY exposed. The model pictured here might not even pass the "broomstick test" at a DE, which requires that a straight edge held from the top of the roll bar to the top of the front end be above the heads of the occupants. Also, even with all that power to weight, the aerodynamics of the car result in disappointing top-end speeds; especially on fast circuits (e.g. Watkins Glen or Pocono). Cars with much lower power to weight ratios - but less drag - eat them up on the straights.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crosser &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have rode along with Norm Beavers DM Lotus 7. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What motor is Norm running?

 

There's a guy here in TX that autocrosses a Stalker V6 in EM. I rode along with him a couple of times, and teched his car once. Both times I let my leg touch the exhaust

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GSpeedR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">An on-ramp is a pretty tight turn compared to high-speed sweepers you may see on a track, so it was probably a lot more than 100m. Maybe he's exaggerating about how tight the turn was compared to the speed (not like this car has a g-gauge).
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Really guys. C'mon.
ACT like you have a clue.

This car DID NOT do ANYWHERE NEAR 120mph in ANY turn. Much less anything close to 90 degrees (radius or whatever).
Its on street tires, on public roads... NOPE. DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I'm betting the SCCA sports racers and formula cars don't even hit 120 in turn 1 at Road Atlanta. And those are downforce cars, on slicks, in an extremely fast corner. I'll be there next month, and just for the hell of it will try to remember to find an Atlantic guy with DA so I can find out if he hits 120 in ANY corner on that track.
Then I'll let Jonathan explain to us how a Stalker on street tires can corner faster than a Formula Atlantic.

Scott, once again wondering why he even bothers.