I'm in the process of finding a new track car and needed some quick help. I plan to set the car up with a cage/seats/harness, all that good stuff, and possibly race it in the future. I'm looking at a 4dr GSR, but I'm not sure how the 4dr differs from the hatchback, aside from the obvious number of doors.

Am I going to have a hard time with a cage for the car? Is there any other issues that might come up when I make the jump to go full race prep?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Though I personally feel that racing four door cars is seriously cool, I wouldn't opt for it personally. The weight disadvantage would suck.

I don't think there are virtually any differences between the four and two door models, performance-wise.

Good luck

 

I wonder if it's any harder to get in and out of a racing bucket with the smaller door openings. As far as weight, wouldn't I be able to get the car down to the same min weight at the 3dr? Or are you referring to the weight distribution of the 4dr?

 

The 4 door also has a longer wheelbase. It'll be less willing to rotate.

Would certainly be an attention getter though.

 

While such things that are "cool" or "interesting" are great.. i wouldnt do it.

 

iirc chassis stiffness is comprimised with an extra "cut" in the body......but of course that may be negated by the cage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">iirc chassis stiffness is comprimised with an extra "cut" in the body......but of course that may be negated by the cage.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont imagine is a matter of chassis stiffness - but weight. Any problems in stiffness (which i dont think exist) could be resolved w/ a cage.

 

1. Understand it will be 250-300lbs heavier.... just like Franza said.

2. Re-sale in the future will be more difficult.

That kinda weight is a killer in a 35 mins Road Race. I would guess that much weight is 4-5 cars lenths (every lap) at Summit. Ask me how I know.

I'd keep lookin. Finding the RIGHT car to build is super important.


John- who's tempted to start cuttin' stuff off the ol' hatchcrapper.


Modified by JohnW at 1:20 PM 7/11/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. Understand it will be 250-300lbs heavier.... just like Franza said.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're quite a bit off with that....

Curb Weight 96 GSR Coupe = 2667
Curb Weight 96 GSR Sedan = 2765

http://autos.msn.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">iirc chassis stiffness is comprimised with an extra "cut" in the body</TD></TR></TABLE>
quite the opposite actually. 2 small holes are stiffer than 1 big hole.
(there is a "your mom" joke in there somewhere.....)

If you can get it down to the same min weight as the 2 door IMO it will be just as competitive.

 

RJ,

wow. only 100 or so lbs.

I looked at the 4 door GSR at Summit and she looked so much bigger than Karl's GSR. Longer, 4 doors, all that window glass and other assorted operating hardware......... SHE LOOKED BIG.

The driver (John Green) drove that hell out of it and did a good job. I would like to know what the real world race weight was.

Still wouldn't give up that extra weight.

 

There's a 4 door old SSB car for sale in the CalClub paper for $7500 obo. Autopower bolt in, Type R suspension, and cat back suspension. This is probably either Laura Olson's old car or the car that Landspeed Racing owned. Those are the only 4 doors I can remember in Phoenix.

Contact:
Donn Vickrey
dvickrey@camelbackra.com
480-227-8335

Best of luck!