Rally cross
 

So, I've decided I'm going to be trying something new. There's a place 3 1/2 hours north of me outside of Gainesville Florida that does beginner class rally cross, pretty much register and take your daily if you want. Believe it or not someone's entered in with their 93 ranger. Lol. But I am planning on picking up a Honda Civic hatch 5 speed. Figured this would be a good start, light weight, 5 speed. Would be easier to control and learn in than an awd turbo Subaru. I will not be attending until next season. due to not having the car yet, and after get the car want to gut it and build a roll cage in it. The track is all flat land, no jumps of any kind. There's a 2wd stock class. Meaning exactly as it sounds. 2wd bone stock car. I'm planning on starting there and depending how it goes moving up eventually to 2wd modified. Anyone else into rally cross? Any tips? Any info? What do you have? Looking forward to what everyone has.

Re: Rally cross
 

Front wheel drive is not really the way to go. You'll get wicked bad understeer in dirt.

I've done it in a fully built Mitsubishi Evo, and had a BLAST! Did the same course later in a Miata and a Civic. Damn near ran the civic into a tree because it wouldn't turn. The Miata did surprisingly well.

For rally cross you really either want rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. There's plenty of RWD cars you can get for cheap that handle well. Miata....hell, even a mid 90's thunderbird wouldn't be bad.

The Civic wouldn't be a bad choice for auto cross though, on tarmac they actually handle pretty good, but from my experience on dirt, I didn't enjoy it.

I hate to say it, but I'd be on the look out for a beat to death 2000 or so subaru outback. Would be cheaper than a WRX and not turbo. Plus, they are a dime a dozen to find since all the yuppy hipsters and middle age lesbians drive them.

Yeah I'm gonna keep my options open. I also found an 85 Nissan 300zx v6 5 speed. $1200 and the car is in good shape. It needs a clutch. Right now I have a 2005 crown Vic and I don't believe it would do to well.

http://treasure.craigslist.org/cto/5215448648.html How about this? I'm only gonna have maybe $1700 to spend for a car

Attachment 138683

Or this is the Honda I'm looking at

Going to check out the Z tomorrow. The car will get a new clutch put in as well as anything fixed that needs to be. As well as a full roll cage will be fabricated, bucket seats and harnesses will also be put in. Just to be safe. Depending if the rearend has a locker or not. Might either install one or weld the rearend up to lock it. The car will most likely never be titled. It's just going to be used for this purpose only. I work at Nissan and will be bringing it in to put it on the lift to go over it as well as doing an alignment on it just make sure it's all good and solid.

I did find a 94 bmw 325 2 door 5 speed that's rather local. They are asking $2500 for it. Debating on what car would be a good choice. As what I buy I will have for a while. I really have my eye set on the z.

Re: Rally cross
 

I'd be ALL over that nissan. It's perfect for what you want to do.

Crown vic wouldn't be THAT bad, be better than the civic I would think. Because power is going to the right wheels.

Well, I sold the Vic tonight for $1700. I had about $950 in it. I'm going tomorrow after work to look at the Z and I'm bringing cash with me! Gonna see if I can get it for $900 or so.

Re: Rally cross
 

good luck with the purchase. that's awesome there is an amateur style track nearby where you live, i'd love to have something like that up here. my father wants to try it, lol, with either a Datsun 510 or ford Cortina GT like he used to have

My mother actually said something to me about getting into it. My father used to drag race. So it will get him back to his racing roots. I never got into racing because didn't have the funds. Hope it all goes well and the car is in good shape. Will be pulling rear seats and such and installing a roll cage in the car. Will have working t tops still and everything except the rear seat will be deleted. Attachment 138710 Attachment 138711

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300zx I'm gonna look at. V6 non turbo 5 speed.

Re: Rally cross
 

I know this is a rather dead thread and very old! The Z didn't work out. With work and stuff getting in the way. I didn't buy anything, until today! I picked up a 1992 BMW 325is (E36). 2 door, 5 speed with factory limited slip. It's ugly. The interior isn't the best. But it runs and drives except for the worn out control arm bushing ($30) for both sides. Car is basically perfect for what I'm wanting to do. And I did find out that there's about 7-8 races at the local fairgrounds. 15 minutes away! Car is gonna get all new fluids, new bushings for suspension, new tires, and I'm planning on adding a harness bar with harnesses for added safety. Not bad for $600.


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Re: Rally cross
 

For anyone that's interested. I have the car on jackstands. I am going to be replacing the grille as they are broke. I have new control arm bushings (lollipops) on the way. Got a decent set of tires for the rear. Also painted the wheel wells all black to just clean up the look. Also cleaned the wheels really well. No more break dust. No more wheel weights. The shifter will be getting rebuilt as it's totally worn out. There's tons of slop. I wish the hood and roof didn't get painted. It's a Laguna green car. And the color is amazing. I am planning on racing the car in its current form for a while. Then, I will be gutting the interior, aluminum door panels, full cage, strut braces, diff brace, new solid fiberglass race seats with harnesses, and solid bushings all around. Also have to get rid of the big old airbag on the steering wheel. Don't want that blowing up in my face for any reason.


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Re: Rally cross
 

Cool, good looking beamer to run the course.

Re: Rally cross
 

Got around to painting the hood. Just used flat black spray cans. Not perfect and I don't expect it to be. Next thing I'll be doing is cutting off the muffler and straight piping it with solid mounts bolted to the rear body. Also need to install a plate under the body with threaded rod welded to it so I can have the battery bolted down. Also need to jack rear up and look at the rear diff. May bring it to work and put it on the lift. I believe the rear diff mounts are messed up. It's got some home made reinforcements in place. May have to take diff out and weld in some plates to reinforce it. Will be getting some 20-50 to put in it as well. Nice and thick for the Florida summer heat. Overall pretty happy with the car. Planning to install oil pressure, oil temp, and water temp gauges as well just for added security. If anyone is interested, I'll keep posting as work goes on to the car, also if you have any tips or anything. Let me know!


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Re: Rally cross
 

Did an oil change as well as trans fluid change on the car. Put some good tires on it. Took it to the exhaust shop, had muffler and cats removed. 2.5 inch single exhaust straight out the back with glass pack installed. Need to flush cooling system and add new coolant. Also need to rebuild the shifter assembly. Thinking of removing the center console and cutting the tunnel out so I can get the assembly out from the top. Then welding it back together. Will be a lot faster and easier without a lift at home to do it in the air.


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