New plan of action?

[LanceS13]

I've been thinking...I know, sounds dangerous. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Right now, I can afford to turbo my car...but I'd have to take some shortcuts here and there. &nbsp;And being the perfectionist I tend to be, I don't really like that idea.

(related tangent) &nbsp;I'm thinking STS (my current class) will be extremely competitive next year. &nbsp;Nationals in Topeka last week had over 50 entries in this class alone.(/related tangent)

I'm thinking I should stick with STS for another year instead of going on to Street Mod. &nbsp;I can use some of the engine/turbo stash to put a more competitive suspension on the car (Tein HA's maybe). &nbsp;Something with height adjustments for corner-weighting, ride adjustment for fine-tuning, short-stroked to take a fairly generous lowering of CG w/o reducing suspension travel to nil, and for God's sake some stiffer springs. &nbsp;Also have all bushings replaced with poly-u bushings. &nbsp;And maybe some adj. t/c rods to fix my caster (at least I think that'll fix it). &nbsp;I could also do battery relocation, cone filter element, short shifter, and maybe lighter accessory pullies...basically maxing out STS mods except for a header. &nbsp;The remainder of the money will be used to build a no-shortcuts, bullet-proof engine...matter of fact, I just bought a spare '91 KA this weekend. &nbsp;While I run another year in STS (probably even run some on the Nat'l Tour!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>, I could build that engine and save up more money for the actual turbo system components...and no junkyard intercoolers or other such shortcuts. &nbsp;I may even be able to stock-pile other SMod parts like an LSD and Z brakes. &nbsp;And finally make the SMod debute in the first possible event after the '03 Nationals in Topeka next Sept. &nbsp;
But that sounds so far away. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp; Deep down, I know this would be the best route to take...but I want boost! &nbsp;
So I guess I'm just looking for support, opinions, criticisms, snide comments for posting crap like this, etc. &nbsp;What would you do?

[SaintlyCharBoy]

well, your more conservative plan sounds well thought out

what can i say, i'm jealous... sticking to NA small stuff till school is done

the decision to wait seems like a good one, as a forced induction system is not a place to take short cuts - it seems that it will only haunt you later

good call on buying the 91, it's where i want to start... someday....

[KiDyNomiTe]

Wait. I am waiting, well I don't know if you read my topic a while back, but I will be getting a car in march april, and I would have enough money for an SR swap by June, but instead I am going to do suspension and LSD, and other stuff for AutoX and keep the car stock, then after one year of AutoX I will either get a new engine and Turbo it or get an SR, but good things come to those who wait. It just seems liek a smarter Idea to wait if you are seriously considering Auto-X which you are. Plus you will be happier knowing that you did it right the first time.

[HippoSleek]

Hmm sounds like you have given this a fair bit of thought. &nbsp;I'm always a big fan of waiting... of course... thanks to waiting, by 240 has be relegated to "no further development" status.

That's to say that you can't be too sure of where you will be. &nbsp;In light of all the extra costs people are experiencing when boosting, I think waiting until you have the full resources is an excellent idea. &nbsp;Going in too fast - w/o a dedicated second car always seems to be a problem. &nbsp;In light of budget constraints, I think you may have found the best way for your situation.

Mark, who will be taking a bigger hit off the Go Fast Crack Pipe next year.

[Drifting Ricer]

Yay, I get to give lance s13 some advice! STS is getting better and better. The STS guys in my regional beat out the r-compound guys and pax in the top 5 almost every event. What saying is stay with STS. I don't about you're region but SM in mines is really non-competitive. To me it feels allot better being in a competitive class then class were you're usually the only one competing.

This the some questing I had when I bought my car. I decided to wait on the SR until I get to know the car/ made sure I'm a 100% ready to do the swap.

Ps. take a look at this
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/nationals/2002/results/sts.html

Take a look at the 3rd and 6th spot. This guys are from my region. Now if I can beat this guys in regular STS events here, I can be competitive in the nationals YAY!

[LanceS13]

Thanks guys! &nbsp;This plan is starting to grow on me. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

In two weeks at the TN leg of the MS-AR-TN Tri-State Championship, I should get a chance to drive against Doug Gill, who placed 37th out of 50 at Nat'ls. &nbsp;I was surprised he didn't do better. &nbsp;Goes to show just how competitive the class is. &nbsp;
And D. Ricer, don't count on the PAX being the same next year. &nbsp;I would expect it to get bumped up from .784 to .790 or even .800 next season. &nbsp;I'm leading the PAX Championship in open tire right now b/c of the low pax and only a few other novice competitiors in STS. &nbsp;It won't be so easy next season...I guarantee it.

[LanceS13]

The Tein HA's are looking pretty good...lots of adjustability and fairly cheap as far as coilovers go. &nbsp;Anything about these coilovers I should be aware of before I commit $1k to their purchase?

[Drifting Ricer]

The zeal Basic are kind of around that price range plus they have come with upper mounts. The HA don't come with them. Plus hear of other faults that they have. If you want upper mounts it will be around the some price range has the Basics (1,400). But at that point there is a whole bunch of coil-overs you can buy.

I hope that helped you.

[LanceS13]

But the Basics aren't ride adjustable are they? &nbsp;I think if I go with Zeal, I'll at least go with the B-6's, which are almost twice the price of the HA's.

[HippoSleek]

I thought STS was faster that SM at Nationals?

BTW: the following are in my region:
T 4 &nbsp; 71Richard P. West &nbsp;
T 7 &nbsp; 68Eric Kriemelmeyer
T 9 &nbsp;168Eric Carman &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
T12 &nbsp; 47Courtney Cormier &nbsp;
STS in my neighborhood is brutal!

[LanceS13]

Nah. &nbsp;1st in SM was like 6s faster than 1st in STS (total average time). &nbsp;They can use slicks and the engine is practically unlimited...they better be faster. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[SR240DET]

hey LanceS13 dont you live in the pensacola area in florida? if do.. let me know.... i live in the destin/fort walton beach area.. which is 1 and a half to 2 hours..... and i have a nissan hook up over here.... he will get you decent price on most stuff you need... and he will help you install the stuff.... but thats if you live where i thought you lived.... just let me know man.. PM me..

[LanceS13]

Well, I co-op/intern down there every other semester. &nbsp;I live in MS. &nbsp;I'll be down there again in the spring though; maybe I'll call you up then. &nbsp;thanks.