Amature track car project - Advice needed

it's just pointless taking something so big on the track without stupid power - tack driving is about acceleration, handling and power-weight ratio, not straight line speed. Especially for ametuers.
 
I don't see why its no use, its got four wheels, the ability to change direction and enough power to have fun, and most importantly, it drives the right wheels. It would also hold up a hell of a lot better in a crash than most of the cars suggested.
 
We aren't saying it's no use, we are just saying for a track car there are much better options. Getting a Supra as agile as the cars mentioned would be nigh on impossible, and if you want to use a japanese RWD a Sylvia S14/S15 would be a much better starting point (IMHO).

A 1400kg Supra is gonna eat tyres, cook brakes far faster than a lighter car, and as for holding up better in a crash, bear in mind that extra 400kg's gives it a lot more inertia when it does hit something so it will actually hit a lot harder and not scrub off as much speed before it hits.
 
I almost chose one of those when I built my MNR. Sub £9k for kit and all the donor parts if you shop well, but more with an M3 setup.
 
I love the transformation Nick has done with his 318iS. Seems like a really good project track car - it's changed every so slightly every so often over time and the end result is absolutely excellent whilst still being reasonably cost effective.

It doesn't look like the £800 banger it was when he bought it.
 
Concrete said:
I don't see why its no use, its got four wheels, the ability to change direction and enough power to have fun, and most importantly, it drives the right wheels. It would also hold up a hell of a lot better in a crash than most of the cars suggested.
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You ever driven on track? A supra will not be fun or quick
 
I've not done a track day in my own car, but I have done countless sessions in proper go karts.

A statement like that doesnt make any sense to me, why won't it be fun or quick, when they are on the road? Is there some magical line that you cross whereby all fun is automatically removed unless you drive a small town shopping car?
 
If you've had a numerous sessions, why don't you understand the appeal of a car that weighs as much as a fag paper over a cumbersome Japanese GT car?
 
Oh I'm not saying it would make the greatest track car in the known universe, I just offered it up as a cheap, reasonably fast, safe, bomb proof, fun handling option.

To say that there is no enjoyment to be had what so ever from driving one, just comes accross as . . well a bit daft.
 
What do you call "proper go karts"? 140mph ones like mine?

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Or a lesser model?
 
Concrete said:
I don't see why its no use, its got four wheels, the ability to change direction and enough power to have fun, and most importantly, it drives the right wheels. It would also hold up a hell of a lot better in a crash than most of the cars suggested.
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Please......Drop the driving the right wheels thing. This does not make the supra any better on track. You are still going to get passed by small FWD hatches which are driving the wrong set.

I think there are very few people on here could could get the most out of a proper sorted FWD track car and say......."need RWD this FWD is holding me back". Also i dont think there are many people on here who could build a track car and set it up and have the FWD hold them back.

As for the safety aspect. If i had a dedicated track car then one of the top on my list of mods would be a cage. without a shadow of a doubt.

Now thats not to say a supra wont be fun though. but in terms of fast cornering and good under the brakes, without some big cash it wont do either of these well.....and IMO these are the things in track days that are by far the most fun!
 
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Dr Who said:
What do you call "proper go karts"? 140mph ones like mine?

Or a lesser model?
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RX7 Sports.

TheDrome - Which wheels are driven is down to personal preference. You are absolutely right that the performance difference will be minimal up until a certain power threshold and it will be easier to get the most out of a FWD, however I personally enjoy driving RWD cars a lot more and so it would be a requisite for me in a track car!
 
ok thats fair enough then.......I thought it was the old FWD is crap you need the "Right wheels"

its something i hate so so much
 
It's not going to be much fun on track when everything is passing.. and you keep seeing blue flags every few corners. I agree with the RWD bit as that's what id have also. But FWD works just as well in this situation. It's personal preference, The only thing most people agree on is a track car needs to be super light or it feels like a greasy pig.
 
I have a question about power and weight, ok not really a question but more of a "is what I'm thinking correct?"

Now, a low weight is needed to increase the cornering abilities as well as acceleration and braking yeah? And having more power gives the car more acceleration and a better top speed (although I know top speed doesn't really matter on most circuits), but it also helps with acceleration in the higher gears as well.

So would having a heavier but more powerful car be a match for a lighter but not as powerful car (if both cars had the same power to weight ratio and were both set up equally)? As the lighter one would be faster through the corners yet the more powerful one would be faster on the straights? Would it come down to the drivers or are public tracks always more about the corners than anything else?
 
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