1g DSM AWD - Chump Car?

[simulatedwood]

I think a DSM would be a worthy competitor but, it would need to be n/a to get the fuel mileage needed to go the full 2 hours stints required to win. In this series pit strategy is everything, and so is reliability. It can be done, but it would be better done with a stroked N/A build.

Shake and Bake!

[simulatedwood]

As far as other car that would be good, there really is 3 cars that dominate right now:

E36 Bmw
Ford SHO
Miata

The MR2 is has been on the podium, but yet the get the victory, we were so close at Road America

Shake and Bake!

[Shane@DBPerformance]

A DSM could be done, but you can't treat it like a drag or street car. Road racing is a whole different world as far as tuning and reliability go. The $500 limit is a bit of a problem when it coems to making a reliable turbo car and then there is fuel usage, you have to run a turbo car a lot richer than an NA car making the same power and then you have to run a turbo road race car even richer than a street car, so pitstops and just the cost of fuel becomes a problem. Race gas would help immensely, but 100-250 gallons of gas used racing in a weekend adds up.

I find it a little funny that a transmission shop is what it takes to Chumpcar race a DSM. :) It's a shit load of fun though, you should be able to get away with some things, since I have no idea how half of the cars out there could be considered to have an average internet value (AIV) of $500 or less. Some of them would obviously go for $1500-$5000 in the real world, but it's hard to be mad at anyone since just about everyone is nice out there and nobody is blowing anyones doors off(except maybe if the Contour from the last race didn't keep crashing and blowing shit up, it was quite fast when a decent driver was in it). The SC400 was fast in the straights too.

You will need some $$$ and lots of time though to get a car running. Even though it's a "$500" car, you will probably have to spend a lot in getting things back to good shape, adding safety equipment, gear, entry fees, etc. The other guys on our team spend a shit load of time working on the car and getting things setup, we might also be one of the most organized teams when it comes to having tools, spare part bins, etc at the track. I just pretty much get in the car and drive and try to stay on the track.

[turbotalon1g]

I might know of a car for this, but its stripped to bare metal I believe.

[Tachyon]

What about using a CSM (colt, mirage, summit) platform with an N/A 2.4 swapped in? Use low weight and reliability as its weapon?

[Speedfreak]

What about using a CSM (colt, mirage, summit) platform with an N/A 2.4 swapped in? Use low weight and reliability as its weapon?

Yeah, I considered this, and still would. If anyone happens to come across one for sale, let me know.

[Halon]

RRE uswd to kick some road coarse arse in fwd dsm's back in the day. So it can be done. But those weren't $500 cars either...

[s1ngletracker]

I think the key to a successful DSM is to keep the boost at stock levels, do the free/cheap mods to liven it up a bit, and work MOSTLY on getting maintenance up to date and making it reliable. Belts, hoses, eliminate balance shafts, gaskets, bearings, rings, etc. Tired old DSM suspension makes for a pig-like handling experience, so try to remediate that.

I dont know how much you really need to upgrade the intercooler on stock boost.. I don't really even know how our car will handle the blazing heat of the summer. So far so good, but it was like 50 degrees or colder.

I think it could be a great platform though, I don't see why not.

And Shane - that is IT! we are putting you to work :P But I think Shane has a pretty good idea of what it would take. You definitely cannot treat this like a street car. I have been anal and super overly-conservative when I set up our turbo kit. If you think there is even the slightest chance that a component will fail, address it until you no longer feel that way.

[1QUICK4]

we should have a Mitsustyle Chump car :D

I've thought about donating my GVR4 shell to the site for a Mitsustyle Chump Car

[Speedfreak]

Dsm sidemount will heatsoak for sure, regardless of boost level.

A 2.5l AWD subie may be a good option as well.

The search continues.