Xcross or not Xcross-that's the qstion

econopa · 11-07-2002, 02:12 PM

Just wondering- have a '73-2.0 w/webers.It's a healthy specimen & enjoy summer trips, etc. Watkins Glen folks and others have asked if I xcross this car. My question to you folks is: 1) How debilitating is Xcross to a road car?, 2) What expense is necessary?
Just wondering. // Econo

11-07-2002, 02:59 PM

I don't x-cross but I run with the POC on a small road course and there are some similarities. If you're content to just run your best time and have fun the expense is minimal. A good helmet, four point seatbelts and a little added maintenance. Once you decide to start shaving off seconds or be faster than your buddy the expense is endless. After a while you hit the point I'm at where the next modifications take you over the line between track car and street car. The good part is that you make the decision on how far you want to go and it's all good fun. Especially is you win! Good Luck.

Andyrew · Andyrew's Garage

AutoX is basically (for a stock car) drive their, work run rest, eat, work run rest, and go home with a smile and with alot more knowlege in your head. I would say go to a PCA auto x with a friend who auto x's and watch the first group, have lunch and run the second. Also get an instructer. I personally have never auto xed, (just turned 16) but been to many in my dads 944 t. Lots of these other guys will tell you all the other stuff you need to know, im just a kid

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mike mueller · 11-07-2002, 03:22 PM

It all depends on how hard you drive your car normally.

Do you beat the crap out of you 914 on a daily basis?

If not, then AX'ing is not going to do anything negative at all.
I'd consider AX-ing "aggressive" street driving, meaning that it would be like taking a corner or two a little faster than normal.

The only real wear items should be the tires and brake pads, but that is only if you are really trying to push the limit all time.

It's amazing how much fun it still is, just "driving" the course and not trying to race it. I've AX'd my 911 once and I am hooked. I have no plans on getting it out on a real road course since I'm too chicken and the car is too nice. (my opinion, LOL)
I've got use of a buddies 914 to track to take care of that problem...hey B........

Pretty much anything can be fun on the AX course, I've taken out a Buick Park Avenue and had an absolute blast.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

1. An autox will not hurt your car. Your car will love you for doing it.

2. And as far as how much it can cost. It can range from paying the entry fee and borrowing a helmet to the thousands of dollars that I have spend on it since I started 12 years ago. Have a look at my car and you can see what I mean. On the auto racing scale it is the very first step to F1. Stop asking about it an do. It's fun.

Jeroen · 11-07-2002, 04:26 PM

Go ahead, and try it, if only for once

It won't hurt your car. Worse case scenario, you'll hurt your ego

Like the others said, you won't need anything but a helmet (but do make sure your car is in good shape, like brakes etc.)

But beware, you'll be hooked before you know it

Have fun!

Jeroen

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

Go for it! Learning about how your car handles is what autox is about besides fun.
Geoff

Conrad W Peden · Conrad W Peden's Garage

Positive: If your not there for points and glory.... ITS A HOOT!!

Negative: You'll have a hoot, get hooked and it will end up being for point s and glory.

By the way....

Not to be a downer or nothin, but in PCA, a carbed 914 is improved.

If the region you run in uses PCA ax rules you may find yourself out classed.

Some regions dont use these rules and i cant comment on their application of car mods to classes. Where I run there are only 10-20 autocrossers we have 4,6,and 8 cyl. modified classes in addition to stock classes. The modified are anything but stock(slicks, stiffening/rollcage, major motor mods. (carbs,cams etc.).)

I would still do it if my carbed 914 didnt have terminal rust. Its a member of the other POC club. (thats ''piece of cr..'').

Got myself a 73 2.0 to restore and intend to FI it then AX it.

John Rogers · 11-07-2002, 08:11 PM

Conrad's post is pretty much right on. There is a good chance you'll get hooked and want more and more. We have lots of new Boxster and 911 owners in San Diego who get the driving school or do an auto-x and are hooked and we now have over 120 people at our auto-x sessions! A couple of things you'll find are what is not real tight will come loose and what sort of stuff is in the tunnel as it will all end up under the pedals! Have fun and enjoy what the 914 was made for!

econopa · 11-09-2002, 11:11 AM

Thanks to those of you that offered your opinions/ suggestions.
I plan on checking it out next Spring// Econo

skcscm · 11-10-2002, 06:44 AM

It might scuff up your tires a bit, but if you don't flog it there should be no damage..go have fun that what 914's are for..you might want make sure your oil is topped off. I use a 1/4 qt more than full when I solo 2

Chuck

Will98D · 11-11-2002, 06:21 AM

A friend here at work AXs a lot and I've gone to two of them to watch. I want to take my 914 out next summer to one of them. It is a 1974 914/1.8 with no sway bars or other options, and right now it rides on (almost new) 165R-15 Michelin XZXs. I have spare steel wheels that I've considered mounting a set of 195/60-15 Yokohama AVS Intermediates on (if they aren't all sold out yet!), and I think that will make a considerable difference. The car is in decent shape, has OK stock shocks, and after I change the front lower ball joints will have a tight front end.

I'll preface by saying that I fully understand the number one improvement in this kind of activity is to the driver. Next, I'm wondering how competitive a stock 914 is? Most of what I think I'd run against here are Miatas, so I'd probably get spanked. My friend runs his '88 Fiero Formula in the next class down (where I think the smaller engine 914s should get a break like the smaller engine Miatas do) and does pretty well. Are the non-stock sway bars as good as the original one that runs through the chassis?