Quote:
Originally posted by Tom W
I think the 993 suspension is better and would start with a 993 C4 if you plan to pursue this. However, given the project description above, it will not really matter as clearly money is not a constraint. If you simply want to get to 2900 lbs a lightweight battery will not be necessary.
What class do you expect to run in with that configuration? Do you really expect the supercharged engine to withstand track use? Why are you limiting yourself to 10.5 and 11.5 wheels? If you are paying to redo the bodywork, go to an RSR body and run 11" and 13" wheels. Will you run slicks?
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The class is the SCCA's Solo2 (autocross) class, Street Modified 2. In this class, we have essentially unlimited drivetrain allowance (as long as the engine uses a block from the maker of the chassis, it's OK), and suspension is unlimited, as long as you re-use the factory pickup points. This means it's okay to use adjustable rod-ended links, but you can't convert struts to SLA or something like that. We can change front fenders and flare the rear. We can change seats and steering wheels but interior has to stay stock otherwise.
In autocross, the runs are only about 40-60 seconds at a time with lots of time to cool between runs, so heat management isn't as much as an issue as at the track.
Also in autocross, many of the maneuvers are through very tight elements, like 30mph corners and tightly-spaced slaloms. Here, there is a definite tradeoff between the additional lateral grip available from wider wheels and tires vs. a narrower car that has to move less to negotiate these elements. By my estimation 285s and 315s should be "adequate", though I suppose in the future I may decide to go to a 12.5-13" rear wheel and a 335 or 345 section tire. The tires I'll be running are DOT-R's, like the Kumho V710 or Hoosier A6, but there is another class with similar allowances that also permits the use of full-slicks, which I may also try, though that is not the target.
The venue for the Solo2 national championships changed this year, from a very grippy concrete surface to a relatively slippery asphalt one. Since most of our courses are run between 25-65mph (second gear), this led to the AWD cars putting a hurt on the RWD cars, since the former were much better able to apply power to the slippery surface. The one benefit is that this surface is very very smooth, so in my mind, having an "ideal" suspension geometry isn't as important as it was before, since between the smoothness and lack of grip, it will be moving less in general.
I also have some questions about how to make the drivetrain durable in a drag-style launch (not what it was built for, I know, but it's what we do in ProSolo), but that can wait for another day.
Thanks for the replies, and for the pics Bill!