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Off Topic - Ideas for cheap track car?

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Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#876942
I started turning my black bug into a dedicated track car but sad thing is, as much as it would be awesome to make a track bug and mop the floor with all the boy racers in style, the cost of getting the brakes and suspension upto track standard and then an engine and trans that are track worthy you can spend half that $$ on some jap/euro shitter with more power/brakes/suspension stock with huge scope for improvement.

JVLRacing Custom Title Time!

1,100 posts · joined Mar 2007 ·

#876944
overall...its still goin to cost u money $$$$🤓

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#876959
just get your olds car and get to the track . 😊

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#877054
I think you need to decide on if there is a series or type of racing you want to do. See what entry level series there are at wakefield.

MX5's are good, and there are some good series running with them.
Excels are easy and cheap - the run the track series in qld and rally series along the east coast. You will be able to get a rally spec car, with coil overs, seats, cage and spares for 6 to 10k. get the struts rebuilt for 1k and away you go. Upgrade as you go with brakes and engine stuff. I think a llot of lantra stuff bolts straight on (ie larger brakes) but is not used in the rally series due to restrictions.
Old jap cars are an option....
Always though about a early BMW myself......
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 ·

#877083
so many ways to go about it....the thing about racing is you will always want more...if you are a diehard volksy lover just buy one and start with that.....greg mackie uses std steel rims with second hand formula vee tyres=cheap..shocks off eshocks.com are cheap, under $300 for adjustble konis etc....i made adjustable sway bars for around $150 each...find some type 3 torsion bars=cheap....put adjusters in your beam yourself $50....find a used bucket seat and harness....with low power stock brakes will be fine...so here is a cheap start for way under 7g's.....but then again some of those other cars are a good deal too......

im just trying to say whatever you do you will want more power,better handling etc.....so start off with something you could see yourself building up on.....

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 ·

#877084
Joel wrote:I started turning my black bug into a dedicated track car but sad thing is, as much as it would be awesome to make a track bug and mop the floor with all the boy racers in style, the cost of getting the brakes and suspension upto track standard and then an engine and trans that are track worthy you can spend half that $$ on some jap/euro shitter with more power/brakes/suspension stock with huge scope for improvement.
he he this is also so very true.....sad but true,damn it....

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#877100
cnfabo wrote:so many ways to go about it....the thing about racing is you will always want more...if you are a diehard volksy lover just buy one and start with that.....greg mackie uses std steel rims with second hand formula vee tyres=cheap..shocks off eshocks.com are cheap, under $300 for adjustble konis etc....i made adjustable sway bars for around $150 each...find some type 3 torsion bars=cheap....put adjusters in your beam yourself $50....find a used bucket seat and harness....with low power stock brakes will be fine...so here is a cheap start for way under 7g's.....

whatever you do you will want more power,better handling etc.....so start off with something you could see yourself building up on.....
This last statement should be set in concrete. Race want you love, you'll enjoy beating them even more.

To many people think they need the 'magazine list', the current trendy brand names and go fast parts that without them they just aren't in the race......(where's that sarcasm key). Low buck can be done, and I bet the fun factor is inversly proportional to $$ spent.

Yesterday arftenoon, after reading this thread, I went to the shops in my lowered 1915 IDA powered beetle (even with 135's on the front), if you can't have a blast racing something similar I'll eat my hat, there is enough power and handling in a light weight beetle to scare the pants off you....and power is only part of the equasion.....not the be all/end all. Corner speed and handling in a beetle is awesome and what racing is all about and I'm sure you'll find a Volksie can be very competitive.....esp when your racing the clock...(and yourself), who wants to be a front runner anyway? 🙂

2c
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

OzMidnight Learner Dubber

4 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#877668
I hillclimbed and sprinted a Mk1 Suzuki GTi with a budget similar to that 7k you mentioned. Massive amounts of knowledge on a particular site (not sure if I am allowed to link to it here). 300fwhp+ has been seen from turbo versions, if you want more in the future. I've been lurking here a while and learning all about these aircooled wonders - always liked them - but I'm curious...can a Beetle be prepared and raced for a 7k amount? The Excel series is great, and as someone has already mentioned 61-65 seconds around Lakeside is a very decent time! The Excel cars are also limited with engine modifications - if that condition was removed...

77dual Seriously Crusin Dubber

131 posts · joined Feb 2008 ·

#878151
An early naturally aspirated RX7 is hard to beat, a series 2 or 3 would be a good start. You can pick up a decent one well within your budget and despite what many uneducated people will tell you, they're reliable and quick. A stock or extend ported 13B with a modified 4 barrel or 48IDA Weber will have more than enough power and be heaps of fun.
The only real downside is that if you can't tune it yourself, you need to find a workshop that knows rotaries to do it for you, most mechanics know very little about them.

Good luck, it's a lot of fun 😉