Rally cars (was quattro wagon)

[Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>]

>Last quattro coupe that I saw properly prepared cost $45,000.00 US and that
was with stock >trans and stock diffs.

WOH!!!  I am assuming that you are talking about a later model S2 type
coupe prepared with ALL Audi Sport and Schmidt Motor Sport pieces.  I
have no doubt this will blow the price tag up to a hefty price, but
c'mon, to build a properly prepared rally car you do_not have to buy all
of that expensive crap (i.e. $1600 for a Schmidt S2 carbon fibre hood,
when I can buy a new steel hood from Audi for $315).  This is simply
ridiculous, especially for rallying.  BTW how does $8,000 USD sound for
a Schmidt custom built 5-speed.  I really can't justify spending that
kind of money on that stuff.  You can easily build an extremely
competitive car, and not have much money invested, especially if you are
competent enough to do the work yourself.

I am figuring that for my '90 CQ, that I am basically turning into an
S2, I will have a total of about $10K USD invested.  This includes
lightweight Recaro Rally seats, TRW sabelt belts, Terra Trip 404 Rally
computer, full carbon fiber dash and door panels, large diameter
lightweight rotors, four piston calipers all the way around, two 20V
Turbo motors w/K27 Turbos, HKS electronic wastegate, etc., etc., etc.
My father, who has built several very successful Porsche race cars in
the past, is helping me build the car.  I can assure you that I REFUSE
to pay outrageous prices for parts, especially since many pieces will be
replaced regularly.  For example the differentials, which are EXACTLY
the same as any other model Audi (except for the rear diff which is
Torsen in V8's), which are readily available, and can be had for cheap.
There is no reason to go out and pay $2,000 for a custom rear
differential.  It simply defies all logic.  Anyway, I am figuring that
when I am done, I will have a car that is extremely strong and
dependable, plus very competitive in the Open Class in SCCA Pro Rally.
In rallying, most of it is the skill of the driver anyway, granted the
car helps, but to compete in this game, you have to be (or have) a very
good driver to begin with.

Anyway, this is just my .02.

Best Regards,

Mark Nelson

1990 Audi "S2" Quattro (Building For SCCA Pro Rally)

>Interesting to know about your rally car setup. What fule 
>system,suspention and breaks you use. I have 86 5kcsq and 83 tqc but 
>elected to use neither for my rally project do to lack of rally parts for 
>these cars. Last quattro coupe that I saw properly prepared cost 
>$45,000.00 US and that was with stock trans and stock diffs. It actually 
>might cost even more by the time it runs. Rewiring alone cost $7,000.00 
>without Lehman ECU. I gave up and built Toyota Celica instead and saved 
>my coupe for future generations. Celica will run this year in eastern 
>events. I managed to get many modern rally patrs for it, like coilover 
>suspention w/ external nitrogen tanks and kevlar underbody protection 
>bumper to bumper. Just hired someone to completly rewire the car and 
>install user friendly fule and ignition system. Will see how it runs. 
>Would like to hear from you. Good luck in 1997.
>           
>Mike Zamikhovsky