Re: Rally conversion

[spokes@mail.the-wire.com]

>
>	I don't think you can get to Point B from Point A. You'll really
>want to
>upgrade brakes and suspension first, and they're going to take a major portion
>of your budget. Then there's not enough cash left to buy a car that's really
>fit to upgrade anyway.
>	To go fast, you've got to be able to stop faster, that's why you
>NEED the
>brakes upgraded. The flatter the car is in corners, the simpler it is to drive
>through them -- which is why you NEED the suspension upgraded (springs and
>strut cartridges.)

Good points. Well taken. I think I should've put the time line for this
project into perspective. Factor on $5k canadian per year:

Year 1:

Buy the dang car! Leave it stock, maintanence only. Enter local mini rallys
and TSD's. Thus, stock brakes and suspension should be sufficient.  Not
ideal, but sufficient.  (side note: I've found the _stock_ suspension on
the 89 90q to be sufficient for some _FAR_ too fast runs on closed
country/fire roads...which is the most brutal thing I suspect they'll make
us drive locally) (Mind you...we are missing that heat shield from one trip
I made!)

Year 2:

Safety/duribility upgrades to make it beginner class legal (note: haven't
been able to read all the rules yet) So far I know I need a Roll bar.
Putting in a full cage -> $600CDN. This is the year I do the recommended
brakes/suspension upgrades. Begin the interior work (seats, belts, gauges,
etc.)

Year 3:

Move up to higher class races? Finish interior, begin performace (ie:
engine/exhaust) improvements.


Note, my budget of $4000-5000 for the car was to find a road-worthy car, of
a daily-driver nature. I will have money on top of that budget for
maintanence items.


Does that seem a little bit more realistic?


>	The stock 4KQ with the 4.11 gears is supposed to do 0-60 in under ten
>seconds. It's probably the most cost effective car for what you're planning.
>But to get one that can be used you're going to need to buy a car from the
>southern/western areas of the U.S. (no rust, so the bodies should be much
>better.)

More and more I think I have to start reading up on the 4kq. I'm going to
try to buy a Canadian car, just to save the cross-border issues. I
regularly head out west to Vancouver (once or more a year) so I can 'save'
the travel costs and not do that trip, and just fly out somewhere to buy a
car! I've found more then a few _good_ cars in my price range...too bad all
my $$$ went to school and I have to wait for the fall!



>	Anyway, admirable goal, but I don't think you can do it right with
>the budget
>you've proposed.

ml, you're probably right...I can't do it 'right' with the budget I
propose...but heck! I'm young, if I don't try now I may never get the
chance!

-Dave Hord


>
>	Later.
>	--ml