Setting up Fox for auto X?

[flatlander757]

Ok, I recently got caught racing and I've realized I need to keep that stuff off the street because it could screw with my career as an automotive technician. I am considering selling my Camaro and buying something to build as an auto X only car, but still street drivable on the weekends. I will use something else as a daily driver. I just have a general dislike for foreign cars, especially all things FWD. I'd rather go slower in turns driving a sweet looking 5.0 Mustang than a civic or mini cooper. I'm planning on getting an 89-92 GT and then making it a long term project. I don't really care what class I'll be racing in, as long as it's not against anything too nuts. I really just want to go for fun, not points or anything.

Should I look for an automatic or manual?

Hatchback or notchback?

Are taller or shorter rear gears preferred?

Tires/wheels?

Ultimately, I'd like it to be a great handling, fun to drive car that is nimble on a roadcourse and quick in a straight line for any possible drag strip runs in the future(mid 13s). I don't need any help modifying the engine, it's the chassis and brakes I need help knowing what to get. I plan on doing stuff in order like this:

-full disc brakes(probably baer or other high end manufacterer), with everything from master cylinder to pads/rotors replaced with new
-shocks/struts/springs
-set of road race wheels/tires(bogart RR series... what are good tires?)
-torque arms/a arms/panhard rod/sway bars
-something else?

Thanks for the help!

[neatofrito1618]

if u dont wanna do anything to crazy id say do bracket racing. and u definatly need taller gears and if ur goal is mid 13's then u should go with a manual. and some DR's for tires

[SkylineUSA]

Use a Notch, chassis is a lot stronger.

Go to maximum motorsports or griggs, they can set you up with what ever you need.

Go coil overs, caster and camber plates as well.

3.55 are a great gear for road racing, and of course use a manual. Any of the Tremecs, or even a world class T5 can fit the bill.

Do you want to go carb or efi?

Either way, you want to make the car light! Get a good health cam, and a set of heads with intake and long tube headers.

[SkylineUSA]

Don't buy any crossed drilled rotors!

[flatlander757]

I've been peeking around, and Maximum Motorsports seems to be a great deal for the money. Griggs is a bit out of my range for what I want it to do. The URL=http://www.maximummotorsports.com/giab2.asp#comp]Maximum Grip Box[/url] looks nice, but I think I would be better off with the Road and Track Box.

But realistically there are other things that need addressed first. I found this website: http://home.pon.net/hunnicutt/50must.htm and think it hits some key points and is very informative. After reviewing it, I think I've changed my action plan to something like this:

-Tune up w/ new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and clean/replace fuel injectors. Also change engine/tranny/differential oil at this time
-K&N air filter
-Delete the A/C
-MM chassis brace package
-MM coil-over conversion
-3.55 or 3.73 gears, not sure(I'll have to take a ride in someone's car locally and see how they each feel)
-Here's where it will be most expensive: 5-lug and full disc brake conversion. I can't find them anywhere, but if there is a 4 lug rear disc conversion, that would be sufficient. I know you can get cobra "R" wheels in a 4 lug pattern, and they look so darn good I wouldn't mind being limited to those as a choice.
-THEN headers through an H pipe dumped under the car(who needs the extra weight of tailpipes anyways? )

I don't care how long this project takes, as long as its about done by June 07.

[SVTcobra306]

Yeah, call Maximum Motorsports or Griggs like mentioned above, that's really your best bet. They've got the experience in this stuff...