Could my firebird handle it?

[pro_am]

I have a 1991 firebird. The whole autocross thing looks like so much fun. What my car will have done when i'm looking to get into this is, aftermarket tubular contrl arms front and back. An engine with about 350-400hp, a turbo 400 auto trans, manual valve body, and as much suspension fun as i can find for it. My question is, what class do you suppose i'll end up in, and what will the competition be like, and willl i just get slaughtered. I"m not building the car like this just for the auto x, i just want a car like that, good power that handles great. BTW I'm not an import hater, that's not why i have a firebird, it's just what i have right now.so any advice, etc would be so grealty appreciated, thanks a lot!
Jake

[LVApex]

Absolutly, However if you are actually trying to tune the car to be compeditive in a class, you have to tune for that class and you typically have to have waht would be considered "the" car to have for that class. But I digress.

Any way, as a fairly veteran autocrosser, I'd highly reccomend attending a hand full of autocrosses with the car as it sits now. Seriously. Modifing the car for more power, or even trying to tune the cars suspension will only make you slower on track. Sounds silly but its true. Its better to build your skills with the car now, and tune the car up as you get better as a driver. After your 1st event you'll understand.


Other wise, Looks like you'd fit in to Street modified if you have the car set up like you said.

Have Fun!

[pro_am]

That was what I had in mind, but my engine has already been bored, balanced, decks shaved etc. Granted there is no way they could tell.... and the firebird i have only puts out 170hp stock, and it weighs more than 3300lbs. Would you still advise that i run it given those things? I really appreciate your time and patience with me, thanks!
Jake

[LVApex]

Originally Posted by pro_am

That was what I had in mind, but my engine has already been bored, balanced, decks shaved etc. Granted there is no way they could tell.... and the firebird i have only puts out 170hp stock, and it weighs more than 3300lbs. Would you still advise that i run it given those things? I really appreciate your time and patience with me, thanks!
Jake

Run it, have some fun. You may not be totally compeditive in your class, but then Nither am I. (I run a 2550 LB 125 HP civic in a class ruled by a 2000LB 115 HP civic... damn weight) and the sport is all about fun any ways right? If you really get compeditive, then you should start looking for a dedicated car for what ever class you want to run.

As far as your mods now, More HP will just make you need to learn to have that much more throttle control. It can be done, but it may slow your learning curve down a little. but you'll have plenty of fun any ways.

BTW< we have people in this region that run everything from Stock Hundi Tiberons and Grand nationals... to Trailered Purpous built autocross cars. (like a Tube framed Fiero look-alike with 400 HP.)

[pro_am]

Thanks for taking the time to help me out with this, I appreciate. I can't wait to run a few times, and tell ya how i did, lol, or didn't. Thanks again.
Jake

[LVApex]

Originally Posted by pro_am

Thanks for taking the time to help me out with this, I appreciate. I can't wait to run a few times, and tell ya how i did, lol, or didn't. Thanks again.
Jake

No prob, Go have some fun with your car.

I remember my first event, nervous as hell. On my first run I had an instructor in the car.... Started off ok, accelerating through 1st.... then I chirped going in to second. The instructor calmly said... "Don't do that, thats just being mean to your transmission" . but any way Four years later I feel like an old man out there, trying to help all the "noobs"

[pro_am]

LOL I'll be realying on the good nature of people like you to help me. I'll remember to treat the trans good, lol. That must have been a good ice breaker for your nerves though!
Jake

[LVApex]

The autocross and Club Racing crowd is Very different then your "average" Drag Racing Crowd... an example of this would be when my car broke at an event... I had no fewer then 6 offers to co-drive other compediters cars just to finish out the event... from a Bone stock Honda Accord to Full Track preped Jensen Healy...

this little beast