BGs competitive in Stock-class Auto-x?

[bandman659]

I went to a Middle GA region autocross with a friend in his Mazdaspeed 3 this past weekend (mental note: reapply sunscreen after lunch break) and it got me thinking about possibly autocrossing a Protege, though likely not mine since it's a lolomatic.

I see in the SCCA rulebook that the Protege and 323 are both in H Stock class, which is where Civics, non-S Mini Coopers, and a bunch of other odds and ends are classified. Are BG-chassis cars competitive in stock class auto-x? It looks like you can change the following:

- Shocks: It looks like you could use the ZX2 S/R struts, as modifications to allow use of aftermarket shocks are allowed as long as you don't alter the adjustability range of the suspension.

- Wheels: You have to keep stock diameter, width, and be within 0.25 from stock offset.

- Tires: You can use any size DOT tire, as long as it fits on the stock size rim.

- Front anti-roll bar, cat-back exhaust, brake pads+rotors (as long as you keep stock sizes), and air filter element (no cone filters, just panel)

You can NOT, however, use poly suspension bushings. Only OE rubber suspension bushings. You can use poly bushings on the front sway bar, though.

Or if we aren't stock class competitive, how about STS class? Don't think we'd be challenging the 89 Civic Si Hatchback dominance, but would we be bottom of the barrel?

Wild speculation, blind guesses, and jumping to conclusions are, as always, welcomed.

[MATT91GT]

ask 1967cutlass about sts class. he was sts champ last year in his region. he drives a EGT.

as for being competative in h-stock, it all depends on the other cars in your class at the event. with my stock suspension i came in second to a newer focus, i was only second cus we were the only 2 in h-stock lol

[evileagle]

I would say that a1967cutlass is your auto-x BG pimp-masta.

[1967cutlass]

It really all depends on you. A BG will never win nationals in stock or STS (unless they change the rules) but it might be able to win in your region. A few people placed (but didn't win) at nationals in STS driving under-prepped BG's in 2003-ish.

I'm not sure what experience you have, but I think you should just race SOMETHING whether the car itself is competitive or not, because if your driving isn't up to par, you'll place the same either way.

[bandman659]

Thanks for the response, 1967cutlass. I was asking mainly to gauge where to focus my efforts in terms of car preparation. I don't autocross my BG because I depend on it to get to work every day, so if something breaks, I'm SOL.

I do, however, have my brother's old 94 VW Golf GL to thrash around cones until I can get something of my own. It needs some work to get going, but it's pretty solid. I need to figure out what's up with the transmission (it's a lolomatic as well, but it won't shift out of first...) and probably bypass the security alarm, as it's managed to disable the car every time my dad tried to fix it. Then it's mostly maintenance stuff, which my brother was horrible about. Oh, and he rear-ended someone a couple of years ago, so it's got a wonky hood and no grille. Perfect for a track/cone rat, eh?

[therieldeal]

heck, you only need first gear anyway

[1967cutlass]

Thanks for the response, 1967cutlass. I was asking mainly to gauge where to focus my efforts in terms of car preparation. I don't autocross my BG because I depend on it to get to work every day, so if something breaks, I'm SOL.

I do, however, have my brother's old 94 VW Golf GL to thrash around cones until I can get something of my own. It needs some work to get going, but it's pretty solid. I need to figure out what's up with the transmission (it's a lolomatic as well, but it won't shift out of first...) and probably bypass the security alarm, as it's managed to disable the car every time my dad tried to fix it. Then it's mostly maintenance stuff, which my brother was horrible about. Oh, and he rear-ended someone a couple of years ago, so it's got a wonky hood and no grille. Perfect for a track/cone rat, eh?

Personally I think autocrossing an automatic VW golf with a sketchy transmission is a recipe for disaster, your BG would definitely hold up better.

If you really want to race a FWD car I'd start looking around on craigslist for a protege LX or escort GT that needs a timing belt, or something like that.

[LaFlava]

I came in 4th out of 5 cars my first time autoXing in HStock. my car was probably just as fast if not faster than the other cars present, and I got progressively better with each run so I think if I had been doing it all season like everyone else in the class I would have been more competitive. you def need to ditch the automatic though. you can always ask 1967cutlass about how I did, he was there too.

[MATT91GT]

well jon i actually put it into 2nd so that i get a good range, without keeping it up towards the top of the gear

[Auto-Xer]

http://www.subrew.com/chris/grm_sample/will_david/index.html

Older writeup on Kalman and Arvad's STS BGs

I'm putting together a '10/10ths' STS ZX2 S/R for this year.

[therieldeal]

i meant in that golf... usually first gear in an auto is roughly equivalent to 2nd gear in a manual.

[cojsl]

Bandman, I've just started crossing my 90 LX 5sp in HS. First off- go for it, it's a blast! You will have a great time learning how to drive your car better, improving you skills, and making new friends. The folks in our region are really friendly and helpful.

The best money you can spend to go faster is more seat time- take extra fun runs in addition to the race runs if they are offered. Look for a Novice autox school on the schedule, you'll get lots of run time for cheap. Ours is next weekend, I can't wait!

As far as mods- as several people here advised me (thanks!) the biggest bang for the buck is getting some 205 55 14 r-compound tires- around $150ea for some Kumho V710s at tire rack, Falken Azeni RT615s for ~$70 ea, or do what I did by following more good advice from here- go race on your street tires for your first few events , and keep your eye out for people selling used r compounds. stock wheel size is 14x5.5 40 offset.
Other mods- fresh struts are good (my next mod)- I understand ZX2SR struts are .5" shorter than stock (can someone confirm/deny this?). If this is true, they aren't stock legal. You also have to change the upper bearing , again not stock legal. KYB GR2s are a good option tire rack and amazon have good prices on them. Struts can be dual adjustable, but inexpensive 2 adjusts for the BG are as rare as hens teeth. Springs need to be stock length.
Brake pads- KVR (corksport has them) or Hawk (green?) are good
cat back exhaust (or just replace muffler with a magnaflow) is legal
replace front sway bar bushings (or entire front swaybay) is legal, apparently swapping the swaybar on a BG involves removing the subframe that holds the LCAs, so not an easy project.
SS brake lines are legal for 91 and older cars

Finally- to take a shot at your original question- are BGs competitive in HS? Sure! I guess a Mini is probably a better choice, but for 10x the money, it had better be quicker! "fast" is primarily a function of the driver.