Looking for some suggestions on improving lap times on a 96 2.2 liter 5spd i race on an asphalt track
Thanks

better suspension, better tires? how bout some engine work?
i dont really know. and i dont think a lot of people on his site race a J on a asphalt track.
dirt track for sure



Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!

Where do you race? Do they have their rules online? If so what's their web address?

What have you done to the car already?

We need this info so we can know where to go.

I race at motor mile speedway in Radford va. It is a .431 mile paved high banked oval. By the rule book you can make no changes with after market parts other than safety ie. Roll cage racing seat and belts ect. The problem is about 5 or so cars have done some engine work and the rest of us cant even get close to them. I was looking for some ideas with performance and handling that might not be to noticeable to the officials. I have been trying to get some camber in the front end without going to camber bolts which they look for.
Thanks Bob

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one dealling with this. I race at a track that shall remain nameless in case any of my competitors are on here.

What types of cars run in your class?

Sorry Bob, almost forgot all about your thread here.

Here's a link th the thread I did with Roud Racer. It too has some links to other posts with more info. If you have any question feel free to ask on one of these threads or PM me.

Enjoy and Good luck!

More power...... have your head shaved and the rotating assembly balanced, port match the intake and exhaust manifold/head, You usually cant ADD parts, but you can MODIFY parts....

Handling....... Stagger the wheel sizes/pressures, slot the strut bolt holes........ add a factory sway bar....... add a shim to the top of the outer strut mount..... should help with turn in (some of the same effects as staggered wheels)

IDK, I dont race circle track...... but I'd like to




SPD RCR Z - '02 Z24 420whp
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there are usually limits as to what can be modified. Most track don't allow porting the head or intake. You might get by if you kbow someone who acid etches metal and they can leave the surface stock looking. The best you would probably be able to get by with is a good three angle valve job and maybe a reaming with a Bowl-Hog (a special cutter used to cut a claen taper just above the valve seat).

As for handling, try setting the toe to about 1/8" out. You can also use a stock sway bar, but get new bushings and end links. With the endlinks get one set with the bolt and spacer the next size size shorter or longer and use the shorter set on the left and the longer on the right. This will preload the sway bar with almost the same effect as adding wedge. You can also get a new spring isolator for the right front and left rear strut and springs and remove the isolators(if they aren't already squashed) from the right rear and left front, this too will add a little wedge. Get a few sets of stock springs and see which ones have more free length and use them on the RF and LR and the ones with more sag on the LF and RR, here again another way to work a tad bit of wedge in there. Usually the'll let you use some stock replacement struts, if you can afford them, get a set of the best ones you can. If you can't use camber bolts, then I'm sure you wouldn't be able to slot the strut mounts.

As with any reccomendation, you've got to learn what the techs are looking for before you do something that will get you in trouble.

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this string. Had a bit of bad luck last race the 16 car took a hard shot and did major damage. but I think i will make it back to the track tonight.
Round Racer alot of guys and girls run ford escort gt's the are real strong through the turns (which is where the races are won and lost at our track). Also a lot of dodge shadows which are winning the races right now 1 sunfire and a few older dodges. I am the only cavalier now. 2 have been totaled they were pre 95's.
Thanks for the advice for improvments. If I can keep my car in one piece I will try some of them.
Here is a link to the track web site results are posted on sunday I run in the ucar class.

www.motormilespeedway.com
Thanks again Bob