Hi there, I am a new member. I am looking to buy a cavalier for a cheap start into autocrossing. I'm thinking about a Z24, but I don't know much about the 2.4 engine. I believe it is heavier. Also, I would like something that I can mod easily. Would the 2.2 be better for this?
I'm not an engine guy at all, I'm more into suspensions.
getting an ecotec would be a much better starting point if you intend on modifying the engine. The 2.4 is a good engine, but the ecotec has many advantages and a larger aftermarket.
Don't confuse the 2.2 ecotect with the old 2.2 2200, same displacement but everything else is different.
in 02 it was an option, if your looking at 02's it will say ecotec on the valve cover. all 03+ cars have the ecotec in either sunfire or cavalier boddy cladding.
A j-body will never be really competitive, but I've found that I've had a lot of fun in STS.
at the bare minimum you could get some used R-compounds and put them on stock rims along with some aftermarket shocks (KYB AGX, Koni Yellow, or Tokico D-specs) the ones I've listed offer adjustability so you could tune them based on your cars performance.
If you wanted to go straight into STS you could add lowering springs. Yellows will accept Ground Control coilovers. Tein Super Streets are complete ready to go adjustable coilovers with struts and so are the Gravana coilovers.
For the engine you can add on an intake, and header back exhaust so long as you keep the stock catalytic converter.
Read the rulebook available at www.scca.org under Solo2 Rulebook (free to download) for more info.
-Chris
Do yourself a favor and buy a civic.
Zach wrote:Do yourself a favor and buy a civic.
Yup...buy and '89 Civic Si, follow the "formula" for STS and about $8000-10000 later you have yourself a National level car
CACC BC Region - DSP
http:www.victoriamotorsports.ca
Get a cheap '02 Eco, do the IRS setup, Neon rear disc brakes, put a decent suspension on and a couple simple engine mods and you'd have a decent competitor.
The IRS swap isn't legal anywhere in autocross that I can find, possibly a mod class(but not SM), you'll be up against much better competition so the IRS argument us null. The rear discs would move you into STX.
better off sticking with the list I gave you initially if its gonna be a cav/fire.
If I was to buy a car for autocrossing right now It'd be a Mini Cooper S. or an 89 civic and follow the formula posted on the net for how to build it.
-Chris
IamRascal wrote:The IRS swap isn't legal anywhere in autocross that I can find, possibly a mod class(but not SM), you'll be up against much better competition so the IRS argument us null. The rear discs would move you into STX.
better off sticking with the list I gave you initially if its gonna be a cav/fire.
If I was to buy a car for autocrossing right now It'd be a Mini Cooper S. or an 89 civic and follow the formula posted on the net for how to build it.
That's why you don't tell them.
The IRS swap is technically "Legal" it just puts you in one of the "Modified" classes. The same set of classes that get purpose-built race cars and Lotus 7 replicas. It gets really, really insane at that level.
The Mini Cooper S is currently the G-Stock king (Where a stock Z24 runs), and Hondas seem to rule the Street Touring classes (and CSP, but that's not where the Cav goes in street prepared). You can build up a fun machine though without being too crazy. Good struts will be a good start, and you can have a good time in the stock class that way. I don't know that I would go straight to R compound tires if you're just starting out, as they can be very expensive.
Just decent quality tires will give you a good feel for the sport. I would recommend looking at Falken tires, they are good quality for reasonable price. Their best autocross tire would be the Azenis RT 615, and should be reasonably affordable if you can find it in the right size. Should be almost as sticky as an R, but a lot cheaper. I would say get a set of Azenis ST215s, but they discontinued those
I ran a set of Ziex 512s this year just because they were really cheap ($60 each for 225/50/15s on Fiero rims) and have pretty good traction qualities. Nothing like the Azenis, but for the money you won't feel bad for tearing them up.
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Sleeper style, they don't see it coming that way.
just buy a used ford focus...
hmm I don't have any problem beating the gay civic hatch in STS. Has the whole 8-10k dollars invested too.
I must just be a better driver
Im in STS, catback exhaust, intake, coilovers, drilled and slotted rotors, rims and tires, i take 2nd in my class only to get beat by another cavalier lol. i have the vids from autoxing if you wanted to see them sometime.
add sway bars, adjustable struts, strut tower bars, subframe brace and that's where i'm at.
I'm honestly not all that impressed with the falken rt615's though.
this guy is starting out and you guys are talking about getting to national level. whatever car and setup he gets it will take him at least years to get anywhere near national level.
my suggestion is start in near stock classes. used r compound tires, like Toyo RA1 or Hoosier S304 can be found on ebay very cheap. Decent set of shocks, AGX for example, also cheap on ebay. Fat rear sway bar. Thats a decent start. Do one season to learn to handle the car.
Then go for Ground Controls coilovers with Konis. Well prepped cavaliers are competitive on local level anywhere. Lots of torque will get you a long way. Dont waste money on engine.
CAC2004 FSS#1, 2003,2004 Atlantic FSP #1, 2004 Overall Atlantic #1
As for the Civic Si, they bump to CSP / CP (at least in Canada) which are the fastest closed wheel classes. Cavaliers bump to FSP (2.2l) and DSP (Z24, Eco). CSP is madness. DSP is more manageable.
CAC2004 FSS#1, 2003,2004 Atlantic FSP #1, 2004 Overall Atlantic #1
CSP is fun
Fieros, Miatas, Civics...hehe
If you're wanting to run in stock classes, no rear sway bar though.
And yes, torque is a good thing...Had a Honda Del Sol driver ride along with me and complement the powerband.
Same with a Civic Hatchback driver from STS. And that was even before the supercharger...
Most of my autocross experience has had courses that use the entire RPM range of the car (Shifting back to first is typically wasted effort), so the flat torque curve of the 2.4 is very nice. No experience with the Ecotec or the 2200OHV myself.
(Yes, I'm in Street Mod with mine. No, I don't have a prayer, but gawdamm is it fun!)
First year, don't do R compounds, they can hid your bad driving habits. Get nice slightly-more-performance oriented all-seasons is what I would suggest (Something like the Falken Ziex 512 or the Bridgestone Potenza G009s) Bonus with the Falkens, they're CHEAP.
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Sleeper style, they don't see it coming that way.
