Question for AI guys

[charger53]

I have been toying with building a AI car for the future. Maybe 2 or 3 years to completion. I just found a mid to late 80's mustang 5.0 convertable that can be had for a couple hundred bucks. Interior is shot, but body and drivetrain are good. With a full cage would this be a decent starting point? Should I hold out for a camaro or hard top stang? I would like to go wheel to wheel in the future, but don't currently have a car that would be competative. Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Dan

[Mustcone347]

I do not think the convertable is the way as the roof structure of a car generally helps the cars overall rigidity. as for mustang vs. camaro...........thats your choice. The mustangs seem to have a bit more success in NASA and the SCCA in their respective classes. I guess you would not see that in this region but nationally that is the case. Regardless of where you are on the track you will find a race.

malcolm

[raybob9289]

Well said Malcolm,
Dan, You are a Dodge guy? Why don't you build a Dodge?
Isn't there a Dodge that has a minimum of 100" wheel base that was rear wheel drive and available with a V8 engine and a manual transmission? I had a chance to buy one of these for $800.00.
http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B34537.jpg
If I was a Dodge guy I would have built it and made it run in the front. I have seen alot of light weight drag race stuff for these cars and other than alot of fabrication ie. front end it would probably be fast. Then again I am up for a challenge.

[charger53]

Not a bad Idea! The problem is finding a A body mopar that I am willing to turn into a race car. I have a 70 Challanger, but I am not willing to race it. I believe that if you are goint to race a car you should be willing to walk away from it if such cercumstances arise. Maybe a old Aspen? I will continue my search - thanks for the advice.

[raybob9289]

Not a bad Idea! The problem is finding a A body mopar that I am willing to turn into a race car. I have a 70 Challanger, but I am not willing to race it. I believe that if you are goint to race a car you should be willing to walk away from it if such cercumstances arise. Maybe a old Aspen? I will continue my search - thanks for the advice.

Dan,
A 77 dodge Aspen would be a great start but what front end would you build? I would go to a upper & lower A-arm setup with Coil overs. I think we can make it AI Legal Nationally if it gets more Dodge boys in the AI War.

[95sprtcpedrvr]

MOPAR!!!

[charger53]

Coil overs or torsion bars. I understand the torsion bar set up was the stuff back in the day! I guess it all depends on what I can find an how much I can spend! Once a car is located then the research will begin! AI looks like to much fun to just watch! Even if I can't be a competative racer in the charger, I am thinking I should get started on my racing license now. Maybe spec neon would hold me over for a short time? I have a 95 manual trans 4 door.

[95sprtcpedrvr]

Jusk wanted to ask, what is wrong with running your charger?

[Evil86Saleen]

Jusk wanted to ask, what is wrong with running your charger?


I was just going to ask the same question.

Rich and I where parked next to Dan @ La junta and I love that little charger.

I bet it has enough safety gear for him to try the NASA race school in March.

kyle

[95sprtcpedrvr]

Yeah, I enjoyed watching that thing hitting the curves. Unfortunately that was the only time I saw him and never got the chance to chat. Talk about determined, when he went back home that Sat. and got back to run it on Sun. Got to admire the guy for being dedicated. Go Dan Go!!!

[charger53]

The charger has all the safety equipment, and I have all the equipment - suit, ect. I just think that with all the mods the car has I would be a roadblock for the class I would end up in. I guess I've never taken the time to class it, but it has every mod you can imagine. Lexan windows, bilstien suspension, custom head, exhaust, full cage, custom pan, gutted interior, slicks, duel mikuni's, duel tilton brake system, driver adjustable rear sway bar, and a host of other stuff. Anyone have a guess as to where It would run?

[raybob9289]

The charger has all the safety equipment, and I have all the equipment - suit, ect. I just think that with all the mods the car has I would be a roadblock for the class I would end up in. I guess I've never taken the time to class it, but it has every mod you can imagine. Lexan windows, bilstien suspension, custom head, exhaust, full cage, custom pan, gutted interior, slicks, duel mikuni's, duel tilton brake system, driver adjustable rear sway bar, and a host of other stuff. Anyone have a guess as to where It would run?

Dan,
I hope you can bring that Charger out to Pueblo in March and get your License.
"Dodge Boys have more Fun"

[charger53]

As long as everything works out that is the plan! I havn't run HPDE4 yet, just HPDE3, and SCCA TT. I wasn't planning on moving up yet, but the bug is catching!

[leggwork]

Hi Dan,
also check out the PT rules and figure out what class it is in - it should see some good competition there.
cheers,
bruce


The charger has all the safety equipment, and I have all the equipment - suit, ect. I just think that with all the mods the car has I would be a roadblock for the class I would end up in. I guess I've never taken the time to class it, but it has every mod you can imagine. Lexan windows, bilstien suspension, custom head, exhaust, full cage, custom pan, gutted interior, slicks, duel mikuni's, duel tilton brake system, driver adjustable rear sway bar, and a host of other stuff. Anyone have a guess as to where It would run?

[95sprtcpedrvr]

Hi Dan,
also check out the PT rules and figure out what class it is in - it should see some good competition there.
cheers,
bruce

I was going to make the very same suggestion. When I get my license I'm planning on running the PT class. That is also depending on when I get my car finished, don't want to do things half assed.

Raybob couldn't put it more perfectly, Dodge boys do have more fun! :D

[charger53]

As close as I can tell, I would be in PTA or PTB. I'm not sure I can be competative with a C5 vette.

[95sprtcpedrvr]

As close as I can tell, I would be in PTA or PTB. I'm not sure I can be competitive with a C5 vette.

If you opt to have the class assigning based on the power to weight ratio you can possibly get put in a class that will allow you to be more competitive. Although if I remember you seem to have done pretty well back at LaJunta against the vettes that were there. You should read through the PT rules and regulations and talk to Greg Greenbaum he has an account on here. Work with him and he can get you placed better in a class. It wouldn't hurt to check it out. Just my opinion.

[charger53]

I'll give it a try. Never Hurts to ask! Considering that I have 135 Cubic inches verses 350 I am not unhappy with the charger. (And I am still getting it dialed in for out altitude)