I started getting involved with Autox through the Texas A&M Formula SAE competition and friends who were involved with the A&M SCCA club. I have attended a few Autox's, done a few runs myself while tuning our FSAE car. I really enjoy it and want to get more involved with it.



I sold my '87 TII to pay off my credit card, but now want to get another project car to play with. I know rotaries well (5 years of owning two), so I'd like to keep with the tradition of owning one.



I mentioned to a friend buying an FB ('84-'85 EFI) and autoxing that, but he said he heard 1st gens did not make good autox cars. For my first REAL project car, I'd like to get something older and a little more simple. I'd also be tempted to go with an RX-3 or RX-4, but aftermarket and replacement parts seem limited, and i'm not too sure how well they would do.



I now have my titan, which i will use to tow my toy aroud to different events. But, I'm also tempted by a torquey engine, and now that i'm exposed to pistons, i'd also could stand a piston-powered autox car.



Suggestions? Comments? Thanks for the help. I'd like to go with a cheaper car that I can cheap money on good upgrades that will allow better performance with adjustments (suspension tuning, etc).

 

for the money you spend get some seat time . Race at TWS in SCCA since you are there.

I went there and Road Atlanta as my home tracks since '95 and I live out of New Orleans.

 

Well according to fluid dynamics our 5% percent of autocrossers on this forum has been used up, so your not allowed to race



JK, first gens are great cars, if you can find a solid gsl-se then grab it. I have seen solid 2nd gen n/a cars for every bit as cheap as gsl-se's tho. So keep an eye out for those too.



cheap isn't really in the dictionary of racing, so understand that if you want to be competative at all your going to have to get at least a set of tires, which can run upwards of 300-500 dollars. So spend your money wisely.



First things first?? I think I'd start doing research, not specifically on the cars, but the car's classes. Reason being, if your wanting to stay in a competative class, then you don't want to perform a mod, that will put yourself in a much more competative class and cause for you to spend more money just to be competative in the upper class.



If your wanting to race for bargin basement, keep your car in the stock category, and go out and have a blast. I think stock allows a drop in filter, cat back, dampners (non adjustable) and a couple other small things. That's probably where you want to start, then progress from that point; modding your car wisely as not to throw yourself into a faster class for a 1 hp mod.

 

I think the FB's are going to be great in STS-2, should give the Miata's a run for their money. I say go for it! I know I am and I've been doing this stuff for awhile.

 

Stupid question: Are there classes for engine swaps? Say you had an FB with a Cosmo 13b...is there a class you could compete in?

 

Pretty sure that would put you in either SM2 or E-Modified.

 

AKA the "you will never win" class?