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Followup To
Question -
I have been looking into building a mini stock car (4cyl)for my son to race on a 1/2mile dirt track. However being into musclecars I do not have much knowledge about 4 cyl. performance cars. We have been looking into a VW Scirocco but have been warned that the constant RPM changes would cause problems with the valve train.
Any advice on the type of car to build, motor to run or where to began looking would be greatly appreciated.
Answer -
Hi Dave:
My experience is almost entirely with older Datsuns. I race a 1970 510 sedan. Many stock car tracks have made them 'illegal' because they have independent rear suspension, which is a great advantage. However, after 1973 Datsun/Nissan started building an 1800cc 510 with a solid rear axle. The motors are nearly bulletproof, you need to keep them cooled, well lubed, and they will take nearly anything. I usually stretch mine to about 7900 at one point on the Sebring track, been doing it for years, I've had valves 'kiss' pistons, but only had one bad engine failure in 15 years.
There are also plenty of competition parts available thru Nissan Motorsports, and there's plenty of aftermarket stuff out there too. Look for Sport Compact Magazine at your local newsstand. Lotsa advertisers.
The 4 cyl classes usually limit your cam lift, and limit the car to a single carb. (Weber 32-36DGAV) With these limits, you can safely use OEM flat top pistons, stock rods, and expect good reliability.
You should talk to some competitors about front wheel drive vs. rear wheel drive though. It might be that the Sriocco would have an advantage. I know I have a heck of a time catching them on longer courses. There's also the '95 era Honda 3 door 1600 cc. They run like scalded dogs, and are quite reliable.
The constant RPM changes shouldn't bother the valve train of any of them, and the VW has a well designed and well thought out valve gear arrangement. I might consider converting it to a gear driven cam though.
Good luck with your effort, but make him go road racing too. It will make a MUCH better driver out of him.
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida
I really am greatful for your help it has given me more options to consider. The track rules do not state any regulations on suspensions accept no sub-frames or altering of frames and shocks must be stock in stock locations. The carb must stock however stock fuel injection and turbos are allowed.
As far as the advantages of rwd vs. fwd last year a Toyota Celica dominated the class driven by a rookie none the less. This year the field is flooded(22 of 30) by mid 80's mustangs.One of which has been pretty dominate, I believe that has more to with over 30 years on the track than what he is driving.
Also my son is only 13 so I am really looking to get him something to learn in yet make sure he can be competable.As I stated before all my experiance is on the strip (he thinks that is boring ,go figure). So any advice is greaty appreciated.
AnswerHi again Dave:
Some valid questions there. Of course the front drivers have their place on very short tracks, who cares what the back end of the car does so long as the front goes where it's pointed. However, eventually you'll run into the problem of "power understeer" where the addition of throttle causes the front tires to lose traction, and hence their ability to steer the car. This is why you will never see a front driver with more than about 200 horsepower in any racing situation.
The 80's Celicas are a good car, if a bit heavy. They are certainly as tough as anything known. The mid-80's Mustangs are probably really Mazdas, another great manufacturer.
What you need to do for your son, is get something as reliable as possible, something he can learn in without a lot of expense and repair work. The Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, and Mustangs are good choices. For that I would avoid the Honda, and anything marketed by a US manufacturer. I love my country, but the auto manufacturers are more profit oriented than quality concious.
Once you've decided on a car, you need to get a copy of the book "Hot To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn , publisher is HP Books, and any book store can order it for you. (about $16.00) Then you need to read it twice, go work on the car, read it again, and keep on like that. It will eventually take about 2 seconds out of his lap times.
Now a note on training the driver. The really successful pros practice EVERY day, doesn't matter if they are racing cars, or playing concert piano, they practice DAILY. Take the boy to the go kart track as often as you can. It's not important that he run all night, but that he's there every night. Also find a sports car buff to teach him the "heel and toe" method of braking and throttle use. That's something that I practice at each corner I approach in my city driving. You should also get him some books on high performance driving. There's one by Bob Bondurant that is as good as any. He drove Corvettes, Cobras, and even Formula One cars professionally in the 60's and now has a school in the Phoenix area.
Oh yeah, I agree with your son about the strip. I won my last drag race by watching the forearm muscles of the flagman !! (1963)
Don't be shy, I enjoy helping !!
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida
