With more PT cars being tracked is it changing PT vendors product offerings? - Lateral-g Forums

**fleetus macmullitz** · #1 03-29-2010, 08:32 PM

Curious for opinions on if there is a trend or not where more and more PT parts vendors are changing their product offerings from formerly offering pro-touring components for street use only to now providing components that can hold up doing track duty also?

1970camaroRS · #2 03-29-2010, 08:56 PM

I thought that was the point of PT cars and the products offered for this niche.

**fleetus macmullitz** · #3 03-29-2010, 10:23 PM

From reading the various experiences of many individuals here and elsewhere, I don't think all products marketed as 'PT' components can handle repeated thrashes at a track, nor were they intended to.

Ron in SoCal · #4 03-30-2010, 01:03 PM

That's an interesting question as I'm in that 'buy cycle' where I want my components to be track capable. We all know there is a definate difference between a full on race and street use (mostly) copmponenets. Front clip, shocks, roll bar decisions (12 pt?), drivetrain, things that make the car work on the track (see Payback thread) all venture into my head and car designs.

From a market perspective, I believe what I buy and put on the car today will be second rate in five years. If they're still on my car in five years. Racing will do that to a hobby...

Vegas69 · #5 03-30-2010, 01:12 PM

Trying to walk the line between street and track duty is no easy task. From clutches, oil coolers, brake pads, crankcase evacuation, fuel systems, clearances, heat protection, power steering and the list goes on and on. A regular PT car is going to be able to get away with murder compared to a car like Penny where it's pushed to the absolute limit. A compromise is the easiest definition. You must find the best option that will make you happy on the street(happy as you can be) and capable of taking the abuse. I'm not sure I would've built this car so nice if I could rewind time. The bottom line is the street is a joke for these cars. This thing goes from 50 to 100 in the blink of an eye. You simply can't use it unless you live in the country somewhere. The race track is the ONLY place you can realize the cars true potential safely. Not everyone is interested in racing or trying to outgun Penny or Jackass. That's certainly not my goal. My goal is to make my car as reliable and fast as I'm capable. If I'm at the top or bottom of the heap, I honestly don't care.

Don't get roped into thinking something is capable of withstanding the abuse you plan just because it's a PT part. Do your own due diligence. At the end of the day, you are basically engineering your own car by using parts from bunches of different companies and making them gel. It's actually a fun part of the build. Everytime you solve a problem, you make the car better and more reliable.

**fleetus macmullitz** · #6 03-30-2010, 01:28 PM

Thanks Todd, very well said.

That's the kind of info I'm looking for.

Ron in SoCal · #7 03-30-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Trying to walk the line between street and track duty is no easy task. From clutches, oil coolers, brake pads, crankcase evacuation, fuel systems, clearances, heat protection, power steering and the list goes on and on. A regular PT car is going to be able to get away with murder compared to a car like Penny where it's pushed to the absolute limit. A compromise is the easiest definition. You must find the best option that will make you happy on the street(happy as you can be) and capable of taking the abuse. I'm not sure I would've built this car so nice if I could rewind time. The bottom line is the street is a joke for these cars. This thing goes from 50 to 100 in the blink of an eye. You simply can't use it unless you live in the country somewhere. The race track is the ONLY place you can realize the cars true potential safely. Not everyone is interested in racing or trying to outgun Penny or Jackass. That's certainly not my goal. My goal is to make my car as reliable and fast as I'm capable. If I'm at the top or bottom of the heap, I honestly don't care.

Don't get roped into thinking something is capable of withstanding the abuse you plan just because it's a PT part. Do your own due diligence. At the end of the day, you are basically engineering your own car by using parts from bunches of different companies and making them gel. It's actually a fun part of the build. Everytime you solve a problem, you make the car better and more reliable.

Well said Todd. I'm with you on that - making a car as good as it can be, while not trying to be king of the track is the way to go.

**fleetus macmullitz** · #8 03-30-2010, 02:44 PM

Like all of us I'd like to build the car once.

Improvements afterwards of course is a given.

I guess I'd overdo it on the build so it can withstand repeated track thrashes.

Then if the car is not tracked as much as planned, at least you've covered those bases ... in case the plan changes again.

**tones2SS** · #9 03-30-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Like all of us I'd like to build the car once.
Then if the car is not tracked as much as planned, at least you've covered those bases ... in case the plan changes again.

Exactly my plan!!

**Stuart Adams** · #10 03-30-2010, 03:27 PM

The thing I've noticed in the last couple years are the large increases in hp in the cars now, while keeping the weight ratio low. IMO 600hp is the low end and 700-800 will be the norm, if you want to compete. Especially at places like Pahrump.

The LS motors have been a big improvement.

Being able to run a 10 inch tire in front is huge also.