Put up or shut up..... bench racers!

[Mikamaro]

Yeah I know it was a little brash, more than a little. I have honest interest on personal experiance with different setups from people who have driven more than one style. Being new to the forum, didn't want to get a one post reply telling me to read the forum.... I have, and the PT forum, for 3 years now (lurker). So I've been somewhat succesful in my goal so far, there's interest popping up so far...
-Mike

[TravisB]

I am I the only one that is kinda rubbed the wrong way by this thread........

Not everyone hear wants to run the Sh*t out of there car, My car is not even done yet andI can promise you I will not run the hell out of it at the track....yes yes I know I not a pro-tourer but I don't care.

To come on here with your first post and call everyone out is a little bold IMO

*edit*

we posted at the same time

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Mikamaro

There are some magazine guys on this site, can we hit on some of these frame/subframe guys to set up their own cars and bring to a showdown / testdrive? Wayne Due vs. Detroit Speed vs. Art Morrison vs. 21st vs. Martz vs. Alston Chassiworks( front and new wierd rearsetup everyone disses) vs. CARS vs. Air Ride Specialties vs. Hot rods from Hell(truck arm rear?).....

That's definitely been talked about here and several manufacturers are game. I think it could happen someday, but there's SO many variables, I don't know how you'd pronounce one as the overall winner. However, it has to be one of the most talked about subjects around. How do we quantify between what works and what works best.

Maybe if we could get an Ride and Handling engineer to shake down each car...

Derek, I'm not blind (yet), you can tone down the font. The BIR event that has been talked about is during Fun Ford Weekend. I've also have some info about a possible track event at IRP. It's only a matter of time before we get something lined up.

[zbugger]

Mikamaro, where are you located? Some of us have gone to the track, and if you want to come by, we can show you how it works. I've driven a few modified cars, and helped build a few too, and I only speak from experience. Many of the guys here do as well. Thing is, if you drive the car on the street, you'll BARELY notice the differences. Here's a story. In my Camaro club, a fellow member complained of spending $60+ on brake pads for his sons car. He told me that they were supposed to be a high performance brake pad, but that he felt no difference driving it around town. Well, you won't. Most performance pads you won't be able to tell the difference. Bash on the car a bit, and heat the brakes up, and you'll notice where the difference comes in.

Now, yes, there are a lot of "passing on what I've heard" guys around, but at least half of the time that information comes from someone who knows. I've done a lot of research on parts for my car, and I've asked people what differences they've felt. That is something that helps me make a decision on what I get for my car. In fact, I've built a friends Honda and told him exactly what he could expect. He was shocked when it actually happened. So, not all bench racing is BS. You have to know who to talk to, learn who really does know what they are doing, and then make a decision. Most of the guys here, except for a couple guys I won't mention, know what they are doing. Get a basic idea from what you read here, but doing it yourself is what gives you experience. Here, we will mainly talk about what we have experienced.

[Derek69SS]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Derek, I'm not blind (yet), you can tone down the font.

Sorry Scott - got a little excited, and dang near peed myself

Originally Posted by Mikamaro

Wayne Due vs. Detroit Speed vs. Art Morrison vs. 21st vs. Martz vs. Alston Chassiworks( front and new wierd rearsetup everyone disses) vs. CARS vs. Air Ride Specialties vs. Hot rods from Hell(truck arm rear?).

The problem is, unless all the cars have equal engines, transmissions, tires, brakes, drivers, weight, etc. this test won't really "prove" anything.

This would be fun to run against each-other's cars, but if one person's car beats mine on the track, does that make its setup "better"? Not to me, if he's got 5x as much money in his, or needed to hack his car up to install it, and mine does almost as good as a budget bolt-on setup, or if it makes that guy's car uncomfortable, or impractical to drive long distances.

"What works" all depends on your budget, and what you're willing to sacrifice for the performance. Asking on here is one of the best ways to find the info, since there are many members with experience, who are not trying to sell a product that can give you mostly unbiased information.

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Derek69SS

Sorry Scott - got a little excited, and dang near peed myself

Derek is right, you also have to take in account the cost vs. performance aspect. There's just no clear cut answer. It comes down to personal goals, vision, and budget.

[Stuart Adams]

We all benefit from the MANUFACTURES beating the snot out of their products, then independent people test them, and we get results = buying the products that we like as a result of their testing and our likes.

Why do all the dirty work when the experienced time proven stuff works and we can still have a life. There are people here that their job is testing stuff, that is how much energy goes into products/performance.

My point is why go beat the snot out of your car, try new parts, thrash it again and again, just to find out what works, when the BIG DOGS have done the work for you.

[Dezduster]

Originally Posted by Stuart Adams

We all benefit from the MANUFACTURES beating the snot out of their products, then independent people test them, and we get results = buying the products that we like as a result of their testing and our likes.

Why do all the dirty work when the experienced time proven stuff works and we can still have a life. There are people here that their job is testing stuff, that is how much energy goes into products/performance.

My point is why go beat the snot out of your car, try new parts, thrash it again and again, just to find out what works, when the BIG DOGS have done the work for you.

Its funny how when we start building a car you see your self carving corners, burning rubber and generaly running amuck. Then the reality hits you after the build its too nice too expensive to thrash on. Which sucks in a way. It seems the best cars for this are newer ones that you arnt emotionaly conected to. It also seems the older you get the stronger the take care of it syndrome is. Thats just my buck and 2 cents worth.

[MaxHarvard]

maybe i didnt understand you post but... i'll try and answer it.

First of all, i never claim anything about my car unless i know something for a fact. For example, i would never claim to have X amount of HP if i didnt know for sure. Secondly, i'm not sure how closely you've looked over this site, but people here are probably the most honest and straight forward you'll ever meet. If they dont know something, they will point you in the right direction to someone who does. If they do know, they will take the time to explain it to you, even if you ask 10 times. I havent seen anyone here make any comments pertaining to "bench racing" as you call it. Guys here know better than to try and do that stuff here, why? because the entire board is full of knowledgable car guys that can spot BS from a mile away.

I think you talked about people making claims about knowledge or certain products they dont have any first hand experience with... that is not "bench racing"... thats sharing opinions or experiences with others about a product or how to do something. it isnt bragging or trying to be the dominant robin in the group puffing out its chest trying to impress the girl birds. Its passing on information that is useful.

I may have read your post wrong, but thats the impression that i got.

[Ummgawa]

Originally Posted by Stuart Adams

We all benefit from the MANUFACTURES beating the snot out of their products, then independent people test them, and we get results = buying the products that we like as a result of their testing and our likes.

Why do all the dirty work when the experienced time proven stuff works and we can still have a life. There are people here that their job is testing stuff, that is how much energy goes into products/performance.

My point is why go beat the snot out of your car, try new parts, thrash it again and again, just to find out what works, when the BIG DOGS have done the work for you.

What Stu said.