ultimate pro touring car discussion?

[legend]

Anyone in?

after reading prodigy's build thread I wondered what everyone would build if the time and money was available.

body, engine, gearbox, suspension, aero etc.

for inspiration

I wonder what the guys that build F1 cars or professional suspension engineers would come up with?

[Vegas69]

It's sitting in my garage.... I wouldn't change anything.

[Steve1968LS2]

I would build my car.. same suspension, engine, trans, rear..

I would swap the shocks to Penske double adjustables.. simply the best out there if money isn't an option. I would do a few body mods.. not many though since I like the Camaro's classic lines.

BUT.. with a new cage system (using cromol).. more CF and more aluminum to get the weight down. I would also rebuild the dash to get rid of all my gauges except the STACK unit.. again, for weight savings. I have no desire for ABS, tracktion control, or other "complications"

I would rather have less weight than more power any day..

[legend]

no full IRS or spaceframe chassis?

John Beardmore's minor takes things just about as far as you can, this side of F1 technology

[69MyWay]

My buddy has a retiring GT1 Oldsmobile. In fact...he is selling it and it got me thinking. If you could get a MSO title for this thing and then de-contruct the pure race aspect of it...and install some nice creature comforts it could be the ultimate car.

The brakes, axles, supsension...and handling of the car would be superior to any 60s car that is modified. Converting to doors that will open and close (as shells over the cage) with plent of carbon fiber close out panels...defrost...a/c...and much more.

I'd yank the race engine and install a LS and a T56. There would be ample room for tubros...or anything else. The sky is the limit on the re-body panels.

[mike343sharpstk]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

I would build my car.. same suspension, engine, trans, rear..

I would swap the shocks to Penske double adjustables.. simply the best out there if money isn't an option. I would do a few body mods.. not many though since I like the Camaro's classic lines.

BUT.. with a new cage system (using cromol).. more CF and more aluminum to get the weight down. I would also rebuild the dash to get rid of all my gauges except the STACK unit.. again, for weight savings. I have no desire for ABS, tracktion control, or other "complications"

I would rather have less weight than more power any day..

In a past life I roadraced motorcycles, weight (or lack of it) is a very big part of going around corners quickly.
Based on that experience my ultimate car would be very, very light.
Curious; How light could a pony car get with a minimal (6-point) chrome moly cage, some glass or carbon body parts and mostly aluminum drive train?
Imagine a 2,500 lb pony car with 500 HP at the rear wheels. Aside from being very quick it would be very easy on driveline parts and therefore very reliable

[nvr2fst]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

It's sitting in my garage.... I wouldn't change anything.

I agree with Todd, except mines sitting in Ironworks garage. Wouldn't change anything so far, at least not to rattle Rodger's cage.

[coolwelder62]

Are we building a real pro touring car or a real race car.Do we want the car to be able to compete w/ cars like Bad Penny,Mary Pozzi's73 camaro.Ryan Mathews in DSE's 69 camaro,Jackass,Mark Steilow's new 69 or Brian Finch's 70 camaro. These are all top notch G-machine's.And could only be faster w/ maybe a Boris said behind the wheel. Or are we going to build a car like an Aussie V8 super car.????

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by coolwelder62

Are we building a real pro touring car or a real race car.Do we want the car to be able to compete w/ cars like Bad Penny,Mary Pozzi's73 camaro.Ryan Mathews in DSE's 69 camaro,Jackass,Mark Steilow's new 69 or Brian Finch's 70 camaro. These are all top notch G-machine's.And could only be faster w/ maybe a Boris said behind the wheel. Or are we going to build a car like an Aussie V8 super car.????

Yes and Yes! This thread could give people some trick ideas if it continues. Keep it coming!

[Vegas69]

This is the perfect thread for me to get something off my mind. It's my opinion that some are headed in the wrong direction in their thinking of building the "ideal" pro-touring car. One of the best things about my car is its ability to cruise in comfort on a lazy Sunday reliably and earn it's respect on the race track. Sometimes in the same day. I feel I've pushed my car about as far as I'd like. In most cases, a better race car means a compromise in the other arena. I'm sure alot of guys are wondering what the hell I'm talking about since they've never even turned the key in their project. I'll give you some examples.........
[LIST]
A full cage or partial that compromises your comfort of makes it unsafe without a helmet
No sound deadener to save weight(Rattles, overly noisy ride)
High spring rates to limit body roll(I went to coil overs and adjustable shocks to get rid of the leaf spring ride) My car rides so nice...
Simple functional systems of any car(door handles, hidden wiper motors, heater, stereo)
Race belts(Will you really wear a 5 point harness on the street?)
Fixed back seats[LIST]

There are many more that I'm guilty of in the drive to have a capable street and race car. Once a car is no fun to cruise, it's a race car and Pro-Touring is dead in my opinion. Maybe I'm taking it personal and feel it's all about the racing end of the spectrum. These are fair race cars. Hell, I ran within 5 seconds of that crazy Porsche super car on the road course at El Toro. My point is, the faster I get, their are choices that can be made that compromise the function of a pro-touring car.