ultimate pro touring car discussion? - Page 8 - Lateral-g Forums

Jar · #71 05-06-2010, 01:30 PM

I would love to see a Porsche 550 Spyder body on a current 997 Turbo chassis and drivetrain.

In reality though, if I could have it all car-wise, I would just want to finish my low budget (<$50,000) Camaro build now, instead of having to spread it out over the next 30 years as money comes in, I don't want much, just a car I can have fun driving.

preston · #72 05-07-2010, 02:39 PM

Boy does this thread speak to me. From my first project to my current project I have never been happy with the NVH and driveability of my creations. On a sunny afternoon, windows down, finding a few spots to hit it while cruising around they are the best - but cold foggy morning with traffic trying to drive it to work for "fun", frankly, they kind of sucked. Dyanamat, quiet exhausts, FI, poly rod ends instead of hard rod ends, hell they still always feel very rough. Of course my daily driver is a '92 Cadillac with top to bottom dynamatting and thousands of dollars of stereo equipment so maybe they pale in comparison. But whenever I think of taking my hot car somewhere I think, "Or, I could not have the stress and ride in roomy leather clad climate conditioned comfort to audiophile quality sounds in total anonymity".

Anyway, having built 3 tube chassis cars now and spent hours of time dreaming of the "ultimate street muscle road race car" I have to say that the only thing that makes sense is channeling something over a C5/C6/Z06 frame and drivetrain. The advantages of a custom tube frame are really only for body fitment at this point, and you'll never beat the weight distribution of the rear transaxle not to mention IRS. So that thought has kind of taken the winds out of my "pro touring" sails. Because at that point, other than the fact that they're as common as belly buttons, why not just gain the aero and integration advantages of driving a vette in the first place ?
Its too late for me I spent all my money building my own cars.

A lot of times I wished I'd just used my shifter kart for track thrills, and built more of a true (high power) slo-tour car with a real back seat and no 7" wide fender flares !

Always wanted to do a low to the ground full frame RWD '68 El Dorado, in black of course.

My favorite pro-tour car is the G-force Cuda, but I don't think there is anything "tour" about that car, the exhaust must be hellaciously loud, fuel mileage truly non-existent, and the pedal placement/floor pan looks like a horrendous compromise. But I just lose all ability to speak or think when I see it or review its spec sheet.

Just some thoughts from another been there done that burnt out builder.

legend · #73 05-07-2010, 06:56 PM

some true true words in that post

Doug Cooper · #74 05-11-2010, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by preston...

Quote:

My favorite pro-tour car is the G-force Cuda, but I don't think there is anything "tour" about that car, the exhaust must be hellaciously loud, fuel mileage truly non-existent, and the pedal placement/floor pan looks like a horrendous compromise. But I just lose all ability to speak or think when I see it or review its spec sheet.

Just some thoughts from another been there done that burnt out builder.

as far as exhaust note...well its loud, it's a hot rod and fuel mileage...well its a 900hp 572 cubic inch HEMI...what kind of mileage do you want?

But pedal placement...how's this?.... I had Alan cnc machine new arms for the tilton set up to relocate the pedals!

preston · #75 05-11-2010, 10:08 AM

They look good in the picture. I was basing my opinion on the original build photos where the exhaust forced an enormous hump right where the right foot should go. In your photo it looks like the brake pedal is more or less underneath the column where it should go and the gas looks good too, but again hard to really judge from here. In the construction photos it looked really compromised, raised floor, big exhaust hump. If it works for you then great.

Ever weighed that car for real ?

Doug Cooper · #76 05-11-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preston

They look good in the picture. I was basing my opinion on the original build photos where the exhaust forced an enormous hump right where the right foot should go. In your photo it looks like the brake pedal is more or less underneath the column where it should go and the gas looks good too, but again hard to really judge from here. In the construction photos it looked really compromised, raised floor, big exhaust hump. If it works for you then great.

Ever weighed that car for real ?

The pedals are set up with the same spacing as a porsche turbo, NOW! the hump in the floor board is still there... that's the turn of the exhaust into the tunnel so nothing hangs below the floor board... for Alan to get the car as low as it is [48'' to the top of the roof] and still have 5 to 6 inches of ground clearance there has to be some compromises made in some areas.

No, I've never weighed it...everything is there that an original Hemi cuda had plus 6 speed trans axle, cage, a/c pwr windows, power steering, N2O, on board fire system, big wheels and tires, dynamat, etc... but it does have an aluminum block and heads and there is a bunch of carbon fiber...

Payton King · #77 05-11-2010, 02:35 PM

One of my all time favorites. Would love to see it at Motor State or RTTH this year.

preston · #78 05-11-2010, 04:39 PM

If you ever weigh it let us know. If its 4 corners so much the better.

I hear you on the exhaust. My solution was to run it inside fabricated rockers down the side of the car. Works so well I'm not sure why it isn't done more often. The floor is 4.5" off the ground.

dirtybird · #79 05-11-2010, 08:20 PM

Every one may have their on idea of the ultimate pro touring vehicle. To me thats the beauty of our sport. I really don't care as long as the car is driven. NO TRAILERS !!!!! GROUND POUNDER ONLY !!!!!!!!

mike343sharpstk · #80 05-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

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