Track Day (Road Race) In a G Body?

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I have been obsessing over this for a few days now as I am trying to figure out what to do with my Cutlass when it is done. I am not much into drag racing, and don't really like sitting around listening to oldies in a parking lot, so I have decided to try out a few track days or autocrossing when I get it together. Now there are a few concerns I have with it holding together, and being enjoyable. I have to figure out an oil control strategy, get better tires, bigger brakes, finish the suspension setup, install an LSD and swap out the automatic for a 5 speed. So far, I am a bit stuck on the oil control as I am not sure what can be done cheaply to keep the pickup covered in the pan under hard cornering and braking. I also wonder what shocks I should run and what tires would be best? Then there is the issue of cooling capacity as I dread overheating it while pushing it for a sustained period of time, but lack the funds for a nice big radiator. Is a stock plastic/aluminum radiator from a Camaro or a stock 3 core copper brass radiator for a G body better?

 

[Blake442]

I think some autocross sounds like fun.

You probably want some adjustable shocks, but for a decent compromise, I've got Edelbrock IAS shocks on my Caprice, and they are great blend of smooth cruising and not rolling over in a corner. Of course that's a 4200 lb car...

I don't think you'll have to worry about being picky on tire brand, as time at the track like that will burn through a set of tires in no time.

The plastic/aluminum rads. from boxy Caprice's work nicely from what I've heard. The stock HD 3 row copper radiator (new) couldn't keep up with my 455, so I got one of those all aluminum ones off eBay for like $150 or so.

 

[jrm81bu]

As far as oil control get a windage tray and crank scraper, and an oil pan with baffles or trap doors. Are you really wanting to be competitive or doin it just for fun?

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

As far as oil control get a windage tray and crank scraper, and an oil pan with baffles or trap doors. Are you really wanting to be competitive or doin it just for fun?

Is there a difference? :lol: Seriously though, I want to keep it reliable for when I terrorize the back roads with it, and will probably develop the car to be as good as possible cheaply. If I enjoy a few track days, etc, I will probably consider building a dedicated car for it out of either an S13 240sx or a AE-86 Corolla, which could also double as a pizza delivery beater. I figure I will be able to raise the money for another car by selling off my AMC Spirit.

As for my chassis setup, I plan on a tall spindle conversion with my own bump steer correction plan, thus hopefully negating the only drawback to the negative roll geometry conversion.. I have a steering box from a MCSS that will replace the leaky one from a WS6 Trans Am that is in it now, and will be connected to the column by a brand new steering shaft I bought, complete with coupler and U joint. I will use a stock 1.25in front sway bar with an aftermarket rear of at least one inch (to counter the natural understeer tendency), and keep my Eibach springs for now. I also plan on a set of tubular lower rear arms with spherical bearings to add some articulation to the rear suspension, and a set of 4th gen Camaro rear disc brakes to round out the 12 in 1LE rotors and Caprice calipers up front. I also plan on a power steering cooler, and the car is already set up for an oil cooler I pulled from a 9C1 Cop Caprice. I am using an aluminum hood for weight reduction, and will also add the aluminum front bumper and core support when I find them. My TH 200 4R is not long for this world (metal shavings in fluid), so good riddance to bad rubbish! It will be replaced with a Borg Warner T-5, light weight flywheel and a Centerforce dual friction clutch. I also plan on using a Camaro hand E brake and eliminating the stock foot E Brake. I still haven't figured out what front seats to use as they need to be very supportive, and likewise I have to pick out a new steering wheel too. Any suggestions on where my ideas are wrong on the chassis? Remember, this is not a daily driver, but a car to drive hard on back roads when I am pissed off and a backup car on rare occasions.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Would a Circle Track style pan work for this, or is it only designed to be used in a car that turns in one direction only? I found a few cheap pans with trap doors and crank scrapers on E Bay for like $70 or less which look like they would, but they are for circle track claimer engines, etc. so I wonder how they are on the street.

 

[jrm81bu]

It's really gonna depend. You about need to be able to look inside the pan to see if it has everything you need.

 

[dan2286]

Would a Circle Track style pan work for this, or is it only designed to be used in a car that turns in one direction only? I found a few cheap pans with trap doors and crank scrapers on E Bay for like $70 or less which look like they would, but they are for circle track claimer engines, etc. so I wonder how they are on the street.

I think circle track pans are designed for going in a circle turning one direction. To be sure, look at the pan and see how it is shaped. You will be able to tell if it is made for cars that go in one direction.

 

[SV6 REGAL]

I did a couple Solo 2 events back in the 90s( small parking lot) when I had my old 81 Malibu(Iraqi Taxi) it had bell tech splindes and springs up graded shocks its was great for throwing pylons.The hardest part was trying to stay in the bench seat.