drivestwin

Just getting the wheels turning on the possibility of picking up a daily driver that I could take to the track on occasion.

What year do you think is the best choice for such an undertaking and why? Not a truly dedicated race car, just something I can tweak on and have a little fun.

Lets hear it guys......I love this forum and value your thoughts.

Marc

Z06X

92...first year LT1, black tag ZF's, eeprom, 92's cheaper than 96's with LT4's and 84's-95's can be anywhere in the pricerange, so the 92 seems best in my book.

I got my car for 4k...runs perfectly...higher miles, clean title. I've had it to multiple flat out days when not driving for the company.

larry00

Something with the FX 3 or Z 51 performance handling package and the best [ biggest w/quality pads ] brakes .
Other musts :
Change brake fluid : Required every two years by some tracks .
Keep cooling system clean and in good working order.
At least W rated tires .
Full face safety helmet .
Roll Bar and driving suit not a bad Idea either .

Be ready to have fun !
Many Tracks have novice days with instruction and quality time doing the bad thing !
Best peice of advice ! Keep it on the track not on the streets !
Street Racing can easily turn into a expensive life changing event.

silverja

Great advice.

My feeling is the early models, 84-87, can be excellent entry level track cars, especially for the autocross circuit. Relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain versus the newer C4 models. They may represent a smaller investment for someone looking to get a taste of racing. Watch out though. It can get into your soul and then your pockets are empty of cash.

Best of luck.

drivestwin

Thanks for the replies guys.......A couple more questions.

4 speed okay or should a guy hold out for a 6 speed from the later years?

I've done my fair share of drag racing, best time of 8.62@153 in a front engine dragster but the track closed in my area Tried golf last couple years but am anxious to get back to some REAL driving.

socalman

Autocross or large tracks?

Like Arctic said- pick up a 92/93 w/ LT1.

Z06X

Yeah, autocross...a 1984 with Z51 might be the out of the box ticket, though a 1992/93 LT1 with a qa1 setup would be better for potentially the same money. Large track though, I'd have nothin to do with the L98's or prior (1991 prior) unless you really plan on doing semi-substantial mods.

j3studio

Interesting discussion ...

LaVidaLoca

I agree with going LT1.

84 is throttle body and does not make much horse power
85 has an ECM / MAF / burnoff module that was only used that year and is not easily modified
86 is a split year with major changes mid year
88 they fixed the crappy headlight design
Etc, etc, etc

You can spend a lot of money to make an L98 competitive. The engine block from 84-86 was essentially the same iron block / heads as they put in pick up trucks and passenger cars.

They worked hard to figure things out and each year they got better. 92 seems to be a reasonable tradeoff. I wouldn't go earlier than an 88 anyway.

I know better now but didn't when I bought my 85.

l98tpi

86L to 91 with Z51 or Z07 suspension if you can find it. If not, you can do some upgrades in time with larger anti-roll bars and higher rate springs. If an auto try for 3.07 rear ratio and if 6spd get a 3.45 rear ratio. Try to get a car as close to stock as possible, unless previous owner only did some external bolt on mods. And lastly, learn to drive what you got before modding the car.

c4cruiser

The 89 and later cars will make it easier to add big brakes. Z51 cars got HD brakes. You will have a better chance of finding aftermarket race suspension stuff compared to the 84-87 cars unless they have Z51.

IF you intend on only autocrossing the car, I would say an 89 6-speed and Z51 would be a good combination in a stock class. They were a very hard car to beat in SCCA in A Stock. Tires will be the key as well as good shocks.

If you come across a car with Z51 and FX3 (or even just an FX3 car) the shocks can be re-valved by Bilstein. A former CF member worked with Bilstein to create a very good autocross valving. IIRC it was called Moracca or something similar. Doug Rippie Motorsports created a custom controller and also a variety of custom PROM's to further adjust the shock settings.

For track days, any of the later L98's with a six speed will be a good choice. These will be 150 MPH cars in 5th gear in stock form.

pr0zac

i dont think that a 92-93 is a great idea cause if you have an ecm failure it is very hard to find replacements. i think a 95 would be best. vented opti, obd1. for a maintenance and mechanical standpoint i think its the best budget car.

Tommy T-Bone

2011 zr1

pologreen1

I would ask the racers in the race section.

You can buy a race prepped car pretty cheap.

TJM

????? How about a 99 C5 ?


TJM

c4cruiser

The pre-01 FRC's would be great candidates for a track/HPDE car. All are 6-speeds and if you find a Z51 car, so much the better. The FRC's are lighter than the same year coupes, bigger tires, better brakes, and more HP and torque compared to C4's.

With a little searching (and luck) you can find FRC's in the 10K to 15K price range. That's about what it would cost to put a later C4 into good condition to take to HPDE's.

pr0zac

i thought i read somewhere that all frc's were z51's?

SurfnSun

They were, and had the size tire package as the coupe.

mike100

C5 would almost surely be cheaper. Otherwise the best deal you can find on an LT1 powered 6 spd car.

TJM

God, I hate when a perfectly good humorous comment is taken seriously.............. The OP has a '99 C5

Why not just start there?

TJM