246 replies to this topic

[J13ME]

Afternoon! As some may have seen I am planning to buy and build a SC 2.2 to race in Time Attack.. I stumbled across a post from 2011 and there seemed to be a bit of banter about so many VX's entering. I'm sure it was all meant in good gesture but I wouldn't want to step on anybody's toes. I am sure you will all have higher spec cars and far more years experience under the belt than me so will be way ahead but it's just for the enjoyment I want to do it. I built a car a while back I was going to race in the series but never managed to get on the TA grid due to work! I have only realised the number of VX's being built for racing in the last few days and my heart is already set at this point! I am sure (as with my previous build) everyone helps everyone and it's still what it should be about.. Having fun and meeting new people! Hope to see you on track soon!

[hairy]

Welcome to .org and good luck with your attempt!

[J13ME]

My previous car if anyone is interested..

Was just built for fun. Sold it for a boring V8 cruiser! Haha

[Rickwoo118]

The mini looked nice. What bhp was you running?

[J13ME]

Was around 250. Was a very strong engine and took well, made 188 standard apart from intake! (Not bad for a 163bhp engine from factory!) it was nothing compared to some of the Mini's built for TA but I was building too a budget. Within reason with the VX i can build to a much higher standard as career change allows me to do so. I'm hoping to make the last round this year as a OHW

[rob999]

Have a read of Jimmys build thread then Mike's (cliffie). Muchos info there...

[J13ME]

Yeah had a look. Some serious build there! How many VX's are competing at the moment in TA do you know?

[rob999]

None this year to my knowledge. You've got 5oc competing in TDT but that's 'proper racing' Couple of cars do hillclimbs too.

[turboluca]

Are you going to buy standard then tune?

[J13ME]

That's good then! I plan to buy a clean stage 2. Do a few test days in that and see how I feel about going stage 3. Luckily I'm very close to Courtenays so perfect for them to do the work

[Nev]

Have a look at the South American VX220's too, they race them a lot there apparently. If I were you I'd wait and buy a stage 3+ SC'ed car or a stage 4+ TC'ed car, I think Davemate on here might be tempted to sell his as he is moving country. Being close to CS will help (if you are rich), but learning and DIY is always cheaper. There are some knowledgeable people on this site and almost anything you attempt to do will likely have been done by someone on here already, so just ask. Be aware of the "charge temp" limits of a SC'ed cars, this is an achilles heal of the more powerful ones at the moment and does not have (as far as I'm aware) a satisfactory resolution yet.

Edited by Nev, 20 July 2014 - 02:26 PM.

[J13ME]

Thanks for the reply. I will be happy (VERY happy!) with 300bhp. I emailed Courtenay asking about the cost from taking a stage 2 car to a stage 3 and waiting for a response. I don't even know what to expect? 1/2k or 5/6k so will depend greatly on this reply. I have a fair bit of Motorsport experience. I worked for TrackGroup a few years back so gained a fair bit of knowledge on these types of cars (Lotus but most of the skills transfer over) I done mechanics for 6 years before going offshore so I still have what I hope is enough to get me through a season again. I keep reading up on the turbo/SC debate and it seems for road turbo, for track SC so that's why I'm going SC. Would love other opinions?

[Nev]

Would love other opinions?

If you want 300 BHP then I personally think a SC'ed car is the best cost/benefit ratio. If you want 375+ BHP onwards I think TC'ed is the way ahead. Some others on here will have very polarised opinions (often heavily biased and unobjective). Naturally, the best way to judge is try and find locals with various setups to take you for a spin, many people local to you will likely take you out for spin I'm sure. Try and get a ride in a 350+ BHP one and I think you'll not bother with stage 2 or 3. IMO the base car handles very well, all you really need on top of this is brakes, power, skill. When you come to buy, check all the bushes for play, as changing them all is a nasty and time consuming job.

Edited by Nev, 20 July 2014 - 02:56 PM.

[J13ME]

Does it not get to a point where there is too much lower for the rear wheels in track? The stage 2 I am looking at is super clean and low miles so seems ideal!

[Kieran McC]

You will find it may well be cheaper to drop a Saab Lsj engine in to replace the 2.2. Plenty of information on here to help .

[Rickwoo118]

From a stage 2 to stage 3 from CS will cost around 2k. You will need an uprated clutch and CC. Why not take it further to a stage 4 ? I took mine from stage 2 to stage 4 with CS doing the work and it cost me £5,000. Was it worth the money IMO......no. I wish I had bought a VX with the mods already done on it. Mine at stage 4 made 300bhp.

[CHILL Gone DUTCH]

Here is a vid of a stage 4 turbo stripped ex time attack car ( in front ) and stage 3 SC car road car no weight removed ( camera car )

[CHILL Gone DUTCH]

I'm only guessing but both car are around 300bhp My SC in video is 300Hp

[J13ME]

Kieran, rumour has it you live minutes away from me? I believe I was speaking about you yesterday with Chris with the blue NA? I will look into the engine swap, Judging by the video there isn't much between the turbo and SC (although if the same weight stripping went into the SC I would say it would probably have the edge!) 2k would be fine to go stage 3. Would be more than happy with paying that. What's the general bhp figures for each stage with SC? I thought it was stage 2 - 250ish, stage 3 - 300 ish and never even seen stage 4 before?

[Rickwoo118]

From a stage 2 to stage 3 from CS will cost around 2k. You will need an uprated clutch and CC. Why not take it further to a stage 4 ? I took mine from stage 2 to stage 4 with CS doing the work and it cost me £5,000. Was it worth the money IMO......no. I wish I had bought a VX with the mods already done on it. Mine at stage 4 made 300bhp.

Disregard this post..didn't read it in full....you have a 2.2 and SC.