Re: please help

["Ken Buck" <phillyscca@enter.net>]

Darrell wrote and asked about my mods, and I'd thought I'd post my 
response to the list for everyone's entertainment:

I autocross a 79 body with an 84 GTI drivetrain.  I have Eibach 
lowering springs and Tokicko Illumina struts.  I bought the springs 
used.  The struts are GREAT, it is nice to be able to stiffen them 
for the autox, then soften them to drive home.  You are right about 
the great VW design.  I highly recomend you next purchase be Nuespeed 
upper and lower front strut bars.  These two bars will keep the front end 
together.  Believe me, I'm on my third body.  I learned the hard way.
Don't bother with the rear stress bar, it may be pretty but it 
doesn't do anything but get in the way.
For autoxing, remember FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT, it is not 
horsepower, it is handling.

The biggest thing you can do is go to as many events and drivers 
school as you can.  Seat time, seat time, seat time.  Now that I have 
that out of the way..........

Where is your front end alignment set at?  For autoxing, put in as 
much negative camber as you can, and set the car with about 1/4" toe 
out.  This will destroy tires on the street, but makes the car a 
dream in the corners.  Alot of guys will mark the tie rods and camber 
bolts, so they can have two settings.  When they get to the autox, 
they unbolt the front tires, adjust the alignment settings, autox, 
set the front end back and drive home.  Personally, I just by the 
cheapest street tires I can find and burn them up.

With the lowering springs, you are already in D-street prepared, 
right?  You didn't put a cam in, did you?  Don't do a cam, it ain't 
worth it.  I have the 1.8 bored .040 over, blueprinted and balanced, 
matchported the head, oversized injection system, try-y header into 
2" straight pipe with a Dynomax Turbo Tube for a muffler.  I autox on 
13 x 9" rims with BFG R1's 205/50 13s.  The wheels stick about 3" out 
of the fenders.  Looks like a pregnant rolloer skate, but I've taken 
FTD at a Porche Club event and a Corvette Club event.

Remember, horsepower isn't the answer to autoxing, handling is.  
Anycar can be fast in its class with a good driver.  My car if fast, 
I am not.  After five years at it, guys can still get into my car and 
whoop my butt.  Don't get discouraged after 5-10 events if you are 
not winning.  Go for the fun, learn car control, learn from your 
mistakes, and listen to what people tell you.

Any more questions about anything, feel free to write to me.

Ken Buck
Philadelphia Region SCCA Solo II Chairman
DSP 79 VW Scirocco
86 VW Scirocco dirt Thunder Car
phillyscca@enter.net
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