89 Cutlass Ciera Race Car Build

[jlattyak]

Also in our class were a 1970 MGB-GT, and Chrysler Simca. There were a few others as well, but I don't remember what they were

the MGB-GT ended up 2nd in our Class 10 laps behind us.

We made 195 laps over the 2 days which comes out to about 800 miles

[lemons bob]

The best matched to us on this track was the Nissan Pulsar and the Lotus Elite. They were the most fun to race with on the track but both blew up their engines so not quite as satisfying to win that way. The mgb-gt just kept going like us so we knew any mechanical problems would give them the race so most of sunday we knew it was between us, the other cars including the volkswagon square back all spent time off with issues through the weekend which gave us a big lead. I still haven't seen the final standings so maybe beating a 5 time LeMans winner and someone who scored points in Formula 1 will be pretty cool, mainly possible because they spent alot of time fiddling with their 944. Of the teams we beat the one I most like beating was more cause I talked to them. They have a Ford Festiva with a ztec engine out of an escort. They were put into the class above us cause they are pretty quick, but before they were in c cause they aren't reliable. He made some comment on the end that they were winning c since that is where they normally are. Of course as he was saying that the festiva came in on the back of the tow truck. we beat them by 3 spots, which got me a begrudgened handshake followed by a big smile.

[occupant]

They have a Ford Festiva with a ztec engine out of an escort.

One project I'd like to tackle someday is taking a first gen, 83-84 or so Escort wagon, and drop in a Focus or Escort/ZX2 engine and transmission. It'd be for gas mileage, not speed, and I'm leaning towards the Duratec 2.0 or 2.3 and a manual shift, 5 speeds minimum for sure, 6 speed if I can find one.

[Century7667]

The best matched to us on this track was the Nissan Pulsar and the Lotus Elite. They were the most fun to race with on the track but both blew up their engines so not quite as satisfying to win that way. The mgb-gt just kept going like us so we knew any mechanical problems would give them the race so most of sunday we knew it was between us, the other cars including the volkswagon square back all spent time off with issues through the weekend which gave us a big lead. I still haven't seen the final standings so maybe beating a 5 time LeMans winner and someone who scored points in Formula 1 will be pretty cool, mainly possible because they spent alot of time fiddling with their 944. Of the teams we beat the one I most like beating was more cause I talked to them. They have a Ford Festiva with a ztec engine out of an escort. They were put into the class above us cause they are pretty quick, but before they were in c cause they aren't reliable. He made some comment on the end that they were winning c since that is where they normally are. Of course as he was saying that the festiva came in on the back of the tow truck. we beat them by 3 spots, which got me a begrudgened handshake followed by a big smile.

Good stuff! Beat'em with the "A's" best quality, reliablity....and some old fashioned American power.

Ken T.

[JoshB]

Want to add a car to the team?
http://battlecreek.craigslist.org/cto/3234634071.html

[lemons bob]

I'm sure its not a bad deal, but we don't need second car, and a lot of times cages from local circle tracks fail lemons tech meaning there is a good chance it would need to be cut out and then rebuilt which is more costs and work than getting a car never raced.

[JoshB]

I just read the whole thread. Very Cool! Looks like a ton of fun. If I only had more time!

[JoshB]

You guys race this weekend?

[jlattyak]

We did not race this weekend, we haven't even looked at the car since road america except to put antifreeze in it for the winter.

[lemons bob]

Kind of sad we didn't we do less bad then alot of cars in the rain, although it was suppose to be terribly slick out there.

[lemons bob]

We got our residual back from the last race. Full write up with what I said and what Judge Phil said here http://racing4nickels.blogspot.com/2...-residual.html

Short version, we are getting bumped up in class, so we are being given $499.00 to prep for the next class. Not sure what we are going to spend it on.

We are looking at going back to the track close to us, which power won't really help much, its mostly handling. Probably the quickest way to improve handling is to cut the springs, which should lower and stiffen the suspension. We could easily drop 2" in the front, and since the rear is already 2.5" higher than the front probalby 4" in the back. Of course cutting springs are free.

The other thing would be to look at going to 15" wheels which would allow us to put on wider tires but keep the short aspect ratio, plus shorter sidewalls should stiffen things up some too. That part would cost money though. Honestly we probably need to think about it and figure out what to do.

Of course with the weather getting cold, planning will probably be most of what we do for now.

[lemons bob]

Well we are officially in the race now for june, so soon we'll need to do a check of the car. A few weeks back I started it and it fired right up and ran without a problem so thats good. Ordered some new brake pads and initially it sounds like we will be just looking at new wheels. Going to test fit the alero 15's. Its kind of funny that I think we will save a good $20 a tire by changing to 15s. Need to do a check of everything else too.

Last race we used the hot pits which is nice for the race because paddock location doesn't punish you, but bad because they said we couldn't retorque the lugs (someone asked which is the only reason we couldn't) So I'm a little worried if a lug loosened a bit that it could have started a wobble and started to damage the studs. Pretty sure they are original so the 24 years of being on a car could have too.

Plus things like wheel bearing and ball joints and stuff like all need to be checked, would hate to lose a wheel on the track.

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

I doubt the Alero 15's would work. As far as I know, they have a JA1 bolt pattern, and I think your car is JA2. You could always go up to a wider 16" wheel off a W-body (Grand Prix, Regal, etc) which will have the JA2 bolt pattern.

Edit: Correction. I just double checked my reference guide, and the Alero is a 5x115, so it should bolt up. The 16 inch wheels would more than likely be more readily available thou, and might be able to give you a wider tire for cornering.

[lemons bob]

THe advantage of the 15" wheel is we have access to an alero with that, makes it possible to test fit without spending money on anything. Last race I saw a cars rear tire pass it entering the pits because of a broken spacer. The guy was real lucky it happened at 10 mph and not 100.

[Duke George V]

No spacer necessary. Center bore, lug spacing, back spacing, and offset are all the same. The Alero wheels will be a direct bolt-on.