New SCCA member and AutoX novice, need advice
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:35 pm
Hello everybody!
My name is Aaron Kinney and I live in Los Angeles. I joined the SCCA last year and am interested in autocrossing at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. I've done lots of drag racing but I'm a total noob when it comes to the twisties. My modification list is long and I'm not sure which class(es) I qualify for. Any help classing my car and general tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Car details below.
2001 Ford Mustang GT Coupe
4.6 liter SOHC V8
5-speed manual
Suspension mods:
Tubular K member
Tubular A arms
Front coilover kit
Urethane swaybar bushings
Caster/camber plates
Bumpsteer Kit
Subframe connectors welded in
Adjustable upper & lower rear control arms w/ spherical bushings
"Battle Box" Torque box reinforcements welded in
H&R Race rear springs
Single adjustable shocks/struts all around
Engine & Drivetrain mods:
Trick Flow Twisted Wedge 185 cylinder heads w/ MHS stage 3 cams
Cobra high volume oil pump
Aluminum intake manifold
75mm throttle body & 90mm MAF
300 lph fuel pump w/ 34 lb injectors
MSD Coil on Plugs
Underdrive pulleys
Long Tube headers, H pipe, & 2.5" dual exhaust
Short throw shifter
RAM HD clutch
Adjustable clutch cable
Aluminum driveshaft
Detroit TrueTrac differential
4.10 rear gear ratio
Dyno tuned to 313hp & 278tq at the rear wheels on 91 octane pump gas
Other mods:
Corbeau fixed-back seats
Battery relocated to trunk w/ closed aluminum box (NHRA legal)
External battery cutoff switch mounted on rear (NHRA legal)
Mishimoto high capacity radiator
Autometer A/F wideband gauge, Aeroforce multigauge w/ oil temp & pres, water temp, voltage, and shift light
Front brakes:
Stock calipers, stock rotors w/ HAWK street pads
Rear brakes:
Stock calipers, PowerSlot slotted rotors w/ HAWK street pads
Front wheels/tires:
17"x8" wheels with 245/45/R17 Nitto 555 G2 tires, 320 tread wear rating
Rear wheels/tires:
17"x10.5" wheels with 315/35/R17 Nitto 555 G2 tires, 320 tread wear rating
Extra wheels:
I have an extra set of wheels, sized 17"x9" front and 17"x10.5" rear, that I have not yet bought tires for. I'm looking for recommendations on a set of AutoX tires to put on these wheels, something stickier than my current 320 treadwear street tires.
Helmet:
I've got a Snell rated M2010 helmet. It's a motorcycle helmet. From what I read in the rules this helmet should be ok for SCCA autocross as well. Am I correct?
What class(es) do I qualify for? Which one would be best for my novice skillset?
Should I even bother trying AutoX with 320 treadwear tires, or should I get some better ones first? Everyone in here seems to be running much stickier compounds. Thanks!
My name is Aaron Kinney and I live in Los Angeles. I joined the SCCA last year and am interested in autocrossing at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. I've done lots of drag racing but I'm a total noob when it comes to the twisties. My modification list is long and I'm not sure which class(es) I qualify for. Any help classing my car and general tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Car details below.
2001 Ford Mustang GT Coupe
4.6 liter SOHC V8
5-speed manual
Suspension mods:
Tubular K member
Tubular A arms
Front coilover kit
Urethane swaybar bushings
Caster/camber plates
Bumpsteer Kit
Subframe connectors welded in
Adjustable upper & lower rear control arms w/ spherical bushings
"Battle Box" Torque box reinforcements welded in
H&R Race rear springs
Single adjustable shocks/struts all around
Engine & Drivetrain mods:
Trick Flow Twisted Wedge 185 cylinder heads w/ MHS stage 3 cams
Cobra high volume oil pump
Aluminum intake manifold
75mm throttle body & 90mm MAF
300 lph fuel pump w/ 34 lb injectors
MSD Coil on Plugs
Underdrive pulleys
Long Tube headers, H pipe, & 2.5" dual exhaust
Short throw shifter
RAM HD clutch
Adjustable clutch cable
Aluminum driveshaft
Detroit TrueTrac differential
4.10 rear gear ratio
Dyno tuned to 313hp & 278tq at the rear wheels on 91 octane pump gas
Other mods:
Corbeau fixed-back seats
Battery relocated to trunk w/ closed aluminum box (NHRA legal)
External battery cutoff switch mounted on rear (NHRA legal)
Mishimoto high capacity radiator
Autometer A/F wideband gauge, Aeroforce multigauge w/ oil temp & pres, water temp, voltage, and shift light
Front brakes:
Stock calipers, stock rotors w/ HAWK street pads
Rear brakes:
Stock calipers, PowerSlot slotted rotors w/ HAWK street pads
Front wheels/tires:
17"x8" wheels with 245/45/R17 Nitto 555 G2 tires, 320 tread wear rating
Rear wheels/tires:
17"x10.5" wheels with 315/35/R17 Nitto 555 G2 tires, 320 tread wear rating
Extra wheels:
I have an extra set of wheels, sized 17"x9" front and 17"x10.5" rear, that I have not yet bought tires for. I'm looking for recommendations on a set of AutoX tires to put on these wheels, something stickier than my current 320 treadwear street tires.
Helmet:
I've got a Snell rated M2010 helmet. It's a motorcycle helmet. From what I read in the rules this helmet should be ok for SCCA autocross as well. Am I correct?
What class(es) do I qualify for? Which one would be best for my novice skillset?
Should I even bother trying AutoX with 320 treadwear tires, or should I get some better ones first? Everyone in here seems to be running much stickier compounds. Thanks!