Help with track car prep please!

[Red_devil]

Hi all,

I have acquired a 1997 VTR in Bright Red for very little money £350.00 in fact. 65k on the clock, two owners, slight knock in the front, now fixed (£280.00) so now dead straight. (£630.00)

So the budget remaining is circa £500.00 on mods to track ability, luckily for me I work in the car trade but not on spanners, although I can turn my hand, did the cambelt, clutch etc myself when I got the car, so goodish. In other words I can get bits cheap but would like to buy DIY items.

Purchased so far:

Tubular Manifold (£50.00 Ebay)
Stainless cat back (£65.00 Ebay)
OZ Racing 15" Wheels (£50.00 Ebay)
Spax VSX Adjustable damping Suspension kit (£200.00)
Brembo Max Grooved Front discs with Carbone Lorraine race pads (£112.00)
Momo Sport wheel and boss kit (£29.00)

£506.00 Spent Bosh!

Car now owes me £1136.00 so now it's the must do's!

Now things like induction kit - Whats best on these, anyone know? What about other basic engine mods?

I'm hoping the banging coming from the front will be sorted with the struts but do they do engine mounts or top strut mounts for a pass time? Are there any weak areas in the suspension? Poly bush?

What do you guys think are must do upgrades before driving it with anger?

Also if anyone has any in date FIA seats and saxo subframes available, this is a spend I am willing to make for sure, please PM if you do have these or any other items of interest.

Ok so over to you guys, please make your suggestions and comments, all gratefully received.

Many thanks.

[jam_vts]

as with any track car the first aim would be to sort out your suspension and brakes, which it seems like you have done. Although i don't see any braided hoses in that brake setup which will make a huge difference.
Along the lines of suspension, might be worth investing in some powerflex bushes, tightens things up less flex, specially with a lower engine mount. Get a lower strut brace as well which helps.
Tyres next step- invest in some good ones as they make the most difference on track.

As per engine mods, induction wise good gains will be gained by a raceland, procomp or most popular BMC filter- all excellent air filters. Exhuast and manifold and your up with a basic track setup.

If you wanna go big after that a set of cams will do good and remap and maybe even throttle bodies.

Hope that helps :y:

[Andy72]

sort the car out service wise first. Its no use adding bits, only for the engine to go bang due to poor maintenace. sound slike youve already started that though.

I personally wouldnt have spent the cash so quickly. I would try it out standard, see where its lacking the most and address that.

Most likely will be tyres and brakes. Get some decent tyres, no budget brands. Standard brakes are up to it, just make sure they are in good nick.

You'll find you'll slide around quite a bit so a decent bucket seat may be next.

Then look at the suspension and buy the best you can afford. Dont waste cash on adjustable dampers as once its set, youll never touch it again.

look at rear anti roll bar too. Makes huge difference.

once its handling and stopping ok, then start to look at more power.

Personally, i wouldnt waste much cash on tuning the VTR unless you want to be different. For the cash you'll spend getting 30bhp, it willbe cheaper to drop a VTS engine in for an instant 120bhp.

if you do go the VTR route, dont be drawn into the fashion brands. Things like fitting raceland induction kits are truthfully not worth it. The standard induction set up is more than up the job. spend £30 and fit a foam filter in the standard box instead.

The supersprint race system is a good buy, very cheap. No need for stainless systems like magnex etc

Poly bushing is a good mod, especially the rear mount. you;ll be suprised at the difference it makes.

As for banging, could be top mount, drop links etc. all cheap fixes, just get under and have nosey.

ps. no need for in date FIA seats unless you are taking part in competition beyond road going sprints etc. Then your into full FIA cage terrority and a chapter on MSA regulations.

[vtrlogan]

yeh up rated roll bars are one off the best things for corners in my eyes..

[AXracing]

Ebay tends to the quickest way to kill your cars. Do you need in date seats? If your looking at proper motorsport the parts your looking at are really not that suitable.

[D34no]

i would say you only need to uprate roll bars if struggling for grip. you carnt just buy uprated ones and think they will make you car better as they may make it worse.

[AlexR]

i would leave the engine alone. get some better brakes, tyres and suspension.

[piggy123]

bilstein Grp N set up from GMC with custom 180lb springs
24mm arb
266mm/283mm brakes with mintex pads and discs
yoko A048's

sorted!!