Newbie. BUILDING A SAXO STOCKHATCH CAR - Saxperience

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 10:57

Hi All,

Ive had a few saxos in my time. But i have just started to build a saxo stockhatch car to race on autograss.

I just have a few questions about swapping and changing bits.

I have bought a mk1 1.1 in the intent its lighter than the mk2. I will be fully stripping it out and putting a mk2 vtr engine in.

firstly i want to put a 1.1 box on it. does this noticeably improve acceleration? i dont need top speed as i will be racing round an oval dirt track not 1/4 mile lol

Also i have to take the power steering off. can i just disconnect the pipes and pump etc and be done with it? will the rack still function okay even though its a PAS rack?

I just need to decide what shocks to run, anyone know any good shocks to use that will be able to take abit of punishment? and also a good set of springs? not too low though.

any help will be appreciated.

thanks

ryan

Mochachino · 20th September 2011, 11:07

Why would a mk1 be lighter than a mk2?

Yeh 1.1 will be better.

Power steering you can just remove the pump and the high and low pressure pipes and drain the fluid and it will work like a manual rack.

Look at bilstein for shocks tht can take punishment.

Jay_ · 20th September 2011, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Look at bilstein for shocks tht can take punishment.

Like B8s?

OP - Its a proven fact if you get a set of Bilstein B8s and a lower brace you car will out handle ANTHING

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:26

wot about springs? bearing in mind the car cant be to low as i am racing on dirt.

Mochachino · 20th September 2011, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

Like B8s?

OP - Its a proven fact if you get a set of Bilstein B8s and a lower brace you car will out handle ANTHING

INB4HARDCOREBLOWJOB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan109

wot about springs? bearing in mind the car cant be to low as i am racing on dirt.

Faulkner springs can make you custom springs to length and spring lb

moxy89 · 20th September 2011, 11:32

get 180mm coilovers... then plough the dirt out the way

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:35

haha!!! not allowed adjustable suspension on springs and shocks.

craig180^p · 20th September 2011, 11:35

If you're doing stock hatch you will not want to lower it!

Presumably gravel spec dampers and springs raising it or leaving at standard height

You'll also want to invest in a fair few sets of wheels/tyres and make sure your brakes are set up correctly

Then concentrate on removing whatever bits you can within the regulations

Mochachino · 20th September 2011, 11:37

Is autograss really that critical. I thought it was more or less like scrap car racing lol so the cheapest adequate peices are perfect.

Jay_ · 20th September 2011, 11:40

well the shockers solid, thrash it senseless. You will go far my man!

Seriously, I agree with DB, I thought it was just banger racing on grass really...?

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:40

yes i dont really want to lower it at all.

Do you know of any gravel spec dampers? i think i will leave it the standard height.

I will be shot blasting the whole inside and engine bay to remove as much weight as poss.

Mochachino · 20th September 2011, 11:41

Whats your budget?

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:43

well i have untill next april to get it done.

Dont want to be spending thousands as its not worth it but i want to make it a competetive car.

Jay_ · 20th September 2011, 11:44

Quote:

Autograss is a non-contact motorsport that takes place on an oval (approximately 400 metre) track using a natural soil surface. Due to the close nature of the racing, thrills and spills are never far away. There are several differing classes of car, from near standard minis or small hatchbacks through to spaceframed single seaters with monster V8 or twin motorbike power!

Right, just whipped this off Nation Autograss Sport Association LTD. I would say a saxo would be in the "near standard small hatchback" category. I would say get a load of wheels and tyres that are in the permitted lists. Then get some Bilstein shockers and get custom ebaich (sp?) springs made up.
Bobs your uncle, fanny's your aunt lets go racing!

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:45

when the bungee drops the bullshit stops LOL

Mochachino · 20th September 2011, 11:45

Get some pugsport gravel spec dampers if you dont want to spend alot and then experiment with springs.

Id start with either 200mm or 220mm 180lb springs on standard spring internal diamteter. You might waste your money on the first set of prings but itll give you an idea for the next set. Cot about £120 a set from faulkner.

Dampers are around £500 from GMC, not long ago there wasnt any in the country, or they are imported to england from france to order now. Cant rmember was a while ago.

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:46

i think bilstein are the way to go. and i will get some springs made up.

What about ARB's i have heard fitting a rear arb can help quite alot in autograss.

rick_VTR · 20th September 2011, 11:49

id start with a cmpletely standard vts stripped with a cage and buckets.

(me and my dad are getting into this, not with a saxo tho lol)
dont use a 1.1 box, its not strong enough as on grass track/autograss its all high revving and very rarely get out of 1st and second gears.

Jay_ · 20th September 2011, 11:50

You've not done your research here. Unless I'm wrong, in which I apologise.

Class 1 - Beginners - engines up to 1000cc - suggests AX or Mini
Class 2 - Beginners - max engine of 1300cc - loads of cars like 205
class 3 - "big engine" inplace of the original - And still MAX of 1421cc

Here is the link

http://www.national-autograss.co.uk/...autograss.html

EDIT there is 9 classes, I aint reading them all....

Ryan109 · 20th September 2011, 11:52

there is a class called stock hatch's which are 1600 but must be 8v