~Mike's Really Big Auto-X Thread~
 

Meet the beater:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/...c42442.jpg?v=0
Current up-to-date specs:

• 230,000 miles -> over every mountain range in the US
• 2.2 H4
• 10w40 Synthetic oil
• the 2.2 5 speed with no first gear syncro "mod" :rolleyes:
• Tired old suspension which is constantly pushed to it's limits
• Bridgestone Insignia SE200 - 560 Treadwear Traction A :rolleyes:

...and it is going to the track!
I have never driven on tires with a treadwear over 300, ussually 200... this is gonna be interesting!

Vote for what you think I will discover to be the weakest link after weekend #1.

Engine... Unless it's been resealed previously... THat's what I'd bet on...

~ Chris

I forgot the best part about the engine... ready... it has the cali heads!
Thats right, one collector on each side! :lol:

...That component is also expected to receive a hefty upgrade by years end

And I honestly have no clue what "Cali heads" are... :confused:....

~ Chris

hmmm... I thought I replied to this last night....

My first year of AX was in my 97 Leg Sedan with an AT. Depending on your competition, you can be somewhat competitive.

The nice thing about starting with this car is that you will run out of power before you run out of skill. You can concentrate on your turning and braking without having to learn to control the gas. It also forces you to learn to keep as much speed through a corner because you don't have huge power to compensate for over braking.

I ran on whatever all terrain tires I had on it at the time, on the way to the event I'd stop at a gas station and fill them to 45/42 and then slowly leave out air to keep that pressure as I heated them up.

Go out, have a blast and learn lots.

There is a guy that races a H stock Legacy wagon in the Philly region, I've seen him a couple times at the State championships and he was within a few tenths of a National level driver in a Mini. Now he had the most tire he could use and stay in stock as well as the most suspension tuning he could do and stay stock, but the car can be competitive...

Hey, These legacys are great!!

I race a 96 Legacy Wagon, in Fss, and won last years Ontario Championship, the car also won the previous year's Canadian Nationals.

No dissin' the Legacy.

I voted the 5spd, since it's already shown signs of weakness....

Those 2.2's run forever, I bet thats the last thing to go. Suspension might go next, I know the driveline and suspension is the worst part about the SVX, I've had to replace more parts on that than anywhere else.

Cool, thats what I keep em at anyway give or take a pound :cool:
I would have totally forgot to let air out though, thanks for the tip!

:lol: yeah, as long as I don't have to downshift into 1st too many times I'll be good.

California heads, which in turn means the exhaust is also unfavorable. most H4s have one exhaust port per cylinder, while mine only has one per head.

I have them too... Didn't realize it was a Cali thing???

...I found out pretty quick the first time I pulled the exhaust off one of these engines and needed new gaskets. Try to keep extras ever since. The dual ports are a dime a dozen around hear...

....um H-Stock here I come? :confused:
Will they consider my roof rack an aerodynamic upgrade ??!?!
The keyto it appears to be safe and sound in one of my other cars.... at my parent's place :rolleyes:

Anyway...
Anyone with a snell2005 approved helmet, $50, and a desire to learn some auto-x want to meet up this Sat? it's in NH. We will be a small group of newbs and seasoned Autocrossers. Let me know!

Sooo... it turns out I knew a lot more than I thought I did, in fact I learned I could do MORE with the car than I imagined possible. I got some great tips from some awesome guys there, I will be back for the next event.

There was this one guy that gave me an awesome throttle tip that I feel the first AWD instructor was nervous about telling me... it shaved 12 seconds off the lap that got recorded, I know it saved more on the run prior as I applied the technique better, but the meter tripped somehow ...it was good to get to go an extra time though :D After I learn the technique a bit more it will shave more off I am sure.

The roof rack was jokingly pointed out to be an "AreoAdvantage" bolt on as I was "afraid of" ... but they let it go due to the drag generated from the second bar :lol:

The tires actually were not a huge issue, except for in one instance where I'm sure if I had slightly better suspension or more skill it would not have been a problem at all.

Power was my single biggest issue... there are times when 2nd isn't the best gear to be in, but shifting is not an option and the power just isn't there to get me though. about 25-50 more hp would be an awesome next step. I did jam it into first once, but found the transition to be a little less smooth than desired.

....next I'd say suspension, sould be lower and tighter... but I was shown how to use it to my advantage as is for now. Next I would say tires.

Really want to work more on skill before doing much else though.

The last time I ran an Outback wagon, someone kept saying," But it's a FAMILY car!!" The ol grocery-getter smoked 6 Corvettes, a boxter Porsche, some Audis and a Monte Carlo with painted on lights. (plus a lot of other stuff)

Your next 'issue' will be tires. If you have better tires, you will be able to hold your speed more. Shifting takes time.
Congrats on getting your feet wet!!