Dirt track racing- 4 cylinder class (Hornets) advice

[Jinmajay]

I haven't been by lately and I thought I would stop in to see how things were going...

I have been considering putting a stock car together for the local Hornet class in Moberly, MO. I have an old 1.6L Nova (Toyota) that I could use but it is my daily driver now plus I believe there are other cars out there that are readily available and better to use as a racer.

Here is a link to the website on how to qualify a car:
http://www.ssautosport.com/printable/20 ... _rules.htm
main site:
http://www.24racewayinmoberly.com/

This is what I can choose from:
BODIES - 1980 or newer American made only - Ford, GM, Mopar. Hood and trunk lids must have hinges. Hood latches must be removed and two hood pins are required in the front part of the hood. All tail lights, head lights, side mirrors and all window glass must be removed. Doors must be welded or bolted shut. No body modifications. Stock ride height. No removing of sheet metal such as hood, trunk, doors, etc. If O.E. body parts are unavailbly you can use same gauge steel to make replacement, MUST BE STOCK APPEARING. MUST HAVE PICKUP CHAINS FRONT AND REAR.

ENGINE AND CARBURETOR - No turbos or super chargers. No quad 4’s or 4 valves per cylinder. Four cylinder only. No modifications to engine. Maximum cylinder compression is 190 pounds. No ignition changing chip. Air conditioner condenser and A/C pump may be removed. Inertia switch (fuel shut off - Ford) may be removed. Rear seat may be removed. Electric cooling fan may be wired to run constantly. Stock steering column must start with key. Lead weight optional but must be fastened with two 1/2" bolts and painted white with car number on it.

Now to my question. What would be the best (largest displacement engine and lightest body) American made car that is SOHC? We would need to stick to something 10 years or older as this class has a "Claims" rule and I could stand to loose it.

If i do end up buying one, I want to start with a car that has one of the best power to weight ratio available.

Other things to consider. My thinking that a standard 5 speed would be better and a older carb'd engine but most like my Nova have smaller displacement engines and could potentially be heavier plus parts are less available in the JY.

What do you think?

[Smiliesafari]

Ford Pinto or Merc Bobat. I'm not sure if they were still around in 1980.

[Jinmajay]

What are the chances of finding a pinto?
Production 1975-1980
Class Subcompact
Body Style 3-Door Hatchback
3-Door Wagon
Length 169.3 Inches Hatchback
179.8 Inches Wagon
Width 69.4 Inches Hatchback
69.7 Inches Wagon
Height 50.6 Inches Hatchback
52.1 Inches Wagon
Wheelbase 94.5 Inches Hatchback
94.8 Inches Wagon
Weight 2000-2300 lbs
Transmission 4-Speed Manual, RWD
3-Speed Automatic, RWD
Engine 2.3L (140 cid) I4 (1975-1980)
2.8L (171 cid) V6 (1975-1979)
Power 88-98 hp
Similar Ford Pinto

[Smiliesafari]

There's one on EBay right now. It's a dirt track racer already. Cheap too.

[Jinmajay]

What would be best?

1986 Nova 1.6L, 3230 GVWR, 3 speed auto, carb, ? CR (toyota 4A engine)
or
1999 Escort 2.0L, 3485 GVWR, 5 speed manual, FI, 9.2 CR
or
1999 Cavalier 2.2L, 2676 Curb weight, 4 speed auto, FI, 9.0 CR

[rlsllc]

A buddy of mine swears by Neons. Say's they're "factory race cars". He runs the auto, on short tracks he never gets out of 1st gear. He modded the struts so he can run a taller tire, it helps traction and gear ratio. He also modded a few wheels to change the offset or widen them or something. It is a cool looking beast. He runs on a 3/8" mile track, red clay.

[SoCalli V8]

One of my other hobbies is 2.3 turbo Ford motors, > the Single Overhead cam 4 cyl 2valve per cyl motor, also known as the Pinto motor available in 1.6, 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5.
Internally these motors were over-engineered for their time and are increadibilly robust, there are drag-racers on my forums getting 500 + hp with just an intercooled turbo and the bottom end is mostly stock. (just re-built with new parts)

I have a carbed 2.3 turbo in my sandrail, and a fi 2.3 turbo in my car and parts are cheaply available from your your local jy. Yeah they are heavy about 300lbs, using a cast iron head and block, and there are a million dedicated "power extracting" websites.

I understand that you can`t run a turbo, but roller rockers, stock high-lift cams, distributorless ignition, and a whole bunch of other "less power robbing" parts are available as stock.

A `70s Ford Pinto chassis is light ( as ugly as that car was ) is what all the big 2.3T 10 sec Big-boys are running, and there are a couple of guys in the high 8`s in the 1/4mile overhere.

[SoCalli V8]

Ooops, I didn`t see the front wheel drive stipulation...... counts the 2.3 out.

This is my new 2.3 turbo Ford motor that I built for my sandrail. Yeah, I have a florescent paint fetish.





My old tired sandrail motor.

[Jinmajay]

Thanks for the info guy's. Yep, no turbo, no DOHC, no RWD, Stock tires, ect.

The only improvements are those unseen

I think I am going to focus on the cavalier. One because it is a Chevy , two because of the 2.2L and three because it is a Chevy .

I'm thinking on the newer style but it will mostly boil down to what’s on Craigslist.

I don't think the Nova will keep up and the suspension is nowhere close as good as the modern car. I will have to add weight to the car as they have a weight to cube's ratio. I will be able to put the weight where I want it.

I once thought that standard tranny would be the way to go but you may be right on the auto. Can you change shift points on the new cavaliers?

Calli V8- Can't see you pic's (at work) but I will give a looksee sometime soon.

Again, thanks for all the advice.

Someone on the forum posted several You Tube videos of the Hornets racing. You can't tell me that those boys haven't hopped them up any! At least the leading few. You can certainly tell which ones are running true stock cars.

[Jinmajay]

I am a proud owner of a previously enjoyed, 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, hornet race car. I found one that was build and raced two seasons about 16 races. Might get it out on the track in a couple of weeks

It was almost destiny... [-o< It's number is 02 and my radio number at work is unit 2. Coincidence? I think not.

I found out that th top four (leaders in points) all have punched there engines out to the max. The one I have is mostly stock but is the fastest stock car out there. We'll see.

[Smiliesafari]

Sounds like fun. Any pics?

[Jinmajay]

Yep, I'll post 'em up this week sometime.

[SoCalli V8]

Looking forward to seeing those.....

[Jinmajay]

Here you are.



You can see the rest under "Hornet" on my photo site.
enjoy.

[Smiliesafari]

Looky here.........someone found a good use for a Sunfire. Have fun. Be safe.