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I have a 2007 Mustang GT coupe. I'd like to compete next year, but don't know what class I'd have a chance of being competitive in - assuming I was a good driver - which I acknowledge will take many schools and at least several years ... but play along with me for a minute... If I can never get my car in a class that I have a chance of being competitive in - then I have to ask myself - why bother? OK, it's fun to go to the classes, but after a couple of those, I might feel like I'm done if I can't compete ...
Right now I am in bone stock configuration, but not for much longer. The problem I see is that F-Stock does not seem to allow mods like a CAI and lower control arms, aluminum drivershaft, short-throw shifter. I like to drag race, and have to at least do the CAI, re-tune, short-throw and lower control arms for next year. If F-Stock does not allow that, then do I have to try Street Prepared ? And am I likely to be able to compete there ?
If not, should I lobby for a class regs change ? I'd like to get involved, but it seems like the odds are stacked against me with this car, unless I keep it bone stock...
For a newbie, your best bet is to stay in FS. you are allowed a front bar, shocks, light weight wheels (same size, width and offset) R compound tires and cat back exhaust. Download the rules from http://www.scca.org/_filelibrary/File/2006_solo_rules.pdf. If you insist on spending money before you learn to drive, the next step would be ESP which allows more mods and "mo" money. After that you have the option of CP or SM. There is very little in common between a car set up for drags and Solo, although Justin Huffman does both with his I believe. Keep in mind that the farther removed from stock, the less of an everyday street car you will end up with. and the more likely you will end up needing a truck and trailer. I'm sure some others will chime in.
A 2007 Mustang GT can be plenty competitive and is fully capable of doing well in F-stock with just a couple modifications. The car needs shocks, and Koni just released theirs for this car. Beyond that, a performance alignment is necessary.
A short throw shifter? In most situations with a mustang you will shift one time at an autocross. I can shift my '07 GT plenty fast as it sits (bone stock), a short throw shifter is just not necessary. I'm not even sure what you hope to gain by installing different lower control arms. My ESP Camaro has stock LCAs (still not legal to change them in ESP) and it works well.
If you just absolutely must change these items, you should probably just run for fun in CP or SM where these changes are legal. I'll go out on a limb and say that the good folks in ESP won't mind if you come play with us regardless of whether you install this stuff or not.
My main advice is to just do what you want to the car and have fun playing wherever it lands classing-wise.
Brian
Thanks, gents for the responses and advice. Short-throw and LCAs will help me a lot in the 1/4-mile, where I like to play, too.
Well, it's almost that time of year. I've had some unexpected expenses since last posting, and now expect to confine my mods this year to a CAI with ECU retune, and LCAs. That's on top of the pedals, mufflers, hawk brake pads, braided brake lines and hi-temp brake fluid I already have.
Before I sign up for the 2008 series, I wanted to nail down the proper class for my car. I've read the regs for a few hours, but am still confused. Thanks to your prior advice I looked at ESP, SM and CP. CP looks like race cars, and that would not be fun for me. ESP doesn't allow suspension mods, so that leaves SM - right? Are my hawk brake pads allowed there, or do I have to take them off? What about the hi-temp brake fluid?
Thanks.