F-Bods in autocross?

[raiderman119]

Im almost 18, and really excited about doing some solo2. I was just wandering how the v6 f-bods do in these events. I seem to stick corners on the backroads pretty well, but is my car going to get demolished in autocross? I obviously know thats its all about the driver, but driver aside, how do the f-bods fair? Thanks

[John_D.]

Other than driver, depends on the car setup and the course. The v6 is heavy and underpowered compared to the ls1 counterparts. It's definitely slower in slaloms and tight courses than the Miatas.

If you don't do a whole lot to it, you can run in G-stock. (catback and front sway bar)

If you put some slightly wider tires on it, headers, maybe a bigger rear bar, maybe springs and shocks, you can run in STX.

Check your local region online site, and see what types of cars are running what times in those classes.

Your message says you're from KY. What part of KY?

Do you know about:
www.kyfbodies.org
www.mtfba.org (middle tn)
www.wtfba.org (west tn)

There is a site for East TN too, for fbodies, and also for autocross, but I don't remember it. Some of the east TN guys come over for our autocrosses. (we have 2 a month at the Nashville Superspeedway)

Oh yeah, and f-body road racing and autocross...
www.frrax.com
There are a few v6 guys there too.
Might pick up a few pointers and tips over there.

[Wicked 3800 V6]

Don't do much, and you'll be happy in GS. You'll need sticky AX slicks to be competitive, though, since thats what the top GS guys run.

Do a lot more mods and enjoy STX, though you can only run on sticky street tires, and the rest of the STXers run Azenis.

[Vracer111]

Well a completely original stock camaro is fun but my STF class Extended Cab Tacoma can outhandle it on tight courses. Currently I'm building my camaro for SM class and roadcourse open tracking duty. With the Hotchkis swaybars, Koni Sport dampers, wide sticky tires (275/40-17 Nitto NT-555RII), and smaller diameter Sparco steering wheel it really handles great now. Slaloms were a problem when it was stock - seemed to be always behind and slow to change direction. Now it's precise and insanely fun in the slolams...weeee! And it also turns on a dime when braking in the corners too....weeee!

One thing that's not good at all is the rear end hop when braking hard for the corners...whole rear end just shaking away like crazy if you hit the brakes too hard. Usually happens at least once an event to me. The other problem is the power steering fluid getting hot and boiling - though it is not nearly as bad at autocrosses compared to running on track.

Overall the V6 camaro is a pretty competent autocrosser, and nationally in GS it has done pretty good in the past. Have fun!

[zlexiss]

Just adding that the V6 Fbod may not be be too competitive outside of GS, but it's always a blast to drive and a perfect car to learn in. You'll thank your time in it if you ever step up to driving a V8 rwd..

-Jeff