ShelbyRacer
New member
Cosworth Vega FTW.
Best Car For ITA?
- Thread starter KM9
- Start date
JeffYoung
New member
If I was going to build an ITA it would, and I know this is crazy, be one of the 3.8 GM cars -- the Ols, the Pontiac or the Buick.
You could get a five speed on those cars and the suspension is not terrible. I think they had drum brakes though and a carb though. Still, that motor will make power.
You could get a five speed on those cars and the suspension is not terrible. I think they had drum brakes though and a carb though. Still, that motor will make power.
madrabbit15
New member
My Dad had a ITA 3.8 Skyhawk/monza years ago here in the SE, back in the early 90s he would be on the front row at Roebling almost everytime. The car was fast, fast, fast........ problem was you couldnt stop, well you could once, then the brakes were gone. Tiny vented front rotors rear drums.......... the 5 speeds were the old small boxes, they wouldnt stay together, he probababy went through 3-4 a year. The only one that would last was the ultra heavy 4 speed. Oh, did I mention those v-6s were the old design in which the oil galleys went all the way around the block before they got to the journals. And if thats not enough for you, the car was just too darn heavy. Racing a car thats 2800 lbs, just isnt very fun, especially when you go to pay for tires.
The cars were really popular out on the west coast in ITA, but there were only 2 or 3 around here built. I am sure with the larger tire rule and better brake pads available now, it might help. But what would be the point??
JeffYoung
New member
Point would be winning? lol
My car races at 2685 and has more power and smaller NON-vented brakes.
You duct the Monza up and go with the new pad compounds and fluids and I bet the brakes last just fine.
Same with the new tire compounds. 2800 isn't as heavy as you think; the 240s are over 2600 lbs, etc.
I think a "modern" build on this car could be a winner.
Did they ever come with FI?
My car races at 2685 and has more power and smaller NON-vented brakes.
You duct the Monza up and go with the new pad compounds and fluids and I bet the brakes last just fine.
Same with the new tire compounds. 2800 isn't as heavy as you think; the 240s are over 2600 lbs, etc.
I think a "modern" build on this car could be a winner.
Did they ever come with FI?
JohnW8
New member
Asking which car would be best for ITA is like which girl would be best for... well anyway, they'll all work it's just a matter of what you like. The rules have made all the cars relatively equal for the most part as there are cars that excel in one area but are a lacking in another. You need to know what your rationale is for picking a car. Personal choice, what the internet said, what you read in Grassroots all need to be considered along with the financial end of things. How fast you want to get on the track and what kind of support you can receive throughout the racing season.
If something breaks at the track consider what other cars might be at the track that might loan/rent/sell you a trans or fender etc. Some of the older hard to find cars would make this, in my opinion, harder to do.
Some people like to get unique car that present a challenge to them to make them work. Others just want to get in and drive. While building a Monza, finding a good donor may present a challenge in itself. On the other hand, you could drop a cage and some shocks/springs/sways in a bone stock Miata and have a fairly capable ITA car that can be a building block as you and your skills develop. There's no digs at anyone at what they drive, I'm just presenting the easy button. IF I didn't buy an old spec Miata, I would've bought looked for a BMW E30. Option C would have been a CRX/Integra.
It all a matter of personal choice and economics as to what is the best ITA car to drive. I say Miata, others may have different opinions and all are valid considering the equality among the class.
Good luck
If something breaks at the track consider what other cars might be at the track that might loan/rent/sell you a trans or fender etc. Some of the older hard to find cars would make this, in my opinion, harder to do.
Some people like to get unique car that present a challenge to them to make them work. Others just want to get in and drive. While building a Monza, finding a good donor may present a challenge in itself. On the other hand, you could drop a cage and some shocks/springs/sways in a bone stock Miata and have a fairly capable ITA car that can be a building block as you and your skills develop. There's no digs at anyone at what they drive, I'm just presenting the easy button. IF I didn't buy an old spec Miata, I would've bought looked for a BMW E30. Option C would have been a CRX/Integra.
It all a matter of personal choice and economics as to what is the best ITA car to drive. I say Miata, others may have different opinions and all are valid considering the equality among the class.
Good luck
RSTPerformance
New member
1990 Audi Coupe Quattro 20V!!!
Want to build one? I have two cars (one runs when it wants one does not run). Both are good donor cars. $2,500 cash and they are both yours!
For real though, 172hp (a bit heavy), well balanced, tons of torque, and AWD... I think it would be a fun ITA car, wish I could afford to build it!
Raymond
Want to build one? I have two cars (one runs when it wants one does not run). Both are good donor cars. $2,500 cash and they are both yours!
For real though, 172hp (a bit heavy), well balanced, tons of torque, and AWD... I think it would be a fun ITA car, wish I could afford to build it!
Raymond
JLawton
New member
Yeah, let me get that straight, I had NOTHING to do with the building of the Saturn!! 
I would come off the track, tell someone (Kessler) far smarter than me what the car was doing and he would make changes....... rinse and repeat for five years........
I've always said, winning isn't just about having the fastest car and isn't about having the most talent. It's about the whole program. (and when I say "winning", I mean winning the ARRC, IT Fest, SARRC, NARRC championships, etc)
It's car prep, tire management, dydno tuning (over and over), testing (over and over), PM, set-up, replacing parts before they break, measuring where a 1/4 inch isn't "close enough", paying attention to EVERY little detail, traffic management, support at the track............ and luck. I found the harder I worked, the luckier I got............
There is no "Easy Button" for winning.
(although the Miata comes pretty damn close!!
)
.
I would come off the track, tell someone (Kessler) far smarter than me what the car was doing and he would make changes....... rinse and repeat for five years........
I've always said, winning isn't just about having the fastest car and isn't about having the most talent. It's about the whole program. (and when I say "winning", I mean winning the ARRC, IT Fest, SARRC, NARRC championships, etc)
It's car prep, tire management, dydno tuning (over and over), testing (over and over), PM, set-up, replacing parts before they break, measuring where a 1/4 inch isn't "close enough", paying attention to EVERY little detail, traffic management, support at the track............ and luck. I found the harder I worked, the luckier I got............
There is no "Easy Button" for winning.
(although the Miata comes pretty damn close!!
).
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Back in the early days of IT (1984-1986) there was competitor out here in the San Francisco region who raced a Chevy Monza with a 3.8. That car was very quick then and would still be quick by today's standards. Unfortunately most of those cars have now been crushed.
Darryl
Andy Bettencourt
Super Moderator
There is no "Easy Button" for winning.
(although the Miata comes pretty damn close!!
.
Let me know when you are going to press the easy button on your Miata so I can be ready.
I think he was pressin' on it a couple weekends ago at LRP...Let me know when you are going to press the easy button on your Miata so I can be ready.
I'm guessing we might see him pressin' it again at Watkins Glen in July and September, and/or NHMS in August and September, and of course back at LRP in September.How many times you gonna be pressin' it...?
GA
Andy Bettencourt
Super Moderator
I think he was pressin' on it a couple weekends ago at LRP...
How many times you gonna be pressin' it...?
GA
Because it's the 'easy button', when you press it you are supposed to be guaranteed a win and a track record!
I am almost ready to switch hobbies (transfer the money burn) but I will be pressing it at the NARRC Runoffs for sure...but what will happen when 10 people press the same button! LOL
We rename it "Improved Spec Miata"...?
Andy Bettencourt
Super Moderator
JeffYoung
New member
Thought you had an ITS miata in the works, or are you giving up racing for cross stitching?