Head Case Motorsports

[VPI]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Toyo&tireModel=Proxes+R888

[Dreadhead]

There are a lot of tire options in full on race tires. RE-71R are probably what's going to be done but I'd need new wheels for them too and they'd only be for race day so I'd end up with 3 fucking sets of wheels and tires. (Race, summers and winters) I think I'll wait until I see how things improve with the cat back and sway bars before I get race tires (DOT rated race tires).

[MexicanDragon]

What are your summers? I ran Hankook R-S2s year round on an e30. Man up.

**BRENT**

[Dreadhead]

I don't live in fucking Tennessee and I have snow present for a significant part of the year. Fuck you Brent (not because I'm particularly upset just because it's fun to say)

Race wheels would likely be 17 with oversized 255s to get a better behaving sidewall. OZ Racing wheels are looking sweet but fuck $2k with wheels and TPMS sensors. (I know Jeff will say that's a single wheel)

My summers are the stock wheels and tires Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (also would serve well for rainy race days as they are amazing in the wet)

Probably XICE for winter

Oh and I entirely forgot to mention that the focus ST's destroyed the single GTI that was entered.

Edited April 20, 2016 by Dreadhead

[grawk]

I'd look at Nokians, or the general altimax which are the prior gen nokians) for winters.

[VPI]

I'd get a STi for winter driving.

[Dreadhead]

I think I will likely end up with a STi or Focus RS in 2 years if I keep liking the Autocross (I expect I will) but I may just stay in stock classes for a while (the modified/lowered classes look like a lot of work I don't have time/friends with lifts for) and the ST will be competitive for a long time in the stock classes.

[VPI]

The latest Motor Trend seems to think the ST is the more fun than the RS.  RS is good for the track but bad for everything else according to the review.

[Dreadhead]

Motor Trend loves the Miata for the same reason. I actually really have a blast in the car and it definitely has limits that are beyond mine for right now. Just before I bought it I read a review from a guy who had it as his daily driver and a McLaren and he said he had as much fun in the ST as the McLaren but just at a lower speed. Amazingly tail happy front wheel drive cars for the win

Edit: The article http://jalopnik.com/the-ford-focus-st-is-fun-even-when-you-have-a-maclaren-1692455162

I'd like to find a suspension upgrade that keeps stock for all for corners but that doesn't appear to exist, I can put Koni Yellows on the rear though which is probably enough to eke out some more cornering speed and cornering traction.

 

Edited April 20, 2016 by Dreadhead

[MexicanDragon]

Do you have the autocross rule book? Seems they've changed a bit since I last cared. I have a Buddy that prepped an ST before, and has multiple national trophies. I'd be happy to get you in touch if you want to go down this rabbit hole.

Also, I had plenty of snow in the R-S2s, I just knew how to drive.

**BRENT**

[HemiSam]

You guys are cracking me up...needed a chuckle.

Dread - I would take a hard look at someone's throw-aways for race wheels.  I'm assuming you've found a good Ford based forum.  There or somewhere like Racingjunk you'll be able to find a nice set of wheels that some poor schmuck is taking a bath on trying to unload.  If you're lucky, they'll have rubbers that suit you for a dime on the dollar...  I respect some folks are OCD, but you're going to beat on them anyhoo...  My two bits.

HS

[MexicanDragon]

Seriously great rec there, HS. Used wheel/tire combos are aplenty. Oh, my buddy actually started a national race car swap meet thing on the facebook; I'll invite you, Chris.

**BRENT**

[Dreadhead]

I'll keep an eye out but when I looked previously it was 75-80 cents on the dollar for used wheels that would need new rubber when I can get new ones for less when I factor in the cost of new rubber.

[MexicanDragon]

I'll keep an eye out but when I looked previously it was 75-80 cents on the dollar for used wheels that would need new rubber when I can get new ones for less when I factor in the cost of new rubber.

You're obviously looking in the wrong places.

I'd keep an eye out for Rival S, R-S3, maybe some 888s if those are 200s these days.

**BRENT**

[HemiSam]

4 hours ago, Dreadhead said:

I'll keep an eye out but when I looked previously it was 75-80 cents on the dollar for used wheels that would need new rubber when I can get new ones for less when I factor in the cost of new rubber.

 

That may be what they're asking, but they're smoking dope.  Offer 50 cents on the dollar and when they don't get better offers they come back around.  You have little to lose unless you're really wanting new.  Nothing wrong with that but you're just going to beat on them.

I found these to be very good value for money if you decide to go new.

http://www.forgestar.com/wheels/collection/

HS

[VPI]

So what is the consensus for the go to radar detector these days?  Thinking about Escort Max 2 or 360 at this point.

[grawk]

I've got the Passport 9500 and it's saved me many times.

[HemiSam]

I've been a buyer of the Escort brand for decades (started as cincinnati microwave).  I like using their wireless stuff but unfortunately the quality of these units started having problems several years back.  To their credit, they replaced my unit with a new one...that did the same thing.  On occasion it shuts off w/o letting you know and I have to unplug one of the batteries and reinstall it and it starts up w/o issue.  Weird.  Hopefully they fixed that.  They were bought out years back and that's when the quality went sideways in my estimation.

Their technology is solid and customer service very good.  My guess is they are as good or better than any other out there.

HS

[Dreadhead]

I would probably have one if they were legal here but I have to make do with Waze and its warnings

[cetoole]

Saw a few nice cars while in Munich.

A few more: http://imgur.com/a/1OuJP

 

[Hopstretch]

And those BMW engineers know about form following function too, I can tell you!

[swt61]

At first I thought you were referring to tweeter placement, until I scrolled down.  

[HemiSam]

Beautiful group of cars, cetoole!

Is there any interest in my posting pictures of the rebuild of my 2009 Dodge Challenger turbo car?  I have shots of the process, some of the parts, etc... b

HS

[swt61]

Uhm...Hell yeah!!!

[HemiSam]

OK, swt61 and fellow Texan.  I'll post a few pics and let me know if you have any questions or I'm boring the hell out of anyone

 

So this is what I did to the last motor....I don't recommend doing this at over 200mph.  A Manley race valve failed and took out a really nice 2618 allow piston, set the 300M rod loose as well as the tool steel wrist pin and that rod ate the iron sleeve in then the aluminum block.  Oil went past the engine diaper....it was a bear to stop.  My car is a pig....weighs 4550lbs roughly with me in it.

most of what was sitting in my engine diaper and my steel belly pan

Damn shame...it was a really nice motor.

This is the inside of my passenger side front wheel hub.  It'll give an idea of how much oil made its way on the wheels and brakes.  I found it interesting that due to the dynamics of airflow, although I holed the motor on the driver's side, most the oil ended up on the passenger side wheel which made for some very uneven braking....spooky.  Pulled hard.

This is the StopTech brake rotor that saved my bacon...

Whoops.

She laid down right before the mile marker...I like running the standing mile a couple of times a year.  Here's the slip they were kind enough to secure for me after I oiled the big end of the track...

 

So I decided to give it another shot.  I'm not too bright...LOL

HS