PDA

View Full Version : Help from Marauder fans for next AutoX/Trackday


wesman
02-08-2005, 03:23 PM
Hello this thread is to gather the collective intelligence of MM.net fans towards my one goal next season: Humiliate people who laughed at the Marauder last year!

This is what I have so far:
Metco upper & lowers & watts link
Cut 3/4 coil off of front springs
4.10s & Ford racing diff cover.
SCT Tuner DR flash.
Addco bars front & rear.
BBS RK wheels 17 X 8" +40mm offset with Hoosier tires sized 225/45/17 A3S04s

I will have TAF's Naake super suspension before the green flag drops.
Also the Kooks complete system and some SPA gauges are waiting to go in.
Stock brakes with KVR & Hawk pads for now.

What I need from you guys is what size tires/wheels will kick the most $ss.
I am willing to fling some money at wheels & tires, but I need an educated guess at what will fit. I am leaning towards a 285 X 25.5inch tall racing slick, but how the heck is that going to fit. It would need an 11inch wide wheel !
I know Cruztaker has fit a gigantic 28 X 11.5 inch slick so there is plently of room to work with. The problem is finding a wheel that will work.
I have a line on some 18 X 9.5 cobra R wheels , we will see, if they stick out a mile, so be it!
I have checked out the tirerack endlessly, the Kazera's KZA look OK for $205 but only 9.5 inches wide. They are a 45mm offset.
Widening the wheels would be stealth but hitting 150mph on a track with those welds, would that be a safe idea? Plus the cost, 2 X $250 (used) + $225 (welds) + shipping = one damn expensive wheel in Can $ 891.00!
And I would need four of them. That being said it would be neat to have a stock looking Marauder slaughter 3/4ths of the naysayers.
I have checked out aftermarket Acura NSX wheels, S2000 wheels, 350Z wheels and on and on. They all have a wide wheel with big offsets.
Maybe the answer lies in a super sticky 245mm?
The local tire place has an at-cost sale on any Kumho race tires this week only, so I have to make up my mind soon. I can always buy wheels later.
I have a collection of 15, 16, 17 inch wheels sitting at home that all fit, but none are wide enough to tame the back end of the Marauder under duress.

I will be going to at least two trackdays with the SVT club, Aug 6 & 7th at Shannonville and Gingerman July 23 & 24.

Any suggestions welcome (except staying home and sitting on the couch this summer).

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/JJ2M6739.JPG
Krytin
02-08-2005, 05:17 PM
If you're gonna get the Naake/QA-1 suspention kit along w/everything else you have, What about the stock rims w/the BFG's that TAF is running on his ride? Just a thought.
wesman
02-08-2005, 05:44 PM
If you're gonna get the Naake/QA-1 suspention kit along w/everything else you have, What about the stock rims w/the BFG's that TAF is running on his ride? Just a thought.
I definately have my eye on those for the street. But for competition they are way, way down the totem pole of grip.
LimoMerc
02-08-2005, 06:07 PM
All I can offer is encouregement (PLEASE DON'T LET THEM LAUGH AGAIN). It's great to see your doing something other than drag racing, don't get me wrong I can't wait to get my MM out on a 1/4 mile track with the rest of you but I think this car is capable of more. Best of luck and don't give up .

:beer:
NAVCHAP
02-08-2005, 06:29 PM
If you are doing everything else, as several of us have done, for best possible handling, contact METCO about their Watts Link, could feel the difference immediately after install. -kjs-
wesman
02-08-2005, 06:55 PM
If you are doing everything else, as several of us have done, for best possible handling, contact METCO about their Watts Link, could feel the difference immediately after install. -kjs-
Opps forgot, I have that too.
Captain Steve
02-09-2005, 10:59 AM
Wes, have you talked to DR about maybe a special race day tune? I'm just thinking that you may benifit from a different shift pattern when doing a autocross vs normal driving.

I'm not sure, but from what I've read on the internet, a typical SCCA Solo type autocross.. they never get over like 50-60mph between turns. That'd mean you'd never want to get to 3rd gear. So, maybe have it locked out in the tune, so that you're not upshifting when you go to get on the brakes... etc, etc..
wesman
02-09-2005, 11:50 AM
Wes, have you talked to DR about maybe a special race day tune? I'm just thinking that you may benifit from a different shift pattern when doing a autocross vs normal driving.

I'm not sure, but from what I've read on the internet, a typical SCCA Solo type autocross.. they never get over like 50-60mph between turns. That'd mean you'd never want to get to 3rd gear. So, maybe have it locked out in the tune, so that you're not upshifting when you go to get on the brakes... etc, etc..
that is a great idea! Thanks.
wesman
05-28-2005, 08:30 PM
2000 Cobra R wheels 18 X 9.5 & 20mm offset
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03837.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03838.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03839.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03840.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03841.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/DSC03842.JPG

I am hoping there aren't any bumps at tomorrow's AutoX at an airfield. The offset is really obnoxious.
BK_GrandMarquis
05-28-2005, 10:42 PM
Nice!!! For the back, you could always raise the rear if your rubbing. If you have the QA1's you could stiffen them too. How heavy are those wheels compared to the BBS set? I didn't have the cash to get lightweight wheels so I just went low profile to help with the grip. The One Lap Of America CVPI had 295's up front but I think they stuck out more than yours. Plus it had 2006 suspension parts.

Good Luck with the racing!!! :banana2: :burn:
wesman
05-29-2005, 03:00 AM
The cobra R's are 33 pounds just the wheel.
CBT
05-29-2005, 06:30 AM
Those Cobra rims look nice, do the back ones rub the fenderwell at all?
jstevens
05-29-2005, 07:35 AM
Wes, I don't have any suggestions as I'm not much of a gear head but I must congratulate you on doing different things.

Yes, please make'em so they won't be laughin next time.

John
wesman
05-29-2005, 06:44 PM
photo shoot from today at the event

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/picton5.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/picton4.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/picton3.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/picton2.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/picton1.jpg
wesman
05-29-2005, 06:48 PM
The front passenger side tire buffed away the paint on the bottom of the fender, so I don't recommend these wheels for anyone with a lowered car. The backs were fine.
Massive pics in my gallery.
wesman
05-31-2005, 07:56 PM
Pic of fender rubbing I think!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/1/fenderrubbing.JPG
BK_GrandMarquis
05-31-2005, 08:54 PM
Pic of fender rubbing I think!


Yup, I would think so too. :eek:
BK_GrandMarquis
06-05-2005, 02:26 AM
The cobra R's are 33 pounds just the wheel.

That seems kinda heavy for 18's. I emailed the company about the wheels I have and the said the 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 were 28lbs and 30lbs, respectively.
ADE 1000
06-05-2005, 06:58 AM
So, how did you do?

I auto-X quite a bit and I have seen some local Impala SS guys putting up some pretty impressive results. I see no reason the Marauder could not do the same. Your setup is pretty hardcore and should definetly surprise a few people.
metroplex
06-05-2005, 06:59 AM
Step 1 in building an autocrossing Marauder: Don't put anything else in the front end of the car, like a 50lb Go Rhino.

Step 2: Try to shift all that weight into the back of the car (try not to add weight but move stuff, adding is OK if you can boost power to match) for better weight distribution.
wesman
07-29-2005, 06:49 AM
Step 1 in getting where you want to go as fast as possible: buy 300hp car that looks like a cop car.
Step 2: Put ram bars on it, so anyone watching their mirror pulls over.

Autocrossing is only to kill the weekend lulls, when the mazda is broken.

I didn't do to well with these tires on, they are too hard a compound for AutoX, I finished in the bottom 1/4.