New TX member and new to AutoX

[Gscherer78ta]

I started getting involved with autoX last fall and it festered all winter and then I really go the bug this spring. I've entered in 10-12 events with either my factory stock 2002 Firehawk- LS1, M6, SLP CAI and exhaust. Or, more of the time I use my '78 Trans Am, Y88, Pontiac 400, TH350, 3.23. The 78 is largely still stock as well. The original factory engine was removed for safe keeping and I built a 406CID that's way more aggresive then the factory tunes of that area but I still have a stock TH350 with stock TC and it runs on pump gas. I lowered it 2" this year and deisgned and built some SFC's for it. I also put 275 Nitto 555's on 18 x 9 wheels to help me corner better.

I'm still learning a lot at every event and progressing and having fun meeting new people and seeing new cars and getting new ideas.

This is from the fall of 2013 at a good guys event- I think this was my first autoX event... The car is all factory original here.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3ce26b3127ccef41a6cf04aa200000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720131007173154295.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


This was a month ago at a time trial event.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4ce27b3127ccef7188a1830bc00000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720141006173828084.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

This is what it looks like today...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4d624b3127ccef69e5c8d6f4000000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720140805125514806.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

An I can't leave my Firehawk out of the mix- this car is a lot of fun to drive! With stickier tires on this car, it would be very competitive...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4d823b3127ccef61129e3ce4b00000010O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702796133120140602132541275.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[GrabberGT]

Welcome to Lateral-g. Looking forward to our next event.

[WSSix]

Nice cars! Welcome to the site.

[91S10ProStreet]

Nice cars, welcome to the forums... From sunny FLA!!!

[Panteracer]

Love the cars
Glad to see you take them out and have fun

Panteracer

I also have a 1970 trans am clone

[chichirone]

Great to see you on the site Greg. Cars are looking awesome.

Like Chris mentions, looking forward to getting out to the next event with you.

[tarheels15]

welcome to the site. auto x sounds like fun.

[Gscherer78ta]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've been searching through and reading a ton of the suspension and chassis stuff from Ron Sutton and it makes my head swim there is so much info! I'm stepping away from the factory original purist Pontiac position I've maintained since I've had the car and now use the 78 car mostly for autoX. Chichirone has been an expensive influence on me...

I'm looking to make suspension modes to help my grip through te corners and dream about getting a 5 or 6 speed manual mated up to my 400. Or, really going crazy and swapping in an LS1/T56 drivetrain into the 78. The LS engines are so good at making power and torque in the rpm range that I want to be at during autox events. Not trying to start a "Pontiac/Chevy" argument, I just want to go faster...

Greg

[camcojb]

Welcome to the site Greg. That's a great looking T/A. :thumbsup:

[LS7 Z/28]

The LS engines are so good at making power and torque in the rpm range that I want to be at during autox events. Not trying to start a "Pontiac/Chevy" argument, I just want to go faster...

Greg

Don't worry Greg, a huge percentage of the guys on here are pro LS, so you're preaching to the choir; so to speak. You won't find too many purists that will bust your balls about it. There are a few Fords with LS swaps and even a '70 Challenger. Good luck with your projects.

[Revved]

Welcome! Glad to have another DFW member!

[Gscherer78ta]

Welcome! Glad to have another DFW member!

Where are you at and what events do you usually go to?

Maybe we have seen each other at an event before!

[BMR Sales]

Welcome, I cut my Teeth on A/Xing and still love to do it !

[Gscherer78ta]

Got the autox stickers removed and the car cleaned up and out for a cruise this weekend.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf05b3127ccef7e5056e7d7200000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720141124132350968.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf05b3127ccef7e4ccc99c5500000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720141124132317551.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf05b3127ccef7e4d3eadce100000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720141124132326048.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[GrabberGT]

Lookin good. I need to get the Mav out and enjoy the weather while I still can.

[GregWeld]

Welcome to the site! Glad you're hooked on actually using your cars! So many build cars only to pack them away in cotton balls for protection.

A group of hot rodders is driving from Northern California to the GG Lonestar event in April. I'll plan to meet you then!

BTW -- LS motors? Really? OMG...... I have one in my '33 Ford Roadster and my '40 Ford Pickup... You should hear the comments at car shows. My thoughts are "and they call themselves hot rodders?"

You've got Don Hardy Race Engines right there in your backyard...

[FETorino]

I'm looking to make suspension modes to help my grip through te corners and dream about getting a 5 or 6 speed manual mated up to my 400. Or, really going crazy and swapping in an LS1/T56 drivetrain into the 78. The LS engines are so good at making power and torque in the rpm range that I want to be at during autox events. Not trying to start a "Pontiac/Chevy" argument, I just want to go faster...

Greg

Welcome to the site.

I wouldn't worry too much about being "pure" GM put Chevy 305s,350s and 403 Oldsmobiles in the majority of those cars:lmao:

[Gscherer78ta]

I got some 700#/in front coil springs installed and inadvertantly lowered the front another 1". That's too low and I will have to install spacers to raise it back at least 1/2". I also adjusted the alignment to have -1° camber and 8.3° of caster. I think that's the limit as I don't have anymore stud in the back to space out further and still maintain sufficient nut engagement. In dirving it on the street I can't feel any degradation of the ride but it's hard to tell whether I have achieved a higher grip.

[LS3torque]

Welcome to this site, I'm new here too and like everything I see. Awesome looking Pontiacs you have there, they don't make them like that anymore. Keep posting track piks, they keep me feeling warm inside when I'm shoveling snow up here in Michigan.

[Gscherer78ta]

Time to add some more pictures to this thread. From this weekend, in between thunder storms and monsoon rains I was able to clean the autocross dust/dirt/grim off and shoot a few pictures....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5db39b3127ccee970741a30b800000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720150518144348449.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5db39b3127ccee9716297107200000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720150518144459100.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5db39b3127ccee970b75cf13700000030O00CbtmjZmzZNw e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00702336460720150518144545848.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[tmadden]

Nice to see another homeboy,