Whats better, 4G63t, road race, or drag?

[98gsxTX]

Hey everyone, im new to the site and im learning all i can. I have a 1998 Eclipse GSX and its 98% stock and im looking to upgrade it. i've got some cash and will have the time pretty soon, but i dont know which upgrade path i should follow, the 4G63t, road race, or drag race. I want it to still be able to be a daily driver while at the same time getting all i can out of it if i feel the urge... ...advice, tips, and tricks are appreciated! Pics of car and engine available on profile. Thanks!

 

[H4G64T]

I'll give you a huge hint: We have a 1/4 mile times list here and no tracking of road racing times.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Most people that serious do drag builds. There are a few dedicated Autocross people. You can do either. But I will say this with experience. If you want to autocross get something light and N/A with as wide of a stance as possible. The modifications that are allowed in SCCA are fairly limiting. DSMs used to do quite well before a lot of rule changes.

2g is going to be better for autox. Wider stance and better suspension.

 

[D's GS-T]

Road race tracking times are found in the road race section and only in that section for a reason . They can be descent at autox/tracking, but drag racing is going to be your best bet. As someone mentioned the rules in autocross have made it harder for DSMs to compete as well. Also you'll want to do alot of research before you take one on a road course especially if it's going to be modded. I'd go drag if you want a modded DSM.

 

[jtmcinder]

I'll give you a huge hint: We have a 1/4 mile times list here and no tracking of road racing times.

Here's a hint for you, in return, as to your observation: all drag-strips are treated as equal while no two road or autocross courses are even close to the same.

In other words, people who can't hold much information in their heads are sometime attracted to drag-racing due to the minimal amount of knowledge and memory required to keep track of who is any good.

Not saying that you should be classified this way. Not quite enough data yet.

-

To the OP: what kind of driving do you like to do?

 

[BogusSVO]

Here's a hint for you, in return, as to your observation: all drag-strips are treated as equal while no two road or autocross courses are even close to the same.

In other words, people who can't hold much information in their heads are sometime attracted to drag-racing due to the minimal amount of knowledge and memory required to keep track of who is any good.

Not saying that you should be classified this way. Not quite enough data yet.

-

To the OP: what kind of driving do you like to do?

^^^^^ That is just FULL of WIN!

and OP... what type of budget do you have to go race with?

Drag will be less expensive than road race autoX

Neither is "cheap" if you want to be competive.

 

[H4G64T]

Here's a hint for you, in return, as to your observation: all drag-strips are treated as equal while no two road or autocross courses are even close to the same.

In other words, people who can't hold much information in their heads are sometime attracted to drag-racing due to the minimal amount of knowledge and memory required to keep track of who is any good.

Not saying that you should be classified this way. Not quite enough data yet.

-

To the OP: what kind of driving do you like to do?

Probably would shock you then to know that I am building a road race car. The question wasn't which one we prefer, but which one is more popular and the absolute lack of any sort of coverage, records, just about anything related to road racing on this site (minus a discussion forum) would definitely indicate as such.

With the exception of Andrew Brilliant, what other major accomplishments have our cars held, generally drag racing records.

 

[murcielago]

wow... ^^^.... same here currently Bulding Road-Race/Daily Car.. Lots of cooling needed i tell you that ... good Radiator with fanshroud, good brand.. me my self going with a Big T-28 at the moment since is pretty quick at spooling from a downshift after coming out of a curve, sticking with that for a while, right now at about 17psi.. if any more cooling nessesary for me ill fabricate the front bumper & Hood(stock-hood) for some air induction towards the Engine..

I love Road Racing, is not a game i tell you that is a very Competitive Challange, remember youw ant to be comfortable and make sure everything absolutyly everything on your car is lubed, tighten to torque specs, and all the maintenance make sure is Done! is not a 15second race. its a good amount of minutes and turning going on, suspension wise stock is good if your not pushing too much power..

Drag Racing is absolutely more known then Road-Race, and is because many are not willing on putting time on making a Rad Race car.. it's fun, to me to be honest i prefer Road-Race over Drag all day, maybe 3-5 times drag to see how fast i can get my car in a 1/4mile, but road race is curves straigh and it really tests your driving skills.. Like i said before is a good challange..

But which ever one you choose to go with, have fun and make sure you have a good clean car/engine, no leaks neccesary...

Have Fun..

 

[99gst214]

^^^^^ That is just FULL of WIN!

and OP... what type of budget do you have to go race with?

Drag will be less expensive than road race autoX

Neither is "cheap" if you want to be competive.

Yes and no. The OP doesn't have his mods actually listed, but I could see a RFL BOV (which you need to either recirculate or take it off IMO), Injen intake, and an exhaust. That is enough to put you in street prepared I believe. So you probably wouldn't be to competitive in autox unless you return it to stock and spend your cash on suspension mods. Yet you can learn alot more about your car and you as a driver by pushing your car to the limits other then by going in a straight line. Drag racing is by no means a "who has the most HP wins" game. Alot ties into it, including the vehicle's geometry. And what better way to learn it, then by actually doing it. You don't have to be competitve to start, just learn the car and how you like to drive it. Make adjustments and see where you wanna go with it. My vote would be to Autox it to start, you will become a better driver even on the road. If its not your thing, then give the drag thing a go. Just as long as your happy doing it!

 

[Dhan]

OP: one pro about our DSMs, is that they are able to take part in a number of different race venues and do well. Other cars lean in one direction and therefore struggle in other (Miatas are great autox, but bad in drag, Camaro is good for drag, bad for autox).

You could take your car to the local drag strip during a "run what you brung" night and see how you like it, then find out the next time your local autocross chapter is racing, and try that out too. Then you'll have no trouble making up your mind

GL

 

[bertrenolds]

Are you talking about swaping to a 6bolt 4g63 are are you going to keep the 2g 7bolt engine? I would start with the basics and start with all of your joints ball,tie, halfshafts, ect. Make sure the car is up to hard driving standards with new suspension stuff befopre you start adding power and driving aggressive and slide off the road and kill yourslef because your ball joint failed.

 

[johng96gst]

Its all personal preference. Like would you rather have a blonde or brunette. Me, Ill race whatever and do both.

 

[Boostinsideways]

You forgot redheads!

 

[johng96gst]

Gingers scare me...

 

[90gsx_luis]

^^^ +1

 

[98gsxTX]

^^^^^ That is just FULL of WIN!

and OP... what type of budget do you have to go race with?

Drag will be less expensive than road race autoX

Neither is "cheap" if you want to be competive.

I have a pretty nice budget to work with, im looking at dropping at least 5g's probably...give or take where possible

Yes and no. The OP doesn't have his mods actually listed, but I could see a RFL BOV (which you need to either recirculate or take it off IMO), Injen intake, and an exhaust. That is enough to put you in street prepared I believe. So you probably wouldn't be to competitive in autox unless you return it to stock and spend your cash on suspension mods. Yet you can learn alot more about your car and you as a driver by pushing your car to the limits other then by going in a straight line. Drag racing is by no means a "who has the most HP wins" game. Alot ties into it, including the vehicle's geometry. And what better way to learn it, then by actually doing it. You don't have to be competitve to start, just learn the car and how you like to drive it. Make adjustments and see where you wanna go with it. My vote would be to Autox it to start, you will become a better driver even on the road. If its not your thing, then give the drag thing a go. Just as long as your happy doing it!

Like i said to begin with, the car is mostly stock. the only mods that i know of are:

injen short ram 3" air intake
unknown brand blow off valve
slightly hotter than factory spark plugs and wires
3" A'PEXi exhaust

i am just trying to figure out what i am wanting to upgrade it with and where to start...

Are you talking about swaping to a 6bolt 4g63 are are you going to keep the 2g 7bolt engine? I would start with the basics and start with all of your joints ball,tie, halfshafts, ect. Make sure the car is up to hard driving standards with new suspension stuff befopre you start adding power and driving aggressive and slide off the road and kill yourslef because your ball joint failed.

honestly, i dont know. how do i tell if mine is a 6 or 7? im assuming that its a 7 since its a 2g. and i know the difference is like 100hp, but what exactly would i be swapping? the entire engine or just a part? i dont have another engine, im just looking at mods to buy and unsafe things (i.e. recalled ball joints) to replace and upgrade.

 

[Boostinsideways]

The 7 bolt has higher compression. It is in my opinion the better choice for a 14b/16g sized turbo. Remember the 2g is making more horsepower 210 stock versus 195 for the 1g stock despite having the pathetic excuse for a turbo that is the t-25.

The 1g engine has stronger rods, and lower compression. Great for bigger turbo / more boost.

Maybe people swap to 6 bolts in 2gs because they are afraid of crank walk. It is basically a moot point in this day and time. Nearly all of the cars that would have suffered from it have. The issue was non split thrust bearing design in the early 2g 7 bolts. Notice that few of the 1gb owners ever complained about it. It mostly 95-96 owners. And most of the time it occured before the 80,000 mile mark. Now it could still happen, but probably won't