Went to an Autocross today . . . (nuh uh 56k)

[Daveman2]

So I autocross the blazer for the 2nd time today, first time using my new QA1 coilovers.

I did pretty well, but won't know all the times until I get the newsletter in a week or so. I beat my friend in the 350Z, beat a Lightning by a good 6 seconds, and got the same time as an older generation custom M3.

So without any delay, pics:






There should be some video coming soon as well

My friends ride(it looks like ass but it's fast and has a great suspension and motor, and only weight about 2200lbs)
NX2000

We decided to screw around with the masking tape

Other friend's 350Z


Other friend's Mazda Mx-6 Track car, that put down one of the faster times of the day, despite its look. It puts out 230HP at high boost.


Some other cool cars from the event:

The Autox is on an airfield so there were skydivers coming down occassionally.












Here's the photos Album:
http://s510.photobucket.com/albums/s...Auto-X%208-10/

The start-flag guy said to me, "He's it's Chevrolet VW Golf!"

It was a super technical course so it was great to test the blazer on. The better braking and all-around traction were great, and the coils really helped keep the front from loading too hard. Hopefully I can get the video up and show a few bits where the tail gets out.

Once I get an LSD, I will show you that a blazer can drift.

[greencactus3]

haha looks like fun! how much 'last minute weight' were you able to take off? lol

[jesta]

If your drifting in autocross, your losing

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by jesta

If your drifting in autocross, your losing

yeah but sometimes they have 'fun' runs if there's enough time, where you pay $1/lap, and then it's fun to do whatever. There were some drifters there today putting down terrible times, but it looked ****ing cool
Lol we always say we're going to go do some weight reduction when we go to the bathroom there

The biggest weaknesses were the rake, and lack of an LSD. with a better weight balance on the tires and more on-power traction this thing would move alot faster.

good thing Im taking care of that this summer

[lowcherrydime]

cool man looks like it was fun.

[s10fan2000]

looks like a great time man. cant wait to see video.

[Merritj2417]

looks like a lot of fun

[Wicked Mayhem]

looked like a fun time. i like how you seem to be the only non car from the pics you posted in the thread.

[BudRacing]

^^ That's usually how it is when you show up with a Blazer to an AutoX event.

It would be fun to do it again, but I've got a long way to go before I'm anywhere near happy enough with mine to take it to another autoX.

Pics look great. I love your blazer.

[rentedmule]

Awesome pics, the blazer definately has a great stance! I'm hoping to get another event in before the summer's out too. Was the lightning the only other truck there?

[rustyspring03]

i could think of a better vehicle to autoX in but as long as you're having fun and keeping the rubber side down and shiny side up keep on keeping on

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by rustyspring03

i could think of a better vehicle to autoX in but as long as you're having fun and keeping the rubber side down and shiny side up keep on keeping on

Once it gets an LSD, it's actually going to be a really good autocross car, I should be able to beat WRXs and probably a good deal of most production cars that aren't insanely light(less than 2200lbs). It already is great but with the open diff there's alot of power to be put down that is spinning the inside wheel.

However, I feel that up until this point in my modifications, there were far too many weak spots in the car's suspension and weight balance for it to really be alot of fun at the autocross or competitive.

All a blazer needs to do well is a good suspension setup, some weight reduction, and some big ass tires. Stock engines will probably do alright at an auto-x

I was the only chevy truck, there was a lightning, and a guy i talk to alot in a nissan pickup. Someone drove out in an pewter S-10, but left soon after arriving.

[Daveman2]

VIDEO!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rotPE2WAef0

[RickRock]

yeah, in autocross it's not what you drive, it's how you drive it. We just had an event a few weeks ago. There was a guy with a completely stock Nissan Frontier laying down better times than stuff you'd think would be faster. Like an rb swapped 240. Also a stock auto tranny s14 was laying it down hard. The winner of the weekend member class was in a 86 toyota corolla with around 90 hp. Second place was a stage 2 mk IV Jetta. 3rd a B16 swapped CRX. And 4th was the auto s14 240sx..

Not what you drive, how you drive it.

[rentedmule]

That track looked much more wide-open than the one I raced. Any idea what kind of speeds you were hitting? Do you have any significant engine mods? Like you said, they're not really required but I'm just curious.

[Hawk86]

who had the fastest time? I bet it was that shelby Ive riddin in one of those around the track and they are scary!

[bmxbang]

man i always wanted to take my old truck to an autox event looks like so much fun.

[Driveway Kustomz]

Daveman, i ave an oppertunity to get those same rims, do you have much rubbing inner fenders, or frame issues with them?

[1fast4by]

Looks like it was fun. Dave, Ive always liked your blazer...

Ive autox-ed before...lol... No fron sway bar and 3/3 drop on 4x4 suspention, didnt do much but produce smoke and go sideways... ha, I could have "drifted" the thing around the whole track.

[lee-mill]

looks like a blast

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Driveway Kustomz

Daveman, i ave an oppertunity to get those same rims, do you have much rubbing inner fenders, or frame issues with them?

nope
I am a 4WD chassis though, so spacers are just for looks (1" in the rear").

I have alot of engine mods, putting out probably 250-270HP, it's N/a with a comp cams 270AHR, headwork, JBA headers, etc.

It was an insanely tight/technical course, some parts were honestly almost too thing for my blazer to get through, i proably got above 60mph on the back straight.

I wish they had a long straight like they did last time so you guys could see a real launch, the start looks so slow to me lol.
The whole run looks slow to me, even though you can hear tire skidding on most of the turns, that means my suspension is doing it's job and car is extremely happy at it's current limits.
Fastest time I'm not sure, have to wait for the newsletter to come out, but I'm betting I put down a time that's at least better than 1/2 of the cars there.

[greencactus3]

what happened to the video? i never got a chance to see it and it wont load anymore?

[Driveway Kustomz]

damn you and your 4wd!!! lol jk, awsome truck tho, its way diff from everythin else out here

[Daveman2]

The video works fine for me, and I'm not 4WD anymore .
Still got a transfer case to ditch though.

Here are the pro pics from the event:
http://www.steve510.com/coppermine/t...bum=66&page=35
http://www.steve510.com/coppermine/t...bum=66&page=38









I got the same time as this guy:


you can see how high the rear is in the 2nd pic, and that rear passenger corner is exactly where the battery is getting moved to tomorrow .

[greencactus3]

someone needs a bigger swaybar lol

[MINIGfather]

Nice job looks like a lot of fun...

[PhatBoy]

I wish I didnt have to sell my miata. I was going to swap in a massaged 302, and turn it into a auto-x-er. But, babies need more than two seats...blah

Good looking driving, but I dont agree with greencactus who said it needs a bigger sway bar. You probably know this already, but since the truck is "happy" a larger swaybar will push something else beyond its limits and screw everything up. Not that you need my advise but I would do some weight changes like you have said, ditch the transfer case like you have said, and loose the rake like you have said. So damn I guess its not advise.

I agree with you.

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by PhatBoy

I wish I didnt have to sell my miata. I was going to swap in a massaged 302, and turn it into a auto-x-er. But, babies need more than two seats...blah

Good looking driving, but I dont agree with greencactus who said it needs a bigger sway bar. You probably know this already, but since the truck is "happy" a larger swaybar will push something else beyond its limits and screw everything up. Not that you need my advise but I would do some weight changes like you have said, ditch the transfer case like you have said, and loose the rake like you have said. So damn I guess its not advise.

I agree with you.

LOL thanks
Yeah I'm pretty much following the basic recipe for speed, lightweight, decent power, and a properly balanced chassis.

IF you tilt your head so your eyes are level with ground in the photo it's not actually swaying that much, plus the rake makes it look funny, but that's the highest corner on the car anyways.

In the video you can see how flat and controlled the car is, especially when the rear kicks out. It even has slightly deflected swaybar bushings that need to be replaced still and it was great.

[PhatBoy]

Just remember the #1 rule...smooth is fast, fast is smooth.

[greencactus3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Daveman2

In the video you can see how ......

still cant see the video

[Daveman2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rotPE2WAef0
Does this link work?
just search 98 Blazer Autocross, there's not too many vids like it LOL

and your truck's rear end looks amazing btw.

Once I find my drill the battery is going in the rear passenger side of the car, it fits perfectly in the blazer's interior. If I run the vent and seal the box properly it should meet all trackday/NHRA regulations.
Just FYI for blazer guys, the passenger rear area is a ridiculously easy place to mount things to the body.