Yea......you can realistically swap the engine/trans/subframe/steering/brakes/hubs in under an hour.......as long as you have everything bolted up on another subframe ready to go......at that point, hook up wiring, coolant, electrical, fuel.....and you should be good to roll.....
It's a ton of fun, but it is expensive. I've done 7 events. I finished 2. For each race, I was well-prepared and we almost never have minor issues. Car runs great until the bottom end lets go. This is across an Eagle Talon and Honda Civic.
$5k is what it will cost to get a car to the green flag if you or your crew are already racecar bros and have gear available.
We've been lucky and run 3 races and a couple test days on a 5.0 T/5 Combo in our RX-7. Two chump and one Lemons. I prefer the racing in Chump as they don't mind as much if you drop a wheel off as long as your not driving like an asshat. Lemons was a little too black flag happy for me.
We've been hit in each race although not seriously. Aside from a clutch letting go in the second race and seriously underestimating the need for good pads the first race we haven't really had any issues.
My Lemons career has been opposite most people's. I built my car first and then burnt myself out and went to arrive and drives. I've been having so much fun driving for people like Sonic that I sold the CRX this year. Then I got the idea of race prepping my old LS400 and now I'm looking at diving back into that end of the pool this winter. Whichever way you go it's a blast!
I would highly recommend spectating if you get the chance. I never have but there's so much fun to be had. A 4-hour drive is nothing to do one of these races. I wish there was one that close to my house. I'm joining Sonic in NH and that's a 13-14 hour drive.
search for EggBoy racing, they run a DN5 SHO in ChumpCar and have been pretty successful with it.
In reply to AngryCorvair:
Yea, they're over on shoforum every now and then......I have more particular questions for them(pertaining to platform) over there
N Sperlo wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Should have let me know.N Sperlo wrote: I'd be interested, but Indiana isn't a short drive from The Lou.Yeah it is... i've done the Indy to St. Louis drive about.... 4 times in the last two months. Only 4 hours.
I will next time!
Been doing some work for a local business out there, haven't had a whole lot of time, just E36 M3ty 14-16 hour work days.
Sounds familiar. Mon and Tues 16 hours.
Tyler H wrote: It's a ton of fun, but it is expensive. $5k is what it will cost to get a car to the green flag if you or your crew are already racecar bros and have gear available.
QFT. 5K is about right to get you to the green.
We originally started with team of 5 for the 24 hour New Years race at PBIR. Our 1994 Celica lasted 45 minutes after all the gunk in the engine loosened up and clogged an oil passage and we spun a main bearing. When we started the rebuilding efforts 2 guys washed out quickly. If you want to do this as a team, make sure they are good guys that will do what it takes to get the job done. I wouldn't recommend joint ownership. Let one guy own the car and work the finances and work out a seat cost per event.
We have a 14 hr Chumpcar race at Sebring in 7 days so I better get out to the shop and get some E36 M3 done...
Greg Voth wrote: We've been lucky and run 3 races and a couple test days on a 5.0 T/5 Combo in our RX-7. Two chump and one Lemons. I prefer the racing in Chump as they don't mind as much if you drop a wheel off as long as your not driving like an asshat. Lemons was a little too black flag happy for me.
Greg did chumpcar let you run your engine swapped car in the regular $500 class with everyone else or did they put you in the EC class? I have recently been talking to a few good racer friends about running chump and would like to do the same car/engine combo as you guys, an FC RX7 with a 302 & 5spd.
THanks
Paul
I recommend it. The first race with the first car we came in at around 4k all in, including safety gear (three sets) and cage. The first race with the second car was like 1k because they won IOE and already had safety gear.
Lemons has gotten MUCH more reasonable at CMP with regard to black flags. One of our drivers spun out 180 and didn't get flagged. There was one prick and they took care of him, but otherwise very good, clean racing.
Yeah, they were pretty hardnosed the first couple of years at CMP. I guess they really believed everyone down here was a moonshine runner who thought they could drive. Typical California boys. 
A year or two ago, Jay said at the drivers' meeting that the bottom 3rd of the finishers at CMP were like the top 3rd at any of the other races.
I've been consistently impressed with the talent that shows up for CMP. The top tier drivers aren't amateurs.
Tyler H wrote: I've been consistently depressed with the talent that shows up for CMP. The top tier drivers aren't amateurs.
Fixed that for you.
Just kidding. The party is worth it even if I am a terrible driver.
paulmpetrun wrote: Greg did chumpcar let you run your engine swapped car in the regular $500 class with everyone else or did they put you in the EC class? I have recently been talking to a few good racer friends about running chump and would like to do the same car/engine combo as you guys, an FC RX7 with a 302 & 5spd. THanks Paul
We get about 10-15 penalty laps. Usually 5 for the motor swap and 5 for the aluminum radiator. We got another 5 one time because the carb looked too fresh.
We are running a 1st gen RX-7 but using the 2nd gen turbo brakes. No complaints as far as that goes. With the second gen you can run Mustang wheels and large 17inch tires which is nice. We just downsized back to15's to clear the fenders and reduce tire cost.
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