enginerd Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) My future self, which hopes to be rich, desperately wants to have an ex-indy/forumula 1/ etc. car to use as a track day car. Something like what this site is selling: http://indycompetition.com/indy-cars-champ-cars.html 1) Are any of these going to be actually usable as a track car? - Are tires available? - Is it possible to start the engines without a complicated pre-heating / pre-oiling rig? - Are there electronics which will make the cars undriveable for anyone other than the original team? 2) Does it depend on the year? Like... perhaps, pre-1990 and you're going to be OK.. avoid anything newer? 3) Is buying one of the rolling chassis and dropping in a simple crate engine a possibility? 4) Are there companies who address all of these questions I have, and sell "track day ready" formula / indy cars? Edited January 30, 2018 by enginerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABR-Glen Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Unless you want something with "pedigree" I think you'd be way better off with a Radical as a track day car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 9 minutes ago, ABR-Glen said: Unless you want something with "pedigree" I think you'd be way better off with a Radical as a track day car. Pedigree and "cool factor" make up at least half the draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam Benty Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Make your own track car. You will need to acquire welding skills but it is not difficult for an engineer like yourself.(Tig) My race partner is building a formula car with Coyote motor in it. I would post a few pictures but to many Mega bites. Trust your skills Sir. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmabarone Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Pick up an older Formula Atlantic and go to town on the aero. There was one running in the SCCA CSR that uses full bodywork to make it more competitive. That car was untouchable as long as the highly tuned engine didn't blow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcewena Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 You could probably turn that basket case Dallara into a nice simulator rig and join the sim league... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) I have a client Anson Super V For sale. 200HP VW, 9000RPM Bitchin. . Runs. well 16000$ Pretty good deal .All of the casting are custom Anson made,everything does at least two things and it takes 30hrs to change the t belt . Edited January 30, 2018 by flyinglizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) Edited January 30, 2018 by flyinglizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 The control arm pivot junction has the brake fluid ported through it . The hoses run through the control arms and are made up after installing. The entire car is built this way as are most from that period( 1979- 1990) with minimal rules. The engineers definitely drank too much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Look for an early Formula Mazda for an easy to keep open wheeler . My contract help services them(Bruce at Speed Connection) > we met when they were Pro series and I worked TransAm @ Sebring. Steel tube frame , driver behind the front axle line. , safe and easy to set up. 15-25K . The later ones are carbon composite tubs. Bonderont uses them now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandit Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 (edited) You say track day cars, so I want a Penske T/A Camaro. As far as open wheel, an older Ferrari F1 would be incredible I'm sure. However, like you mention, just starting them can be an issue. Several years ago I was reading that the factory was buying old laptops off of ebay as the needed the old OS's to run the programs to start the cars. Edited February 1, 2018 by Bandit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 Isn't that something - a Ferrari F1 car could be made simply into garage art only due to a laptop unable to interface with the car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandit Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 25 minutes ago, Ron_e said: Isn't that something - a Ferrari F1 car could be made simply into garage art only due to a laptop unable to interface with the car. Kinda nuts. Especially considering they are 15-20 year old cars. I like them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mender Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I have an old lap top ... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogren-Engineering Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 Most of those old boosted,injected cars are Bosch controlled. A Modern AEM or even a Microsquirt could run them easily. I would recommend any LOLA, as many parts are still being made or traded around. IE the T 70 stuff can still be bought last time we checked. Support stuff and power train availability dictates the prices. Easy to keep running cars are simply worth more. Try to find a post leg eater car. That is any with the your legs under the steering rack are badd. If John Menard ran one of his Buicks in the car , any of the Honda V6 should fit . If you wanted start with one of those basket case tubs , you could use a Porsche trans and LS power. For sub 250 HP the old VW Fox or Audi 4-5 spd trans can be made to work . FWIW many track day clubs dont allow open wheel cuz they are stupid fast and invisible. EX Camel light , TIGA, ARGO etc are way cool and just as much fun IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABR-Glen Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Reynard-Champ-Car-IRL-Indy-Car-Roller-Road-Racing-Car/232636171442 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandit Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 On 1/31/2018 at 8:02 PM, flyinglizard said: Most of those old boosted,injected cars are Bosch controlled. A Modern AEM or even a Microsquirt could run them easily. I would recommend any LOLA, as many parts are still being made or traded around. IE the T 70 stuff can still be bought last time we checked. Support stuff and power train availability dictates the prices. Easy to keep running cars are simply worth more. Try to find a post leg eater car. That is any with the your legs under the steering rack are badd. If John Menard ran one of his Buicks in the car , any of the Honda V6 should fit . If you wanted start with one of those basket case tubs , you could use a Porsche trans and LS power. For sub 250 HP the old VW Fox or Audi 4-5 spd trans can be made to work . FWIW many track day clubs dont allow open wheel cuz they are stupid fast and invisible. EX Camel light , TIGA, ARGO etc are way cool and just as much fun IMHO. If I had the money I'd buy that T70 off ya. Come on Mega Millions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Infiniti Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Saw something like this running a track day, audi, pretty modern, carbon rotors, tons of electronic tech, aside from it being a big boy model ,no clue what it was, but it was a whole team effort pre and post "race" ,computers hooked up, fuel being flushed as soon as it was off track etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted February 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 10 hours ago, ABR-Glen said: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Reynard-Champ-Car-IRL-Indy-Car-Roller-Road-Racing-Car/232636171442 That thing is awesome!! looks like it needs engine, trans, dampers, brakes... an electric shifting trans because there wouldn’t be space for a pedal or linkages... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takjak2 Posted February 6, 2018 Report Share Posted February 6, 2018 NASA NP01. Cheaper to run than a Spec Miata. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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