This is really not an important thread...

I was discussing the E36 M3 as a future track when I was at the Euro Auto Fest this weekend and it got me thinking - what would it actually cost to prep my car for auto-X use but still retain street drivability? (at that point it would not be the sole daily driver).

For instance, I was generally thinking... full (quality) roll cage, POSSIBLY front racing seats with 5-pt harnesses, the three-guage set that goes under the OBC, slotted brakes, two sets of wheels (one for the track, one for the street), and generally lowering the car somewhat.

I figure probably $500 for the gauges/sensors, about $2k for the suspension and another few hundred for a simple brake upgrade. I can do the math on the wheels/tires as well, but my knowledge of available seats/harnesses and the realistic cost of a quality roll cage (or perhaps just a bar) is not so good.

I know a lot of people have opinions about what constitutes quality (or "good enough") construction, but I'm hoping people can fill me in.

thanks,

Full roll bar being a 4-point rear bar?

Bar: $500 shipped
Seats: $1000-2000
Seat hardware: $200-400
Harnesses: $200-600

This is really not an important thread...

I was discussing the E36 M3 as a future track when I was at the Euro Auto Fest this weekend and it got me thinking - what would it actually cost to prep my car for auto-X use but still retain street drivability? (at that point it would not be the sole daily driver).

For instance, I was generally thinking... full (quality) roll cage, POSSIBLY front racing seats with 5-pt harnesses, the three-guage set that goes under the OBC, slotted brakes, two sets of wheels (one for the track, one for the street), and generally lowering the car somewhat.

I figure probably $500 for the gauges/sensors, about $2k for the suspension and another few hundred for a simple brake upgrade. I can do the math on the wheels/tires as well, but my knowledge of available seats/harnesses and the realistic cost of a quality roll cage (or perhaps just a bar) is not so good.

I know a lot of people have opinions about what constitutes quality (or "good enough") construction, but I'm hoping people can fill me in.

thanks,







Not an impt. thread?..then y post it? its impt to you isnt it?.........you really need to search on your own..all the info is avail and plentiful.


cage...ez 2k......bolt in....weld in
rb....about 500 on up....w/o install. I/O port, Autopower......Kirk etc

seats......ez 400 each( good cheapies for like 240 each( tubular..ie Corbeau Forza)..Sparco, Recaro, Corbeau etc

harness......140 on up......each GForce, Schroth, OMP, Sparco.. etc

I realize searching is important, but I the problem is that i'm not fully educated on what constitutes a quality setup and what the realistic prices are. So I could search but not really be sure that I'm looking at the right stuff. I began by saying it's not a crucial thread because I'm not about to go buy all this stuff tomorrow - I'm just curious about the costs. I appreciate the feedback!

You really don't need to prep your car with seats, harnesses,roll bar/cage, suspension, gauges, brakes, wheels, etc for your first auto-x.

You really don't need to prep your car with seats, harnesses,roll bar/cage, suspension, gauges, brakes, wheels, etc for your first auto-x.


+1 you dont need any of this for Auto-x

+1 you dont need any of this for Auto-x

Yep - I understand. You can autocross anything if you want to, and the setup i am describing is overkill. I realize that it's not even necessary for most situations... most cars I've noticed are not prepped like this. I'm trying to get an idea of what it costs to prep a car like that.

You dont need to prep a car for auto-x. If you do, you will be in a class that you will get smoked. You need to work your way up, and most guys will never put in a bar or a cage.

Suspension, tires, wheels, seats, belts some go fast stuff. thats about it

+1 to all the above.

Also think about how much you want to drive the car on the street. The more you put in the less fun and comfort you will have on the street.

What and see how much you like your track experience and then take it from there.

Just my .02

K

What is your definition of "full cage"? A pre built 6-8 point bolt in, or custom fab with tie ins to suspension points, door bars, bar under dash, ect? Price can go from $500 to a few grand just on the cage. Then add the seats, again wide price range there.

Once you start adding door bars and race seats, getting in and out of the car becomes more of a hassle.

Yep - I understand. You can autocross anything if you want to, and the setup i am describing is overkill. I realize that it's not even necessary for most situations... most cars I've noticed are not prepped like this. I'm trying to get an idea of what it costs to prep a car like that.

If you want to do it on the cheap then shop for bargains. Used bolt in roll bars can go for as little as $300. Heck I'm almost giving one away at $150 that only needs a couple of tubes fabbed up (easy). Since harnesses expire really quickly for racers then you can pick up a set of barely used harnesses for not much money. Same goes for race seats. Just do some research and find out what you really want and keep an eye out for this stuff. The Specialty parts forum is a good place to do this.

Carlos.

my car:
Suspension = ~$1.5k <- This can get pretty spendy. I've seen upwards of $5k for really good setups
Roll bar = 550 shipped
6-point harness = ~300/each
Seat = $500 <- This depends a LOT, and the range of good stuff is about 300-3000
Various seat mounting stuffs = ~$200 per seat

This is all including labor

None off this stuff is really necessary for auto-x though. You're not going fast enough to get into any serious accidents, so the safety aspect of some of those things (6 point harness + roll bar) will be way overkill. There are non-safety reasons why an advanced person might get those items, but you'd have to be pretty advanced

People have been killed at Autox's, I know of 2 this year alone. Safety behind the wheel is always important. Buy as much as you can afford...

People have died in cars as a result of collisions at autocrosses?

Not people getting run over or having heart attacks?

People have been killed at Autox's, I know of 2 this year alone. Safety behind the wheel is always important. Buy as much as you can afford...
must be a result from horrible course design.

thank you all for the input