24 Hours Of Lemons

[carlover]

Hey guys check out this site, http://24hoursoflemons.com/. Im thinking of putting together a car and a team for the upcoming races. I could use some drivers and a few guys in the pits and such. It looks like it would be an absolute blast to do. Let me know if any of you local guys are interested in this...

 

[Charlie]

Haha, I like the competition.

 

[carlover]

Yeah its a race series for the poor man lol. I already have a few cars lined up to buy.

 

[FROADER]

Haha..LeMons, that is AWESOME!! I'll join you and help drive.

Plenty of cheap cars around here for it too. What kind are you thinking of?

 

[carlover]

Well since i used to road race a neon i was thinking of another neon. i can get my hands on a 98 5 speed for 400$. I have a hookup for cheap cars, my buddy owns a tow yard and sells the cars people dont pick up. They are a stiff unibody well handling car. The biggest factor for finishing this race will be keeping the car cool and not getting wrecked out. There is nothing i dont know about the dodge neon's so i was thinking that might be the best bet, but if anyone has any other opinions feel free to speak up...

Colin you were actually one of the ones i was hoping would speak up, its a chance to race and have a blast.

 

[section525]

All the races are up by my house.. so I'll bring the chase vehicle and be on the pit crew.

This would be the perfect excuse to build one of these. For sodas, of course.

 

[carlover]

Thats badass lol. Hmm one for sodas and one for beer lol. Ive got the cage for the car covered, The guy building my explorer is gonna build a nice cage setup. Im gonna gut whatever car i get and get it as light and nimble as possible.

 

[Rick]

Looks like fun! Go for it

 

[Stic-o]

Think we can lower the bronco 2 and race it

 

[carlover]

Think we can lower the bronco 2 and race it

That would be fun to watch lol. I actually have an 88 ranger in my side yard but i just worry about how a truck would handle out there. But having a tank/suv might fair better in the crashes...lol.

 

[FROADER]

Well if you know everything about neons and can get one, I'd say that's the best bet. I was going to suggest a 4cyl econo just so the gas pit stops wouldn't be so often.

I'm glad you thought of me too. I would love to do that.

 

[Stic-o]

i was thinking toyota corolla, we already know they run forever I just saw one on craigslist with 340k miles for $400 bucks

 

[carlover]

As far as fuel goes, im thinking of a huge fuel cell in the back/trunk. Maybe 30-40 gallons. I used to run a 15 gallon in mine so im sure there is room for a much larger one.

Ive thought of a toyota too. I can get one of those older corolla hatchbacks with the 4-AGE motor for 250$. Thats the big 1.6 DOHC motor that you can rev the piss out of and not blow it. Im also thinking what would be better for the abuse a 5 speed or an auto? A clutch is gonna overheat for sure, if you plumb a good aux cooler or two for the auto tranny it might actually last longer...

 

[nssj2]

oh man i wish i lived out there, the race would be a blast. Car and Driver did a good article about it.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/12174/beaters-rule-the-24-hours-of-lemons.html

 

[Stic-o]

acually the winter races would be great, it's probally in the 40's at night. and that would help the cars run a little cooler

 

[carlover]

Yeah but they race rain or shine so that could get very interesting in a hurry if the weather was bad lol...

 

[Black Goblin]

My buddy and I were thinking about doing this out here in Ramona next year. I can get Honda Crx's one for around $200 and can get a motor for $200. they just had the one down here.

 

[RockRanger]

As far as fuel goes, im thinking of a huge fuel cell in the back/trunk. Maybe 30-40 gallons. I used to run a 15 gallon in mine so im sure there is room for a much larger one.

..

If the car gets 25 mpg (when racing) at 15 gallons that is 375 miles. If you average 50 mph (wild guess on what a lap speed would be) it would take 7.5 hours to burn that much fuel. Would be a good time for a driver change anyway for sure. I would be more concerned with brakes overheating then I would be with the clutch.

Get some dryer vent pipe. Plumb it to blow air on the brakes. You could also drill a hole in the bellhousing and use dryer vent to pump cool air to the clutch. If you want to get crazy, sandblast all the paint off to help lighten it some more. Also install some vents in the hood to help with cooling. Dimple die the hood I noticed a HUGE difference last truckhaven trip by taking the hood off. How about a cheap sheet metal/ plastic valance that goes under the front bumper to help push air around the car instead of under it. That should help with the handleing a bit. A race track should be smooth enough to not rip it off if it is a few inches off the ground at rest. Torch a wind or two off the strut spings to lower it an inch or two as well. Put the battery in the back. Make your own strut stiffineers out of some plate and tube (cheaper then buying them). How many amps does it take to run the motor? Maybe a good size battery could run the car for 24 hours without an alternator as long as you don't need headlights at the track. Wire the electric fan to a switch so you can control when it comes on and when it doesn't. Don't forget the dryer vent forced air intake.

I would think this would be a blast to be involved with. Don't know if I will have the time or money to do it for a while though. Might be able to help for a day to get the car prepped.

 

[carlover]

Those are some very very good points, alot of old school tricks ive used before back in the road racing days. Im not really looking for anyone to put any money towards this, just come on out and have a great time with us. If people wanna drive they can pay thier money and drive. So far i have 3 maybe 4 drivers. Myself, brandon (nodnarb), colin (Froader) and maybe my brothers friend.

Keeping things cool will be the key to this race. It looks as if the average speed is around 60-65 mph. Brakes will be a huge issue as far as cooling. But the good thing about that is tires, brakes and safety stuff do not count into the 500$ car price. So a damn nice brake setup is a must. Still trying to figure out what i wanna do for a car, im keeping tabs on what the tow yard has so i can snatch up a damn good deal.

 

[RockRanger]

If I read the rules right you can sell parts from car then use that money for more then your $500 bucks. So if you buy a car for say $300 and then gut the interior and can sell it all on ebay for $300 in pieces then you will still have $500 to spend on the car for performance parts.

Another option for cooling is put a BIG heater core from another car in the trunk with a vent off the side. Should have lots of extra cooling that way as well.

From the few things I read the big things are over heating and then breaking the front end. It might not be a bad idea to try an upgrade/ gusset the front end. Add some 14 guage plating to the stock control arms and then plate and gussets the unibody mounts to help keep them from bending. Maybe put in bigger tierod ends with beefier tubing to hold it. I bet 3/4" gas black pipe from home depot would be an upgrade. Another thing i maybe some limit straps on the front end. That way if you "jump" the car you can limit the angle on the front CV's might help keep the alive in jump. Don't forget the slick 50 in the oil so you can drain it all out and save 3lbs there :O.

Then if you dont kill it in the race you can see how it does in the washes out at truckhaven.