best vauxhall for the track?

[ccm640]

as tittle realie i'm looking to start a new project on a track toy for the summer but unsure what car to use? any ideas welcome. such as; nova, corsa, mk3 astra, cavvy, calibra looking into one of the above realie as in a more affordable price range. also what engine for example; astra c20xe
corsa c16xe ect ect

[Joker]

obviously the lighter the better, mk2 astras are light on the back end, cav, calibra are heavy, a lot of people do the corsa's and nova's but be different do something else lol

[dewismotorsport]

A well speced mk4 Astra with a few choice suspension and bush mods will be a good track car

[ccm640]

never thought about the mk4 to be honnest that may be an option. as for what you say about the nova's and corsa's joker i wasn't very keen on going down that route anyways not so much because how many are already out there and wanting to be different but feel they would be a bit quicker on the streight but somthing with a bit more weight should hold better in the bends better hence making a better track car. my theory correct?

[Nemesis]

No you want less weight

Weight (inertia) wants to carry on going in the same direction and speed

Not good when you want to accelerate, slow down or turn (which you do a lot of, lol)

[Davey j]

£ for £ you will struggle to beat a Corsa or a Nova for track motors to be honest.........

Not tried a MK4 Astra myself but there is one in TV mag every month which looks good VFM and X20XEV (I think) engine'd ones will be cheap and cheerful to buy. However, they weigh a lot more than a Corsa or a Nova.

A stripped out Corsa Sport will be a good starting point. 1.4 or 1.6. Matters not really. Rev happy, light, can chuck them about with confidence.

[ccm640]

oh it's just that i have always found the likes of the mk3 astra handles alot better than a corsa/nova i find the corsa/nova to be a bit too light on the back end giving alot of overtsear where as the astra feels planted this not due to a bit more weight over the back wheels on the astra then?

[Davey j]

The Astra has a front subframe which aids turn in. ALL FWD Vauxhall motors will suffer from over-steer if you lift off. It's a common trait. A decent rear anti-roll bar will help alleviate that problem that and a lot else.

[dewismotorsport]

If god forbid I ever binned the corsa I would put all the bits into my Astra coupe as there such a well made chassis and shell IMO and yes they have the extra weight which can be brought down but they would handle the power so much better than a corsa or nova ever would

[8valve-craig]

Theres a lot of nova's out there for a good reason. They are cheap, light and are easily modified with used parts on a budget. As long as your not putting big turbo power into it then they are perfect.

Depending on what sort of track you want to use it on, id say a mildly tuned small block XE @ around 700kg.

Although mine is big block @ 750kg and still immense fun.

[ccm640]

would be using on the likes of donnington

[Violet]

Mk3 handles quite well - but has limits I found, but I found you'll get warning before it goes pear-shaped at reasonable speeds. I've had a few with various suspension setups and they all pretty much drive the same (ie. predictable) as long as it's not worn out. They're not exactly Caterham 7's, but what do you want?
I think the 3-door mk4 would go well on track, they handle better than the mk3.

[ccm640]

not realie looking to have something that is stupid quick in a streight line im after somthing i can go fast through corners in. think i might have a go in the mk3 to start with and if not too keen ill upgrade to a mk4 i think

[Violet]

New and uprated suspension with polybushes and lowering, etc massively transforms any car. Worn and old suspension really brings a car down! I replaced everything on my mk3 which was still on 14 year old dampers and bushes and it was like a new car.

[Jasovanooo]

mk4 astra or cheaper a cavalier saloon if you dont want a corsa

[Mongo]

Vauxhall 306 GTi6? lol

Older Vauxhall's require a little work to get them to handle. Depends upon how much you want to do to it!