zetech or FC ?

[John Zimmer]

Just curious which would be the best package to get involved in. From the perspective of cost and longgevity(sp?). Any input would be helpful. Thanks in advance, John.

[Beartrax]

Just use the search function on this site. You'll find input/opinion "up the wazoo" on the subject.

[D.T. Benner]

John. So much has to do with your goals. If you want to win the "Runoffs" get an F2000/FC. If you want to run any or all the F2000 Pro or "See Ya Pacific F2000" Pro races buy a Zetec. If you want to run just Club races and want a very reliable and low cost[engine life] car get a Zetec. With an engine life in the 5K to 10K mile span and a $3500 replacement cost thats a lot of club racing for the $$$. I have done 20 races in 16 months with the only the clutch release o-rings needing replacement. After 20 races the clutch disc's had only worn 0.002" as the clutch is a 2 disc. 7 1/4" unit that is not over stressed. As Sandy at Quicksilver told me when I bought the car "Just put gas in it and DRIVE IT!" [img]smile.gif[/img] Just my 2cents.

[Ron B.]

D.T. - sounds like a powerful package. Just curious, what prompted the 190hp engine, and what class do you run in? Do you run the wide gears, and how are they holding up?

Thanks!

[D.T. Benner]

As I don't have the crew or budget to travel far from home I decided to "Develop" my Zetec. Just wanted to see what could be done with some "Upgrades". I have just two races with this + engine and I like the way it feels. More like a real race engine than a detuned street engine. As an old school heel and toe driver I always use the clutch on both up and down shifts and have always been easy on gearbox parts. I am NOT using the wider gears from the pro series as they are only available in a few ratios. With a 7200rpm power peak the gears are way different than a sealed Zetec. I am going to change to an LD-200 5 speed and Torque sensing diff. over the winter. I use the Avon radials as they have a lot longer life than the sticky Goodyears my FC friends use. They are buying a new set every race and I'm afraid to try them as I would probably not want to go back to the harder Avon's! I added the front secondary wings from a new Pro Mazda and like the way they plant the front of the car. With the added HP we don't seem to be losing any top end speed. I now will have to have a data system to develope the cars potential.

[D.T. Benner]

You ask about the class. I run SCCA Formula "S" and that has cars like Hyped up older Atlantics and Super Vees and the new Pro Mazdas. I was second to a new Pro Mazda at Thunderhill yesterday. His big advantage was on the long straights. As the say "How fast do you want to go?-How much money do you have?" This guy has a Pro mazda budget and big operation. That said I would probably be doing what he's doing if I had the bucks. But I would still want to work on my own car and not just show up and drive.