I was asked about autocross classes. At an official SCCA autocross I'm sure I would be put into one of the modified classes, running against full race cars with roll cages and custom suspensions. I run at the local Miata club's fun events. They have classes for experienced vs novice and race tires vs street tires. Link to Sunriders site. I even race my other car, the big black taxi. Autocross results That's me in third place in the race tire, experianced class and 5th fastest time overall.

I was asked about traction. I don't really have major problems. The V8 added about 100 pounds more than the 4 cyl, right over the rear wheels, then I moved the 30 pound battery up to the front. The G-force tires are real sticky too. I tend to break drivetrain stuff before the tires let loose too bad, especially at the dragstrip. The track was prepared so well that I almost lost my shoes when I got out to push the car back after the axles broke. On the street I try not to spin on a launch and I usually only get a few feet of spin off the left tire on the 1-2 shift. A G-Tech meter said I go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

The car before starting the swap.

Out with old - In with the new.

The engine after the swap.

Autocrossing

This project uses a Ramjet crate engine from GM Performance Parts, rated at 350 Horsepower and 400 lb/ft Torque. It's mated to the stock 5-speed manual transmission (an Isuzu from the 4 cylinder Fiero) using an adaptor plate from V8 Archie. It has a custom Centerforce clutch and flywheel.

The cooling system has been upgraded to a 4-core radiator provided by V8 Archie and uses the stock electric fan. The water pump has been replaced with an electric remote mount unit from AeroSpace Components. The Fuel system consists of a Walbro 255 ltr/hr in-tank pump with braided stainless lines.

The battery has been moved to the front, mounted under the spare tire. I used 4 gauge cables from a Summit Racing trunk mount battery kit, running both a power and ground cable the length of the car.

Notice the adaptor between the throttle body and the manifold. The Ramjet is an exceptionally long manifold and the throttle linkage is on the right side (normally passenger side, rear side in my case) of the engine, opposite of most engines. Because of interference with the strut tower, I had to make an adaptor that flipped the throttle body upside down and angled it forward and downward. This puts the air cleaner right under the right side vent grill, where the battery used to be.

The exhaust system consists of a pair of Chevy cast iron "rams-horn" manifolds (to help keep the volume down) feeding into a pair of high flow catalytic converters then going to split resonator tips.

I recently upgraded to Sport Edition Fox 5 wheels with 215/50-16 BF Goodrich G Force KDW tires. I also added a stock Fiero rear spoiler.

I killed the original 210,000 mile transaxle already (stripped the teeth off second gear). While everything was apart getting fixed, I installed Held rear coilovers and tubular rear control arms with polyurethane bushings.

The car still needs paint and interior work but it sure is a sleeper this way, until you hear it.

I've had it to two autocrosses so far. With the weight distribution of the car the throttle is like an on/off switch for the steering. If you're on the gas then the front end lifts and the car doesn't turn any more, it just goes straight. You have to carefully regulate the throttle through the corners. It's a little tail-happy off throttle so the cornering procedure is to chop power, let the rear end swing around until it's pointed the direction you want to go then nail it and go straight. Last race I was 16th place out of over 50 cars and I was on my everyday street tires.

I've had it to the dragstrip twice. The first time I broke the driver's side axle. The second time I broke the other axle. I'm using offset axles because I shifted the engine/transaxle over about 2 inches. Apparently V8 Archie got a bad batch of axles that weren't heat treated. I did get one complete run in before the second breakage by easing off the line and granny shifting it. It only did 14 flat but at 108 even though I bounced off the rev limiter once.

The Ramjet has been great so far. It starts at the touch of the key in any weather, it has a nice little lope at idle and it has more torque than I know what to do with. It does have its problems though. It runs pig-rich, usually with a slight cloud of black smoke at full throttle. Mileage has been disappointing at 15 to 18 MPG but I must admit it's hard to keep my foot out of it. There's a closed-loop kit available for the engine but it's a little pricey. It has a little idiosyncrasy where if you've been cruising for a while and suddenly chop power and put the clutch in, it sometimes stumbles and stalls. If you pop the clutch it starts right back up. I feel the rev limiter is too low, the manual says its set to 5600. According to my calculations that should be 35 MPH in first, 64 in second, 90 in third, 126 in fourth and 176 in fifth. I seem to hit the rev limiter at 30 and 62. Speedometer has been verified accurate by GPS. I guess it's time to get the tach modified for the extra cylinders. I've had it to 137 according to the GPS on a short run (professional driver, closed course, your mileage may vary). Two Hondas were racing each other in front of me and were holding me back, It took half the track before I could get around them. I try to short shift first but I'm occasionally hitting the limiter and it seems like I'm constantly hitting it in second. When you hit the rev limiter the enging hesitates for about a full second after you shift.