Thread: B14 Rallycross ?'s

Greetings all-

I recently bought a high mileage 97 200sx SE-R for the sole purpose of starting into the rallycross game (WDCR SCCA). The car will remain unregistered and will be towed to Summit Point. I have been absorbing a lot of information from this site, regarding certain mods. maintenance, etc. all while keeping within the class guidelines. I plan on running in the rally prepped class. All of the suspension upgrades that I have seen for the B14 involve lowering. Keeping cost in consideration, would it be okay to purchase a used AGX/ aftermarket lowering spring set-up for strictly rallycross, ie. relatively flat cone course? Or would it be a better idea to use some AGXs with stock springs for now? The car is at 197K with original stock suspension, so it needs to be addressed. Secondly, should I worry about a skid plate for the front end? Bear with me, as I am total newbie. I do have some background in tarmac and recently did the 1-day experience at Team Oneil in N.H., so I'd say I have a slight understanding of rally driving and a whole lot of enthusiasm...

Thanks in advance!

I would get the AGX and run them on stock springs. If you do decide to get coilovers, you can always raise the car instead of lowering it.

If the course is flat, a skid plate shouldn't be necessary. I ran my B13 without a skidplate for a long time and never had any trouble, but we had a flat course with no jumps. You'll have to see what your place is like and decide.

From the standpoint of someone who has designed RallyX courses and is a SCCA RallyX Safety Steward, you shouldn't encounter anything terribly destructive. The rules say, "the course, as laid out, must contain no large holes, deep ruts, or other dangerous features. Dips or berms that could get a vehicle airborne must not be included." You might expect to use up your suspension travel, but you shouldn't be catching air. Stock springs work fine. Knock on wood, but I've never felt the need for a skid plate on any sites we use.

First, just make sure everything is tight and in good working order. Stock FWD SR20DE cars have terrible stock engine mounts, though. Upgrade those with urethane right way (Prothane press-in inserts, for example). Not-dead dampers are good, too.

PF class will allow you to change wheel size. 14" wheels with snow tires aren't a bad way to start. As budget and experience allows, upgrade to some 14" stage rally tires. Most of the 15" rally tire diameters are too large for our cars, so you're better off on 14" rally tires if you go that route.

A SE-R is good, fun way to get into RallyCross.

I ran my B14 (ga16) without a skidplate and stock suspension. The worst that happened was a blown strut, but I'd definitely rock at the very least a skidplate. You don't want that oil pan punctured. Here's a vid from the philly region rallyx I went to:

Philly SCCA RallyCross #2 2011 Dover Delaware July 24th 21 Nissan 200sx 08.avi - YouTube

Posted a couple 2nd/3rd fastest overall times against a bunch of Subarus, so it's not like these cars don't have potential.

I run Lassa 14" rally tires on B13 wheels btw.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep the stock springs and get some AGXs; engine mounts are covered. I will start keeping my eyes open for some b13 wheels. A skid plate will be on my to-do list. I plan on making at least one of the last racing days at Summit Point to volunteer and meet some people. Again, thanks for the replies, and wildmane, you may see me up there next year as that's a quick sub two-hour drive for me!

I may come down to some more WDCR events this year, I used to rallyx a black stage rally Sentra SE-R that my buddy and I built at the WDCR region rallycrosses. I'm building one for myself now so you might see me down there in it next year.

If it's not too far for you, you should come to the Oct 2nd rallycross at the speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.

I'll have to see if I can make it. It all depends on when Nissan decides to deliver the Versa that my wife is waiting on. If so, I will have a car to travel in. If not, next year is a definite!

An additonal question for you rallycross veterans: I just purchased a complete set of KYB AGX struts with Eibach Sportline springs. They are put together and ready to install. My original plan was to take them apart and install the stock springs with the struts. Would I be able to get away with a small drop and stock tires (for now) using the set-up I just bought, or would the drop hurt my clearance too much? Again, the plan is for SCCA rallycross only. Thanks again for the responses!

It's not so much your clearance (unless your courses are really rough), but the fact that the sportlines are going to dramatically reduce your suspension travel and aren't stiff enough to start to compensate for it. You'll be slamming into the bump stops (or worse if you don't have bump stops) all the time which is going to generally suck. I'd run stock spring and struts before I'd run the AGX w/ Sportlines.

Duly noted; Stock springs and AGX. Thanks for the advice!