Discussion on ST205 GT4 as a track car

[4000GT]

Just interested in general opinions from people that have tracked and modified this chassis, obviously the WRC version is slightly lighter? Around 1300kg? How light as you reasonably expect to get this pig? Does it tend to over or understeer? There is not as many performance parts out there for them like the S15's etc, but are there still some good things happening for them? Cheers!

[CLG]

The WRC/Group A Rallye version is no more lighter than any other ST205. The only people I know who run ST205 in any regular form of motorsport are Neil Bates Motorsport in ACT, and Shane P in Qld. Great platfom to start from if you can get past all the 185 boys dribbling on about how sexy their 185 are, over the 205 shape. Will PM you some contact details for the two cars.

[4000GT]

Thanks Clintoris, do you know much about their handling characteristics? I just loath understeer.

[Roundy]

PM Qazza, i believe he raced his for a while.

Handling, that is going to change from stock surely?

Tweaking of spring rates and what not will dial out a good bit of the understeer.

What class are you looking at running? What will be your competition?

[4000GT]

Basically the GT4 is a heavy pig, and S15's etc, EVO, and some WRX will be the competition. The EVO is a smarter choice, but no one really runs the GT4 so its something different and cheaper than the EVO. Its just for club racing and hill climbs etc.

[CLG]

Thanks Clintoris, do you know much about their handling characteristics? I just loath understeer.

I actually just spoke to Shane (PM sent), where he recommended a maximum camber of 2 to 2.25 degrees for the front, and 1 degree for the rear, along with an uprated rear swaybar to 20mm.. Annymore will promote the understeer these changes reduces, according to his real world info

[CLG]

Basically the GT4 is a heavy pig, and S15's etc, EVO, and some WRX will be the competition. The EVO is a smarter choice, but no one really runs the GT4 so its something different and cheaper than the EVO. Its just for club racing and hill climbs etc.

If you seriously want to be competitive against any of the later model EVO's you';ll need to look at your ratios. The Mitsi's seem to have a better set of ratios for getting the car up to a good speed over the standard Toyota boxes, so a close ratio gearset is the way to go. I know of three other people plus myself who would consider a "group buy" for a ratio set of this nature, if you want to consider it?!

[Classique71]

A 205 can handle itself within that field with the right amount of work as clintsd mentioned ( just like anything )

theres a number that are regularly trackraced here in NZ , and they have no hassles keeping up , and sometimes beating /embarressing the white sheep in the flock.

Plus they dont look like a family econo sedan with crap all over them , which is awesome

[4000GT]

I actually just spoke to Shane (PM sent), where he recommended a maximum camber of 2 to 2.25 degrees for the front, and 1 degree for the rear, along with an uprated rear swaybar to 20mm.. Annymore will promote the understeer these changes reduces, according to his real world info

Thanks real world info is whats needed!

Im still tossing up between a GT4 and doing an AE8X beams turbo conversion, but think the easier route is GT4.

[SilverRA23]

I drove a ST205 across the blue mountains that had been breathed upon to "Group N" specs by Neal Bates Motorsport - great car, though you could definitely feel its weight. There wasn't much done suspension wise to this one, so it was definitely prone to understeer.

My experience is that all "four-paw" cars aer prone to this - which suggests I probably should modify my driving style with them