The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Newcomers → New Midwest Team Looking for Help
Trying to get a team together in the Midwest. We have a Mustang rusted out body to start with. What are the rules on finding a motor? What’s allowed to race? Any tips on how to get a mustang through tech successfully?
what is your location? we are based just south of fort Wayne, if we are close enough we can lend a hand and some insight.
The rules are literally what is written:
2.1: Vehicle Eligibility: Entry limited to mass-produced, four-wheeled vehicles legal for US highway use at the time of their manufacture. Vehicles must be acquired and prepared for a maximum of $500 as described in Section 4. Vehicles must meet all safety standards laid out in Section 3. The vehicle’s original, manufacturer-stated curb weight may not exceed 4200 pounds.
That’s it. The less cheaty the motor the less they’ll give a damn about how you got it or what it cost.
The only penalty for over budget is penalty laps on the timing system, which mean nothing since you won’t win on your first race anyways.
As for Tech, fix any holes, re-enforce cage and seat mounting areas to overcome rust issues, and follow the short and very easy to read rules, including the “how not to fail tech” pdf.
Seem to recall hearing that the Ford V6 has been very reliable in Lemons.
Just a suggestion, but consider purchasing an already built car. The initial investment is usually cheaper than building your own car and a lot of the bugs are already worked out.
Get a running car and go from there. Way too much headache tossing a motor in after the fact. Or put a GM SC 3.8 in it and ignore my warnings.
Also, dont use a rusted out car if you can help it, it will make you sad down the road.
Also, our first car, including brakes/tires/safety/cage etc ran us over $8,000. We started with a dirt track donor...looking back a clean running car would have saved us a couple grand.
Thanks all. What’s the best way to get a cage in the car? Can you buy one from Summit Racing and have it welded in or does it have to be full custom?
Thanks all. What’s the best way to get a cage in the car? Can you buy one from Summit Racing and have it welded in or does it have to be full custom?
Summit Racing won't have a Lemons legal cage. You want to go with Roll Cage Components for a weld-in kit, or get a custom cage that conforms to the Lemons rules ( contained in the "How to not fail tech" section ). Good luck with your build.
And use the strangest powertrain you can for your Mustang. Be a legend.
Where are you, and how long can you wait because this guy:
Builds cages that are a thing of beauty. But, it can be a while before you can get it done.
Worth EVERY penny!
He TIG's the whole thing and it looks like the car was built around the cage.
Any leads on a good cage builder in the Kansas City, MO area? Seems like we’re going to have to find a custom fabricator...
Any leads on a good cage builder in the Kansas City, MO area? Seems like we’re going to have to find a custom fabricator...
Izzys Custom Cages in St Louis are extremely good, my be a wait list though.
https://www.izzyscustomcages.com
Scott is a racer himself and known for high quality work.
What year Mustang? We custom did our roll cage to give us extra helmet clearance and NASCAR style door bars for the seat bolsters. Had the car measured, had a local chassis shop (Rhodes Racing) fabricate the main hoop, halo, and downbars to our specs and they supplied the rest of the DOM tubing for us to bend/cut/weld in. Spent probably 200-250 hours from start to finish, and overbuilt it based on weight, but judges said it was a thing of beauty, which was good to hear. Probably the only solid thing on the car too
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Newcomers → New Midwest Team Looking for Help