Stock Car, $500 budget, help with initial mods

[NightmareMoon]

Just for clarity, I’m not going to do AutoX to win! I’m not expecting to be competitive at all, and am not by nature a very competitive person, except with myself (you bet your ass I’ll be trying to improve). I want to safely find the limits of my car and become a better driver.

I guess it’s possible I’ll fall down the rabbit hole, get really competitive with it, and regret classing myself out of the street, but it doesn’t seem terribly likely to me. Worst case, it’s a bit more wrench time to pull off the parts I put on. ;)

I’ve pretty much settled on the BMR IRS lockout kit as a starting point. I’m going to see how they affect the feel of the car, and go from there with potentially larger changes. The advice to get seat time truly is appreciated, and that’s really my top priority.

Its a bit of a shame to be committed to those braces, IMHO. they're very little value.

I do appreciate the goals though. To improve as a driver, you really shouldn't be worrying about parts at all. You can drive what you've got. The desire to throw parts at the car is appealing but its completely perpendicular to the goal of driver improvement. A skilled driver can drive about anything fast. When I hop in random novices cars and drive for a run, I've never complained about the subframe, and cars which were bone stock except for great tires were wonderful to drive. My own car was stock in the rear suspension (minus tires, shocks, swaybar) for 3 years before I allowed myself to mod that stuff, so I've seen before and after. Yes I can tell a small difference. Its minor.

Better to save the cash for a good helmet, instructor time, tire inflator, a good pressure gauge, an action camera and a good mount, a little money for the occasional hotel at a site out of town. Stuff to make it more enjoyable being out there and doing events. That's where you'll be a better driver is if you go to a ton of events.

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