autoxer.skiblack.comCorvair Autocross and Racing pages by Bryan Blackwell

Welcome to the Corvair Autocross Page by Bryan Blackwell Corvairs have been very successful over the years in autocross racing (also known as slalom racing or Solo 2), and I’m building these pages to help folks have more fun and success in this sport. If you have a question or would like to add or comment on what’s already here about Corvair racing, please mail me. I would like to thank all the folks who have contributed so far, it really helps! For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name’s Bryan Blackwell, and I can usually be found in cyberspace on the Virtual Vairs e-mail list as well. Frequently Asked Questions. Bibliography. Mail me! Suppliers. Home. Custom Search Corvair Society of America Amazon.com Widgets Although the last few years have been devoted to our Greenbrier, I have not forgotten the red Corsa. I’ve started making plans and getting together some parts for a new engine . We’re also going to need a new engine for the Greenbrier, so that one will be a good refresher as I haven’t built an engine in quite a few years. Due to the number of pages, new pages uploaded within the last month are marked with a "new" icon like this one . Updated pages are denoted by a red bullet like this . If you’re interested in helping support this site, using my links to make your Amazon.com purchases means I get a commission at no cost to you. Introductory Info. If you’re just starting out, these pages are probably where you want to look first. Choosing a class. Before you go to your first event or buy that cool new part, see what class you’ll end up in. First event? Going to the CORSA Nationals? First SCCA autocross? Here’s a short list of things to worry about. Don’t sweat the rest :-) Nuts? Somebody trying to convince you this is a bad idea? Listen to Bryan instead. Event record sheet. It helps to keep track of what you’ve changed on the car, click to download a PDF . Car Building. Wondering what to do next? Take a look at these pages. Wheels & Tires. The key to handling are the tires, so the best place to start once you’ve chosen a class is with the tires. Covers wheel and tire selection for both street and autocross Corvairs. Since this is a subject common to all cars, I’ve also added info to it for non-Corvairs as well. Subtopics are: Photos of Corvairs with non-stock wheels and tires (including specs). Get an idea of what your new wheels will look like. Using 3rd generation Camaro wheels on your Corvair (or other older Chevy), by Bruce Schug. Lug pattern list, covers wheels from every make of car I’ve been able to find. Based on a list by Dave Williams and Bill Drake of the hotrod list. Tire deflection illustrated . Ever wonder why low profile tires work better? Or more air in a street tire? Suspension basics. What it is, what’s there, how to change it. Mostly applies to late models, but I have started getting some early notes in as well. Additional pages: Bushings . Brakes . Early model anti-jacking modification . By Larry Forman. Engine mods. Everybody wants more power. If you’re looking to build an engine, check here. You’ll also find separate pages on: Bryan’s 140 Engine plans. Engine break in. Air Filters. We need a clean supply of air to the carburetors. Carburetors. Otto Rotated Carb Kit install by Rick Norris. Rochester vent tube installation instructions by Chuck Armer. Fuel Injection. Tired of carbs? Here’s the answer. Cooling fans. An electric cooling fan installation and test, courtesy Bob Helt, Ken Hand, and Frank Parker. Electronic ignition installation. Electronic Ignitions 101 by Ray Sedman. Corvair cylinder heads. Camshafts 101 by Ray Sedman. Turbo Corvair engine specifics. Oil System. Oil coolers - street and track. Street oil cooler installation by Bruce Schug. Remote Sensing. Oil temp and pressure, where to put the senders. More info on the oil system. Construction tips and interchanges. There are a number of things that fall outside the big areas of the engine and suspension, but attention to detail will make a big difference: Interior. You gotta have an office to work in. Steering wheel and box interchanges. Chevy used several variations on the Corvair steering assembly, these notes cover what you can swap into your ’Vair. Shifter and transmission. The Corvair shifter is a rather complex assembly since it has to reach so far back. Here are some tips that should help you "get it in gear". I’m also putting general transmission and differential related tips here. Where to sit. You’re always touching the seat, so make it more comfortable. Good seats are also a performance advantage, it’s easier to drive than hang on. Details on our aftermarket seat installation into the ’62 magon here. Monte Carlo seat swap. Jim Briggs did this swap into his ’65 Monza, resulting in more comfortable seats that will hold you in better. Add some lightness. Everybody wants a more powerful engine - but making the car lighter will pay off in handling, braking, AND acceleration. Swap info. Engine weight info, plus some other bits on swapping engines. Modified Crown Subframe. The late Mike Hawkes designed this mod to the Crown CorvEight subframe for more space in the car. Cut the air. Ned Madsen is a Corvair enthusiast and aeronautical engineer. Here’s some great info from his presentation at the 2005 Performance Workshop. Also see his Go Ned Race Team site for tuft test photos. Battery relocation. Moving the battery out of the engine compartment to the trunk is an easy way to help the weight distribution of the car. Rick Norris shared his installation into his Sunoco replica track car. Trans ratio and RPM drop table. Patrick Caherty came up with this handy table so you can see what RPM you’ll end up at after each shift. I’ve added most of the popular modified Corvair boxes to it as well, along with what ratios are in the various boxes. Stock and SP class rules. A line by line listing of things you can do based on each rule in the SCCA Solo 2 rulebook. I’ve started adding some info for the Corsa autocross rules too. E/Street Prepared Stuff. This page is a summary of what I’ve learned about setting up my car (that’s it above, at the ’94 Williamsburg convention). E/SP is a class that a lot of folks find themselves in who have the usual bolt-on goodies. Yenko Stingers! You can bolt Stinger parts onto your SP class Corvair - wondering what came on a Stinger? Standard equipment and options for Stages I, II, and III. Stinger Prep Manual. In 1973, Jim Schardt prepped his Stinger to go racing, finishing fifth in the SCCA national championship race. He kept notes on what he did to the car, and he’s been kind enough to let me put them up here. Great for anyone with a racing Corvair. Putnam Park Hot Lap. Also from Jim Schardt, a hot lap turn by turn tour of Putnam Park in his (now Vintage) Racing Stinger. Suppliers. You won’t find the parts for your performance Corvair at every speed shop, but there are several enthusiastic suppliers who carry the goodies you’ll want. Tools and parts. To finish first, first you must finish. An on the road toolbox, along with some part numbers for common wear items like plugs and fan belts. Bibliography. Here are some books which I’ve found useful in preparing and modifying my Corvair, along with some other titles regarding racing and other cars in our driveway. FAQ. A catchall of common questions. Our Projects. Bryan and Ellie’s cars. Finally, here are some details on the Blackwell autocross Corvair and the others in the driveway. 1962 700 Wagon. We needed a little more space than a Corvair car normally provides, so when shopping for an early we got a wagon. 1964 Greenbrier. Everybody with kids needs a minivan. Here’s the Blackwell family hauler. We’ve also been to a couple CORSA conventions in our Greenbrier, here are the stories: Daytona 2000 Speedweek. Daytona 2000 Race car gallery. Chicago 2001: A Corvair Odyssey I went to the 2002 Corvairitis Treatment Day. The treatment didn’t work, I ended up bringing home the 1966...