Topic: Why arent more Kappas raced? Would this be afeasible platform for time attack?

[D K]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section....

Im just curious why more of these arent raced? Specially in more ‘all out’ classes..?

On paper this chassis looks great: reasonably light weight, can fit a big tire, enough room for an LS, proper double A arm suspension...?

What are the limiting factors?
Why arent more of these racing?

Im looking to build another time attack car and my research has lead me here.  Does anyone here have road race experience with these cars?

If so, would a base model be a good place to start?

Thanks in advance...

[1LILNDN]

D K  We have some with L S 3  and BIGGER There is a Solstice with a Pontiac V8  455 with Carb . Just check out some of the thing that can be done with this platform
 
 

[Uranium-238]

Why aren't more Kappas converted into racecars?

Weight, and scarcity.

Compare a Kappa to a 2002 LS1 Camaro.
Camaro
3446ish lbs
"305" hp. (We all know stock LS1s were under rated, and that few are stock by now.)
LS V8 with incredible aftermarket support
Excellent full-scale aftermarket chassis components

Kappa
3080-ish lbs for a LNF car
"260" HP (Ok, 300+ with a tune)
Limited engine support
Limited chassis support

I realize a roadster vs. a muscle car is apples to oranges, but it'd cost less money in the long run to convert the Camaro into a handling car, IMO.

[Steelmesh]

Too many GM haters unless it's a vette or camaro

[Sol Asylum]

Too many GM haters unless it's a vette or camaro

And too much if it ain't a V8 it ain't great.

[Uranium-238]

Too many GM haters unless it's a vette or camaro

And too much if it ain't a V8 it ain't great.

I think you're both wrong, and are missing my point. You'd have to love something specific about the Kappa platform to want to race it, as there are other platforms that are better for the money if you're looking into a racecar.

Plenty of love for engines that aren't V8's out in the racing world. Look at the great straight six/V6 options out there, and there are plenty of 4-cylinders that make great little engines too. So I'll ignore the snide remarks and make my point.

I recently acquired a '98 V6 mustang. Weights ~3000 lbs, so on par with a Kappa. I intend to drive it as-is till something major dies, then LS swap it. As you could totally LS swap a Kappa, for the sake of this argument we'll assume the Kappa and Mustang weight the same, and have the same engine/power. (Just a simple NA build, no FI/Nitrous)

Let's say you now want to upgrade the shocks.
Bolt-on options for the Mustang:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/department/chassis-suspension/part-type/shocks-and-struts/year/1998/make/ford/model/mustang

Bolt-on options for the Kappa:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/year/2009/make/pontiac/model/solstice/department/chassis-suspension?N=department%3Achassis-suspension%2Bpart-type%3Ashocks-and-struts

Of course, you can make anything work if you want to. However, again because of the volume of Mustang's out there whatever you do there will be more aftermarket support.

Time for a roll bar!
Mustang:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/year/1998/make/ford/model/mustang/department/safety-equipment/section/roll-cages/part-type/roll-bars-competition?fr=part-type
NOTE: I STRONGLY ADVOCATE HAVING A CERTIFIED WELDER BUILD YOUR CAGE.

Kappa:
In my 5 minutes of poking around, I didn't find a kit. Now you have to pay someone to fabricate AND weld it up for you. And the roof won't fit, but this is a racecar so I don't see that being an issue. (Just means more safety gear is required to run it roofless.)

Same as the suspension argument, more production/popularity means more aftermarket support. It's not V8 vs. 4 cyl, it's what's out there and what can be done easily? If you love the Kappa platform, by all means go with that. Steelmesh has, and his build is nuts. Would just anybody do what he's done? Not if there isn't something they just intrinsically love about the platform.

[Sol Asylum]

My comment was based on nearly 14 yrs of observation and not a personal dig.  If you took it that way, well that's on you and not something I can control.

[Uranium-238]

My comment was based on nearly 14 yrs of observation and not a personal dig.  If you took it that way, well that's on you and not something I can control.

I didn't think you meant it that way, but I did dump my Kappa for a V8 pickup, after all.

[Steelmesh]

Can't deny kappa isn't good for for bolt-on and go racing to compete with other cars on the same bolt-on budget. Then there is that level of racing where the owner has an near unlimited budget and designs and fabricates custom nearly everything from scratch.  And there is someone like that guy with the VW rabbit annihilating everyone in NWORSCCA, then again Alex has that Solstice who can hang with him.