Hello Everyone,
This is my first post so please be kind. I have used the search button but I'm still not clear as to what the right answers are to some of my questions. I very recently bought a low mileage 97 GTS. This is after 30 years of driving and racing Fords. I really have close to no knowledge about a Dodge. I'm looking to mildly update/improve my car for track use. I'm planning on 7 or 8 track events this year. I mean road course, not drag racing mostly. I'll also be driving the car to work and around most days when the weather is ok here in Chicago. I think the race version in 97 was a GTS-R. Is that true and is there a list of what parts were changed to bring a GTS up to the higher spec? How about the oil pan? I've read where if you're using soft compound rubber it's recommended you go to a pan with more capacity and the baffles to keep the pick up supplied with oil. Is this pan really over $1000? What about wheels? I'm unclear as to what are Sidewinders or Copperheads or is a set of SSRs really the most cost effective way to go. When I was looking at some of the supporters of this sites webpages looking at wheels I thought that some of the same wheels are either a little over $3000 or a lot more. I think I'm not understanding what some of the definitions are. If I had a choice I would prefer to go with whatever the factory used on their cars but in this economy and starting from scratch again on wheels and tires, I'll buy a bargain. I've already picked up the updated rear calipers and power steering bracket and pulley. This car is a diaster waiting to happen with the factory rear calipers. Any other advice would be appreciated. I'm not looking to create a fire breathing dragon but something competitive that my wife and daughter can still drive. I've wrecked most everything else I've owned and I don't want to do that again. No gutting out the heater and air conditioning and taking off the cats and all of that. I want to go in for emissions testing and not worry about getting my plates suspended. Thank you all.
This is my first post so please be kind. I have used the search button but I'm still not clear as to what the right answers are to some of my questions. I very recently bought a low mileage 97 GTS. This is after 30 years of driving and racing Fords. I really have close to no knowledge about a Dodge. I'm looking to mildly update/improve my car for track use. I'm planning on 7 or 8 track events this year. I mean road course, not drag racing mostly. I'll also be driving the car to work and around most days when the weather is ok here in Chicago. I think the race version in 97 was a GTS-R. Is that true and is there a list of what parts were changed to bring a GTS up to the higher spec? How about the oil pan? I've read where if you're using soft compound rubber it's recommended you go to a pan with more capacity and the baffles to keep the pick up supplied with oil. Is this pan really over $1000? What about wheels? I'm unclear as to what are Sidewinders or Copperheads or is a set of SSRs really the most cost effective way to go. When I was looking at some of the supporters of this sites webpages looking at wheels I thought that some of the same wheels are either a little over $3000 or a lot more. I think I'm not understanding what some of the definitions are. If I had a choice I would prefer to go with whatever the factory used on their cars but in this economy and starting from scratch again on wheels and tires, I'll buy a bargain. I've already picked up the updated rear calipers and power steering bracket and pulley. This car is a diaster waiting to happen with the factory rear calipers. Any other advice would be appreciated. I'm not looking to create a fire breathing dragon but something competitive that my wife and daughter can still drive. I've wrecked most everything else I've owned and I don't want to do that again. No gutting out the heater and air conditioning and taking off the cats and all of that. I want to go in for emissions testing and not worry about getting my plates suspended. Thank you all.
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