Who knows about IMCA cars?

[Kyle]

I've got a customer that wants to sell me an IMCA car. I'm looking for someone that knows something about them. I've never done dirt track racing and probably getting in way over my head, but if the car is worth it... then why not? There's a whole back story to it, but I'll save that for later. It is legit though.

If you are knowledgeable about this kind of thing, then I'd buy you lunch and a couple of beers if needed just to come take a look at it. I need someone with an honest opinion and knowledge about this kind of thing!

What I do know is that it has a small black chevy with headers and a Willys carb. It runs on alcohol and has a powerglide behind it. The car will come with an extra set of wheels and tires.

[MattB]

Don't know what your racing background is, but I'd start with a street stock or bomber if you have little/no circle track racing experience.

[Kyle]

thats what I'm afraid of. the current owner doesn't really know what he has so if its a running/driving car, then maybe I could buy it cheap and flip for a small profit.

[Super Coupe]

My cousin races on. Can't remember his name on here.

[Grape]

Worthless pile of bars with a $40k sb2 or ro7. Used race cars truley have no value unless they are name brand chassis and engines. You can buy a rolling truck or cup car for $15k these days, with $20k worth of brembo brakes.

[Kyle]

Here's a few pics I pulled off my phone from earlier today. BTW, sorry they are crappy pics!

[Grape]

First strange thing i see is that it has a dual plane manifold like a sport mod. Id be leary of the engine and what somebody says they may have spent building it. If it has JRI, QRZ, penske, ohlins shocks its a high $$$ deal. Also verify for me that it is a full mod not a sport mod. Sport mods use the stock monte carlo rear suspension that is similar to a fox body with a stock gm 7.5" 10 bolt. Full mod will have a quick change or a 9" with birdcages and trailing arms pointing all over the place.

[racrguy]

^^ This guy, listen to him. Also, get VERY used to replacing body panels, a lot of folks in modifieds believe in the 8 tires is better than 4 theory. Spend less money, go faster, get an entry level sprint. You won't have to race against 100 of the fuckin' things, and the pay is generally better. I refer to them as the cockroaches of southern dirt racing because there are so many of 'em. My opinions are biased, obviously.

It looks like it's got some cheap steel bilstein shocks on it, they aren't rebuildable/revalvable. I REALLY have a hard time telling someone to buy a modified of any kind. Their engines cost more than mine do (if you want to be competitive) they replace more parts than I do (as already outlined earlier) they're slower (I've yet to see an IMCA/Sport mod that I couldn't hand its ass to) And you have to deal with major dickheads (go to the fights and the races break out.) You usually don't get that kind of drama with a group of sprint drivers. Sure, you'll have a driver get mad at you if you drive him dirty, and he may just put you on your lid (I've spun a guy out for chopping my nose too many times) but generally once it's done on the track, it's done.

[Kyle]

this is what I got for the rear of the car. let me know if its any help.

the whole deal with this car was the shop owner that I'm currently dealing with knows nothing about the car. the previous shop owner sold the shop and all of its contents (including this car sitting on the lift). the guy honestly knows nothing about it other than it does run and drive. he said he took it for a quick spin around the parking lot one evening and it scared the shit out of him. he put it back on the lift and hasn't touched it in 6 months.

the previous owner told him nothing about it other than he wanted to race it this season. Due to personal problems and marriage problems this guy liquidated everything and hasn't been seen in a while.

[80coupe]

Just from what i hear its a second job kinda thing. so you gotta have to have the time for it your always gonna be working on it. never raced so i dont know just what iv been told.

[racrguy]

Good grief. It'd cost you a grip just to get that thing updated and in race ready condition judging from some of the parts I've seen in catalogs for 'em. And what the fuck is that stuff near the J-bar bracket? (the pic with the driveshaft in it) Judging from pics that's either an old chassis or it's lead a hard life. They didn't even bother to wash the damn thing well.....

I don't know enough about 'em to say which it is.

If you can jew him down enough and you want to see what it's like it *could* be a decent toy, but you're going to spend quite a bit to be competitive.

Edit: Also, it looks like it's got a stock manifold with a riser/adapter on it. How much is he asking for it?

[Kyle]

$2700. There are rolling chassis on craigslist going for both more and less than what he's asking for the whole car running. Problem is if there is some kind of tech and its not gonna pass then it seems like a waste. Is it worth more in pieces?

Another thing if I bought it to race, I'm not real worried about being ultra competitive from the start. I've never driven anything like this and my first accomplish would be completeing a race! Lol. I know there is a definite learning curve! As my driving skills get better so will the car. I just want it to pass tech and start working up from there.

[bobs94formula]

That looks to be an older 2 bar car with spring on top of atleast the left side, can't see the right. Nothing special and fairly outdated compared with the 4 bars cars of today. I'd be willing to bet that chassis is over 10 years old. Like grape said the stock type dual plane intake says to me it doesn't have the money in it to be competetive. Probably someone built it for a "claiming" track.

It's spring on top on both sides. Like I said if that chassis is newer than 10 years old I'd be VERY surprised. Only bad thing about running something that old once you got used to it and moved to a newer updated chassis you'd be starting all over again!

[Kyle]

So basically what you guys are getting at is that its an old can of worms and to pass on it?

[racrguy]

So basically what you guys are getting at is that its an old can of worms and to pass on it?

Well, if the engine is legal, and if you want to toy around with it to see if you like it then it's a pretty good deal if what you say about the prices is good. If it's not legal, expect to have to put money into the engine to make it legal. A couple of things that you WILL need, new tires ~200 a piece, seat belts ~80-100 for the set, a seat ~500, and all associated safety equipment. Helmet is 3-400 and up, a GOOD driving suit, my Hinchman Indy (custom suit) was 1300, but they can be had for fairly cheap. Gloves are 100, shoes, another benjamin. I mean, If you've got the cash and want to do it, by all means. I actually advocate buying an old car for a beginner, that way you're not COMPLETELY heartbroken when you destroy it, and you will destroy it at some point. You also need a tow system (truck/trailer, or you can use one of your rollbacks.) I recommend going to a track and seeing what it entails, to be honest.