RevRico
RevRico GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
9/10/17 9:43 p.m.

I'm only asking here and now because the first 20 pages of google returned nothing useful or in english. 

I really want an El Camino, always have. Turns out, I'd be allowed to rally cross one, which checks both hauling capability and rallycrossable off the list. Most likely a late 4th gen or a 5th gen, based on prices as far away as I'm willing to drive home. 

How would you set one up to handle on the highway as well as the dirt? (dirt circle track, grassy infield, gravel beds to be specific)

B or F body brakes, GNX rear end(yea right not in my budget), mild cam? Would the stock rear end handle rallycross duty? Any special concerns for carbed motors on dirt, or will I have fuel starve issues like some people have in autocross?

It's the suspension that concerns me the most. I know less than nothing about the El Camino suspension, and even less about a good RX suspension setup, so combining the two is a scary idea. 

Let's call total mod budget of $2500. I don't care about classing or competitiveness. I do care about smiles per dollar, and being able to drive 2 hours, wail on it for 8-10 laps, and drive 2 hours back. 

itsarebuild
itsarebuild GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/10/17 10:39 p.m.

Don't know much about Ellie's but I'd think 5th gen would be tbi or at least tbi swappable. And that would be better than carb.

id also think an f body rear end would be fine. Maybe 4th gen for disks and lsd options.

 

for suspension I got nothin. I'm not sure the stock would be all that great for rally though unless you really lighten the front. I don't think the front rear bias is all that good. I could be completely wrong though. I have no personal rally experience....

RevRico
RevRico GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
9/11/17 12:16 p.m.

Wow, aside from some really useful posts from Curtis from here about G body's in general, I can't find ANYTHING about any G Body and Rallycross on the googles.  Oh, I guess Nonack passing on them for the fox body mustang was sort of related, but that really is all I could find. 

Is this really that bad of an idea, or are the frames all just totally rotted out these days and no one is dumb enough to try it?

dculberson
dculberson PowerDork
9/11/17 12:32 p.m.

I was surprised by how much $$ El Caminos were on my local craigslist.

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 UltimaDork
9/11/17 12:45 p.m.

5th gen g body elkys are going up in value quicer than my 64.

Look up metric dirt track setup. That should be close for rallycross. 

RevRico
RevRico GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
9/11/17 1:17 p.m.

I have seen the 8.5" and 8" circle track control arms, which are dirt cheap, but I don't know what kind of street manners they would have.

It does concern me that the cheap running driving ones I've seen are in Ohio and Northern Kentucky, and as I expand to the carolinas and farther south the prices start getting crazy for non running examples. I'm running search tempest within 400 miles of home, $100-$3000. 

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
9/11/17 1:34 p.m.

Given what we've seen to date, I'd leave the engine essentially stock. On dirt, just getting the power down and keeping it pointed somewhat in the desired direction with the fairly light back end may be a task even with stock power.  

My limited understanding wants to believe you'll need some decent suspension travel, but with a fairly low ride height - so the wheels will droop quickly to keep traction.  I don't remember if the El Camino has a coil spring rear like their sedan brethren or if they changed to leaf springs for the better pick-up truck packaging.

For tires, I think one of these will take a 235/75-15, so you should have a few all-terrain tires to choose from.

 

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