I am strongly considering getting a Mk 4 Challenge car kit and spending the next year building it. My goal is to potentially race in the Challenge series, as well as ST(X) classes, and Vintage classes. I also want the car for track day-type fun. I have been pondering for a long time which car to buy or build to accomplish all of these goals, and have pretty much decided on the Challenge car platform. I am completing a Mk 3.1 roadster and have experience with an 818R build, so am familiar with FFR and its products.
Though I have been through many of the posts on this forum, have reviewed all the rules, and have searched a number of topics, I have some questions the answers to which are more difficult to find. Here they are:
I believe I recall the original Challenge cars using stock 5.0 motors which put out about 225-275 HP, and am aware that they now can have up to about 320 RWHP (am I correct?) What constitutes the engine power upgrades allowed by the rules in the recent past - are they the throttle body, cam, etc. specifically mentioned in the current rules as now allowable?
Are the more powerful engines solely the result of an older stock-type engine being upgraded, or are rules- compliant engines available in turkey form?
Where do folks usually source their engines?
Is there a brand of wheel which stands out as clearly superior to others?
Is anyone aware of a summary or grid that someone has put together showing what one needs to compete in the classes other than the Challenge series?
These are some initial questions and I appreciate any light you guys can shed on this.
Bill