Take my c7 or 73 charger to the nurburgring tomorrow?

[euroZ06]

So ill be closing the season tomorrow, and i got this crazy idea to take my 73 charger out there. There will be a vln race along with car throttle magazine meet and greet, with the ring opening up for a few hours to do some laps. Normally i go with my c7 corvette, but my friend asked if i can bring out the charger. Now its 120 miles each way, and i have done a 300 mile trip in it before, i dont think it should have issues making it there. If i do take it there, id like to do at least one lap, but im a bit scared. My steering box is not in good shape (there is quite a bit of play), and after recent front rotor replacement the bearing started to make a small howling sound. Obviously i wont be setting any laps records in this car and will baby it, but im still concerned. All the tie tods are new, new seay bar, new ball joints. Mechanically the car is sound, it passes german TUV (inspection), but it is a 73 and was from NY state with some rust issues in the past. Can that steering box cause me issues? Any under water rocks i should be aware of? Like i said, i wont be hauling, but there are 73 turns on the track. Also, i recently found out, that my newly purchased sure grip 3.23 rear end (with 489 case) is prob not set up very well, as evidenced by the dif oil having small metal particles (the diff doesnt howl, or make any bad noises).

Im mainly doing it for the pictures that they take when u go around and in the past ive taken my 76 633csi bmw around there (10:15 min lap).

I really would like to show off the car, but an a bit concerned.

Speaking of, what is a the top speed for 73 charger with a 4 speed manual? I have a 440 motor, 235/70-16 tires. Ive got it to redline, but my speedo is off.

So any advice?

[Ghoste]

I know the C7 was meant for that type of driving but a classic Charger on the Nurburgring?  Tough choice, I'd probably do the Charger for bragging rights but you'd be able to push the limit a lot higher obviously in the other.

[Dino]

You did a 10:15 in an old 6 series?  I'm impressed.  

I wouldn't do it for two reasons:  that loosy goosy steering may be the cause of you wrecking the car because there's no way you will be able to hold back once you're on the ring, and you will be pushing the mechanical way further than it has been pushed in a long time and it may not like it.

I say you get the car ready for next year's run.

[JR]

According to the official website, the cost for the recovery truck to come get you if you break down is 250    pounds. Somewhere around 450 U.S. dollars for just the tow off the track. Then you still have to get it home.

I say fix all the issues with the mechanicals, then go back next year when the car is 100% ready. I wouldn't  think it'd be enjoyable anyways limping a broken car with sloppy steering around the ring, just hoping that the wheel bearings hold up and that nothing causes a breakdown. Not to mention the closing speeds of actual fast cars you'll be out there with.

I vote take your Vette out there and enjoy that. There's plenty of time to take your 73 later on when its ready.

[RallyeMike]

Suspected bad wheel bearing, 120 mile drive, and seeing how fast will it go.

Sounds like a weekend that memories are made of.

[triple_green]

Wow wish I had this problem?

C7....Nurburgring...most guys here would have both of those things on their "bucket list".

I say, you can't go wrong.

I was thrilled to get my 68 out for a couple of laps at Pacific Raceways road course.

3X

[JR]

Just in case anyone's not familiar with this track, here's a good old fashioned crash compilation vid to show how tricky it can be. I'd be nervous out there in a car in top shape, no way I'd risk it in a broken one.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=umWGoO-OFgo

And here is a good run for comparison. This is some legendary driving in a classic RUF Yellowbird. The size of this man's testicles is rivaled by very few.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Thomd4BQg

[polywideblock]

this is a good look at the track ( Sabine Schmitz in a transit van)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc

[myk]

I've driven the Ring enough on Forza 4 and 6 to know it's not to be taken lightly.  If there's even the slightest doubt about the mechanical health of the car it shouldn't be placed on the track.  Spend the next year preparing the car with the appropriate repairs and suspension upgrades.  Just my five cents...

[Mike DC]

 
I've been into cars for like 30 years.  I don't remember the Nurburgring having such an epic, top-of-the-world-racetrack status in the past.  It was always a prestigious place but it seems like its status has been elevated in the last decade or so.   Anyone else think so? 

[JR]

 
I've been into cars for like 30 years.  I don't remember the Nurburgring having such an epic, top-of-the-world-racetrack status in the past.  It was always a prestigious place but it seems like its status has been elevated in the last decade or so.   Anyone else think so? 

I would assume it's more notorious now as opposed to then because the world is much more connected now.

It's hard to think of a more challenging track than that one, though. Just the distance per lap alone is something like 12 miles. I live within 2 hours of road Atlanta and run it a few times a year, and RA is considered a longer track here at 2.54 miles, and I'm spent after a few hot laps there.  A 12 mile lap at speed would be brutal for someone not 100% focused or with a busted car.

Not to mention a ton of manufacturers use it as a test bed for new cars. A whole lot of new performance cars were calibrated there. That certainly adds to the credibility.

But euroZ06, what did you end up doing?

[Ghoste]

And the ability for the "average" (relatively speaking) car owner to run very hot laps that is a newer phenomenon as well.  Porsches, Vipers, Vettes and some other excellent sports cars (at least when they become used) have allowed some amazing capabilities to be placed into public hands at a lower price point than years ago.

[myk]

My own warnings aside, I'd love to run the Charger on a track somewhere; hell, just to cruise it would be fun...

[Ghoste]

Those are kind of my thoughts too.  I know the C7 is the track car but to take the Charger out on a deal like that for the memories would probably be my choice.  No, I couldn't push it but I would like to do it.

[euroZ06]

I took it it got sooo much attention. Even had ppl following me videoing it.

Car did well, the track was in vln configuration, so full track (including gp). I think i got it under 15 minutes, my friend recorded it on his go pro, so need to wait for the upload. In the mean time i have to search the internet for pictures of it and search youtube vids of bystanders, lots of ppl took videos.

Also, i want to do the oil change and we dont have as many choices as on base. Someone told me to put zinc additive... Any recommendations? And 440 takes 6 or 8 liters? I forgot.

[euroZ06]

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[euroZ06]

This is from last weekend in my c7. Very heavy traffic

https://youtu.be/r2UIaW2-nv0

[myk]

I took it it got sooo much attention. Even had ppl following me videoing it.

Car did well, the track was in vln configuration, so full track (including gp). I think i got it under 15 minutes, my friend recorded it on his go pro, so need to wait for the upload. In the mean time i have to search the internet for pictures of it and search youtube vids of bystanders, lots of ppl took videos.

Also, i want to do the oil change and we dont have as many choices as on base. Someone told me to put zinc additive... Any recommendations? And 440 takes 6 or 8 liters? I forgot.

Stock pan?  I think it takes 5 quarts with the filter.  You should also use a zinc additive.  Ron here likes to use Shell Rotella diesel oil in a 15w40 weight, I believe.  I've been running 10w40 full synthetic, although I think I'm going to try the Rotella...BTW, what you did was GUTS, my friend.  I'm pretty confident in my Charger's health but to take it out onto a serious road course takes balls....

[RallyeMike]

This is from last weekend in my c7. Very heavy traffic

https://youtu.be/r2UIaW2-nv0

Great video. That rollback truck was pretty quick!

[JR]

I cant believe the bad wheel bearing and rear end held up to all that. Mine would have exploded into a fireball if i would have attempted it.

Great pics, awesome story man.

How well did the brakes hold up?

[myk]

How did the whole car hold up?

[euroZ06]

Car held up well. I didnt really push it that hard, just like a joy ride lap. Brakes are new, but at one point they did get a bit hot, so i stopped using them.

I do have a question. The previous owner has raised the rear of the car quite a bit. Im not sure by what means, but i seem to recal that he added an extra leaf. Is it a difficult job to remove the leaf? Id like for the car to be more even all around.

[euroZ06]

[Ghoste]

It does look high in the back doesn't it, not too hard to take a leaf out but make sure that is what it is, it could be re-arched springs.

[euroZ06]

It does look high in the back doesn't it, not too hard to take a leaf out but make sure that is what it is, it could be re-arched springs.

Rear hed spring? It does look like the peaf is arched a bit. A local shop (here in germany) said that the rear end has to be dropped and all the rubber pieces that are there will fall apart, so id need to get new pieces. They said it would be pretty pricey. I dont think i can do it in my garage, i dont have much room