So i know i am new here, i have been a lurker for a while as i enjoy just sitting back and soaking up what random knowledge gets passed around, but i have a question i would now like to pick your brains with.
I'll provide a little background on myself: i have done HPDE since early 2014, so i am "good, not great," and in that time i have had an NB miata, a 5.0 mustang, and a mazdaspeed3 (currently driving the ms3). My Fiance' has a 2014 v6 that she tracks as well, and when the time comes it will be her dedicated track car (when she gets a mom car) and i am torn on what to make mine. This is not a decision that needs to be made right now, but since i have time to think its ended up driving me crazy and i've changed my mind a thousand times.
The discussion here is a 3v GT vs a 3.7 V6. Now, i ask that you really consider what i am saying here, not just a blatant "oh, get the v8," because her car is pretty dirty with 3.55s, 300 whp and a 6 spd. A 5.0 is out of the question, i couldnt afford to keep tires on it, which is why it got ditched in favor of (my second) MS3. I loved the car to death, just couldnt afford it, especially with us both tracking.
So here are my assessments of each car: The goal is 300 whp and as close to 3000 lbs as possible. The car will be stripped with a cage as budget permits. I am not interested in building it for a particular class, just an HPDE car. The only reason i would consider building for a specific class is for sake of resale value - something i will very much consider when the time comes.
Weight: near as makes no difference between the two
Horsepower: Both will hit 300, near as makes no difference between the two.
torque: Advantage GT, but the m6 in the v6 has a gearing advantage to the m5 in the 3v. We've only been to the drag strip once with her car, but it went 13.5 at... 106 if i remember right? Maybe 107? At any rate, not bad for the middle of Texas summer.
Brakes: Both use the exact same setup stock, so that's a moot point as both will need the same upgrade
Tires: both can fit the same rim and tire and with similar horsepower and weights its basically a wash.
exhaust: not performance related at all, but while her v6 sounds pretty good, V8 sound FTW. Not something i should use to make a decision though...
Price: Near as makes no difference for 2011-2014 v6 vs 2005-2009 3v and THAT is where the question comes in. For the same price i can get another v6 or a 3v, but the v6 often times will be half the age with half the miles... I know everything suspension related is going to get replaced anyways, but for things like the rear end, the engine, the trans, and the not so easy to replace components, that is a lot to consider. This car will be 90% track... hell, maybe even 100% track, so it will live a hard life once i get it, so reliability will matter a lot to me.
So considering the performance and price is virtually identical between the two, getting one with half the miles is the clear choice correct? I'm open to your opinions. Understand, i am not 100% set in my ways, but i will defend my case until thoroughly proven to be wrong, so i enjoy a good discussion but not arguing.
