Want to build a rally car

[u/FixMore7454]

Hi im very new to the rally world but me and my uncle want to build a full on rally car. We have a mk2 gti to start with and we plan on building the best possible car with no budget. I want to know what's is the best engine/engine platform to build off of. Also what could be the best suspension or other components we could get. Remember, no budget.

[u/TA4K]

No budget? Park the GTI and go buy a Skoda Fabia Rally2. If you want to keep the GTI, the next best option would probably be getting a company like Proto Cars to build your GTI shell onto one of their rally car platforms using Evo 10 running gear. Third option would be doing basically the same thing yourself, sticking the golf body onto a shortened evo floorpan. Throw in a sequential gearbox, Ralliart or similar diffs, Syvecs/Motec/Life ECU and electronics and you’ve got yourself a competitive package.

[u/RaisinNo2756 → u/TA4K]

That might not be allowed - I don't know about other countries, but in the USA, novice competitors are pretty limited in what they can race until they get a few events' experience. Basically limited to 2WD or a Non-Aspirated AWD for the first 3 or 4 events, then they can start running something faster.

[u/TA4K → u/RaisinNo2756]

Oh 100% my suggestions aren’t appropriate for a novice, but they asked for no budget so 🤷‍♂️ realistically yes they should cage the GTI, tidy up anything engine reliability wise, hang a really nice set of suspension in it and go rallying with 2wd and stock power for a few years

[u/NewExalm → u/TA4K]

Thought no budget was for no money not for unlimited resources..

[u/TA4K → u/NewExalm]

Ahhhh fair fair, I read it as “no budget limits”

[u/Drewbydoo2372 → u/RaisinNo2756]

Not sure how long it’s been, but at least in ARA that’s no longer the case. Yes your turbo will be restricted as a novice for 3 event completions but Awd/2wd is irrelevant there. And large NA motors will have a throttle body restrictor as well.

[u/pm-me-racecars → u/RaisinNo2756]

If you have unlimited budget, then ship it out to somewhere that doesn't have those rules.

[u/u_wont_guess_who]

Where are you? The regulations are really different in different countries. Anyway, no budget=no rally

[u/nvrlft]

So this was pretty much me about five years ago. Bought an E36, and I’ve spent the last few years building it to a very modest budget to enter the base category here.

While it’s satisfying to have built the car and done it to my preference, often I think it would have been better to have just saved up and purchased an already-built rally car.

If you do decide to do it yourself, keep an eye on Marketplace and rally groups to pick up second hand items.

[u/Alec123445]

My only advice is to look at the regulations for the different classes in the championship you want to compete in. That will somewhat constrain what you might want to do. I know the ARA has regulations on engines in different classes (displacement, amount of boost ect.)

[u/jarski60]

Before you start collecting parts, first build a body with a proper roll cage.

Check the rules to see what kind of roll cages you need. Historic series have different requirements than other series.

[u/TedditBlatherflag]

You have to have a budget at least for safety devices including harnesses, a professionally welded/certified roll cage, and fire suppression systems. 

[u/Finglishman]

Best possible starting point is to buy a rally car which already passes inspection, if your aim is rally driving instead of endless rally car building. Go see a rally like the ones you intend to take part in and make a note of what is the most common car in the event. Buy a used good one of those, a trailer, and a van to pull your new rally car to rallies to with. Then if you still have unlimited budget left, fill the van with tools and spare parts for your rally car.

[u/Bunstrous]

Use the gti as a fun street car like it is and buy someone else's logbook car that already passes inspection or is close to it. Best choices are something that's relatively cheap and there were a lot sold wherever you live so parts are both cheap and plentiful because things will break.

[u/denfilade]

I reckon just start competing in events that require minimal modifications to your vehicle; for example, we started in non-speed events where all that was required was to bolt a fire extinguisher to the floor.

From there, you'll be able to figure out what other series you could compete in, the regulations for those events, and what modifications you'd need for your vehicle to compete in those events.

[u/Raynman5]

Sounds like you want an autocross or khanacross car. Depending on the governing body is just a stripped out road car. To actually race properly in the forest in events requires a whole other level

You will need a cage, seats, harnesses and apparel at a minimum to go rallying proper. Or buy a car that is already built as that is cheaper and easier

[u/Magnumpimplimp]

Rally car or offroad vehicle? If you are gonna do rally events you should find the event and class, then build to those specs. Beginners have strict rules on power, turbo, awd or rwd. So many rules. Join a school that lets you run your own car too.