New member

[golfguy11800]

Hey guys,

New member. I'm looking to sell my highly modded 2006 Porsche Cayman S and use that as a down payment for an SC Atom. I feel as if the Cayman will plateau in performance too early for what I want in a car. Plus the cost of ownership to get it to where I want it in performance will be ludicrous. Any suggestions from you guys?

[MadMaxAtom]

If you are considering an Atom purely for all out 4 wheel dominating "ludicrous speed" performance,you will be disappointed,especially in stock trim and on street tires.
The car has NO aero considerations,poor weight distribution (front to rear and centrally) and when raced in competition, is usually classed with real race cars,so unless everyone else has a bad day,don't expect to win often,especially in bad weather. (wet,cold track)

Don't get me wrong,I love my Atom,but it is its unique personality that keeps it near and dear to me,not it's ability to be top dog.
Yes,it has the ability to win,but you will need to spend a LOT of seat time to connect with the car (not a bad thing..) and a willingness to tune the car to your performance level needs.
It has NO driver aids..and is very demanding of the operators skills; garbage in,garbage out.
That said,it is my favorite 4 wheeled vehicle, as it has a high level of performance potential for dollars spent and is easy and inexpensive to maintain.

Welcome..

[golfguy11800]

Mad Max,

Thanks for the reply. I guess I should be more specific in what I'm looking for in a car:

1. No driver aids

2. high cornering speeds

3. Visceral driving experience (makes you feel "alive"). I relate this to riding motorcycles because even when riding those at the speed limit you feel so free, and connected to the machine.

3. Aerodynamics (I know this can be added to the Atom)

4. Suspension adjustability

5. Easy/ cheap maintenance. And by that I mean, as long as I don't have to buy a new engine every 5k race miles.

6. Supreme driver-machine connection. You both feed off eachother and it's a seamless integration of what the driver wants to do and what the vehicle can do.

7. A challenge. I like that I've gotten my Porsche tuned so that not just anyone can get behind the wheel and drive it fast. It takes some work and the car rewards you when you get it right.

8. Rawness. No superfluous items. If it doesn't help me go faster or perform better, I don't want it. Just me, some pedals, a steering wheel, shifter, harness, and race seat.

9. Good sound. Stock Ariels, aside from the SC whine, sound OK to me. I'd love to hear what the aftermarket has provided for the exhaust. I know the engines are only 4 cylinders so I
understand that it can only sound so "good."

10. tune and upgrade-ability. Always nice to know that you can add more "go fast" parts to it and customize your vehicle.


Here is a photo of what I'm coming from. A 2006 Porsche Cayman S. I freaking LOVE this car!!! But I just feel that where I want to get it in performance will cost a huge sum of money and even then it will be high maintenance. My model year has shortcomings with its engine design when raced on the track. Oil starvation and weak engine internals. I can always turbo charge the car for $9k but again, I'm worried about the engine failing. It has 68k miles on it already.









I pretty much gutted my interior because it was wayyy too quiet on the inside stock.




I also added some CF race seats and harnesses (by far my favorite mod and a "must have" if you push your car at all):




Here's a video that my buddy and I produced:




So yep, that's where I'm coming from. I'd love to get a ride in a SC 300 if anyone here is around the PA, MD, DC, VA area.

The only thing keeping me back is the thought of upgrading my car with a full cage, track aero kit, and a stage 2 turbo system. If I can get my weight down to 2,700 lbs. Then I would be able to obtain a 4.9lb/HP rating. I think the Ariel has a 4.6lb/HP rating.



Cheers everyone

[golfguy11800]

Overall, I just think the Ariel will give what I've always wanted from a car. Deep down, my dream is to move to Europe and compete in hillclimb events. I would say this video clip is the epitome of what I am looking for in a car:



Enjoy

[MadMaxAtom]

My suggestion to you is to schedule a drive with TMI in Virginia.They are great people,and are located at a wonderful track facility.(VIR)
You will then be able to decide for yourself if an Atom will suit your needs.
You cannot "add" enough aero to the Atom to ever make it a considerable asset..wings alone won't do it.
As far as exhaust tone..if you desire the sound of a high revving V8,forget about any 4cyl and start saving for an Atom500.
Best of luck on your journey.

[silver]

during the development of my exhaust we took tons of videos here's some....it looks and sounds meaner than this but this was a prototype, as far as how loud it is....my friend has a lambo G with straight pipes, we are pretty equal on volume







The stock system fails within 1-2 trackdays

you can look through the videos on my page and see a lot of atom action

[silver]

[AtomJohnny]

during the development of my exhaust we took tons of videos here's some....it looks and sounds meaner than this but this was a prototype, as far as how loud it is....my friend has a lambo G with straight pipes, we are pretty equal on volume

LOL. Who (hoo) made an owl noise?


This has a nice tone to it..

[silver]

LOL. Who (hoo) made an owl noise?


This has a nice tone to it..

looks like stock exhaust / honda motor