Beater or Sleeper? GT6 Car of the Week Thread

Before I start my 2J review, I want to give a shoutout to @Nismonath5 and @McClarenDesign for taking 1st and 2nd place in the weekly photo contest done by @CORRUPTEDDISC so congrats to both. :)👍

Here's the video in question.



On to the review.

The Chaparral 2J is one of the great innovative designs that made an impact by daring to different in comparison to the status quo of the time by threatening to suck-er punch all that it raced against. :sly:

Now whilst it was legal to race up until it was outlawed at the end of the 1970 season of Can-Am, here in GT6 it has a reputation of being banned from most lobbys on the spot on the account of being too fast and as well as dominating most TT events.

Despite scouring the web I have been unable to find out why they had 3 gears, but the close relation with Chevrolet meant that earlier cars apparently had Chevy Corviar transaxles which were 2 speed Powerglide gearboxes like the 2C for example.

The Chaparral 3 speed? that was reportedly built in-house.

But I also noticed something regarding the 2D and if what I've seen is true then PD has once again made a mistake. :rolleyes:

The 2D was different in the 2 years it raced (1966-1967, we have the '67 model for the record.).

The 66' model has the Small Block Chevy V8 (327CI) we've got, but that according to The Chaparral Files had a 2 speed gearbox and the '67 model that failed to finish 2 endurance races at Daytona and Sebring was equipped with the 3 speed we got, but that one had a Big Block Chevy engine (427CI).

So if that's all true, the 2D has the right transmission and wrong engine for the model year we have. :crazy:

But getting back to the 2J, as one of 2 'Fan Cars' in GT6 and the only one that actually exists, the 2J is a fast race car despite that update that added 1.5 camber and -0.50 toe on the front and 3.5 camber and 1.00 toe on the back ( which by the way, was a stupid idea. :banghead:).

I mentioned before one of the benefits of the fan car was downforce regardless of speed, that also includes traction as the 2J could accelerate out the turns on full power and the tyres wouldn't break loose which allowed me to win on the last turn at Suzuka. :D

Also a cool trick you can do with the 2J is going backwards real fast (over 100mph stock, but you can go way further with tuning.).

So what do I think of GT6's classical outlaw? well the 2J has been the bane of lobbies, Time Trials and the Historic cup in both GT5 and GT6 so it hasn't slipped under the radar as a sleeper. :P

But it's also not a beater either for the same reasons that it isn't a Sleeper, the car is very quick in the right hands, quicker than most modern LMP racers.

So it's a Neutral verdict, but if you have the means I highly recommend picking one up. ;)
 


In these days of motorsports where putting the thick rulebooks of Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA SportsCar, and NASCAR all on the same table would likely cause it to collapse; the Can-Am Series can be looked at as one of the relics of an age where "creative engineering" was at its zenith. Consider this: ten years before the 2J first hit the racetrack, front engine roadsters still reigned during the month of May at Indianapolis. By 1970 rear engine cars had taken over the Brickyard, and the Speedway had seen Four-Wheel Drive Cars and even Turbine-Engine cars along the way.

The Chaparral 2J fit perfectly into this radical era. It's a bit like the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy-plane, you look at it now around five decades later and it still seems futuristic and ahead of its time. While the fans on the 2J also did suck in all the marbles and debris it ran over in real life (which was a big reason for its limited success), in the ideal scenario of a racing videogame you can see how it was capable of such great speeds with constant downforce at any speed.



The Chaparral is not a car you can simply fling with reckless abandon in the corners, however. The car tends to push at early entry and getting any part of the car off in the grass breaks the vacuum and makes it pretty near uncontrollable. Its better to brake early and then get back on the gas as soon as possible to get the most out of the 2J. Most of the track selections Tuesday night didn't allow testing the car in ideal environments, though I did find a whole new way to overtake someone...



Beater or Sleeper? How about, "Bat-S*** Insane"? Yet I couldn't help but like the Chaparral 2J by the end, given how "out-of-the-box" and innovative it was. It's a reminder of an age of motorsports that will likely never be replicated again, when rulebooks were thinner and breakthroughs in handling, aerodynamics and speed were more rapid than ever.
 
The 2J has held a special place in my heart since I first heard about it on GT4. I was 11 years old at the time and my dad and I used to refer to it as "the fridge." Being as I am a fan (:D) of unhinged and oddball cars from any decade (think Espace F1, Trossi Monaco, Citröen Xsara Picasso Cup et al) the 2J grabbed my attention immediately.

As far as sheer technical prowess, well I've spoken about it at length on my channel, but suffice to say that although it was the Brabham BT46B which would come to perfect the ground effect fan 8 years later (giving Nikki Lauda a 30 second margin of victory in its only race of the 1978 Grand Prix before being banned - surprise surprise), the genius of Jim Hall has to be heralded. The 2J's fan was of course the first of its type, and was understandably more complicated and less reliable than the Brabham, but to produce such a car, which could run over a second per lap faster than all of its Can Am rivals of that year (while having less power than many of them mind you), and to accomplish such a huge leap in racing technology and performance through something as comparatively simple as suction eight years before the next significant vehicle of its type, and arguably 30 years before you would have realistically expected something so advanced to appear in a race car has to be applauded. The only real chink in its vacuum-packed Lexan armour was the 125cc snowmobile engine which powered the ground effect system, which was admittedly prone to, ahem...dying.

As far as race cars on GT go, it's as OP as the Escudo was on GT2, and although it may not be a looker, you have to admire its sheer forward thought.

Jim Hall - I salute you.
 
Even though my stance on the 2J is fairly well known, the one thing I will admit is the creator was pretty well genius in a Frankenstein kind of way. Sadly, the 2J was to be Jim Hall's last effort of the decade, as he closed up shop after the mob ran him out of town with torches and pitchforks. He is the one that should be heralded, and not this miserable failure of a car.

Why a failure you ask? Here's some undeniable facts...

The amount of races it was in... the same number of tires it had. 4. Four, and only four.
The amount of races it won... 0. Zero, zilch, NONE. And that's with drivers like (Sir) Jackie Stewart at the helm. OUCH

Even with that, it's remembered and praised. No wonder there's songs like this around...



Cheers
 
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Even though my stance on the 2J is fairly well known, the one thing I will admit is the creator was pretty well genius in a Frankenstein kind of way. Sadly, the 2J was to be Jim Hall's last effort of the decade, as he closed up shop after the mob ran him out of town with torches and pitchforks. He is the one that should be heralded, and not this miserable failure of a car.

Why a failure you ask? Here's some undeniable facts...

The amount of races it was in... the same number of tires it had. 4. Four, and only four.
The amount of races it won... 0, zero, zilch. NONE. And that's with drivers like (Sir) Jackie Stewart at the helm. OUCH

Even with that, it's remembered and praised. No wonder there's songs like this around...



Cheers

Jim Hall only entered it in four races. Must've been trying to work out bugs in between...And yeah, wasn't it the JLO engine failing in each race?
 
Jim Hall only entered it in four races. Must've been trying to work out bugs in between...And yeah, wasn't it the JLO engine failing in each race?

From what I've read, they missed 3 races (in a row?) due to mechanical issues. And yes, the under-powered JLO engine was the bane of the 2J's existence mainly due to the stones and other debris on the track. Deadly not only to the competition in open cockpit cars behind it, but in a suicidal way as well. I remember reading it had other issues, like brake fluid boiling over when Sir Jackie took it out.

Cheers
 
Hey, I know the COTW club's been running for years, so you guys may well have already done so, but have you guys ever tried using voice chat during the Tuesday and Saturday races? That could be pretty cool, even if we used Discord so visitors and newcomers don't have to put up with our rambling while racing.

Also, where IS Brad with this week's car? He's liking my stuff on Google+, so he's around..
 
Hey, I know the COTW club's been running for years, so you guys may well have already done so, but have you guys ever tried using voice chat during the Tuesday and Saturday races? That could be pretty cool, even if we used Discord so visitors and newcomers don't have to put up with our rambling while racing.

Also, where IS Brad with this week's car? He's liking my stuff on Google+, so he's around..

We tried once but it didn't really turn out that great and other members don't own a mic. I think that night it was only MC, Vic, and Baron and myself that had mics. Since then we haven't bothered using them.
 
We tried once but it didn't really turn out that great and other members don't own a mic
Fair point, ah well. T'was just an idea...

Also, still no word from McD. I know he's crazy busy with Sauber's F1 blog and other commitments, so we'll wait a bit longer, but I've got a car in mind for this week if he doesn't make an announcement soon. Even without our leader, the show must go on!
 
We used to have mics enabled back in GT5's CoTW, unless I'm just remembering chatting with Brad in regular rooms.

As for his tardiness, I think it calls for 50 lashings, and 80 lashings if his excuse is poor.
whip_emote_v_2_by_thedragonlady.gif
 
We used to have mics enabled back in GT5's CoTW, unless I'm just remembering chatting with Brad in regular rooms.

As for his tardiness, I think it calls for 50 lashings, and 80 lashings if his excuse is poor.

Your mom snores. Is that good enough?

No further action will be taken.

chamonix-mini-jpg.574697

Congratulations girabyt3!
Love the work! Pick a car....

Omg, thanks man!! I really appreciate both things!! Can I pick a group of cars from the same family??. If not...

Emoticons are proof that your savior died for nothing. Remember that the next time you hunt for eggs. Sinner...

a4fc203e64e8336521b382072f77d341.jpg

It's the '99 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR! I'm sticking with the one to keep things simple, and to prevent a screen full of rally cars that can't be painted. Because I'm a civil man that believes in a civilized world and I demand chaos.

The Time Trial event is up, but I forget where. Get off of my lawn, you damn kids. Go pokemon somewhere else for a change!
 
Strange choice of Evo. It isn't an RS, so no steelies :grumpy: and it isn't the Premium 2000 model either.
Well, it still is an Evo so who cares? (Except Me)

I'll probably bring along an Impreza for comparison anyway, but when it comes to "WRX vs EVO", I'm with Tommi!

View attachment 576716

Well I do prefer Subies as I have always preferred the look of them over the Evos.




Also, I prefer to stick with cars not from the east, but from the west.
Sorry for the lame joke guys, I am pretty sure none of you will even chuckle and will question my mental state.
 
There will be a special yet unofficial bonus prize for this week's Playing with TT's event...

The lucky person who gets the exact time of 4:20.420 will recieve the Lifetime Achievement Award known as "THE Burnout King". So... light em up boys!!! ;)

Cheers

I'd rather not be part of that group due to the fact they annoy me too much... Instead I'll be the guy "faster than Baron ATM."

Honestly, I don't think that's funny at all. I'm so sick of seeing that damn number...
 
So, a stock standard Mitsi Evo 6..

Sport hard tyres, no TCS or ASM, and 4WD... these three factors mean it's great off the line, but suffers EXTREME understeer when driving the wheels off it. Naturally, being an Evo, it favours the off road over any paved circuit, meaning the suspension is soft and the ride height high, not helping the handling situation.
To make it more "track ready", all you really need is a stiffer spring rate and maybe throw in some grippy rubber for good measure.

The racing on Tuesday was plagued with random lag spikes, though I did have an awesome drive against Vic in a GT-R LM road car! Sadly I didn't get a lot of mileage in the Evo 6 itself, I usually aim to log at least 150km in a car before making any verdicts on it...

Full review and pics coming on Sunday! :)
 
Diamonds are Forever...
The theory of Evolution

Syracuse - Night.jpg

The results of the EVILEVO project, two not too shabby track cars...

Having logged a total of roughly 1000km in my two highly modified Evos, I guess I was hoping that experience would help me in this week's racing. It was interesting trying to be just as competitive in a stock Evo...
The shape in question is the Evolution 6. Not the most popular option, but not the least popular either. It's often overshadowed by the Evolution 6 Tommi Makinen edition, or the "Evo 6.5" as I like to call it. But how does it really perform?

Ronda.jpg

The roman numeral decals have to be my favourite thing about Evos... :D

The paper in the window would have told you it put out 276bhp, though we all know that's bullsh:censored:!
In actual fact, the Evo 6 produces about 327bhp, which is about right, most of the JDM icons from the 90's were around 300bhp-330bhp. This number is made even more impressive by the fact that the Evo's only got a 4-banger, so it's down 2 cylinders when compared to other icons like the Supra or R34

And this week, we were blessed with some down to the wire racing! Not once, but twice!!
The first occurence was at Indianapolis, where the margin of victory was 0.008 seconds! :eek:

Indianapolis Road Course_1.jpg

@Vic Reign93 defeats @RobboGTAddict by a hair length! (I staged the photo to be right on the bricks, then when I took the pic the cars had moved back a pace! Erm...? :mad:)

The second instance was at Matterhorn, where @todally_lit decided to slash that margin by half, coming within 0.004 seconds of Vic! Both finishes still weren't as close as Mahe Drysdale's Olympic rowing finals! :lol:

Matterhorn Dristelen _1.jpg

This time Vic takes the victory!

So it makes for some super close racing, but how does it feel?
Well, the power is relatively instant, only a whisp of turbo lag off the line, but otherwise nothing too extreme. 4WD means TCS is not a neccesity if you're on an open high speed circuit, but if you're going somewhere a bit more technical, then you'll probably want it. It understeers awfully when pushing hard, and this will no doubt rattle the less experienced drivers. It also only has 5 gears. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting 6, and when I realised the truth, I felt like it needed that extra gear. :indiff:

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps_1.jpg

Baron at Spa. Need I say more?

Surprisingly, the brakes are pretty bad. This came as a legitimate shock to me, because I thought they'd be better, considering they're Brembos, and Brembos are typically very good... :guilty:
The suspension is on the soft side, obviously set up for comfy daily driving, occasional hooning, and offroad performance. This all round setup provides mixed experiences.. It's great on hilly, bumpy tracks, like Bathurst or Nurburgring. But on the otherhand it handles like crap on flat, smooth tracks like Apricot Hill, and Tsukuba, where a stiffer setup would be very beneficial.

Tsukuba Circuit_1.jpg

Tsukuba sliding, someone get that Skyline outta the way!!!

Tsukuba Circuit.jpg

Nice pink, wish I had it! ;)

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.jpg

4WD means it wouldn't be too bad in a drag race!

It's on sport hard tyres, so don't expect too much in terms of clinging to corners, but it can still do the job, you just need to give it that extra baking distance and really nail the racing line to keep on par with the rest!
As mentioned earlier, the all-round suspension setup means it's alright on the off-road, too! The power is transferred with relative ease and there are no real oversteer or understeer issues.

Chamonix East_1.jpg

Snow blasting through Chamonix!

I reckon, as is from the dealership, the Lancer Evo 6 is quite underhwelming. Sure, it's a Japanese rally icon, it's every boy racer's wet dream and it's got an immeasurable rep in rallying, but as is, on sports tyres and all, it isn't so much a sleeper, rather than a base model. Just because it's reputation is solidified in WRC doesn't mean rally is it's only calling. You can modify it to specialise in rallying, in circuit driving, in straight-line performance, or even drifting if you're up to the challenge! As I've discovered from my Evo 4 and Evo 10, a well tuned Evo lays waste to even the top tier supercars, but as for the Evo 6, in standard trim... Nahh, I'm just not loving it. The stock standard Evo 6 is therefore a beater. 👎

That's not to say it's useless. It would make a great 2nd or 3rd car, something not as tame as a Daihatsu Sirion, but a stepping stone on the way to owning a garage full of 240mph supercars. It's cheap and brimming with potential, it just needs some work done to tailor it for your intended purpose before calling it a sleeper.


Buy the Evo 6 if you...
-Want a "bang for buck" car.
-Can master the 4WD drivetrain.
-Love Tommi Makinen.
-Are a JDM enthusiast.
-Want to build your own rally car
 
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Diamonds are Forever...
The theory of Evolution

View attachment 578203
The results of the EVILEVO project, two not too shabby track cars...

Having logged a total of roughly 1000km in my two highly modified Evos, I guess I was hoping that experience would help me in this week's racing. It was interesting trying to be just as competitive in a stock Evo...
The shape in question is the Evolution 6. Not the most popular option, but not the least popular either. It's often overshadowed by the Evolution 6 Tommi Makinen edition, or the "Evo 6.5" as I like to call it. But how does it really perform?

View attachment 578205
The roman numeral decals have to be my favourite thing about Evos... :D

The paper in the window would have told you it put out 276bhp, though we all know that's bullsh:censored:!
In actual fact, the Evo 6 produces about 327bhp, which is about right, most of the JDM icons from the 90's were around 300bhp-330bhp. This number is made even more impressive by the fact that the Evo's only got a 4-banger, so it's down 2 cylinders when compared to other icons like the Supra or R34

And this week, we were blessed with some down to the wire racing! Not once, but twice!!
The first occurence was at Indianapolis, where the margin of victory was 0.008 seconds! :eek:

View attachment 578207
@Vic Reign93 defeats @RobboGTAddict by a hair length! (I staged the photo to be right on the bricks, then when I took the pic the cars had moved back a pace! Erm...? :mad:)

The second instance was at Matterhorn, where @todally_lit decided to slash that margin by half, coming within 0.004 seconds of Vic! Both finishes still weren't as close as Mahe Drysdale's Olympic rowing finals! :lol:

View attachment 578208
This time Vic takes the victory!

So it makes for some super close racing, but how does it feel?
Well, the power is relatively instant, only a whisp of turbo lag off the line, but otherwise nothing too extreme. 4WD means TCS is not a neccesity if you're on an open high speed circuit, but if you're going somewhere a bit more technical, then you'll probably want it. It understeers awfully when pushing hard, and this will no doubt rattle the less experienced drivers. It also only has 5 gears. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting 6, and when I realised the truth, I felt like it needed that extra gear. :indiff:

View attachment 578213
Baron at Spa. Need I say more?

Surprisingly, the brakes are pretty bad. This came as a legitimate shock to me, because I thought they'd be better, considering they're Brembos, and Brembos are typically very good... :guilty:
The suspension is on the soft side, obviously set up for comfy daily driving, occasional hooning, and offroad performance. This all round setup provides mixed experiences.. It's great on hilly, bumpy tracks, like Bathurst or Nurburgring. But on the otherhand it handles like crap on flat, smooth tracks like Apricot Hill, and Tsukuba, where a stiffer setup would be very beneficial.

View attachment 578226
Tsukuba sliding, someone get that Skyline outta the way!!!

View attachment 578216
Nice pink, wish I had it! ;)

View attachment 578215
4WD means it wouldn't be too bad in a drag race!

It's on sport hard tyres, so don't expect too much in terms of clinging to corners, but it can still do the job, you just need to give it that extra baking distance and really nail the racing line to keep on par with the rest!
As mentioned earlier, the all-round suspension setup means it's alright on the off-road, too! The power is transferred with relative ease and there are no real oversteer or understeer issues.

View attachment 578217
Snow blasting through Chamonix!

I reckon, as is from the dealership, the Lancer Evo 6 is quite underhwelming. Sure, it's a Japanese rally icon, it's every boy racer's wet dream and it's got an immeasurable rep in rallying, but as is, on sports tyres and all, it isn't so much a sleeper, rather than a base model. Just because it's reputation is solidified in WRC doesn't mean rally is it's only calling. You can modify it to specialise in rallying, in circuit driving, in straight-line performance, or even drifting if you're up to the challenge! As I've discovered from my Evo 4 and Evo 10, a well tuned Evo lays waste to even the top tier supercars, but as for the Evo 6, in standard trim... Nahh, I'm just not loving it. The stock standard Evo 6 is therefore a beater. 👎

That's not to say it's useless. It would make a great 2nd or 3rd car, something not as tame as a Daihatsu Sirion, but a stepping stone on the way to owning a garage full of 240mph supercars. It's cheap and brimming with potential, it just needs some work done to tailor it for your intended purpose before calling it a sleeper.


Buy the Evo 6 if you...
-Want a "bang for buck" car.
-Are a 4WD enthusiast.
-Love Tommi Makinen.
-Are a JDM enthusiast.
-Want to build your own rally car

Now I want to try those Evilevo track tunes.
 
@RacingOtaku86 hope this link works! If not, just do a bit of poking around on Google+, Vic, Brad, Ash and others are in my community, so you should be able to find it!



...I can see the link I've put here in the editor, but it doesn't actually show up on the actual thread. Erm....
 
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR '99
2.0L
311 hp / 6,500 rpm
305 ft-lb / 3,000 rpm
1,360 kg (2,998 lbs)
465 pp

In the USA, we got screwed and didn't receive the Evo until the 2003 model year, starting with generation VIII. Subaru brought their WRX STi over a year later, and it had a 500cc bigger engine than the Evo. Let's see how the '99 STi compares.

Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STi Version VI '99
2.0L
285 hp / 6,800 rpm
266 ft-lb / 4,500 rpm
1,270 kg (2,800 lbs)
458 pp

The Subaru loses in power quite badly, by 26 horses and 39 ft-lbs of torque, but weighs 90 kg (198 lbs) less than the Evo.

Mid-Field battle on Comfort Softs!




Looks like the Subaru lap is as fast as I am talented enough to go, but the Evo lap might be able to match or beat the Subaru. I will go for 1:23 sometime this morning.

Top speed on straight and minimum speed through Turn 1:

138 mph / 67 mph - Mitsubishi
137 mph / 67 mph - Subaru

Seemingly identical. I do prefer the way the Subaru transfers its weight for the fast S-curve in Turns 3 and 4. The Mitsubishi has a definite straight-line advantage though.

I'm calling the Mitsubishi a beater, because I just like the Subaru more. Its exterior looks great, and I prefer the EJ20 boxer engine over the inline 4G63.
 

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