Is a 1000 miles road trip too far?

[ecohen2]

I am debating taking my car to the FLU event in North Carolina. The trip is about 455 miles each way, which is about 8 times what I have driven the Scorpion in a day.

Am I insane to take it on that long of a road trip? What should I expect to go wrong?

Ed

[HF Stinger]

I wouldn't expect anything to go wrong, but what I'd suggest is taking some shorter trips and give any issues a chance to surface before you set out on your long trip.

Ignorance is bliss. It's been about 10 years now since I bought my first Scorpion off ebay. I flew from Chicago to Tucson, gassed it up and pointed it east. There wasn't a single hiccup along the way.

If these cars get unreliable, I tend to think it's because they don't get driven enough as opposed to being driven to much or too far.

[Todd D.]

Hi Ed,
I wouldn't hesitate to make the drive. If it runs cool and you know how old the timing belt is,
go for it.
The only thing I would recommend is to install a Pertronix electronic ignition.
Auto Ricambi, LLC has them for $90.
I just put one in my Scorp and Beta coupe and I wish I had done it before I drove my coupe to California.
Its a 1/2 hour installation and you never have to worry about points closing up ever again.
Great peace of mind on a long road trip.
Are you going to the GP in Montreal this year?
Todd

[Celovsky]

Hi Ed,
Are you going to the GP in Montreal this year?
Todd

I will be heading to the GP in Montreal this year. I will not be bringing my Scorpion, but I am running a Formula Ford in one of the support races. (just a little excited about this).

Note my race number..... 124..... in tribute to the Fiat 124 model.

Andrew C.

[walbum]

Ed,

I would also encourage you to drive your Scorpion to the FLU event. A few years ago I flew out to LA. Eddy T (& Quy) met me and we drove two Scorpions up to the Bay area for Concorso and Historics, then back to LAX (me) and on to SD (them). Both Scorpions performed flawlessly throughout the trip which included construction traffic in the California heat. This trip inspired me to drive my own car more.


Sorry for thread hijack...

Andrew,

What chassis is your FF? I 'crew' for a Macon and an AutoDynamics.

[Geoff T]

You just have to ask yourself when was the last time your Scorp actually left you stranded anywhere? If you drive it reasonably regularly and have no issues then you should go!
Change the oil and maybe the cam belt if it hasn't been done for a few years. I did a similar trip here in New Zealand last February in my S2, and it ran like a charm. Electronic ignition is a great idea. Just because it is old doesn't mean it is unreliable!

[ecohen2]

My timing belt was done a couple of years ago and only has about 3000 miles on it, so it should be good.

I did the Petronix kit a while back so that is good.

I have new suspension pieces, tires, brakes etc so I think I am good to go..

I will also be at the Canadian GP if anyone wants to get together!

[John O]

My timing belt ...only has about 3000 miles on it ...I did the Petronix kit a while back ...I have new suspension pieces, tires, brakes etc so I think I am good to go..

Hey Ed,

If you feel confident driving your Scorp around in DC traffic, you are ready for large capacity/low volume roads of North Carolina. I just took the X down to Winston-Salem on Tuesday and back this morning - it was a great 6 hour (each way) jaunt, about 750 miles total.

John O.

[Tony K]

My timing belt was done a couple of years ago and only has about 3000 miles on it, so it should be good.

I did the Petronix kit a while back so that is good.

I have new suspension pieces, tires, brakes etc so I think I am good to go..

I will also be at the Canadian GP if anyone wants to get together!


How are all of the various hoses?

Also, do you have all of the original heat shielding (e.g. the small piece by the CV joint and the "big box" underneath in the back), or was some of it removed for a custom exhaust, etc.? The heat build-up from prolonged running at higher RPMs may be greater than what you experience just driving it for 20-30 minutes at a time.

- T

[ecohen2]

I have a heat shield, so I should be good with that.. My plan is to take the car out on a long drive sometime over the next week or so...

[Scott H]

Ed,

I should be going too but I will be towing. I need to be in Cincinnati which is a nearly perfect half-way point for my 600 miles. I have debated driving it down from there but the trip home will be a single leg and I really don't want to stop and load it up. That and it is a little out of the way so it would add at least 90 minuted to an already long day.

Which way will you be traveling?

>Scott

[ecohen2]

Yeah, I am not really on your way. Ill be headed straight down 81, which is a long boring drive...

Depending on who is going from the local club, ill probably try to keep up with them..

Ed