New to the Stinger and looking for advice on build- buyng a 2022 Stinger GT2 AWD

[bkal0351]

Hello

I am coming from an 2011 Audi S4 Stage 2+ Ultra Charged that is built for track. We are planning to replace the car with a stinger and looking to build this from day to be a great track car. Being so new to Kia, I want to make sure that we are looking at a quailty tune for the car. From what I done for most research, it seems Bergers is a safe way to go. I have found the majority parts that I need that come from manufactures that I am already familiar with. Also, What is the widest wheel you can put on the front and the back of one of these bad boy? I have a garage full of 255/35/19 and some 265/35/19 that I would still like to use all around. Thank you for your help and time.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Howdy and welcome. Wheel width depends on offset; less with a wider tire. A square 265 would be 9.5 wide wheel max; a 9.0 wide wheel would suit either tire too and with less clearance issues in front. I run 8.5 with 40 offset and the OE 225 tire in front; and 9.5 39 offset with the OE 255 tire in back. A wider tire in front would require less offset, probably closer to 30; in the rear the Stinger has more room: it's the front that limits square tire width.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Hey bkal0351,

Welcome to the Stinger Forum!

The Kia Stinger GT is a fantastic platform that checks off a lot of boxes for the enthusiast.

Most of the big-name manufacturers such as Injen, KW, K&N, Mishimoto, etc. have produced parts for the vehicle.

We carry all of these well-known brands and a whole lot much more at our specialty Kia Stinger Store www.K8StingerStore.com.

Feel free to reach out in a message chat if you ever have any questions, need suggestions, or if you would like a discount on a package.

Best of luck,
Daniel @ the K8 Stinger Store​

 

[Sabs]

Why a Stinger as a track car? It's a very heavy car, so brakes are going to be an issue. Aftermarket parts with track driving in mind are also quite limited compared to sports cars such as mustangs, camaros, supras, etc.

 

[Devin]

GT2 is a highway car.

 

[AubieTigers]

Why a Stinger as a track car? It's a very heavy car, so brakes are going to be an issue. Aftermarket parts with track driving in mind are also quite limited compared to sports cars such as mustangs, camaros, supras, etc.

You could always rip out the unnecessary bits and really drop weight. Just taking out the front 2 seat and replacing them with racing seats and removing all of the backseat seats/trim would save a ton of weight. Why go GT2 though would be my question. If you're just gonna rip it up; get a GT1, save money, and have less crap to remove.

 

[Sabs]

You could always rip out the unnecessary bits and really drop weight. Just taking out the front 2 seat and replacing them with racing seats and removing all of the backseat seats/trim would save a ton of weight. Why go GT2 though would be my question. If you're just gonna rip it up; get a GT1, save money, and have less crap to remove.

I’m just not sure why someone would start off with a platform that’s handicapped for track use from the start.

If it’s a car primarily used to transport people and cargo where the space is needed, and is taken to an occasional track day, that’s a different story.

If it’s mainly driven on the track and compromises such as weight removal can be made, they’d have a better effect on a true sports car. There’s a lot more to consider such as engine and transmission cooling, suspension geometry and adjustability, weight balance, etc. The Stinger was never designed as a track car, but as a road car striking a balance between comfort and performance.

Here’s a link to Car & Driver’s Lightning Lap test of the Stinger.

Here is a full list of lap times.

The 2.3L Mustang w/ HPP beats it by over 7 seconds and starts around $33k.

The Camaro SS 1LE is ahead about 18 seconds(!) and starts around $38k.

If 4 doors are needed to haul tires and gear to the track, a Civic Type R or STI will perform better and have a lot more aftermarket options.

 

[AubieTigers]

A Stinger GT1 starts at 43500. You can get below msrp easy. The potential from the 3.3 is much greater than the 2 you named and after removing the weight, you can add some back wherever you want to help with the current track you are running to help with handling. Stock times vs slightly modified can change quickly and a complete rip out and conversion of a Stinger to a track of a Stinger would probably be a winner in my opinion. I'd bet after removing the non essential things and adding a roll cage you'd probably still be adding weight somewhere to balance the car and could be very competitive.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think the OP is having fun. So why not start with a GT2, rip out the sunroof and all the rest: and then count on that dependability that came with a 100K miles warranty (even though the warranty itself is moot)?

 

[Devin]

I'm never going to discourage bad decisions (I come from the SHO community) but why buy new if tracking? Get a high mileage 18 RWD GT. Rip out all the goodies like @AubieTigers mentioned and then get some tunes.

 

[AubieTigers]

I'm never going to discourage bad decisions (I come from the SHO community) but why buy new if tracking? Get a high mileage 18 RWD GT. Rip out all the goodies like @AubieTigers mentioned and then get some tunes.

100% Agreed

 

[RM7]

A Stinger GT1 starts at 43500. You can get below msrp easy. The potential from the 3.3 is much greater than the 2 you named and after removing the weight, you can add some back wherever you want to help with the current track you are running to help with handling. Stock times vs slightly modified can change quickly and a complete rip out and conversion of a Stinger to a track of a Stinger would probably be a winner in my opinion. I'd bet after removing the non essential things and adding a roll cage you'd probably still be adding weight somewhere to balance the car and could be very competitive.

The Stinger is like a 440 GC, an S5, etc. It's a good performance car, excels in some areas, is a little shabby in others and the handling doesn't suck...but it is not on the same planet with purpose built sports cars. You can also rip out the rear seat in a SS 1LE BTW, you can also go to smaller 19" wheels which handle better, better tires, headers and manifold with tune, and be way way faster in a 1LE. The stock 2016/17//18/19/20 Camaro SS beats the M4 around a track (same years, not sure they've raced the newest one), let alone what the 1LE can do.

If all you want to do is beat people from a dig at stoplights, then yeah, the Stinger, like any turbo AWD platform, will be pretty good.

If you are thinking of tracking, it's not a track car. You can use it at the track, even better with some modifications, but again, not going to be competitive against purpose built cars. Too many people fail to realize racing at a track is about carrying speed through turns. Straight-aways are important, but you aren't going to be competitive if you can't carry speed through turns.

 

[bkal0351]

I would like to thank you all for the replys and comments. Ha, We know its not the 'ideal track car", but after doing this for as long as we have we chose to have cars that have a lifestyle balance. I have a 2010 S5 that is very modified for the track. Weighs the same as the Stinger. The S4 that was built for track was about 150lbs less than this Stinger. We live in MN. We love and use all wheel drive all year round. We are also fortunate enough to have a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Ram 1500 as the "daily divers" . We love the Stinger we found and have a ton of parts in bound for the build. From what we have gathered, keep the staggerd setup and make sure the ratios fit. We plan to work on finding performance bake rotors/pads, stainless steel lines next.