If all had gone well with the trade-in value of my ex-beemer, I was going to have my new REX setup as an STX car - Prodrive P7's, Azenis tires, coilovers, swaybars, etc . . . . but that got smashed in a blast thanks to BMW!

So, now I was going to setup the car for DS (well, SK1 here in Cal Club where I can run 140+ tw street tires) and thus powdercoat my wheels "rally" gold and get the 16" Azenis tires (about $800), then maybe some AGX shocks and alignment (near $700) - then setup the car for STX later. But when I met all the SoCal guys Sunday, and saw their lowered cars (thus they get to have all the FUN!) - I am thinking that with my limited budget - I'd be throwing away money setting it up for stock this year. But Cal Club is not going to have STX this year, so IF I instead setup the car for STX, I'll not really have a class unless I run ESP for the time being . . . .

So, what should I really do? I guess it WOULD be a waste of money to set it up for stock this year, right? The WRX is a nifty car, but stock IS no fun . . :(

My head hurts. Too many Acronyms for me in that post!! :lol:

So get the Kumhos (more like $400) and the alignment, autocross stock with us for a while, then see how you like it.
If you do, then you can wait for the struts.
If not, then you go with full coilover and move to a different class.:)

don't throw a ton of money into the car yet if you know you'll be going even further later on. If you're going to run stock just get a good set of tires and run there till you can afford to do everything you want to do for whatever class you want to run in. If you know you'll be doing more with the car don't waiste money on parts now that will be replaced for better ones later.

STS - the street toruing class that the 2.5 RS runs in, street tire only semi modified class

STX - the new proposed class for up to 2.0L forced induction cars, and up to 5.0L N/A cars, street tire only semi modified class

SK2 - special class in our local Cal Club SCCA (SoCal - LA only). Its for stock classes CS, DS, ES, GS, and HS using REAL street tires (treadwear of 140+, meaning no "R" tires) and run under an index to even it out.

ESP - E Street Prepared. Similar to STS/STX, but allows even more mods, but also runs on "R" tires = BIG $$$$ class!

STS (and soon STX) was created not too long ago by SCCA to cater to the "Rice Boy" style of cars to try and get them off the streets and racing in a safe and organized venue. It allows pretty much what most like to mod their cars with - to a point.

Does that help? If not, take 2 Advil and call me in the morning. I'll send you the bill later (about enough to cover the new wheels and tires, hahahaha).

But I think Strepto is right. I'd be tossing money away if I didn't wait now and get the full monty. Even if I was no longer competitive in the new STX, at least I'd have a hell of a fun street car, and couold still take it to Willow . . . .

Do you plan on winning? If not, then dont even worry about it. After all, it's only auto-x. Just go out there and have some fun, who cares what class you're in. That's not gonna make it any more or less fun.

Do you plan on winning?

Yes. At least regional. In the past years, I had been too. My old Lotus Europa and RX7 was kinda a legend back home in Chicago years ago. In 99 I was 1st in AS and STR. In 2000 I was 2nd by a hair (lost it at the last event) in SK1 (SS, AS, and FS), and this year, even quitting mid season, I'm probably 3rd. Fun IS a factor, yes. But I also have fun competiting - more so when winning :)

OK. That's cool then. It just sounded like you were one of the many people who are going into their 1st or 2nd year of autocrossing and are worrying that a swaybar or shortshifter will put them out of a certain class, when it really doesnt matter. But hey, if you're intent is winning and is realistic(looks like it is) then do it to it man! :)

Run DS, get some racing tires (no weak Khumo's) and then race. You should be able to take DS if your a good driver.

Learning the car and driving in a stock class one year is a great idea. I wish I would have.

Jon

Stock = NO FUN :)

Nah, I will prepare it for STX. Even if I don't do good, yet, at least I'll have a street car (and ocasional TRACK car) that will be FUN! And I won't have to look longingly at the other modded Subes here by me. It was enough to depress me seeing how at the last meet I made, my car was the TALLEST there :(

Good that I re-thought everything, cause I would have wasted $800 on stock wheels and tires!

Think what you want. I agree STX will make your car more fun, but the best thing is to have a stock car with just some good tires and run better times that those will a list of mods the size of their hood. :D

It also feels good to have a 2.5 RS and beat all the WRX's. Although that will change (I may end up with a WRX myself)

Jon

But also remember, the REX stock, is dialed in for understeer - which like FWD cars, I HATE :) Also, coming from a 2 seater low to the ground, a stock REX feels like I'm in a Greyhound Bus :eek: :lol: So I would feel more comfortable with oversteer dialed in, lower to the ground, and much better handling & grip than stock class would allow. Plus, even looking at it all high and all . . . . it BEGS to be lowered - unless I want it for rallys only :p

a stock REX feels like I'm in a Greyhound Bus Just go beside a Ford Excursion or Expedition. You won't feel so big anymore. ;)

1) The AGX's are not made for the WRX yet. They say they are working on some. The ones that exist as of today were made for the previous generation RS, a car that is 300lbs lighter. I would think you 'd be doing more money than they cost as you find you may need to replace them after every 3-4 events.

Buy a quality coilover setup if you're going to STX. In stock there's not really any struts that would make life easy. :)

2) You're right its dialed in for understeer. Seeing as you are experienced in how to handle oversteer and it's virtues, I would suggest getting an adjustable rear sway bar. That would help the back end come around a little more, adjustable so you can set it to where you like it.

Since it's your 1st year with the car, would it be such a bad thing to learn it this year, what it can do, how to set it up, etc...and then go ballstothewall and win next year? I would say go into SM this year if STX isn't available, but drive it as it were in STX. Maybe find a few guys/gals who would love to compete in STX in your region and approach the club saying so? Don't let them have the final word. They have to know there's people interested in it for them to offer it.

Lastly, lowering the car, this car, is not necessarily the best for it. :) This car has a certain limit that it likes to be lowered to. I would say lowering it more than 3/4" to 1" will bring different results than you expect, bordering on the negative. About 1/2" to 3/4" is really where the car feels balanced.

--kC (Urabus on the newsgroups)

I can't stand those huge land-yachts! YECH!

1) I know about the AGX, and a sad shame there is nothing else out there - not even from KONI or Tokico! Only partial solution for stock class would be the STi kit, but install the stock springs with them - which might not work well together????

2) a no brainer there - another reason to just go and set it up as an STX car, so as to use the bars, and adjustable coilovers to get the car right

Since it's your 1st year with the car, would it be such a bad thing to learn it this year,

Ahh, words that I said many a time on the Z3/M Coupe forums :) Now the Coupes were a very twitchy car that you had to learn its limits in stock form first. Specially the //M or it could kill ya. But I think I could learn it easily enough - had a hell of a lot of cars since I started AutoX'ing back in 74. RWD, FWD, mid-engine, front engine, rear engine, . . . . just haven't had an AWD yet.

And no, when I said lower it, I don't mean rice boyz slamming it down. I still have speedbumps and inclined driveways to worry about :) I would do it within reason - and no lower than 1" - though I see that the CUSCO setup has an adjustment for lowering the shock into its bracket, yet keep travel the same when lowering the car.

And as for STX in our region - we are working on that :)

Thanks!

Oh, and what about the anti-lift kits? Are they worth it? And legal in STX?

I ran my WRX in GS last year, but quickly discovered that for me, the WRX has way too much understeer for my driving style. This was primarily on Race tires (BFG G-Farces :mad:, and later Kumos :D)
I guess my problem was that with the alignment (trying to stay within the stock specs, I could not get the aligment I wanted. I didn't try loosening the suspension parts and shoving the wheel in as far as it would go to get max camber...

I did try my WRX in ESP on street tires with much more success.

I think the STX class might be a good place to start, but the limitations on the driveline, and tire size limits the potential of the car too much, even when your on a budget.

ESP is a much better place for the WRX. the intake, exhaust, and intercooler system is totally unrestricted.

I think with basic alignment mods, a good set of rims with a 245 series tire, and swaybars, the WRX will kick major booty in ESP.

that's my plan anyway