input from the experts please for my current STX setup

[Jeff_DML]

hoping for some input from you guys for my current STX setup. First of all I know that practice and skill is the most important part of auto-x and with that most cars can be run fast. With that said I was wondering what you guys think of my current setup and if it is a good baseline to run on and I can be semi-competitive with it in the long run. My current suspension setup is as follows:

V8 JDM STi takeoffs // F200lb/in linear, R 130-200 lb/in two stage progressive
alignment -1 camber front, almost stock setting for rest.
225/45r17 Kumho MX // ran 40/40 psi last auto-x,
22mm fsb // whiteline
22mm rsb // perrin, current set at middle setting which should be around ~24mm
whiteline steering bushings

Any comments? any small tweaks to it for a more competitive setup. I auto-x it last sunday and the major thing that I felt was holding me back was my driving.

I know you national guys are running coilovers with very stiff spring rates but this is my daily driver and I kind of like the all purpose of my current setup. Only suspension tweaks I have been thinking about is the 04 STi pink lowering springs with maybe group N topmounts but I have been fighing the urge.

thanks
jeff

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[KC]

Well for one, if you're going to run nationally, the steering bushings aren't legal. So the stockers would have to go back on.

Other than that, you need more camber via something like bolts or camberplates. Camberplates are something that you can adjust at the event when you get there and before you leave.... and easy, repeatable camber.

I'm also not crazy about the double progressive springs in the rear (or about progressives at all)... on some corners, you might want that 200 lb full rate, yet the spring only is giving you something less. They're just a little harder to predict and 'feel'.

Driver does make a big deal. That's the single most important thing. http://www.autocross.com/evolution

--kC

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by KC

Well for one....

--kC

thanks for the input

didnt know that about the bushings

[MNbiker]

What KC said. The cheapest & most effective change you could make is to get some camber adjustment. You could use a lot more negative camber in front and probably a bit less in back.

A tiny bit of toe-out in front and a bit more in back will help turn-in and rotation, respectively, at the expense of a bit more tire wear. I use both on my car - but then again, I measure tire wear by autocross run count, not mileage!

You might want to try your rear bar on the stiffest setting. It should help you car rotate better, with minimal side-effects. (just don't lift the throttle whilst driving fast on cloverleafs! )

The progressive springs aren't great, but once you start messing with spring rates, you might as well get a set of coilovers & be done with it.

-Steve

[Jeff_DML]

thanks

camberplates seem like a good option so I can run agressive camber during auto-x then dial it back for the street. Seems like most people say running agressive front camber doesnt cause uneven tirewire but it still worries me. I would rather not burn through tires quickly.

I ran my first auto-x with the fsb and it felt ok with the rsb at the middle setting. But I guess I should try it out at the stiffiest, why not

Also I thought the STI takeoffs where progressive 183/173 when I bought them, wasnt until recently did I find out they where a different progressive rate

[Butt Dyno]

I am in the same situation as you - STi RA suspension w/ F/R sways. I bought a set of camber plates, pink springs and Grp N tops and decided a week later to sell them to buy coilovers. How many miles a year do you put on your car? If you get competitive (not necessarily kicking ass - but you get the bug that makes you want to win), you might wish you had gotten coilovers. They might not be right for you certainly, I'm just relaying my experience because there are some parallels.

Here's that thread:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610069

But yeah - a school would be #1 IMHO

john

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by ButtDyno

I am in the same situation as you.....
john

thanks for the thread, I will take a look.Edit: I saw your thread before when I was searching for pink info. My needs are a bit different as I mention below.

Looks I am going to put about 13k miles this year. One of thing I am against coilovers is I like my travel I like being able to blast over bumps,dips,railroad tracks,etc on the street plus go camping/dirt occasional. To me it is kind of what the car was built for, quick from a to b on crappy surfaces With that said I do like to auto-x and plan to do some track events. I just want a setup that is competitive so with enough practice I can place well.

[Fred]

http://www.tein.com/hgdamp.html

(with Group N bushings, stock fsb, 20mm rsb and 215/45/16 Azeni)

http://www.thscc.com/autocross/event...-0822indx.html

My first time autoxing on them, and I wasn't driving very aggressively either (I didn't cone once all day - even in fun runs ). Plus, they're Great at the other stuff you said you want to do.

Just another option to think about...

Kevin Allen

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by Fred

http://www.tein.com/hgdamp.html

(with Group N bushings, stock fsb, 20mm rsb and 215/45/16 Azeni)

http://www.thscc.com/autocross/event...-0822indx.html

My first time autoxing on them, and I wasn't driving very aggressively either (I didn't cone once all day - even in fun runs ). Plus, they're Great at the other stuff you said you want to do.

Just another option to think about...

Kevin Allen

I was searching for Fred in the results Havent seen those tiens before. I was looking at the Whiteline G4 for a bit.