STX WRX Setup / Discussion thread - Page 4

PossumK · 09-25-2008, 05:53 PM

215/45-16 at the night event. Not sure if he used those at the San Diego event, too.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

BIGSKYWRX · 09-25-2008, 07:42 PM

well that's promising

I do know that what sometimes works for the lighter cars, doesn't always work for our beasts

hopefully there will be a few more reports from the "sunny places" over the winter

Butt Dyno · 12-02-2008, 06:41 PM

For anyone who hasn't stumbled into the Project Car forum, I have been documenting the last couple years worth of tweaks here (I'm still slow though):
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1594875

Criticism, profanity, etc all appreciated.

fengrr · 01-18-2009, 06:25 PM

Hmm, curious as to how you guys have your cars setup for 2009 stx.

Aaron B · 01-18-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengrr

Hmm, curious as to how you guys have your cars setup for 2009 stx.

Pretty much the same as 2008. Waiting for the results from the first couple Tours, make a tire decision then and then start working on any changes needed.

Butt Dyno · 01-18-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengrr

Hmm, curious as to how you guys have your cars setup for 2009 stx.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1594875

No big changes, other than Greg's magic camber plates and new tires.

Butt Dyno · 04-22-2009, 05:26 PM

Bump! Move me to autocross

PitwrkzZ1 · 04-26-2009, 07:50 PM

Well I guess I'll make my first post in this thread. Just got back from the Metro NY PCA autox down at Nassau Coliseum. This was my second ever autox in my STX WRX.

I'm not sure if anybody is familiar with their classing system for non Porsches , but I think it's pretty dumb. X1 is under 2 liters, X2 is 2-3.5 liters and X3 is 3.5 liters and above. Any kind of forced induction bumps you up a class. So I, with my stock motor WRX, was bumped to X3 with the Vettes and my cousin, with his built FD, was in X2

but whatever, it ain't the world championship.

The course could basically be divided into three columns, with three turnarounds. One of the more interesting features of the course was a "super slalom". One whole run down to a turnaround was a slalom! probably a good 100 or more yards of slalom. It was an alrite course, too many cones to hit tho, haha.

It was HOT in New York today. It easily hit 90-95 out there on the tarmac, so no rear issues with warming up the car after the first run. This was my first event with my WL camber plates. I was excited to dial in 3.5 degrees neg camber, but alas, the bottom plate wouldn't move. I didn't feel like messing with it before I even got any runs in, so I just shut the hood and got out there. First run was just a warmup. Second run I went off course (should have payed attention during the warmup lol) third run was basically another warmup. Now I felt pretty confident in the course at this point and I began to push a bit. Coming into the first turnaround, the car began to understear. Alot. Like, I was at full left lock and the car was still understearing.

Maybe I went in a bit too hot, eh?

So then the front tires finally caught grip about 15 yards before the next gate. While I was at full lock. Not a good situation. I probably owe a corner worker or two a new pair of pants. This happened at every turnaround.

So this was the first time I really experienced anything like this with my car. I was confused. I felt like she let me down. She had never acted this way. She always did exactly as I had asked, but now...I didn't know what to think. But there comes a time in every relationship when one must examine oneself and say...maybe...just maybe...its me. And I realized that this time, it was me.

I spent the whole rest of the day repeating the old adage slow in, fast out whenever I came to a turnaround. And, by the end of the day, it worked. During my second to last run, the rear end actually got loose a bit coming out of the first turnaround. I was able to carry so much more speed through the rest of the course when I went slow in and fast out.

I finished 10th in class, but it was an awesome experience. Can't wait to get out there next time.

And I did get the camber plates to slide. I think the extra camber really did help.

Butt Dyno · 04-26-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PitwrkzZ1

I'm not sure if anybody is familiar with their classing system for non Porsches , but I think it's pretty dumb. X1 is under 2 liters, X2 is 2-3.5 liters and X3 is 3.5 liters and above. Any kind of forced induction bumps you up a class. So I, with my stock motor WRX, was bumped to X3 with the Vettes and my cousin, with his built FD, was in X2

but whatever, it ain't the world championship.

FWIW, technically, the engine is 1994 cc, slightly under 2 liters

I agree that the classing system at Porsche (and BMW) events for Subarus is not all that great.

Quote:

Like, I was at full left lock and the car was still understearing.

This is a common thing when you are starting out - adding too much steering input, gas, or both, when the car is already plowing. At this point you need to use less gas or less steering (or both) until you have grip again.

It sounds like you had fun tho which is all that matters

PitwrkzZ1 · 04-26-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtDyno

FWIW, technically, the engine is 1994 cc, slightly under 2 liters

I agree that the classing system at Porsche (and BMW) events for Subarus is not all that great.

This is a common thing when you are starting out - adding too much steering input, gas, or both, when the car is already plowing. At this point you need to use less gas or less steering (or both) until you have grip again.

It sounds like you had fun tho which is all that matters

Yeah, I just read that same thing in Autocross Speed Secrets (yes, I'm a dork lol). It seems so counter intuitive at first, because if you're not turning where you want to turn on the street, the solution is to turn the wheel more and give it more gas! But it really does make sense. I just have to start thinking like an autocrosser

I can't wait to get out there again. It was so much fun. And I think its time to read through your entire thread BD, haha,

DrBiggly · 04-27-2009, 11:05 AM

Sounds like you overdrove it quite a bit

However, from your description it sounds like you learned very quickly the things that cause bad problems (like just cranking on the wheel and giving it more gas to create more understeer.) Slow in fast out is an oversimplification, but it took me far more than 1 event to really get that into my head and driving habits, so the fact that you managed to make that much self-correction is a great sign indeed.

Indeed it's lots of fun, I wish I could make it to more events than I have in the past few years (I used to be quite an avid autocrosser.)

If you can go to any novice schools, or get someone who is really good to drive your car, those will be greatly beneficial.

When you feel the car plowing badly, BD is dead on: Less gas and less steering, then it will come back. Wait until you find the 'AHA!' moment of unwinding the wheel and feeling the car turning better with less steering input.

-Biggly

Butt Dyno · 04-27-2009, 06:51 PM

It's vividly in my memory. My roommate was driving my car two weeks ago, and it was the first time he had autoxed in 2 years and he was falling back on bad habits

PitwrkzZ1 · 04-27-2009, 08:08 PM

I have WL adjustable 24mm sways front and rear. Do you think stiffening up the front bar would make the understear come on later?

DrBiggly · 04-27-2009, 10:18 PM

Honestly, if I were you I would not adjust anything on the car. The more stuff you fiddle with now, the less your driving will improve. Unless the car is completely uncontrollable (i.e. dangerous somehow), don't touch anything after you set it for that day. Air pressure is OK. But try to keep the car consistent so that you can focus on changing yourself; the biggest variable. Then worry with the car tweaks later on.

edit: The more consistent you keep the car between events the faster you will learn and improve your driving skills.

-Biggly

controler · 04-27-2009, 10:52 PM

I was wondering if there was a consensus on brake pads for STX. I don't want to upgrade the stock 03 calipers/rotors. I was using HPS's, but after 30k miles, the last autox ambient temps were over 85 degrees. I overheated them on my last run. I loved the initial bite when I first installed them but by now they have gotten very inconsistent. I have stainless steel lines and the fluid didn't boil.

I figure it is time for something new and there are a lot of choices out there. Seems like HP+'s are the easy choice, but there is also Carbotech, EBC, Performance Friction, Ferodo, Porterfield, and the list goes on. I've read a ton of reviews but nothing stands out to me. Some kill rotors, dust a lot, are noisy, some don't, etc. I have no ambitions on ever tracking this car other than autocross. It is my daily driver, so cold bite matters too.

Butt Dyno · 04-27-2009, 10:56 PM

I went from Hawk HPS to BHP XPS (basically in the same category as the HP+). I felt it was a noticeable difference. Since it's not a DD for me (usually) I didn't mind the dust/noise. The BHP's are 100% fine in the cold, can't speak for the HP+ though.

That said - even on hot days with lots of runs I never actually faded the HPS's. I did get them to smell like brake pads though

controler · 04-27-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtDyno

I went from Hawk HPS to BHP XPS (basically in the same category as the HP+). I felt it was a noticeable difference. Since it's not a DD for me (usually) I didn't mind the dust/noise. The BHP's are 100% fine in the cold, can't speak for the HP+ though.

That said - even on hot days with lots of runs I never actually faded the HPS's. I did get them to smell like brake pads though

BHPbrakes.com:

Welcome to our site
We are sorry to announce that due to circumstances beyond out control, Brake Horsepower Inc has permanently ceased operations and has started liquidating our assets.

Butt Dyno · 04-27-2009, 11:07 PM

They don't make pads for your calipers anyway

I was just saying that a pad of that genre (aggressive street/light track) made a noticeable difference for me in terms of braking feel, compared to the HPS. I am not sure what would make the most sense for you exactly. There's a thread in brakes/suspension about the Hawk DTC30, which is supposed to be in the same basic family and there are other pad suggestions in there.

zmonster · 05-25-2009, 07:19 PM

Can we make this a sticky?

BIGSKYWRX · 05-25-2009, 10:24 PM

no only SP threads can be stickies

PitwrkzZ1 · 06-01-2009, 11:09 AM

So I went out to the NYRSCCA event this weekend, again at Nassau. Got the camber plates working and dialed in the pressures throughout the day and the car felt great. I was mindful not to overdrive the car through the higher speed sections of the course, and when I did feel the from end start to slide, I just turned into the slide and let off the gas. It worked wonderfully. I was running low 46 second times all day until the last run when I managed a 45.4. That was good enough to earn me a second place out of 34 in novice class, and would have netted me a third place finish in ST*. I think I'm starting to get this

Butt Dyno · 02-16-2010, 09:09 PM

Sooo... dead thread for a while.

Anyone try running 245 Neovas on an 8" wheel? I may have two free tires coming to me again this year, just curious.

STirish · 02-19-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtDyno

Sooo... dead thread for a while.

Anyone try running 245 Neovas on an 8" wheel? I may have two free tires coming to me again this year, just curious.

Yes Sir. It works

BIGSKYWRX · 02-19-2010, 09:57 AM

I posted up a thread (year or two ago) on 235/40/17 vs 245/40/17, the general consensus back then was 235/40 for the gearing advantage- I always wanted to try a 245/40 in STX, but never did

even a 245/40 has a little gearing advantage over stock

Butt Dyno · 02-19-2010, 10:43 PM

For the AD08s I was specifically worried about whether the 245 was too much for an 8" wheel. I know the 245 Dunlops work just fine on an 8" wheel but the AD08s are quite wide. So, yeah, good to know. Rob, which car was this on?

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09-25-2008, 05:53 PM	#76
PossumK Scooby Specialist Member#: 53548 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Redondo Beach, CA Vehicle: 2004 WRX PSM (sold) 2007 S2000	215/45-16 at the night event. Not sure if he used those at the San Diego event, too. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

09-25-2008, 07:42 PM	#77
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	well that's promising I do know that what sometimes works for the lighter cars, doesn't always work for our beasts hopefully there will be a few more reports from the "sunny places" over the winter

12-02-2008, 06:41 PM	#78
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	For anyone who hasn't stumbled into the Project Car forum, I have been documenting the last couple years worth of tweaks here (I'm still slow though): http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1594875 Criticism, profanity, etc all appreciated.

01-18-2009, 06:25 PM	#79
fengrr Scooby Specialist Member#: 169160 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: PDX Vehicle: 08 STI	Hmm, curious as to how you guys have your cars setup for 2009 stx.

04-22-2009, 05:26 PM	#82
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	Bump! Move me to autocross

04-26-2009, 07:50 PM	#83
PitwrkzZ1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 94316 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern Westchester Vehicle: 2002 WRX	Well I guess I'll make my first post in this thread. Just got back from the Metro NY PCA autox down at Nassau Coliseum. This was my second ever autox in my STX WRX. I'm not sure if anybody is familiar with their classing system for non Porsches , but I think it's pretty dumb. X1 is under 2 liters, X2 is 2-3.5 liters and X3 is 3.5 liters and above. Any kind of forced induction bumps you up a class. So I, with my stock motor WRX, was bumped to X3 with the Vettes and my cousin, with his built FD, was in X2 but whatever, it ain't the world championship. The course could basically be divided into three columns, with three turnarounds. One of the more interesting features of the course was a "super slalom". One whole run down to a turnaround was a slalom! probably a good 100 or more yards of slalom. It was an alrite course, too many cones to hit tho, haha. It was HOT in New York today. It easily hit 90-95 out there on the tarmac, so no rear issues with warming up the car after the first run. This was my first event with my WL camber plates. I was excited to dial in 3.5 degrees neg camber, but alas, the bottom plate wouldn't move. I didn't feel like messing with it before I even got any runs in, so I just shut the hood and got out there. First run was just a warmup. Second run I went off course (should have payed attention during the warmup lol) third run was basically another warmup. Now I felt pretty confident in the course at this point and I began to push a bit. Coming into the first turnaround, the car began to understear. Alot. Like, I was at full left lock and the car was still understearing. Maybe I went in a bit too hot, eh? So then the front tires finally caught grip about 15 yards before the next gate. While I was at full lock. Not a good situation. I probably owe a corner worker or two a new pair of pants. This happened at every turnaround. So this was the first time I really experienced anything like this with my car. I was confused. I felt like she let me down. She had never acted this way. She always did exactly as I had asked, but now...I didn't know what to think. But there comes a time in every relationship when one must examine oneself and say...maybe...just maybe...its me. And I realized that this time, it was me. I spent the whole rest of the day repeating the old adage slow in, fast out whenever I came to a turnaround. And, by the end of the day, it worked. During my second to last run, the rear end actually got loose a bit coming out of the first turnaround. I was able to carry so much more speed through the rest of the course when I went slow in and fast out. I finished 10th in class, but it was an awesome experience. Can't wait to get out there next time. And I did get the camber plates to slide. I think the extra camber really did help.

04-27-2009, 11:05 AM	#86
DrBiggly Scooby Guru Member#: 11482 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Winston-Salem, NC Vehicle: 02 WRX Acute Stickeritis	Sounds like you overdrove it quite a bit However, from your description it sounds like you learned very quickly the things that cause bad problems (like just cranking on the wheel and giving it more gas to create more understeer.) Slow in fast out is an oversimplification, but it took me far more than 1 event to really get that into my head and driving habits, so the fact that you managed to make that much self-correction is a great sign indeed. Indeed it's lots of fun, I wish I could make it to more events than I have in the past few years (I used to be quite an avid autocrosser.) If you can go to any novice schools, or get someone who is really good to drive your car, those will be greatly beneficial. When you feel the car plowing badly, BD is dead on: Less gas and less steering, then it will come back. Wait until you find the 'AHA!' moment of unwinding the wheel and feeling the car turning better with less steering input. -Biggly

04-27-2009, 06:51 PM	#87
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	It's vividly in my memory. My roommate was driving my car two weeks ago, and it was the first time he had autoxed in 2 years and he was falling back on bad habits

04-27-2009, 08:08 PM	#88
PitwrkzZ1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 94316 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern Westchester Vehicle: 2002 WRX	I have WL adjustable 24mm sways front and rear. Do you think stiffening up the front bar would make the understear come on later?

04-27-2009, 10:18 PM	#89
DrBiggly Scooby Guru Member#: 11482 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Winston-Salem, NC Vehicle: 02 WRX Acute Stickeritis	Honestly, if I were you I would not adjust anything on the car. The more stuff you fiddle with now, the less your driving will improve. Unless the car is completely uncontrollable (i.e. dangerous somehow), don't touch anything after you set it for that day. Air pressure is OK. But try to keep the car consistent so that you can focus on changing yourself; the biggest variable. Then worry with the car tweaks later on. edit: The more consistent you keep the car between events the faster you will learn and improve your driving skills. -Biggly

04-27-2009, 10:52 PM	#90
controler Scooby Newbie Member#: 100271 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: South East	I was wondering if there was a consensus on brake pads for STX. I don't want to upgrade the stock 03 calipers/rotors. I was using HPS's, but after 30k miles, the last autox ambient temps were over 85 degrees. I overheated them on my last run. I loved the initial bite when I first installed them but by now they have gotten very inconsistent. I have stainless steel lines and the fluid didn't boil. I figure it is time for something new and there are a lot of choices out there. Seems like HP+'s are the easy choice, but there is also Carbotech, EBC, Performance Friction, Ferodo, Porterfield, and the list goes on. I've read a ton of reviews but nothing stands out to me. Some kill rotors, dust a lot, are noisy, some don't, etc. I have no ambitions on ever tracking this car other than autocross. It is my daily driver, so cold bite matters too.

04-27-2009, 10:56 PM	#91
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	I went from Hawk HPS to BHP XPS (basically in the same category as the HP+). I felt it was a noticeable difference. Since it's not a DD for me (usually) I didn't mind the dust/noise. The BHP's are 100% fine in the cold, can't speak for the HP+ though. That said - even on hot days with lots of runs I never actually faded the HPS's. I did get them to smell like brake pads though

04-27-2009, 11:07 PM	#93
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	They don't make pads for your calipers anyway I was just saying that a pad of that genre (aggressive street/light track) made a noticeable difference for me in terms of braking feel, compared to the HPS. I am not sure what would make the most sense for you exactly. There's a thread in brakes/suspension about the Hawk DTC30, which is supposed to be in the same basic family and there are other pad suggestions in there.

05-25-2009, 07:19 PM	#94
zmonster Scooby Newbie Member#: 201142 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2002 wrx sedan PSM	Can we make this a sticky?

05-25-2009, 10:24 PM	#95
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	no only SP threads can be stickies

06-01-2009, 11:09 AM	#96
PitwrkzZ1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 94316 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern Westchester Vehicle: 2002 WRX	So I went out to the NYRSCCA event this weekend, again at Nassau. Got the camber plates working and dialed in the pressures throughout the day and the car felt great. I was mindful not to overdrive the car through the higher speed sections of the course, and when I did feel the from end start to slide, I just turned into the slide and let off the gas. It worked wonderfully. I was running low 46 second times all day until the last run when I managed a 45.4. That was good enough to earn me a second place out of 34 in novice class, and would have netted me a third place finish in ST*. I think I'm starting to get this

02-16-2010, 09:09 PM	#97
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	Sooo... dead thread for a while. Anyone try running 245 Neovas on an 8" wheel? I may have two free tires coming to me again this year, just curious.

02-19-2010, 09:57 AM	#99
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	I posted up a thread (year or two ago) on 235/40/17 vs 245/40/17, the general consensus back then was 235/40 for the gearing advantage- I always wanted to try a 245/40 in STX, but never did even a 245/40 has a little gearing advantage over stock

02-19-2010, 10:43 PM	#100
Butt Dyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2018 Focus RS 2006 Evo #17 STU	For the AD08s I was specifically worried about whether the 245 was too much for an 8" wheel. I know the 245 Dunlops work just fine on an 8" wheel but the AD08s are quite wide. So, yeah, good to know. Rob, which car was this on?