2015 WRX auto-x impressions

[shadowfax028]

I used the Whiteline to hats with camber bolts. I can get as much as -3.2

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[Robin2]

when it comes to brake pads, what is everyone using? the OE pads are decent on my 18wrx but lacks a bit of the bite that i'm used to previous car 11wrx with hawk hp+.

as much i despised the hp+ noise especially on light braking, they were pretty good for autox and able to brake harder in later areas of the autox course.

i'd love to get some ferrodo 2500s pads for my 18.

what's the consensus for other regular autox?

plans for this year
- bridgestone re71's
- proper alignment
- brake pads

that's it..... getting to be old timer at autox..... nearing 20 years attending autox events.

[_brian_]

i was going to get ferodo ds2500s but they are fairly expensive and my stoptech sports are enough to lock up the tires anyway

[Robin2]

good info on sports as sports are much cheaper. i'll talk to local dealer.

this could be a good option.

[jprice130]

Since the conversation has moved to brake pads, I figured I'd put in another plug for my Carbotech AX-6 pads. No reasonable offer refused; just looking to get them out of my garage and help out a fellow autocrosser.

EDIT: SOLD!!

[Sean Dickinson]

How would you guys go about creating a little more rotation mid corner and on exit on a fully built autocross WRX?

I just feel like I'm leaving so much on the table when it comes to steady state cornering, as well as exiting corners. I know the goal is to brake as late as possible, rotate and aim straight out, but if I go too hot into a corner, I push pretty hard on the RE-71's. If I'm 10% more gentle, it turns in quite well, but it looks like from my videos the only fast areas are when the turns are point and shoot. Also as soon as I get on the throttle, the thing just goes straight, even with all that traction. Do you guys think this could be solely due to rebound adjustments on my coilovers, or is there something else any would try?

Please ignore the first cone on the track. Accelerated too hard on what was supposed to be a 44.xxx run, but that run was still by far my fastest everywhere else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhkmwH6b94

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhkmwH6b94

[hackney1]

Originally Posted by Sean Dickinson

How would you guys go about creating a little more rotation mid corner and on exit on a fully built autocross WRX?

I just feel like I'm leaving so much on the table when it comes to steady state cornering, as well as exiting corners. I know the goal is to brake as late as possible, rotate and aim straight out, but if I go too hot into a corner, I push pretty hard on the RE-71's. If I'm 10% more gentle, it turns in quite well, but it looks like from my videos the only fast areas are when the turns are point and shoot. Also as soon as I get on the throttle, the thing just goes straight, even with all that traction. Do you guys think this could be solely due to rebound adjustments on my coilovers, or is there something else any would try?

Please ignore the first cone on the track. Accelerated too hard on what was supposed to be a 44.xxx run, but that run was still by far my fastest everywhere else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhkmwH6b94

One of the excellent wrx drivers I know recommends up to 50psi in the rear to help rotation.

A number of drivers have high speed accelerometer recording/replay. This looks like the way to go as they can easily compare different approaches to a given turn.

[killadawg]

Qstarz LT-6000S GPS Lap Timer is a great one If you are serious and want to improve your game on the track.

[Charles33579]

How do we keep the rear tires on the ground? Biggest front bar I can find ?

[mulkio]

Originally Posted by Charles33579

How do we keep the rear tires on the ground? Biggest front bar I can find ?

I would think it would help some, but with a trade off of less rotation and some push in tight elements. I try to mitigate wheel lift with a quick stab of steering wheel input to set it back down. Mind you I run a rear bar full stiff, but have thought about setting it on the middle setting to reduce the tail happy handling on my car.

[gti_speed]

We campaigned a 2016 WRX with Performance Pack Nationally last season and ran the Eibach front bar on the low setting IIRC. Co driver and I won a couple of tires at a few National Events (Bristol, Pittsburgh, Toledo) in DS but got crushed in Lincoln (15th and 16th). The other fast guys were running rear bars which I think worked better in Lincoln but we had some other issues that cost us time too.

The front bar will make it slalom/transition like a champ but you'll notice some push in sweepers and tighter elements.

[mulkio]

Originally Posted by gti_speed

We campaigned a 2016 WRX with Performance Pack Nationally last season and ran the Eibach front bar on the low setting IIRC. Co driver and I won a couple of tires at a few National Events (Bristol, Pittsburgh, Toledo) in DS but got crushed in Lincoln (15th and 16th). The other fast guys were running rear bars which I think worked better in Lincoln but we had some other issues that cost us time too.

The front bar will make it slalom/transition like a champ but you'll notice some push in sweepers and tighter elements.

I agree wholly, with the rear bar my car feels vague in slaloms. On a side note, can I ask what tire brand and the psi you used? My re71 are wearing down the center ribs more then the outside edge. I have been running 33f/31r and swapping front to rear between events. Any input appreciated!

[gti_speed]

Originally Posted by mulkio

I agree wholly, with the rear bar my car feels vague in slaloms. On a side note, can I ask what tire brand and the psi you used? My re71 are wearing down the center ribs more then the outside edge. I have been running 33f/31r and swapping front to rear between events. Any input appreciated!

We ran BFG Rival S 1.5 in a 245/40/18 on the 8.5" wheels that came on the Premium 2016's. Target hot pressure was 34F and 36R. We also put STI dampers on the car.

[Wrx16prm]

Originally Posted by gti_speed

We ran BFG Rival S 1.5 in a 245/40/18 on the 8.5" wheels that came on the Premium 2016's. Target hot pressure was 34F and 36R. We also put STI dampers on the car.

Do you get much rollover on the front or rear tires with those pressures? I've been running Direzza ZII's in the same size as your tires with 40F and 42R. I get roll over on the front tires to just past the tip of the triangles and no rollover on the rear at all. The car seems fairly well balanced at those pressures, but I wouldn't mind a little more traction all around. My car is a 2016 premium and it is completely stock.

[gti_speed]

I don't have any experience with the Z2's but I never ran pressures that high with RE71R or BFG on either the 15+ STI or 15+ WRX.

I'm not an engineer but here are my thoughts. In stock trim you are extremely camber limited in the front at -1.5max. The tire is going to roll no matter how much pressure you are going to put in it. Why not try to maximize that patch with less pressure?

Also the rear is just along for the ride. I'd experiment more with lowering the front. Maybe try to shoot for 35 hot and see how it goes and keep the rear around 40 hot?

Also get better tires...

[dhatcher]

Hi Everyone,
Somewhat new around here (been lurking for a bit). I recently purchased a 2018 wrx a couple months ago for the purpose of daily driving and autocross. I just completed my 2nd event yesterday out in Marina, CA (san francisco region) and had a ton of fun. The only upgrade I've made to my car so far is an Invidia N1 dual exhaust so I could hear the car more while out on the course (surprising how much you can't hear when you're out there).

I'm running NS class in DS pax and had a chance to get some seat time with Mary Pozzi yesterday too. She was a wealth of information and confirmed some of my ideas for upgrades I can make and still stay in DS pax.

Right now I'm planning for
* Superpro 24mm rear sway bar (probably going to put it on the stiffest setting and back it off if needed)
* Spare set of wheels + tires (specifically for autocross events). Going to go for either some Enkei PF01s or Rota DPT (haven't figured out how much the Rotas weigh yet) + Bridgestone RE71Rs in 245/45/17
* Upgrade to OEM shocks - I really wanted to go with Koni as I had previous good experience with them in other cars but, it's looking like they don't make anything for the 2018 wrx (or even 2015+) that I can tell. So far, the best I've seen is the Bilstein B6 which seems to be an upgrade performance shock that fits the oem spring
* Brake pads - going to wear the stock ones out first and then see if I like how those ended up or if I want to go with something with more bite


Let me know what you guys think of my ideas and if I'm way off base on anything. Appreciate any help I can get!

Here's a video of my fastest run from yesterday without pegging a cone or two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK-4Kw4c9Uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK-4Kw4c9Uk

[gti_speed]

We ran STI dampers on the 2016 WRX we campaigned in 2017. I got the very last trophy at Nats lol. We also ran a front bar because we liked how planted it felt in transitiony courses especially on asphalt were I beat Dennis Sparks once... Haha. He destroyed us at Nats though and prefers the rear bar. He did say the 2018 was way faster out of the box than his old 2015 car. I would just do what he does. If you want to ball out get in touch with MCS.

Ohh and get the Tomei Expreme TI exhaust it drops like 40lbs off the car.

[dhatcher]

Originally Posted by gti_speed

We ran STI dampers on the 2016 WRX we campaigned in 2016. I got the very last trophy at Nats lol. We also ran a front bar because we liked how planted it felt in transitiony courses especially on asphalt were I beat Dennis Sparks once... Haha. He destroyed us at Nats though and prefers the rear bar. He did say the 2018 was way faster out of the box than his old 2015 car. I would just do what he does. If you want to ball out get in touch with MCS.

Ohh and get the Tomei Expreme TI exhaust it drops like 40lbs off the car.

Yeh I've seen a couple of shock options now and was wondering about the STI dampers. Going to hold off on those for now and add the superpro 24mm rear bar and run Rota DPTs with 245/45/17 RE71R's and see what that does for me at my next event (combo starting line school on sat with an event on the sun). Oh and already added my Invidia exhaust (which appears to have added about 8lbs but, eh, still my daily driver and I like the way the Invidia looks and sounds ).

[hackney1]

Originally Posted by dhatcher

* Superpro 24mm rear sway bar (probably going to put it on the stiffest setting and back it off if needed)
* Spare set of wheels + tires (specifically for autocross events). Going to go for either some Enkei PF01s or Rota DPT (haven't figured out how much the Rotas weigh yet) + Bridgestone RE71Rs in 245/45/17
* Brake pads - going to wear the stock ones out first and then see if I like how those ended up or if I want to go with something with more bite

I have an'18 WRX Perf Pkg, it has the included front Jurid pads, braking is better than the 'base' pads. My '16 WRX ran Hawk HPS on all 4 corners, more bite and more grabby than Jurid.

Running 8.5" Enkei PF01, adds 7mm offset. With the 265.35.18 RE71r, it's a good combo.

I use an Eibach front sway. (Read that a stout rear sway bar may aid rear tire lift and to avoid lots of throttle if 3-wheeling occurs)

[dhatcher]

Originally Posted by hackney1

I have an'18 WRX Perf Pkg, it has the included front Jurid pads, braking is better than the 'base' pads. My '16 WRX ran Hawk HPS on all 4 corners, more bite and more grabby than Jurid.

Running 8.5" Enkei PF01, adds 7mm offset. With the 265.35.18 RE71r, it's a good combo.

I use an Eibach front sway. (Read that a stout rear sway bar may aid rear tire lift and to avoid lots of throttle if 3-wheeling occurs)

How are the Hawks for daily driving? I seem to recall I put some Hawk pads on my M3 (years ago) and while they were grabby they were also noisy and dusty. The extra brake dust I don't mind but man, I cannot stand brake squeal heh.

Yeh I ended up ordering some 17x8 Enkei PF01's just yesterday. Takes off about 5mm of offset (55 to 50) for me. Going to run the 245/45/17 RE71R's and see how that works.

I believe you're correct. I also read that the front sway bar can help with better transitions but, for me, I feel like the WRX is transitioning ok. The real problem I'm facing is turn in and push. Gonna put that rear sway bar to work!

[hackney1]

Originally Posted by dhatcher

How are the Hawks for daily driving? I seem to recall I put some Hawk pads on my M3 (years ago) and while they were grabby they were also noisy and dusty. The extra brake dust I don't mind but man, I cannot stand brake squeal heh.

Yeh I ended up ordering some 17x8 Enkei PF01's just yesterday. Takes off about 5mm of offset (55 to 50) for me. Going to run the 245/45/17 RE71R's and see how that works.

I loved the Hawk pads for daily, but yes, they were noisy when new. It got a lot better and would only reoccur when damp. I put them in dry and thought the backing grease they include might've helped the noise...

You can easily put 255's on 8" wheels, you won't be slower

PS: perf. alignment will help too; zero toe, max negative camber

[Dixie Audacity]

The rear bar is not for rotation. Off the gas it's tripoding all the time, with or without the bar. There is no more weight to transfer to be gained, so it doesn't help there. The rear bar reduces inside front wheelspin and get's it out of the corners better. These cars never tripod on the gas. The rear drops immediately and it starts spinning the inside front tire, even with the big rear bar (it just helps reduce it).

Dennis Sparks

[dhatcher]

Originally Posted by Dixie Audacity

The rear bar is not for rotation. Off the gas it's tripoding all the time, with or without the bar. There is no more weight to transfer to be gained, so it doesn't help there. The rear bar reduces inside front wheelspin and get's it out of the corners better. These cars never tripod on the gas. The rear drops immediately and it starts spinning the inside front tire, even with the big rear bar (it just helps reduce it).

Dennis Sparks

Hey Dennis! I see what you're saying about wheel spin but, why does it seem like a default recommendation to reduce understeer is to upgrade the rear bar? I got seat time with Mary Pozzi in my WRX last weekend and she said a rear bar was definitely a needed upgrade to help with the pushing going into corners. Any light you can shed on this to help a newbie?

[goretexpretzels]

Does anyone have advice on running with the 'torque vectoring' (ie one press of the stability control button, inside wheel braking active) on vs everything off? I'm conflicted as to which way gets faster times... with the vectoring on the car tucks in and rotates better, and you can feel it combatting understeer, especially midcorner and powering out of turns. It's sometimes unpredictable though. With everything off, the car is prone to getting into understeer easier, but it seems easier to trail brake and rotate on corner entry. I cannot definitively determine which is faster, as they're near-equal tradeoffs with how I'm driving (perhaps that's the problem, my driving).

Running 2018 WRX, DS, 255/40/17 RE-71 on base wheels, no bars, max front camber.

Thanks!

[dhatcher]

Originally Posted by goretexpretzels

Does anyone have advice on running with the 'torque vectoring' (ie one press of the stability control button, inside wheel braking active) on vs everything off? I'm conflicted as to which way gets faster times... with the vectoring on the car tucks in and rotates better, and you can feel it combatting understeer, especially midcorner and powering out of turns. It's sometimes unpredictable though. With everything off, the car is prone to getting into understeer easier, but it seems easier to trail brake and rotate on corner entry. I cannot definitively determine which is faster, as they're near-equal tradeoffs with how I'm driving (perhaps that's the problem, my driving).

Running 2018 WRX, DS, 255/40/17 RE-71 on base wheels, no bars, max front camber.

Thanks!

I ran all my runs at my last event with everything turned off and then they gave us an opportunity to do some fun runs after. For the first fun run I turned everything back on. Hated it and definitely felt like the car was working against me in a couple of corners. It did not make my run any quicker than what I had ran earlier in the day. Follow up runs confirmed I was doing better without the traction aids on. Takes more effort on the driver's part and I suspect it also has a lot to do with personal driving style but, all my future runs will be done without traction aids.