I know there's TON's of info in here, but there's so much it difficult to find sometimes and as a true newby it a lot to get my head around.

Last week I bought / installed a set of used Enkei RPF1's 17X9's with like new Sumitomo HTR Z III's - 245/40 F & 255/40 R. Saturday I installed KW Clubsports - I believe the spring rates are 570 / 570. I left the setting as they were out of the box but verified they were matched.

Sunday I went to my first autox. At inspection, the tech said "those tire aren't that great for this" - not exactly confidence inspiring... Anyway, I had extreme over steer and actually lost it on my final run trying to push too hard. Tires did not have much bite. I need to get this setup better. There's a ton of stuff going on around here through October including instructional days at Barber and Talladega Grand Prix. Plenty of seat time available, much of it educational.

My car is supercharged with 340 whp. They put me in SM, but I think I should be in SSM. Either way, I understand there is no way I will be competitive in my class. Not enough money, not enough experience. Goals are to become a better driver, improve over time and have fun. Sunday was a ton of fun, but equally frustrating.

Here's my big questions:

1. Alignment - Considering UK setup with a hair more camber. Good start?
2. Tires - Probably going with Rivals. Should I keep the 245F 255R setup or just go completely square with 255's?
3. FSB - Should I jump to the Gendron or will a Eibach work for now considering skill level?
4. RSB - Remove it?
5. Any other advice?

Thanks.

 

SM2 is a crazy competitive and expensive class. i would look more into the class and limitations.

1. anyone here will tell you UK spec is just blah. go to an experienced race alignment shop. im pretty sure they allow camber kits in SM
2. Sumitomos will not handle what you are putting down. you should opt for the biggest you can fit without getting out of spec. i would exploit the 275 that they allow so you can put that power down. not sure of the tread wear regulation either.
3. If you already have the Eibach i guess keep it for now, but with those sizes i would opt with a gendron bar.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rule...d.html#classes

good place to start.

but its your first time right? dont worry about all of that for now. just have fun. then when you decide you really want to be competitive then choose a class you want.

 

Changing too many things too quickly will only make things worse. Top level advise is get a legitimate set of tires (square), and just drive the car. Learn the tendencies of the car, and go from there with modifications.

To answer your questions directly:

1) If you still daily drive a lot, don't go too agressive with the alignment. UK specs are an ok starting spot, but basically aim for a little rear toe in, zero to in up front, and about -2 degress of camber f/r, max caster. That should give you a relatively stable starting point for auto cross. You may even want to consider a little bit more toe in in the rear to help stabilize that rear end under acceleration with your super charger.

2) Rivals are fine, go square so you can rotate easier.

3) If you can afford it, you can't go wrong with a gendron. Eibach will work just fine until you get into the more serious competitions where you actually need a tunable sway bar.

4) Removing the rear sway coupled with a huge front sway will give you more rear traction. If that's what you're looking for then go for it. I personally like the rotation I get from having a rear sway connected, and I would recommend you just get a good set of tires and figure out what the car is doing from there.

5) Seat time (with one setup) is worth more than any other mod. Just get out there and drive your car and develop the understanding of the car before you modify too many other things.

As always, good luck and remember to just have fun.

 

Honestly don't worry about the tires or any of that other stuff. Just marke sure the car is aligned. If you want try disconnecting one rear end link and see if that helps tame some over steers do that. If you have the money for the gendorn it's hard to beat.

Work on your driving before anything else. If you go to a stickier tire it will cover up mistakes. Having a crappy tire to start and learn on is better.

Don't worry too much about the class. If there are no other ssm cars just run in sm locally. It will make it more fun and give a better goal to reach and push you to.

 

- Make sure you get an alignment. That is critical. Go with the stock class alignment, including max camber up front, 0 toe Front, ~-2.0 rear camber and 1/16 toe in rear.

-Toss those junk tires in the bin. Run a 255 square setup on the 9" wheels, Rivals or Z2's. Ideally some Hoosier A6's would be nice and what you'll need to truly be remotely competitive in SSM.

- FSB- you will want a Gendron or other larger adjustable bar for autocross. Tune it right for your street tires. It's easy to go too much bar, be warned.

- RSB - no, leave it on unless absoutely necessary. Do everything you can to tune it properly before you consider removing the rear bar.

- Never underestimate the value and speed that you can have by perfecting your driving. That said, people like to focus on how "driver-oriented" autocross is, but at the end of the day, the guy with the fastest car still usually wins. Get out there, focus on sound fundamentals, do alot of go karting, do alot of sim driving, do some track days and round out your driving skill set so that you are close to maximizing the hardware that you bring to the table.

-Just enjoy the sport for what it is. If you decided to get competitive, set realistic goals for yourself and always keep the fun factor #1. It's just no worth it if you are not having fun.

Nick

 

Also try lowering your rear tire pressure, it will help combat oversteer.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I understand the premise behind maxing out what I have before spending money, but the Sumitomos are drift tires and I need a safer setup. I know my current power is modest compared to most FI guys, but I broke traction leaving work today at 15 mph when I got on it a little bit. Some a.h. was coming around a blind curve at 45+ in a 30 as I was making a left turn. If I had really nailed it, I would have been into the curb - hard.

Ordered four 255/40 Rivals today. None of the local discount guys could get the Rivals, had to go through tirerack. Price is okay though even with shipping and they'll be here Thursday. I am going to use the Sumitomos as rears on my ap2 rims for fun. Moving forward with the Gendron bar too. From your advice and everything else I've read most of the other bars available would be a waste of time and money. I'll look for a used one for a few days before going straight to Gendron. Looks like their prices have come down some.

So, I think this will give me a much safer setup and combined the Clubsports I'll have plenty to play with and learn. Again, I'm really not looking to be competitive in my class. Just want to be a better driver and make the car safe with the power AND don't want to feel like I am driving on ice. It would be fun to beat some vets and STR guys too. I am a rookie...

 

gendron bar for sale just incase you were looking.

 

Thanks. I saw this but being an old post I thought it was sold. I was wrong.

 

keep us updated!