It is time to replace my star spec 1's on my stock ap1 wheels. I have completed 30-35 autoX events and 2 trackdays in the past 8000 miles on these tires. I have had the ap1 for the past 10,000 miles. I plan to annually do every local autoX event (~10 a year) and 1-2 track days a year while commuting 3-4k miles a year.

I like to mod the car as i progressively improve my driving ability. I done the coilovers, sway bars , cross bar and strut bars all at once route with track alignment on previous cars.

My 2000 ap1 w/53k miles only has brake ducts, upper camber bolt, hawk hp+ brake pads f/r, star specs on ap1 wheels, and agressive aignment (~2.5 neg camber f/r).

Is it time to go square (245 or 255) with big front sway bar?

This winter, i plan to upgrade the banjo oil squirters, ap2 valve/retainer and install a roll bar. I plan to go ohlin dfv or kw v3/club sport when i have to replace my tires again.

Thanks in advance.

 

how big of a front sway bar? i think most will tell you its a preference. i would do 255 just because thats the norm in autocross. but ill be running 245 front 255 rear. lol

 

I plan on Saner or whiteline swaybar.

But if I go with a square set up, I plan to autoX an event with the rear just disconnected before actually buying and installing the fsb.

 

Whiteline front swaybar and disconnected rear with 255's on 17x9 all the way around should be wonderful on sticky street tires like the star specs. rs3's, rivals etc. I have an AP2. Had that setup. (although I preferred the rear sway bar connected, but your aP1 might preferred it off altogether). The only reason I upgraded to the Comptech adjustable front swaybar was so I could run a stiffer rear bar - basically the cheap way of controlling body roll before investing in coilovers Others may disagree with me, but the Whiteline seemed sufficient for street tires. R-comps are another story, where "the stiffer the better" probably holds true.

 

Any more thoughts

 

what wheels will you be running? are you prepping for a certain class?

 

TSW Nurburgring 17x9 63+. STR for autoX and open track days.

 

TSW Nurburgring 17x9 +63. STR for autoX and open track days.

 

then i would highly suggest a bar. the car will oversteer quite a bit with square set up, im skeptical that just removing the rear bar will be enough. but thats my .02

im sure soemone like Ckit might chime in here soon. he is quite knowledgeable.

 

For the most part, it's trial and error. You test a setup, and adjust as needed. There is no 'one' true setup for everyone. Pick a direction, try it and adjust from there.