Autocrossers: Check in here!

[GreyK20]

hi guryz

[sirgatti]

Maybe. I'll let you know if I register. That's an even longer drive for you isn't it? That has to suck.

[nycclaye]

Ok, so I've purchased this today as my new suspension upgrades. Will this put me in the DSP class or am I still STX...

Progress Rear Sway/Front Sway
Eibach Pro-Kit
SPC Front / Rear Camber Kits

with the 5 strut braces I already have, I figure pairing this with a good set of tires will make my car turn quite comfortably on two wheels for those ridiculous hairpins. I am still researching what "Camber, Toe, Caster" have to do specifically with the way the car handles. Anyone want to give me the Layman's definitions?

[honda93]

Originally Posted by nycclaye

Ok, so I've purchased this today as my new suspension upgrades. Will this put me in the DSP class or am I still STX...

Progress Rear Sway/Front Sway
Eibach Pro-Kit
SPC Front / Rear Camber Kits

with the 5 strut braces I already have, I figure pairing this with a good set of tires will make my car turn quite comfortably on two wheels for those ridiculous hairpins. I am still researching what "Camber, Toe, Caster" have to do specifically with the way the car handles. Anyone want to give me the Layman's definitions?

All three components are STX legal. However ANY chassis or suspension braces other than the shock tower braces must come off in order for you to run STX and not DSP. The H-braces and stuff don't do anything significant anyway on a stiff unibody like ours... On an old Miata (1990-1997), absolutely, but not necessary on the new Civic.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[honda93]

Originally Posted by nycclaye

with the 5 strut braces I already have, I figure pairing this with a good set of tires will make my car turn quite comfortably on two wheels for those ridiculous hairpins.

Regarding this... Here's where a driving style change could save you hundreds of dollars.

Slow in. Fast out.

There's no fast way around the typical autocross hairpin (one pivot cone correct?)

1. Stay about 2-3 car widths off the pivot cone on your approach (assuming they give you lateral room to work on this course)

2. Slow way down (10-15mph) as you work the car towards the apex. Stay in second so as to mitigate wheelspin and come off the corner hard on the throttle as you are unwinding the wheel. That last part is very important.

The Si lacks enough low rpm torque that the LSD should help you guys.

Try that next time you have a hairpin on a course.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[Sirbelch]

Also, that thicker front sway bar is going to lessen mid corner rotation and increase understeer coming out of the corner. Remember, the stiffer end slides first. If you are already pushing in the corners, why make the front of the car stiffer? Getting bigger front and rear sway bars isn't going to change the balance all that much because you are making both ends stiffer. If you want the rear to come around, make it stiffer than the front.

[typer_801]

Some of the braces are questionable and likely not legal (along with being completely unnecessary). The sways and springs are legal in both ST and SP, but the the camber kits are only ST legal (for example, the rear kit is absolutely NOT allowed in SP). Also, the ingalls stiffy is not legal in ST either.

[nycclaye]

Originally Posted by typer_801

Some of the braces are questionable and likely not legal (along with being completely unnecessary). The sways and springs are legal in both ST and SP, but the the camber kits are only ST legal (for example, the rear kit is absolutely NOT allowed in SP). Also, the ingalls stiffy is not legal in ST either.

Originally Posted by Sirbelch

Also, that thicker front sway bar is going to lessen mid corner rotation and increase understeer coming out of the corner. Remember, the stiffer end slides first. If you are already pushing in the corners, why make the front of the car stiffer? Getting bigger front and rear sway bars isn't going to change the balance all that much because you are making both ends stiffer. If you want the rear to come around, make it stiffer than the front.

Originally Posted by honda93

Regarding this... Here's where a driving style change could save you hundreds of dollars.

Slow in. Fast out.

There's no fast way around the typical autocross hairpin (one pivot cone correct?)

1. Stay about 2-3 car widths off the pivot cone on your approach (assuming they give you lateral room to work on this course)

2. Slow way down (10-15mph) as you work the car towards the apex. Stay in second so as to mitigate wheelspin and come off the corner hard on the throttle as you are unwinding the wheel. That last part is very important.

The Si lacks enough low rpm torque that the LSD should help you guys.

Try that next time you have a hairpin on a course.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

To all.... Wow......... Can't I just show up and drive?!!?!

Thanks Mario, that makes sense and I'm prettty goood at staying clam enough to do things that I'm told to try behind the wheel. I don'tt get excited enough to mess up. For now anyways.

To the rest, since they're just stut braces, I didnt't realize that it would change my class.

And I'll put the rear sway on first and see how it handles, then try the front sway. I do think the rear is what I want to come around and based on Sirbelch's theory, that should give me the turning thtat I want. Thanks all.

[friedk]

I plan on attending my first autox in March. Am I going to tear the shit out of my crappy, off brand tires?

If I will, I probably need to wait until I can afford a better set of tires before I start autoXing.

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by nycclaye

To all.... Wow......... Can't I just show up and drive?!!?!

Thanks Mario, that makes sense and I'm prettty goood at staying clam enough to do things that I'm told to try behind the wheel. I don'tt get excited enough to mess up. For now anyways.

To the rest, since they're just stut braces, I didnt't realize that it would change my class.

And I'll put the rear sway on first and see how it handles, then try the front sway. I do think the rear is what I want to come around and based on Sirbelch's theory, that should give me the turning thtat I want. Thanks all.

Not my theory, its more suspension fact that other people have tested. I'm just passing it on

[stare_decisis]

Originally Posted by friedk

I plan on attending my first autox in March. Am I going to tear the shit out of my crappy, off brand tires?

If I will, I probably need to wait until I can afford a better set of tires before I start autoXing.

i autox's my first two events on my stock all seasons. granted they were michelin's (quality?). they held up exceptionally well as far as integrity goes. however grip was nowhere to be found. i now have falken 615's (arguably the best non r-compound tire out there) and have been very pleased with the way they perform.

i have seen people on offbrand tires (generals, federals, etc) do reasonably well. i wouldn't worry about it too much, just watch your tire pressure after every run

[friedk]

Are you currently in texas? Maybe you could show me the ropes.

[flomofo]

are the pilot exaltos that came on my si good enough for this? Might want to try this sport out if I can find something in norcal.

[stare_decisis]

Originally Posted by friedk

Are you currently in texas? Maybe you could show me the ropes.

yea ill be doing the dfw area scca and equipe rapide events this year. i am, by no means, a pro. i just started auto-xing my si last season. there is a novice driving school happening soon. i think on march 15, it's $60, and that includes the fee for racing the next day.

go here for more info

Texas Region SCCA Solo2 Autocross

[friedk]

I have to work that day. My friend with a miata and me plan on being there on sunday though.

[nycclaye]

Just ordered some new rubber!! 215/40ZR-18 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2!!! Should be here today or tomorrow just in time for the event saturday. anyone wanna come with?

Solo Autocross In Orangeburg, SC this Saturday

[Sirbelch]

you need wider tires. Why get new wheels and tires that are just a wide as stock?

[nycclaye]

my last ones were wider tires. they didn't benefit IMO... Then again, they were proxes.

Here's what they look like.
SuperView of the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2

[Sirbelch]

how wide are your wheels? If they are 7in a 215 is good. I think a 7.5 should have a 225 and a 8 should be 235.

[nycclaye]

^^stock