WOW..first thread... Suspension thoughts

[Edge]

Hi all:hi:

Hope everyone had a great 4th week/end, my questions is simple.
For all of the experienced Autox'ers and wrench heads... what are the MINIMUM components needed for setting up a good handling car that would be used for AutoX??
Then what would be the (not minimum) but thought to be needed for a great one?
Thanx all:thumbsup:

[Greg Stevens]

Ray, the best modification in terms of a component you add to your S and keep it in the same stock class is a thicker fron sway bar. Mugen makes one which is available from club sponsor, King Motosports. Give Scott or Bob a call and see when the next shipment is coming in...

The reason why this is a must have for autox is that it adds understeer. In a fast-paced back and forth environment that autox is, this is the single best, and easiest, mod you can do. It also uses and modification approach by being "additive" rather than "subtractive." You could remove the upper strut rear bar and reduce oversteer, but you may end up pushing...hard to say. Get a thicker front bar...you can't go wrong with that.

The other thing you can do, which is a setting as opposed to a component, is get an alignment with some negative camber. I don't recall the settings that I used, but it was streetable, yet aggressive, setting that keeps the tail tucked in nicely.

When you get into more $$$, you can add shocks and springs...and of course, R compounds. I run Hoosiers on my stock wheels...which are truly awesome. Coupled with the alignment, my car sticks like glue.

And I think those are the only things you can do without getting bumped into another class...

HTH!

[desmo4]

Also check on King Motorsports site. They have a great section on how to set up the suspension for different types of racing, under the Mugen technical heading.

Jonathan

[Edge]

Ive looked at the Spoon sways.... but do not think that the size is any "thicker" than stock?? for $300+ is it that the material is less flexable but not any thicker?

[Edge]

Oh..and BTW.. I run in SM2... Ive got supercharger.... so stock class isnt that important.
Keep the suggestions coming... I want to soak up some SCCA racing knowledge!

[S2WOOOW]

I see that Comptech has a matching front/rear swaybar set. I've heard that many just install the front to increase understeer. You get both bars for about the price of the front Mugen only.

I'm interested in swaybars because I noticed I had alot more outside suspension compression at Laguna Seca than I was expecting. I like the feel of the steering characteristic of stock, so I'm thinking of getting the Comptech set. Has anyone tried the set?

After reading a few technical articles and discussions, I'm not sure just getting stiffer bars front and rear is the simple answer.

[hecash]

I went with just the front Mugen sway bar and love the result.

On the other hand, I did add the Spoon X brace and rear suspension brace, too.

I pulled the front strut tower brace after a few track days because it just didn't do anything. Want to buy a used one?