My BRZ ST* Autocross build

[Scooby South]

Originally Posted by Silverdub

Whattttt V3s!!! Mine should be in friday! Are you going to corner weight the car?

absolutely. going on thurs night...

[Sam Strano]

I guess it's time I show my face publicly.... Hi, my name is Sam Strano. I have a problem (well a few). I own an FR-S. I put too many miles on it (2400 or so thus far). I'm an autocrosser and run some track days too, and I'm pretty good at it and setting cars up for such things. I also sell parts. But don't worry, I only sell stuff I believe in and would use myself... which is why my car already sports suspension change, along with wheels and tires.. More stuff is coming too.

Let's address a few things. First, I am not a one-trick pony. I do like to use swaybars for roll stiffness, but not always, not at both ends, and sometimes I find stock bars will work fine. Second, I just got done running my FR-S this past weekend... with camber, with the KW's, with Hankook's, etc. I've said this before and I will say it again, and I'm sure it will offend someone even though it is not meant to, but I shoot straight and call things like I see them: Many owners of these cars are coming from other Subaru's complete with their AWD and even more nose-heavy balance. I come from a preference to RWD, limited slip equipped cars, and I have a lot of experience and success in such things. But I also know cars in general, and have setup a lot of cars that have National Championships other than the ones I own.

It is hard to argue when people say this isn't enough spring rate, that is too much... same with alignments, or shock valvings, or running swaybars, and how big...etc., etc. That's fine and variety makes the world go round.

I am not an engineer. However, I am not stupid, and I do no ignore engineering principals. In fact the woman I am dating (also a racer, and a very good one) holds an M.E. degree from Stanford... And I set her car up too. I work very much off of common sense and experience. That said, let's move on.

I carry a lot of parts, and have used a lot of dampers. Koni, KW, Ohlins, Penske, JRZ, Moton, AST, Eibach and on it goes. I get snickered at because while I feel shocks are super important, I don't just run the most expensive stuff. In fact I've more than once fixed the valving some super high end stuff, and while AST's and Koni 2812's and Penske 8300's are all out there for my Corvette, I run off the shelf Koni 3013's which many folks are convinced "can't win". Clearly that is not the case if you follow National level results. In fact, NOT ONE of my championships has been on super trick shocks even when running against cars with other multi-time champions with up to TRIPLE adjustable shocks.

I'm the same way with springs. I cannot believe how far overboard most go with spring rates. I cannot believe how far overboard that folks go with camber. I am not running -3 in my FR-S *or* my Corvette (which largely lives on a trailer and could have that if I wanted or needed it).

Here's where things get sticky. Typically I'm known for giving all my information out. I prefer that, but unfortunately it's become unwise for me to do so in a public forum to the degree of detail I'd like. That said I'm not a "blogger" anyway. If you want some help, that's fine and I'm not unwilling. Having said that, I do have a business to run. I learn the things I know by trying thing on my own stuff. That takes time (as does talking to customers and so on) and money. So I have to ask that you guys understand I make my living this way and nobody can live if they work for free all the time. All I ask is that you are looking for parts, please give me a shot. I'm trying to help support the cars and their owners, hopefully some of that comes back.

We are all going to be learning a bit here, I think I'm ahead of the curve based on previous experience and the fact I'm piling miles up like next week is the last time I could ever drive.

I think 400 is plenty. In fact I won ESP National Championships in my 3429 lb (w/o driver and I'm not tiny) Camaro with 500 and 600 fronts (and 150 rears)... and that car is a double a-arm front with a lot more motion ratio than a strut car. Further, let's talk about Mustangs which are strut cars. Most I've run, 800 pounds. Where did I end up? Between 300 and 400...again on a much heavier car (and still with less than -3 camber).

As an example of how I work, I took the time at the alignment shop to check and see how much toe change we get for each mark on the rear toe, that way if a quickly change is needed, I am not guessing on the change. Already folks have been led down the road of "parts that fit" vs. things that truly work like some rear bars that happen to bolt on but aren't right for the needs.

I have KW's on my car, I do not regret that choice. I use them on Mustangs I was familiar. I wish I had more choices last week, but now I'm quite pleased with the results. But I'm not running them as they were delivered or at the recommended starting settings either.

Sam Strano
Owner: Strano Performance Parts & 2013 FR-S
814-849-3450
www.stranoparts.com

[Scooby South]

thank you sir.....I, for one, look forward to our relationship both professionally and Personally.. I have looked up to you since I met you way back when in Peru. I look forward to this platform more than most people know..it is going to be hugely successful. I am proud to have you, Sam helping me pave the way with this. Anything I can do to help you...Let me know.. .. I follow pretty much the same philosophy that you do....

thanks again for chiming in..Sam

very respectfully

Bill

[Scooby South]

Sams FRS run in STX this past weekend

Strano FRS 1st Event - YouTube

[feldy]

Nice seeing you here as well. Bill your thread will soon get all kinds of thread jacking

[Kido1986]

Sam is the man. I order all of my Z28's parts fro him and get a crap ton of advise from him. Just ordered more stuff for that tank this week and spent more time discussing the FT86 setup than my Camaro's.

This man's site is always my first spot when I need anything.

Look forward to learning more on these cars from you. Though Im going for CStock so I cant do quite a radical mod as you can haha

[Scooby South]

Going back to Stock Rear 14mm rear bar to begin with for the coilovers... along with Kartboy Rear endlinks...

[kanundrum]

I was thinking about the kartboy or the whiteline ones. Let me know what you think of them and how they work with the stock sway

Thanks!

[Scooby South]

Originally Posted by kanundrum

I was thinking about the kartboy or the whiteline ones. Let me know what you think of them and how they work with the stock sway

Thanks!

Already used them with the 16mm rear bar ... Very positive engagement...they work wonderfully... and they have different size spacers to ensure proper alignment of the bar..


Bill

[kanundrum]

Great BTW I got my RPF1's in, do you know the stock wheel and tire weight ?

[Scooby South]

Originally Posted by kanundrum

Great BTW I got my RPF1's in, do you know the stock wheel and tire weight ?

41.4 lbs..for the stockers

[kanundrum]

Originally Posted by Scooby South

41.4 lbs..for the stockers

Pretty funny

the tire combo with RPF1's weigh .2lbs more but the tire is 245/40/17 so its more tread as well!

[Scooby South]

^^^^^ Niiiiice

[lordtakuban]

Nice wheels indeed. I might have to see what my cost is for a set of black RPF1's. You people are forcing me to spend money on a car I don't even have yet! hahaha

(soon though. Very soon, I'm told)...

[Scooby South]

UPDATE:
Jun 27, 2012 7:00 PM

Arrived at FedEx location

BEDFORD PARK, IL

[feldy]

Update emergency re-direct to feldy's champign il 61821! Lol can't wait to see them. Hoping we will meet at a Chicago event this year. Hey what's the plan for Peru now that you can't run st yet? Hoping for a classing this month for st?

[Scooby South]

Originally Posted by feldy

Update emergency re-direct to feldy's champign il 61821! Lol can't wait to see them. Hoping we will meet at a Chicago event this year. Hey what's the plan for Peru now that you can't run st yet? Hoping for a classing this month for st?

exactly.... I am competing in CentDiv's in Milwaukee the 7th and 8th in STX...now that Pikes Peak isn't going on...I might have a surprise co-driver...if she wants to drive.. we'll see ..you should drive also ..plenty of space open..

http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/solo/2012/12sched.html

come on up..its not THAT far..
Bill

[feldy]

So I posted on Facebook but dg-spec just did another dyno session with a muffler delete and e85 1.5 gallons made 190 to the wheels on a dyno pack. This has me wondering if the car will respond well to it out of the box.

[Scooby South]

KW Var3's

Jun 28, 2012 5:14 AM
On FedEx vehicle for delivery
MOSINEE, WI

[Sam Strano]

I told you they'd be there....

[Scooby South]

^^ Thanks Sam...Your the man.....Can't tell I am excited, Can ya???

Bill

[track_warrior]

Originally Posted by kanundrum

Pretty funny

the tire combo with RPF1's weigh .2lbs more but the tire is 245/40/17 so its more tread as well!

Exact same combo im waiting to install on my car!! Sweet deal BTW are these 8 or 9 wide wheels?