another STX build

[miwialex]

Well, after patiently waiting, i finally got my FRS yesterday, woo hoo! I am going to be setting up the car for STX to run locally in the Milwaukee region and to take to a couple of tours / pros, and nationals. For the past two years, I've been autoxing an STR prepped MX-5. I Sold that after nationals this year to put as a down payment on the FR-S. I will slowly be buying parts during the winter and will update when I get new stuff. If anyone has suggestions, they are more than welcome See you guys out there!

[mla163]

Scooby South has done a lot of development. His thread would be a good resource. Sam Strano has also developed his to an extent and is very knowledgeable in RWD setup.

Sam should be able to send you a "STX in a box" and you would be in pretty good shape.

[miwialex]

Yea I've actually talked to Scooby South a couple times in person at some of the local Milwaukee autox events. I've been following his thread a lot ever since I decided to get rid of the mx-5 and get a FR-S instead

[RiskyTrousers]

Any idea on what suspension you'll be going with?

The AST 4150s look pretty good but so do the new Ohlins they had at SEMA. Can't decide, ugh...

[miwialex]

I have plenty of ideas flying through my head with suspension at the moment. I really like the new ASTs now that the 4150s can be turned into DA. I had ohlins on my last autox car and absolutely loved them. Ground control just came out with a kit that is using koni shocks which looks like a good setup but I don't like that you can only get double adjustable shocks for the front of the car and not the rear so might wait to see if that changes(or if i read that wrong). And I was at SEMA and saw the Eibach R2 Coilovers and they looked impressive but I don't have much experience with Eibach outside of springs. I think those are at the top of the list for me right now. We'll see if anything else comes out at the moment.

[7thgear]

the biggest thing right now that i would focus on is experimenting with tires and figuring out which size is perfect.

you can go up to 275 in STX and 275s will fit on an FRS i'm sure, the question is, will there be a benefit?

[ABQautoxer]

Last I checked, STX limits to 265 for RWD.

265s don't come in the sizes we'd like and many would argue are a squeeze on a 9" wheel. I'm running 255/40s and will try 245/40s. I see some STR folks trying 235s on their 9" so its not insane to think 245s might be best on our cars. I'm running 8s because I had uber lightweight 17x8s and will take the weight over fitment.

I talked to AST, have a friend that works there, and in the end wasn't sold on it and went with KW. I have no regrets. Great product but concerns about the valving (getting it right) and lead times both in ordering and servicing. I did Whiteline top hats sacrificing adjustability, which it turns out I didn't need, for quiet rubber mounts. I can get well up to around -3.8 camber in the front if I wanted it though I'm running a bit less.

I'm testing Sam's front bar perhaps as soon as this weekend at two events or at the very least at once event the following weekend.

Full exhaust/intake/tune is a given.

Definitely do the pulley, its noticeable when I expected it not to be. Battery is another easy one and the one I'll do next after winter.

Since you've done STR, you know all these mods better than me. I'm glad to share which pieces I bought and what I think but naturally not much to compare to since I haven't done too many of the same part more than once so far.

[RiskyTrousers]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

the biggest thing right now that i would focus on is experimenting with tires and figuring out which size is perfect.

you can go up to 275 in STX and 275s will fit on an FRS i'm sure, the question is, will there be a benefit?

I'm pretty sure the maximum tire size in STX is 265 with the max wheel size being 9". I plan on running 255s on the Mach V wheels.

[miwialex]

Yea I would agree with the tire thing that a 265 is smooshed on a 9 inch rim and it might not be the best in the long run, for gearing as well. When I was in STR I ran both 255 and 245 on a 9 inch rim and ultimately liked the 245s better seeing how the grip didn't seem noticeably worse but it helped with the gearing. I think I will go with 255s in the new Dunlop star spec z2

[miwialex]

Well I made my first decision. I just pre ordered the RCE coilover set that is coming out. They are expected to be out by late January, so I have a little waiting to do before I get them. now time to think about camber adjustment parts, and then exhaust. . . . oh the decisions.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by miwialex

Well I made my first decision. I just pre ordered the RCE coilover set that is coming out. They are expected to be out by late January, so I have a little waiting to do before I get them. now time to think about camber adjustment parts, and then exhaust. . . . oh the decisions.

Another Wisconsin-ite has won nationals on RCE Tarmac 2's in a Subaru in the past, so I've got a feeling things will work out.

- Andrew

[miwialex]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Another Wisconsin-ite has won nationals on RCE Tarmac 2's in a Subaru in the past, so I've got a feeling things will work out.

- Andrew

I do believe you mean Mr Colin Fielder. He recommended me to you guys so it was hard to say no after that!

[Scooby South]

hey... just found your thread.. .. Looking forward to another 86 in the Mix


Anything I can help you with..LMK..


Bill

[miwialex]

Well just got my first official STX parts today. RPF-1 rims with the all new Star Spec ZIIs in a 255