Racecomp Engineering Tarmac Springs
 

This is the preliminary review for the new RCE Tarmac Springs.

As most know, RCE has been in the Subaru game for years. They make fantastic products and I was honored to be able to test this new spring they are offering from the standpoint of autocross.

Differences from the Yellows:
Yellows spring rates are 250/250
Tarmac spring rates are 280/290

Yellows are very compatible with the stock dampers
Tarmacs are intended for use with Koni's or up and coming Bilsteins.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psd78eff07.jpg

Upon installing the springs, I also installed Whiteline Com-C top hats for some added camber. Before the install, the car had Koni struts and a Cusco front bar (SCCA Stock setup)

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...pse0014e30.jpg

Installation was straightforward as with most springs.

Ride height:
The Tarmacs lower the car a little over an inch. I went from stock springs to the Tarmacs so it seemed a bit more dramatic. They are slightly lower than the Yellows.

Before
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc616b8ba.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2ca3356d.jpghttp://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psb8bd3f20.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psb005b0f2.jpg

After
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps358e0ebc.jpghttp://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps36f888fa.jpg

Different wheels but same tires/size

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psca41ea30.jpghttp://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps3e74a466.jpghttp://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4462e285.jpg

Initial driving impressions:

Stiff. But not a bad stiff. This car isn't my daily driver but I drive it alot. I haven't rode in a BRZ with Yellows but I used to own an STi with FEAL revalved struts and RCE Yellows and its VERY comparable to it. I think they work well with the Koni's and the car feels very solid on the street. I want to say it feels like its on coilovers, but that experience is different for everyone so it could be a bad example. The car feels like it corners flatter than it did with the Koni's but thats only a backroad quick and dirty test.

The first autocross I will be running with the springs is in less than a week. I will follow up with competition impressions thoughout the season starting next week, complete with video and pictures.

This bumps the car to STX, which the fastest cars are equiped with high-end coilovers. It will be interesting to see the comparison.

More to come
Stay tuned.

Hope those brake pads are holding up to your beastly skills! :thumbsup:

Those pads are one of the best investments I've ever made!

To bad these didn't come out a few months back.

First event down. Went pretty well. 2nd in STX, half second behind an FRS with KW's, 245 RS3's and I think EcuTek (Basically a spec STX 86 car). My car still has old 225 Dunlop Z1's, and stock tune.

At first, the car oversteered insanely due to the Koni's still being set very stiff for the stock springs that were on it before. Once we got the Koni's dialed in the car responded very well. I felt like I could push harder though corners than before. Very confidence inspiring.

Koni Settings:
REAR: 1/4 turn from full soft
FRONT: 1/2-3/4 turn from full soft

I think that the new found grip will make better use of new, wider tires which I will be getting next (245 RS3 or Rival)
The biggest indicator of the springs functionality is the closeness to the KW clad FRS's time.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...pse29cb0c8.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps1450eabf.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps0b29f7aa.jpg
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http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2b69b1aa.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psb14979df.jpg


My fastest run

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW-7NOj3cMA"]WNY SCCA Autocross BRZ 6/23/13 NK - YouTube[/ame]

My co-drivers fastest run

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFgcYZlFiPk"]WNY SCCA Autocross BRZ 6/23/13 LF - YouTube[/ame]


Further testing will be conducted both this coming weekend and subsequent events after. Yesterday I went to a "TrackCross" at Pitt Race, which was basically an autox on part of a race track. Pics from that are coming soon, and the springs performed just as good on the track as the autocross. The car is a little more aggressive coming out of corners than before, but in a good way. There is just enough oversteer to where you can just slightly countersteer at WOT without getting into trouble.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps284ca4cd.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc0d3d05c.jpg

More pics of the track coming soon.

More info?

@forwallblakmail have you had any issues yet with the koni yellows and the whiteline top hats?

I have been running Koni yellows whiteline top hats and rce yellow springs since April. On my 2nd set of top hats since the bearings seized and my 2nd set is also having issues.

Saturday my Koni exploded at the point where the top hat sits.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...00554411_n.jpg

I just finished the press release for these. Gonna yell at Myles to post it. :)

- andy

I have to say.. on my setup before the shock blew the car felt so good. I could drive it at 100% when I autocross and had no issues as the car felt perfect. Even took FTDI on the event before they broke. I hear these new springs were tailored for autocross I can't wait to try a set.

It is stated this koni/tarmac combo is for autocross. What are your thoughts for using it at the track?

Oh they are intended for any performance driving, not specifically auto-x. Just as good on the track for sure.

It will be similar to your RCE Yellows, just another notch of body roll removed. Similar tossable feeling while still being confidence inspiring.

- Andy

Racecomp Engineering Tarmac Performance Lowering Springs for Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S

Severn, MD
July 22nd, 2013

Racecomp Engineering is thrilled to add a new lowering spring option to the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S chassis with the RCE Tarmac performance springs. Designed to be used only with upgraded shocks, the Tarmac springs are an option for those looking for coilover level performance from a simple spring and strut package.

Spring rates of 280 lbs/in front and 290 lbs/in rear (approximately 5 kg/mm) offer a serious level of roll resistance for more sporting drivers. Designed to be used with Koni Yellow or an upcoming GTWORX/BILSTEIN shock absorbers, the RCE Tarmac springs combine an aggressive handling spring upgrade with the durability, ease of use, and quality valving of a fixed perch damper.

Like the popular RCE Yellow springs, replacement bumpstops are included for a complete upgrade. Combined with the more advanced valving of a Koni or Bilstein damper, the package offers superior control and driving performance without breaking the bank.

Finished in a new “Steel Grey” color, the RCE Tarmac lowering springs are an excellent option for those looking for the performance of a quality coilover in a simple spring and strut package.


Spring specifications:
280 lbs/in front
290 lbs/rear
20mm lowering front and rear
Replacement bumpstops included
Steel grey finish
To be used with Koni Yellow or the upcoming GTWORX/BILSTEIN shock absorbers

How long until the Bilsteins are released?

6month-ish.....with emphasis on "ISH"...

Myles

the only issuses I've had with the Whitleine top hats are the clunking noise when turning the wheel. Apparently they had a bad batch of bearings, they took care of it no problem. No other issues.

Subbed

Autocross impressions: Continued

So I just got back from the Toledo ProSolo.
I was hoping to place well in STX, but my dreams where shattered by much better drivers than I. As you can see:

I'm Nick Kelly by the way. Wayyyy down at the bottom.

http://sololive.scca.com/STX.html


I was the only FRZ at in the class without either KWV3's or Ground Control coilovers. Entering a national level event on a spring and strut combo in STX is suicide.
In addition to this disadvantage, I was running the stock tune. The car has only a catback exhaust and TRD intake box. All the other FRZ's had EcuTek, some even on E85.

That all being said, I think the fact that my times where at least in the realm of the mid-60's (combined) was pretty cool despite the cars huge disadvantages.

Koni setup:
I had to fiddle with the Koni's quite a bit to get them dialed in from using the stock springs. In the end, I found that a half turn towards stiff up front and full soft in the rear was the best setup I've used so far.
I'm headed to Wilmington Ohio for the national tour event this Friday and I may turn up the rear struts a hair and see if that dials out some of the understeer.

Sway bar setup:
Originally running the car in stock class, I had a Cusco 20mm front sway. When I added the Tarmac springs the increased rate in the rear overpowered the small front bar, so I ordered a larger 25mm adjustable hollow bar from RCE. Adjusted to the "soft" setting, the car settled back down and the results where phenominal.

Locally this car has yet to be beat in STX.
That being said to compete at a national level, coilovers are almost a must if you want a chance at the top 3. The spring rated the fastest guys where running had almost 100lbs on the Tarmacs. But for a lowering spring designed to work with a normal perched strut, there is no subsitute.

I will add additonal impressions when I return from Wilmington Ohio's National Tour this coming weekend.

Club Trials:
August 25th I will be attending a Club Trial (time attack) at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Beaver Falls, PA. Last time I was there I had stock springs and Koni's and ran a 1:12 I will provide a full track review and impression, as well as video after that event.


I would recommend this spring to anyone wanting an afforadable, decently competitive setup with either Bilsteins or Koni's.

The quality of these springs is unmatched to anything I have used in the past or have installed on customers cars when I worked in the industry.

This is as good as it gets without coilovers.

However being within seconds of the top runners at the ProSolo, I will be saving pennys, selling myself, and doing dirty things to eventually buy a set of Tarmac coilovers from RCE.

*At ProSolo, I was running 245 BFG Rivals on 17x8 RPF1's.

-Nick

Nice Write up.

I run STX as well running the Koni yellow,RCE yellow and Whiteline top hats. Camber bolts ect. Stock sway bars. I have a 3rd set of replacement top hats coming in as both sets have went bad.

The car feels very good though. I have been running the konis on a half turn from full stiff front and rear. I have -2.5 degrees of camber up front and -1.9 in the back and about 6.5 degrees of caster up front as well. Tire wise I have been running the rs3s 245 on a 9inch rim. Running pressure wise 28 up front and 25 26 rear. Car feels really stable.

Wilmington National Tour (8/3,8/4)

Results were better this weekend than the ones from the ProSolo

Everything on the car was the same as Toledo

One thing I noticed at Toledo was the car was pushing at the limit. I was still trying to dial in the struts, and I added the bigger front bar.

As soon as I got to the Wilmington site Friday evening, I turned the rear Koni's up one quarter of a turn up from full soft.
The result made the car an absolute animal in slaloms. No understeer what so ever. I'd say the car is perfect, or as good as its going to get.

I finished 11th out of 18. Still not great, but again, all the cars head of me had about 100lbs of springrate, power, 9" wheels and loads more experience.

August 25th I'll be running a time trial (SCCA) at Pitt Race. Full track review will come next.

I'm about sick of dealing with the tophats. Mine are clicking again.

I want to try the RS3 next year, but may go to a 225 because I want to focus on tracking the car more than autocross.

Crappy cell phone video of Wilmington.

http://s117.photobucket.com/user/for...cdc0e.mp4.html

I forgot to put pressures I'm running the Rivals:
32 all around. Best I've tested so far. Really looking forward to the time trials with these.
@feldy do you have any rear camber adjust (bushings, etc..) or is that where you ended up after the springs?

Nope I have camber bushings but they are not installed.

This is my current alignment as it sits.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...35715267_n.jpg

Added HVT camber plates. Club trials in 2 weeks. 1:12 at PIRC is the benchmark.

More to come.

Pics from the Wilmington National Tour.
Credit autoxpix.com




http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psa47a4884.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps64d2d68a.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps730895bb.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...psa895b4c0.jpg

Very good report. And not to take this too far off topic and maybe more directed to RCE but. The thought of these springs and tailored Bilstein is interesting. Allow me to ask a noob question...

When these Bilstein are released with these springs is that meant to use your stock perches etc or will that package be sold as a non adjustable pre set pack for the twins, like several coilovers packages now sold?

I have been pondering konis... And several other options. I enjoyed your write up mr black mail.

-This is all educated speculation-
I do believe the Bilsteins will be pre set damping. They will be normal struts (theoretically you can run your stock springs with them even) Look at what RCE already offers for the LGT and GR WRX.

The Bilsteins will likely be awesome. If I had a choice I would have them instead of the Koni's. Th Koni's are adjustable, so finding the right setting takes time. You're messing with suspension voodoo, and my kung-fu is only so strong. Plus I'm lazy...like REALLY lazy. I'd rather have a "bolt on and go" suspension. No adjustment, just your driving style.

Don't get me wrong, the Koni+tarmac is INSANELY good. I know there is alot of time left out there just in adjustment.

Thanks!
I would recommend this setup over any "cheap" coilover solution, sans a Tarmac 0 or maybe Fortune Auto's higher end stuff.

Time Trials this weekend. We will see how it does.

:coolpics:
Thanks and I guess we'll all need to wait. Good luck on your time trials!

Club Trials at Pittburgh International Race Complex August 25th 2013
(offical times)
Stock springs, Koni's, Cusco front bar, 225 Z1's
1:12.xxx (forget exact off the top of my head)

Tarmacs, Koni's, RCE front bar, 245 BFG Rivals
1:10.935

I'll upload videos soon.

I feel I could have gone faster if I wasnt getting a CEL for misfire and the DI seal threads on this site popping in my head while I was on track. Really had me second guess pushing it. But thats another story.

If you like watching a car take shitty lines in Hi-Def, today's your lucky day.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCYxL-S094E"]BRZ Time Trials at Pitt Race #30 - YouTube[/ame]

Bummer about the CEL. :(

The time improvement is pretty good considering you weren't pushing it.

- Andy

Fortunetly I found out it's a coil overheating problem. Working on the solution now.

Springs made the car feel much more stable and less woobly in the tighter sections compared to my stock springs. The only problem is knowing how to set the Koni's. I think I have it pretty close, but who knows.

Need to have Myles drive it at Summit Point or something

UPDATE.
With the autocross season 95% completed, I decided next year to turn the car into a fully nationally competitive STX car. I just installed a set of Racecomp Engineering Tarmac II's. The Tarmac springs will continue to be used in competition on @feldy 's car.

This weekend I will launch a new thread focusing on the Tarmac II's. The thread will follow my car with event results, pictures and video. Some attention will be paid to a daily driving aspect, however the primary purpose of the vehicle and all of its aftermarket components is competition.

The thread will probably start off slow, due to the season winding down. I am also a full time student (geology owns me).

I'd like to thank @Racecomp Engineering for the opportunity to work with them in getting these high quality parts out there in the motorsports world.

Thanks for all the great info in this thread!

I think you'll love the RCE T2s, I know I do!

Sent from my GS4.

Nick you are very welcome. YOU are 50 % of our target market( the other half being track day and or time attack) and we love to see the product get put to good use by skilled drivers no less!

Keep us up to date and talk to you soon !

Myles

I'm on the rce yellows with konis now. But I can't wait to try out the new springs that nick is sending me.

In conclusion:



http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps1ac74a18.jpg

^Made possible by @Racecomp Engineering,@CounterSpace Garage, @Turn in Concepts,@FT-86 SpeedFactory and Moore Performance and Race Parts.

oh and luck


Look for a new thread concerning RCE Tarmac II's in the spring.
In addition to the coilovers which are already installed, the car will be tuned over winter for a little more power.

Happy holidays everyone.

Look at the support group ! :thumbup:

Thats what I'm talking about !

TIC, CSG, FT86 SF, and RCE !


BOOOM !

M.