SCCA Solo C Street Discussion

[bobaab]

Hello autocrossers!

So I just got this car a month ago. It replaced my 06 MX-5, which was in an unfortunate accident the week before Christmas.

My autocross career started somewhere like 10, 11 years ago (during my high school days) with my dad's 03 Lancer. All I did was slap some Falken Azenis RT215 (remember those?) on there and it actually did pretty amazing, considering I was a total noob and the car isn't the best car in FS.

But since then, I've had a 91 MR2 and an 06 MX-5 which I really didn't get a chance to do many autocrosses with (broke, in college, or both). This year I am determined though, and I want to be as competitive as I can.

From reading this thread, it sounds like the CS class is pretty difficult, but it'll be a good starting point for me and the BRZ. It also sounds like the understanding of the car is still in its infancy, so I am reading mixed results with suspension modifications. I think I'll start the season with a set of good tires and a mild alignment that's good for the street too.

So that being said...is the Dunlop Z2's the tire to go with nowadays? What's the cheap but effective alternative to the RT215's I used to run with? And is 235 the optimal width for the stock wheels?

Any recommendations on a not-too-aggressive-for-the-street alignment? I think I'll be off to a good start with just those two things at the beginning of this season

[Renegade21]

Is there a big group of you that go to the Northern SCCA/San Francisco area ones? I wanna make it out to one this year. I just moved from Florida, i was in the SMF class with my RSX-S but switching to RWD is a big difference. Would i be in C-Stock?

[Kido1986]

Originally Posted by bobaab

Hello autocrossers!

So I just got this car a month ago. It replaced my 06 MX-5, which was in an unfortunate accident the week before Christmas.

My autocross career started somewhere like 10, 11 years ago (during my high school days) with my dad's 03 Lancer. All I did was slap some Falken Azenis RT215 (remember those?) on there and it actually did pretty amazing, considering I was a total noob and the car isn't the best car in FS.

But since then, I've had a 91 MR2 and an 06 MX-5 which I really didn't get a chance to do many autocrosses with (broke, in college, or both). This year I am determined though, and I want to be as competitive as I can.

From reading this thread, it sounds like the CS class is pretty difficult, but it'll be a good starting point for me and the BRZ. It also sounds like the understanding of the car is still in its infancy, so I am reading mixed results with suspension modifications. I think I'll start the season with a set of good tires and a mild alignment that's good for the street too.

So that being said...is the Dunlop Z2's the tire to go with nowadays? What's the cheap but effective alternative to the RT215's I used to run with? And is 235 the optimal width for the stock wheels?

Any recommendations on a not-too-aggressive-for-the-street alignment? I think I'll be off to a good start with just those two things at the beginning of this season

Max the front camber with Subaru crash bolts. It will be 100% streetable, just get alignment afterwards

Z2s are the tire of choice right now. The affordable alternative, Hankook RS3s are all out of stock while they revamp the compound.

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by bobaab

So that being said...is the Dunlop Z2's the tire to go with nowadays? What's the cheap but effective alternative to the RT215's I used to run with? And is 235 the optimal width for the stock wheels?

Any recommendations on a not-too-aggressive-for-the-street alignment? I think I'll be off to a good start with just those two things at the beginning of this season

I remember Falken Azenis RT215's, that tire was actually disco'd about 6-7 years ago in favor of the Azenis RT615, which never quite shared the same success as the RT215....

Back then street tires were easy, you bought RT215's for dirt cheap, and you were done with.....there's a few more flavors now, and they're all more expensive than the RT215.

Falken RT615's are probably the cheapest option, but they really can't run with the newer top teir tires which are: Bridgestone RE-whatever, BFG Rival, Dunlop ZII, Hankook RS3.

I run the BFG Rivals, and they're probably the most affordable out of the options listed above. Currently trying to determine what tires to buy next season though....

[jam0o0]

data point:

I got first in CS local. 13th pax out of 100 drivers. with stock tires. it was raining and 45* so the tire gap shrank.

next event my car gets prepped. Z2's, lighter wheels, camber bolts.

[des]

Originally Posted by Renegade21

Is there a big group of you that go to the Northern SCCA/San Francisco area ones? I wanna make it out to one this year. I just moved from Florida, i was in the SMF class with my RSX-S but switching to RWD is a big difference. Would i be in C-Stock?

Welcome! You would be in C Street (formerly C Stock) as long as you haven't changed anything other than exhaust, shocks and tires/alignment. There's a big C Street class with a lot of Twins.

There's an event Sunday in Oakland.

[u/Josh]

Originally Posted by jam0o0

data point:

I got first in CS local. 13th pax out of 100 drivers. with stock tires. it was raining and 45* so the tire gap shrank.

next event my car gets prepped. Z2's, lighter wheels, camber bolts.

Any videos? That's a damn good performance on stock tires.

[G_Ride]

@Renegade21 CS is really healthy for SFR SCCA events.
@des, I look forward trying to catch up to you this year

[simpleisbest]

So...anyone thinking of trying the new Bilsteins yet?

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by simpleisbest

So...anyone thinking of trying the new Bilsteins yet?

The ones that are Street class legal are the B6's right? IIRC the B8s don't follow OE body size and stroke length...

I'll probably run a season or two on the Konis first... if I decide to stay in street for a few more seasons I might swap to the Bilstein at that point... particularly if I run into quality issues on the Konis, they can be hit or miss.

[simpleisbest]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

The ones that are Street class legal are the B6's right? IIRC the B8s don't follow OE body size and stroke length...

I'll probably run a season or two on the Konis first... if I decide to stay in street for a few more seasons I might swap to the Bilstein at that point... particularly if I run into quality issues on the Konis, they can be hit or miss.

Yup, the B6's would be the only choice. They are non-adjustable, so not sure if there is a valving out there that is tolerable for the street and better than OTS Koni Yellows when cranked up for autocross. Way more reliable than the Koni's, though.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the alternate valving that has been done for the Bilsteins over the years for Stock Class? Just wondering how streetable they are for driving to/from events.

[mla163]

I am curious about the Bilsteins as well. I'm on stock dampers now. I am reluctant to jump to Konis because I hear a lot about leaks developing in the fronts.

Is that a big thing, or is the leaking just a few isolated cases?

[Renegade21]

Originally Posted by des

Welcome! You would be in C Street (formerly C Stock) as long as you haven't changed anything other than exhaust, shocks and tires/alignment. There's a big C Street class with a lot of Twins.

There's an event Sunday in Oakland.

I'll try to make it. I won't be doing anything until the car is "broken in" according to the Manual. Its my first time ever driving a brand new car so I wanna take all precautions. as soon as I Finish doing the Red line shifting after 900-1k miles. ill definitely be going in bone stock to get a feel for the BRZ before i do anything mod wise. I need to get adjusted to RWD coming off the RSX and its FWD platform.

[simpleisbest]

Originally Posted by mla163

I am curious about the Bilsteins as well. I'm on stock dampers now. I am reluctant to jump to Konis because I hear a lot about leaks developing in the fronts.

Is that a big thing, or is the leaking just a few isolated cases?

I've been on the Koni's for about 6 months. I had 1 front unit leak after installation, but good luck so far. Not sure how long they will last, though.