Review: Bilstein B8 + RCE Tarmac lowering springs.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by was385

When I install this setup, do I just leave off the supplied front bumpstops because the Bilstein struts include an internal one? Just run the tarmac bumpstops for the shocks?

Yes, the Bilstein front struts have an internal bumpstop. You won't be able to use our supplied bumpstop up front.

Rear shock yes use ours.

- Andy

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

If you plan to compete in STX you may want to consider skipping 225s and going straight to 245s or 255s with a 9" wide wheel to maximize your chances.

I run B8s with RCE Yellows and I am also quite happy, but I also run different tires and wheels and a lot more camber as well.

[was385]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

If you plan to compete in STX you may want to consider skipping 225s and going straight to 245s or 255s with a 9" wide wheel to maximize your chances.

I run B8s with RCE Yellows and I am also quite happy, but I also run different tires and wheels and a lot more camber as well.

Gotta stress this. My club has a bunch of different STX twins. Most of us are on RCE yellows/stock dampers and 245 ZIIs but one is on B8s, springs, and 225 ZIIs and has been quite a bit behind in times. I think to some extent he's just limited by tire size.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by was385

Gotta stress this. My club has a bunch of different STX twins. Most of us are on RCE yellows/stock dampers and 245 ZIIs but one is on B8s, springs, and 225 ZIIs and has been quite a bit behind in times. I think to some extent he's just limited by tire size.

This is kinda my experience as well, I am just finishing my 225s on 16x7 TE37s and I just can't get the same lateral grip levels as the guys with similar suspension setups and 245s. As such I have some 17x9s with 255 Z11s on order.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you got your alignment sorted, now it's time for some real tires.

We designed the RCE Tarmacs as a small step above our RCE Yellows in performance for those that want a little more edge while keeping a fixed perch damper to keep things simple. Not really intended for stock tires...we expect most would run them with a stickier summer street tire. Also designed specifically for aftermarket dampers like Bilstein or Koni.

Our RCE Yellows are softer and more of a OEM Sport+ option that can work well on stock shocks for a DD and some light auto-x or track time. Still a good handling spring and perfectly fine with stock tires or something a little stickier. Better ride quality with those but the Tarmacs will handle better.

Yes Bilsteins do seem to soften a bit after install. I think the B8s are a good shock (love the gas pressure) but I wish that they were not shorter in overall length. Makes me consider B6s as the better choice BUT those probably have a longer bumpstop internally, so the B8 is probably the way to go.

- Andy

My plan is that when my stock struts blow on my car (let's hope not soon), that I will add B8 struts to my RCE Yellows. Is this too much and it'll be a waste, or will the Yellows do even better with the B8's? By that time, I hope to have graduated to 18 inch wheels and better tires also.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

If you plan to compete in STX you may want to consider skipping 225s and going straight to 245s or 255s with a 9" wide wheel to maximize your chances.

I run B8s with RCE Yellows and I am also quite happy, but I also run different tires and wheels and a lot more camber as well.

What do you use for camber adjustment? How does the ride feel? I'm RCE Yellows with stock struts now, but will probably do your exact setup, wheels and tires included, sometime down the road.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by husker741

My plan is that when my stock struts blow on my car (let's hope not soon), that I will add B8 struts to my RCE Yellows. Is this too much and it'll be a waste, or will the Yellows do even better with the B8's? By that time, I hope to have graduated to 18 inch wheels and better tires also.

That's not a bad plan.

- Andy

[husker741]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

That's not a bad plan.

- Andy

Thanks! I haven't really looked much into because it's further down the road (again, I hope the stock struts hold up awhile), but I'm just trying to see my options. I know some people have had issues with their Konis, and I know Bilstein is great and used by Toyota in other applications. I also like that they serve as an entire strut, not just an insert.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by husker741

What do you use for camber adjustment? How does the ride feel? I'm RCE Yellows with stock struts now, but will probably do your exact setup, wheels and tires included, sometime down the road.

Raceseng cascam plates and SPC rear LCAs. It rides fairly well but our roads here are crap and I couldn't take it everyday so I no longer daily drive it, and drive a beater everyday instead.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Turkish

What I have noticed now with the stiffer suspension, is a significant increase in drivetrain movement when shifting between acceleration and deceleration. ... I will instead probably work on securing the drivetrain in ways that will keep me legal for the STX class of AutoX.

From what I understand of STX rules, upgraded bushings are fine so long as the amount of metal in the bushing doesn't increase. I.e., TiC's Delrin steering rack bushings are allowed, while TiC's aluminum steering rack bushings are not.

With that said, drivetrain bushings are an easy kill. Whiteline transmission insert, diff collar inserts, and rear subframe inserts will do a great job of keeping things from flopping around.

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

If you plan to compete in STX you may want to consider skipping 225s and going straight to 245s or 255s with a 9" wide wheel to maximize your chances.

I run B8s with RCE Yellows and I am also quite happy, but I also run different tires and wheels and a lot more camber as well.

Originally Posted by was385

Gotta stress this. My club has a bunch of different STX twins. Most of us are on RCE yellows/stock dampers and 245 ZIIs but one is on B8s, springs, and 225 ZIIs and has been quite a bit behind in times. I think to some extent he's just limited by tire size.

My long term plan is to definitely run wider wheels/tires, unfortunately I have to dial back my car expenditures until I get a few things paid off.

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

Raceseng cascam plates and SPC rear LCAs. It rides fairly well but our roads here are crap and I couldn't take it everyday so I no longer daily drive it, and drive a beater everyday instead.

Once A) I have the funds again and B) I determine the order I want to progress with my mods, I'm looking at Raceseng top plates and Whiteline rear LCAs.

Originally Posted by gramicci101

From what I understand of STX rules, upgraded bushings are fine so long as the amount of metal in the bushing doesn't increase. I.e., TiC's Delrin steering rack bushings are allowed, while TiC's aluminum steering rack bushings are not.

With that said, drivetrain bushings are an easy kill. Whiteline transmission insert, diff collar inserts, and rear subframe inserts will do a great job of keeping things from flopping around.

Exactly right on the bushing rules. This is on my short list.

I do not have a huge amount of discretionary income to throw around so the mods are very slow and steady. I will likely need new tires long before I can afford both wheels and tires, hence going to 225 on stock wheels.


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[husker741]

Do you need top plates for just springs and the B8's or will camber bolts do just fine? And then SPC LCAs for the rear.

[was385]

Originally Posted by Turkish

Once A) I have the funds again and B) I determine the order I want to progress with my mods, I'm looking at Raceseng top plates and Whiteline rear LCAs.

Out of curiosity, what are your rear camber values with the B8/Tarmacs?

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by was385

Out of curiosity, what are your rear camber values with the B8/Tarmacs?

-1.8 on one side, -2.0 on the other.

Originally Posted by husker741

Do you need top plates for just springs and the B8's or will camber bolts do just fine? And then SPC LCAs for the rear.

I am only using the crash bolts and have -1.2 on both sides up front.


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