Upgrade help for autocross

[ML]

I have about $500-$700 that I want to invest in my 86 with the goal of making the car faster for autocross, but I'm not sure where to put it. Right now i'm running some cheap heavy XXRs with some pretty decent all-season (I got the wheels/tires on a trade), and Mach V springs on stock suspension with camber kits on all 4 corners.

I was thinking either lighter wheels (http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64040)
Tires, or maybe a set of Koni's

I know I would get the most out of tires, but this is also my DD, and once the current set wears out I know I can get some good summers. Might have to stretch my budget a little, but thats ok.

Here is a pic from 86expo

[7thgear]

hmm...


not sure if you're just blissfully ignorant or the autocross in your region isn't something that people take too seriously but there are a number of issues and considerations you should be aware of if your goal is to be "faster" at autocross.


1. Classing


You have two classes available to you if you drive on street tires. C-Street (CS) and Street Touring eXtreme (STX)


CS is meant to be a nearly stock class and limits your modifications to shocks and 1 swaybar (plus a few others, you can check out the SCCA C-Street thread)

STX opens up the door to a bit more mods but your current setup is barely better than stock (if at all) and certainly isn't at the top of the chain and 700 bucks isn't going to change that


2. Tires


the number 1 speed mod for autocross are tires.. and you've chosen (???) to ignore that by riding on all-seasons. No amount of mods, especially for 700 bucks, would make up the time decrease you could achieve by simply changing tires.

so if you actually want to go FASTER

1. sell your wheels
2. sell your springs, put stock back on
3. sell your camber plates, purchase OEM crash bolts for 5 bucks from the dealer
4. purchase proper tires and put them on your OEM wheels

you'll go faster , you'll be classed better, you'll make a profit , and you'll get to keep a DD friendly ride

[tahdizzle]

^
What he said.

And here it comes... "Driver Mod".

The best way to get faster in the twin is becoming a better driver. The twins respond well to that mod.

Spend 700 bucks for some HPDE and track time :p

[ML]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

hmm...


not sure if you're just blissfully ignorant or the autocross in your region isn't something that people take too seriously but there are a number of issues and considerations you should be aware of if your goal is to be "faster" at autocross.


1. Classing


You have two classes available to you if you drive on street tires. C-Street (CS) and Street Touring eXtreme (STX)


CS is meant to be a nearly stock class and limits your modifications to shocks and 1 swaybar (plus a few others, you can check out the SCCA C-Street thread)

STX opens up the door to a bit more mods but your current setup is barely better than stock (if at all) and certainly isn't at the top of the chain and 700 bucks isn't going to change that


2. Tires


the number 1 speed mod for autocross are tires.. and you've chosen (???) to ignore that by riding on all-seasons. No amount of mods, especially for 700 bucks, would make up the time decrease you could achieve by simply changing tires.

so if you actually want to go FASTER

1. sell your wheels
2. sell your springs, put stock back on
3. sell your camber plates, purchase OEM crash bolts for 5 bucks from the dealer
4. purchase proper tires and put them on your OEM wheels

you'll go faster , you'll be classed better, you'll make a profit , and you'll get to keep a DD friendly ride

Thanks for the input, but let me clear some things up. I haven't ignored tires I metioned new tires in the post, I havn't had any money to spend on my car in over a year, and I have been to one autocross in about a year, so I'm trying to get back into it. I don't have this wheel/tire setup up by choice, I found someone that was willing to trade the setup to me because I couldn't afford tires at the time. I don't have camber plates, I have crash bolts and bushings on rear. I regret asking making this post now.

also my oem wheels are gone.

[ML]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

^
What he said.

And here it comes... "Driver Mod".

The best way to get faster in the twin is becoming a better driver. The twins respond well to that mod.

Spend 700 bucks for some HPDE and track time :p

I really have no interest in HPDE. I plan on getting seat time in with doing more autocross events.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by ML

I really have no interest in HPDE. I plan on getting seat time in with doing more autocross events.

I'm an auto X enthusiast as well. But you can't beat the seat time / $$ in HPDE.

it doesn't really appear like you were open to advice.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by ML

I regret asking making this post now.

i apologize, you clearly know what you're doing.




you have no money to spend on your car yet here you are with springs and wheels that are doing you no good.


the bushing in the rear pushes you out of stock class so now you're in the pool with people who are on coilovers, some form of engine tuning and most likely proper camber plates/toe links.




if you're on a budget and want to be faster my recommendations will get you there, but feel free to ignore it.

Picking up a set of OEMers isn't something I see as a difficult thing, although investing in some 17x7 RPF1s, I suppose, would be a worthwhile expense.

as for HPDE, take it from someone that went from track to autocross and that it's worth it and you shouldn't discount it.

[ML]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I'm an auto X enthusiast as well. But you can't beat the seat time / $$ in HPDE.

it doesn't really appear like you were open to advice.

Don't get me wrong I would love to do one, and I know I would learn a lot. I learn a lot at every autocross I goto. it would be hard to justify $300 and atleast 4 hour drive, and a whole weekend to my family.

[ML]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

i apologize, you clearly know what you're doing.




you have no money to spend on your car yet here you are with springs and wheels that are doing you no good.


the bushing in the rear pushes you out of stock class so now you're in the pool with people who are on coilovers, some form of engine tuning and most likely proper camber plates/toe links.




if you're on a budget and want to be faster my recommendations will get you there, but feel free to ignore it.

Picking up a set of OEMers isn't something I see as a difficult thing, although investing in some 17x7 RPF1s, I suppose, would be a worthwhile expense.

as for HPDE, take it from someone that went from track to autocross and that it's worth it and you shouldn't discount it.

No, obviously I don't know what I'm doing thats why I asked. I just feel like i'm being attacked for asking, when I didn't intend to come off as closed minded or anything.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by ML

No, obviously I don't know what I'm doing thats why I asked. I just feel like i'm being attacked for asking, when I didn't intend to come off as closed minded or anything.

relax


it's all good, just that when we have whole threads dedicated to proper car setup for STX and CS that really, would have answered all your questions.


but don't worry, such is the nature of these things.

[ML]

I could get some tires, and sell my current wheels, that is something I haven't considered thanks.

[tahdizzle]

I think they are making an allowance in wheel size for the '15 season.

RPF1 in 17x7 are hard to come by.

[ML]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I think they are making an allowance in wheel size for the '15 season.

RPF1 in 17x7 are hard to come by.

really? It seems like I see them a lot.

[DarkSunrise]

I think the first question is what class are you trying to compete in. 7thgear posted SCCA classing guidelines , but it could also be whatever local autocross club you compete in.

But I think the short answer to your $700 question is ultimately going to be tires.