STX Rules and Setup Questions

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by Silverspeed

I agree that a spherical joint is against the rules. No questions asked. But if you really think there is a performance advantage between the stock SPC bushing/joint/bearing and this http://www.frsport.com/DIF-10594-Str..._p_445911.html you're kidding yourself. Lewis Hamilton couldn't tell the difference from behind the wheel and it sure as hell won't add up to a time difference. It may be more durable and probably cheaper and maybe add some NVH, but time difference? Not a chance.

The messed up thing is that something like this http://racerxfabrication.com/frs-brz...r-control-arms is legal. And IMO you couldn't tell the difference between the SPC and this Racer-X part either. The only reason to change the arms is for the adjustability, and or maybe some flex reduction in the case of a billet arm, not the superior performance of the bushing/bearing or whatever. I'd put the stock bushings back in my SPC arms to be legal if they'd fit...

I do want to clarify again that I cannot disagree that it is against the rules. But if I'm out of the trophy spot and the guy in front of me has the stock SPC arms, I'm not throwing paper.... He (or she) didn't beat me because of what connects the lower control arms to the car.

I always find it hilarious that guys bitch and moan about getting beat by people when almost nobody there is prepped to the fullest extent of the rules. People have won nationals with cars that in theory shouldn't win (because not full prep), they just drove better.

FWIW I totally agree that the SPC "bushing" isn't legal, when I put them in I stuck a screwdriver in the hole and wiggled it around. Clearly a spherical bearing, lol.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Silverspeed

The messed up thing is that something like this http://racerxfabrication.com/frs-brz...r-control-arms is legal. And IMO you couldn't tell the difference between the SPC and this Racer-X part either. The only reason to change the arms is for the adjustability, and or maybe some flex reduction in the case of a billet arm, not the superior performance of the bushing/bearing or whatever. I'd put the stock bushings back in my SPC arms to be legal if they'd fit...

Far as I can tell you've got three options, replace the bushing in the SPC for around $300, the Racer-X for $480, than Velox for $580.

Happy I snagged the Racer-X on sale for $407, I like their adjustment mechanism much better than the SPC, much more robust, precise, and predictable imo. After mucking about with it for a few hours I'm confident I could adjust rear toe/camber without precise measuring tools with a bit more practice.

[sifl]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Moore Sport (MSI) rear LCAs. They appear legal in STX, as they use a Turn In Concept bushing.

http://www.mooresport.com/indexe.php...r-lateral-link

http://turninconcepts.com/tic-rear-l...r-bushing.html

Expensive parts, but it seems legal in STX.

-Peter

[cjd]

Originally Posted by drewbot

Don't forget the shark fin add on the 13-14. Illegal AF

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Its it? I thought that fell under the same rule as radio... As long as it's not an antenna delete it's fair game.

[vroom4]

It should be pointed out that it didn't seem like therewas hardly any fully prepped STX cars at the top-ish spots at nationals this year.

Lots of heavy batteries, seats, OEM diff, OeM bushing, etc

[drewbot]

Originally Posted by cjd

Its it? I thought that fell under the same rule as radio... As long as it's not an antenna delete it's fair game.

I was half-joking, but I didn't check the SCCA rule book

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by vroom4

It should be pointed out that it didn't seem like therewas hardly any fully prepped STX cars at the top-ish spots at nationals this year.

Lots of heavy batteries, seats, OEM diff, OeM bushing, etc

Just look how close the C-stock cars are to STX times. All that extra money and you only get a second or two. Its the drivers that are making the biggest difference (until you get to Street Mod LOL)

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Just look how close the C-stock cars are to STX times. All that extra money and you only get a second or two. Its the drivers that are making the biggest difference (until you get to Street Mod LOL)

To be fair, STX really gets you higher spring rates and more camber, and a bit nicer powerband, wider wheels, plus incrementals in bushing stiffness and weight reduction. I think the cost to be competitive is less than double what it takes to prep for CS. I decided to go STX partly because a CS build was already so expensive... at any rate, a couple seconds is a couple seconds.

My driver mod needs quite a bit of work still - I have yet to find said seconds.

[vroom4]

Yea it's really not a ton of money, 2-3k gets you a really fun STx car

[cjd]

Originally Posted by vroom4

Yea it's really not a ton of money, 2-3k gets you a really fun STx car

I might have a wee bit more into mine, and I'm not entirely sure it was all a good idea, but... well, fun it is.

Let's see, on that budget: RS-R Sports-i club racer coils, some legal rear LCAs, a header, and OFT? Could do T0 and camber plates vs the RS-R. Shoulda coulda...

I'm only unsure about one of the choices I made for my car, but it wasn't one of the cheaper ones.

C

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by vroom4

Yea it's really not a ton of money, 2-3k gets you a really fun STx car

ST-X:

Headers + OFT = $1000 (Car section + catback another $1000)
Mid-range coilovers and camber bolts = $1500
Front swaybar and endlinks = $300
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's plus light 17x9's = $1500

Thats $4500-5500 right there... Not including weight saving measures or beefier brakes or bushings

C-Stock:

Muffler delete = $100
Bilstein or Koni shocks = $1000
Front swaybar = $150
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's = $500

$2000 total and thats about all you can do other than hunt down some light wheels. Half the cost basically to be competitive.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

ST-X:

Headers + OFT = $1000 (Car section + catback another $1000)
Mid-range coilovers and camber bolts = $1500
Front swaybar and endlinks = $300
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's plus light 17x9's = $1500

Thats $4500-5500 right there... Not including weight saving measures or beefier brakes or bushings

C-Stock:

Muffler delete = $100
Bilstein or Koni shocks = $1000
Front swaybar = $150
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's = $500

$2000 total and thats about all you can do other than hunt down some light wheels. Half the cost basically to be competitive.

I assumed the $3k number was ignoring wheels/brakes/pads which are close to a wash between classes (~$100 on wheels, could go either way on tires)

That still puts CS at under $1500 if you have the right version of the FR-S and don't have to add the springs and swaybar, but that remains right where I suggested - about half the price. And I imagine you can play that as high as you want to push on fancy-but-legal shocks for CS and onward.

That's still a lot of cash, but... it's not that much, either. And you could take that CS car and simply add camber plates and bigger wheels and it would officially be "a really fun STX car" - competitive? Well, it could be some places. You probably want the header and tune, and might want a little extra on the suspension setup... and so it goes.

C

[e1_griego]

The springs and camber made it worth it to me. CS times are pretty close, but I feel the car is tons more fun to drive with all the STX bits, especially the bushings and most assuredly the diff. I don't find myself nearly as frustrated driving it lol.

Parking lot racing never makes sense, might as well have as much fun as possible.

[justint5387]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Just look how close the C-stock cars are to STX times. All that extra money and you only get a second or two. Its the drivers that are making the biggest difference (until you get to Street Mod LOL)

If 1.5 sec to 2 sec is close to you. That's a lot of speed difference in the corners.

If you want to save money, buy a ES MR2 or Miata which will be less than 1/2 the price of a FRS and be within 1 sec.

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

ST-X:

Headers + OFT = $1000 (Car section + catback another $1000)
Mid-range coilovers and camber bolts = $1500
Front swaybar and endlinks = $300
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's plus light 17x9's = $1500

Thats $4500-5500 right there... Not including weight saving measures or beefier brakes or bushings

C-Stock:

Muffler delete = $100
Bilstein or Koni shocks = $1000
Front swaybar = $150
Brake pads and fluid = $200
RE71R's = $500

$2000 total and thats about all you can do other than hunt down some light wheels. Half the cost basically to be competitive.

You can change endlinks in CS as well. You will probably want to spend money on the TRD parts as well.