Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by bigbcraig

Ok Mike, got a bit of a curveball for you-

I've been autocrossing for about 6 years now, and currently run an AP1 S2000 in B street class (very nearly stock). I also daily drive a 2015 WRX.

I moved at the beginning of the year and now have poor access to autocross but much better access to HPDE/track days, so those are starting to take a bit of a priority for me.

I've run 2 days of HPDE in the WRX and other than brake pads (stoptech street performance) getting significantly glazed over, it took it like a champ. But, its my daily that I'd rather not modify much and otherwise don't want to ptlut it into a wall.

What are your thoughts about an early FRS/BRZ for a replacement to the S2000 and dual purpose autox/track car? I think Ive read in the thread you actually own a '15 WRX and have significant S2000 experience. Would the twins leave me wanting more? I'm very attracted to having a newish, stiff platform with such low weight.

I'd also be interested in hearing other ideas for track cars - but, to make things harder, I need quite a bit of headroom at my height which makes a miata or S2000 significantly comprimised comfort and streetability wise to meet 'broomstick rule'

Thanks!

I actually own all 3 cars in your post.

Why not track the S2000 first? Do your local tracks REQUIRE you to have a roll bar? Have you considered just putting a rollbar in your S2000?

[bigbcraig]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I actually own all 3 cars in your post.

Why not track the S2000 first? Do your local tracks REQUIRE you to have a roll bar? Have you considered just putting a rollbar in your S2000?

On the books, the clubs I run with require being able to lass a broomstick test. In practice, people are able to run being taller than their rollbars.

From a personal standpoint, though, I don't love the lack of "safety room" in the S.

The only S2k ive sat in and met broomstick (barely) has evo2's bolted to the floor and a custom height RSG roll bar that just exactly fit under the guy's hardtop skin (cf mugen rep) - so too tall for the soft top to work which kinda kills the S2k being a fun street car for me.

FRS's have another 1-2" everywhere around my legs and knees, more modern impact structure, and even 100% stock some clearance to a helmet - so with a bucket and rear roll bar I'd feel quite safe and comfortable which is pretty big for me.

It probably doesnt help that this was the ridealong I got at the end of my first HPDE:

[EAGLE5]

If you want safety, get a used, quality-fully-caged car with HANS. It'll be cheaper than a twin and safer on the track. Then you don't need a roll bar on the S2000 for the street. If you want to go cheap, drop your S2000 seat before adding a roll bar. Maybe swap to a race seat. Depending on your height, build, and how you adjust the seat, it may be enough to pass the stick.

[bigbcraig]

Even with a race seat, I'd need a roll bar tall enough the soft top can't fold over it to meet broomstick.

Buying a caged car is definitely safest and best way to go to the track, but IMO an exceedingly bad idea on the street. If I could own as many vehicles as possible, I'd have a truck and trailer and caged beater in addition to DD and S2k but wife and driveway space arent gonna let that happen.

So, I'm looking for a dual-purpose car, ideally lightweight RWD but with a little more room inside than the S2k. OR, I could just run my WRX but it could never from a practicality standpoint get seat/roll bar / HANS which is definitely the right direction to go

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I do. They're not my top choice in pad though; the modulation range is rather small.

How about trying a set of R18?

That's good to know, thanks.

Are the R18's significantly better than the R12?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

That's good to know, thanks.

Are the R18's significantly better than the R12?

In terms of bite? Huge increase.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

In terms of bite? Huge increase.

Durability wise? I know they're supposed to deal with heat better...

I would appreciate the extra bite though, the pedal pressure is fairly high for hard braking on the R12.

[OND]

My steering wheel is not centered (~10 degrees off) after a wet trackday with lots of drift attempts and fails (several trips onto the grass). The car doesnt pull or show any weird behavior, I actually checked my videos and saw that it happened earlier in the day, so I had lots of track driving with off center steering without noticing significant handling changes. Already scheduled an alignment, but wondering if you guys can provide some insight about possible failure points.

I am hoping nothing is bent and it is just some slipped eccentric bolts etc.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Durability wise? I know they're supposed to deal with heat better...

I would appreciate the extra bite though, the pedal pressure is fairly high for hard braking on the R12.

The heat capacity is higher, but not by a TON; the real answer for capacity is BBK.

It may be enough to get you the bite you want though.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The heat capacity is higher, but not by a TON; the real answer for capacity is BBK.

It may be enough to get you the bite you want though.

Bleh. Cheaper to do Essex Parts' AP kit for the RS, I think. I'm tired of messing with mediocre factory brakes.

That said... I paid $124 each for new 4 pot brembos for the RS, lol

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Bleh. Cheaper to do Essex Parts' AP kit for the RS, I think. I'm tired of messing with mediocre factory brakes.

That said... I paid $124 each for new 4 pot brembos for the RS, lol

We can help you with that

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

We can help you with that

Not street class legal for autocross, unfortunately. The RS hasn't been classed for ST* classes yet either I really want to get a tune and other odds and ends, but oh well

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Not street class legal for autocross, unfortunately. The RS hasn't been classed for ST* classes yet either I really want to get a tune and other odds and ends, but oh well

I know that pain... I'm still waiting on the 17 BRZ/86 too.

[Prmspen]

I have a question about sway bars. Last season I ran several C Street autocross events in by bone stock BRZ. I was fighting understeer the whole time. I want to set my car up as best I can for C Street (or D Street, if the BRZ ends up in that class) in 2017. Obviously I'll get rims and tires. Since I can also swap out one sway bar, I'm looking into options. Seems like most people go for a stiffer front bar, but I read that a stiffer front bar increases understeer.

Does a stiffer front bar increase understeer? Given that I'm prone to understeer already, would I be better off considering a stiffer rear bar instead?