Suspension Choices

[ayyyypex]

Hey guys hope everyones day is going well.

Im looking to buy suspension which is good for the track (i dont care about how low i can go, stance or any of that) im looking for something i can purchase now and use for a while till my driving experience is at a point where i can upgrade to something better. The car is driven on the street, but sees the track through the season. Im competing in time attack. Ride quality for street driving doesnt matter to me, just want something oriented for the track. Budget for now is around 1800 Cad, give or take. Either coils or a koni setup. I dont know much about suspension which is why im asking you guys, especially because some of you have experience with different brands and setups.

Car is stock motor wise but will see boost in the next year. I want something which i can be using for a while, not looking to have to upgrade multiple times. Ive seen BC Racing, HKS, Bilstein, ST, KW, etc. Just not sure on which ones i should pull the trigger.

Thanks.

[G_Ride]

Why not just gain experience with the stock suspension then? That way, you can save more money and you can afford something really nice by that point.

[strat61caster]

+1 most budget coils aren't significantly better, the only reason to change to something else would be because you're running tires too sticky for stock suspension, so what tires do you plan on running?

I'd rather buy camber plates and LCA's for stock suspension than coilovers, but that's just me, and might not fit in the rules. Maybe lowering springs plus full alignment goodies might be the best use of your money.

[ayyyypex]

Originally Posted by G_Ride

Why not just gain experience with the stock suspension then? That way, you can save more money and you can afford something really nice by that point.

Good point. Guess ill get more seat time with the stock setup and upgrade next year. Thanks

Originally Posted by strat61caster

+1 most budget coils aren't significantly better, the only reason to change to something else would be because you're running tires too sticky for stock suspension, so what tires do you plan on running?

I'd rather buy camber plates and LCA's for stock suspension than coilovers, but that's just me, and might not fit in the rules. Maybe lowering springs plus full alignment goodies might be the best use of your money.

Havnt chosen tires yet, and im going to look into that and see if the rules allow for that. Thanks guys.

[renfield90]

Yep, the stock setup is great for the track while you're still learning the car and plenty of fun too. Maybe add a stiffer front sway bar if you find the car tail happy on corner exit. Have fun!

[Captain Snooze]

Related to the budget is the fact that you've only mentioned brands. That is, within one brand prices and quality can vary a lot. Tien, for example, make coilovers from $500 to $14k. I suspect that the cheap units are not in the same ballpark as the expensive units. KW V1 are not the same as their Clubsport 3 way.

[Gforce]

All this car really needs for initial forays onto the track is a stiffer front anti roll bar. Try a 20 mm front bar, cheap, easy to fit and effective. If you think you might eventually want more roll stiffness fit a 22 mm adjustable front bar. Set it to the softer position , end hole in the bar. After a few sessions, set it to the stiffer position. Then decide if an adjustable 16 mm rear bar should be added. If you're adding power through boosting then do not try to increase rear roll stiffness, it won't work.

Then add more tire.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

You haven't mentioned a budget.
Related to the budget is the fact that you've only mentioned brands. That is, within one brand prices and quality can vary a lot. Tien, for example, make coilovers from $500 to $14k. I suspect that the cheap units are not in the same ballpark as the expensive units. KW V1 are not the same as their Clubsport 3 way.

He put 1800 CAD in the OP...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ayyyypex

Good point. Guess ill get more seat time with the stock setup and upgrade next year. Thanks



Havnt chosen tires yet, and im going to look into that and see if the rules allow for that. Thanks guys.

Excellent decision. Changing for the sake of changing without knowing why is not a great move. Just let the car grow with your driving skills.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by ayyyypex

Hey guys hope everyones day is going well.

Im looking to buy suspension which is good for the track (i dont care about how low i can go, stance or any of that) im looking for something i can purchase now and use for a while till my driving experience is at a point where i can upgrade to something better. The car is driven on the street, but sees the track through the season. Im competing in time attack. Ride quality for street driving doesnt matter to me, just want something oriented for the track. Budget for now is around 1800 Cad, give or take. Either coils or a koni setup. I dont know much about suspension which is why im asking you guys, especially because some of you have experience with different brands and setups.

Car is stock motor wise but will see boost in the next year. I want something which i can be using for a while, not looking to have to upgrade multiple times. Ive seen BC Racing, HKS, Bilstein, ST, KW, etc. Just not sure on which ones i should pull the trigger.

Thanks.

I am in a similar situation. My car is classed for NASA TTE (its a points based class). I used them as follow:

1) Better tires (Azeni+ in stock size since anything wider or running RE71R etc I take more points)
2) Adding camber!! This is a free mod. Car comes to life with front camber. I tried the crash bolts and it was not enough (-1.5) with bottom bolts its at -2.5 and its a must (possibly the biggest gain you will see bang for buck not including better tire wear).
3) My car came with the TRD springs so I cant compare to stock but I can tell you that it helps with more camber especially at the back (static).
4) Got TRD bars installed and am taking the stock rear bar with me next time I go for test/tune on the track.
5) OFT Stage 1 flash since its a free mod in my class.

So I am pretty much done with the max rules for now. Is the car tossable, fun at the limit, manageable (rotate on demand), yes.

Just a suggestion, try the camber and better tires first and take baby steps. If you intend to get suspension, dont get the street stuff and save for the motorsport ones especially if you are in time trial series. I have my eyes on the MCS Doubles with remote but am waiting for the rules change with NASA TT for next year (hence running in a lower class this year).

I have tracked/raced on other cars with streetable shocks (Clubsport etc.) and with race suspension such as JRZ/MCS/Ohlins before and after and the difference is pretty pronounced. Especially in the rain! Will you beat the competition by a long shot, no but every 10th here and there adds up.

Once you differentiate between DE (open track) and TT (or building for a series), its best to do it once and do it right rather than upgrading later (false economics).

Lutfy

[Icecreamtruk]

Which time attack series are you going to participate in? Maybe I can help you prepare for it. This is my third year in time attack (altho first year was just testing the waters) and building around what regulations allow can really make the difference. Biggest mod is still driver mod but knowing the rules could help towards recommending something or something else. What I cannot stress enough, get camber, both front and rear. Whatever you spend on camber plates + LCA you will save by actually using your tires instead of cording the outside with 90% thread on the inside. -3 up front and -2 in the rear is the minimum I would do for track usage.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

He put 1800 CAD in the OP...

Ah... my bad. "CAD" didn't register. The missing "$" gets me every time.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Gforce

All this car really needs for initial forays onto the track is a stiffer front anti roll bar. Try a 20 mm front bar, cheap, easy to fit and effective. If you think you might eventually want more roll stiffness fit a 22 mm adjustable front bar. Set it to the softer position , end hole in the bar. After a few sessions, set it to the stiffer position. Then decide if an adjustable 16 mm rear bar should be added. If you're adding power through boosting then do not try to increase rear roll stiffness, it won't work.

Then add more tire.

IMO, leave the bars alone until you have enough experience to know how you want to adjust the balance.

For the first couple track days just get better pads/fluid, and maybe camber bolts maxed out up front.