iLuveKetchup's SCCA SSC FR-S

[iLuveKetchup]

3/11/18 - Metro NY PCA at Tobay Beach

First autox of the season with Metro NY PCA at Today Beach. This was the first time out with the Falkens. They performed a lot better than expected. Keeps a good slip angle and easy to drive when I found the right pressure for my setup (32F / 30R). Will need an alignment soon as the rear camber has slipped (checked before storing the car over winter).

On a side note, I feel restricted when running with the headrest on the proper straight position. When I turned the headrest around, I feel that I can move my arms around freely and turn my head naturally to look ahead. Not sure how safe it is without the rear headrest support.

#65 SCCA SSC FRS


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFsLp17hskg&list=PLs_KdUh4o-ED9i9rL4FVfphxL_iUl_wt5&index=1&t=0s"]3/11/18 - Metro NY PCA - Tobay Beach - YouTube[/ame]

[iLuveKetchup]

3/18/18 -- MSNE Event #1

Very sloppy. I don't think I had a fast clean run all day.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjlI_ZWQ6Nk&list=PLs_KdUh4o-ED9i9rL4FVfphxL_iUl_wt5&index=2&t=0s"]3/18/18 - MSNE - Overall a bad day - YouTube[/ame]


Aftermath of smacking cones sideways.

[iLuveKetchup]

3/31/18 - NNJR Event #1

Understeer is an understatement. Odd that I didn't get any understeer when the temps were colder. This is my first time with the Falkens in warm-ish high 50* temps. There were no changes done - same alignment, sway bar , and Koni settings as last year. I'm getting terminal understeer with the Falkens where the car would rotate nicely with Nexens. I've set the front sway bar to soft as soon as I got home.

Settings for this event..

Front: -3.6* camber | 5.2 caster | 1/8th toe out | stiff bar
Rear: -1.6* camber | 1/16th toe in | soft bar

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnXltEUSQKg"]3/31/18 NNJR - Terminal Understeer - YouTube[/ame]

[iLuveKetchup]

4/1/18 - MSNE Event #2

Backed off the front sway bar to soft setting. There was a bit of midcorner / steady state understeer when the temps got warmer, but no where near as bad as yesterday. Will go full stiff on front / rear sway bar for the next event.

Got caught late in a few places. Was tight in elements where I should have taken a wider set up.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPsepCrUsHQ"]4/1/18 - MSNE Event 2 - YouTube[/ame]

[spicyricecake]

Love the new headlights. If I had a Zenki, I would have gotten a monogram 14 in white. It looks amazing.
Are you just mounting your go pro set up in the rear window? I've been trying to decide where I want it for my next event. (side vs. rear)

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by spicyricecake

Love the new headlights. If I had a Zenki, I would have gotten a monogram 14 in white. It looks amazing.
Are you just mounting your go pro set up in the rear window? I've been trying to decide where I want it for my next event. (side vs. rear)

Thanks! Yes top center of the rear window. The side works better from a single view point.

[iLuveKetchup]

4/14/18 - NNJR Event #2

The Falkens felt more comfortable after I've set the rear sway bar and front rebound to full stiff. Initially thought the car would be loose but it's not loose at all. Would actually like to have the car rotate a bit more. Will try 1/16th out in the rear as my next setting adjustment.

Settings for this event..

Front: -3.4* camber | 5.2 caster | 0 toe out | soft bar | full stiff rebound | 30psi
Rear: -2.0* camber | 1/8th toe in | stiff bar | 1-turn from full stiff rebound | 32psi

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hqlVJUuQDw"]4/14/18 - NNJR Event 2 - YouTube[/ame]

[DarkPira7e]

In to see how the Azenis wear. I run the Azenis and have found they're better with a more compliant ride. On my old E36, I had to run a factory swaybar and 26psi cold up front to get the bias I wanted. That car was quite a bit more front heavy though.

So far with the FRS I run a 28/32 f/r pressure setup on factory suspension and it plays well with the normal body roll. Once I have pro kit springs installed and maybe a new swaybar setup, we'll see if I encounter more understeer. The carcass of this tire is the most rigid I've encountered.

Great build!! I've been running Azenis on my cars for about 8 years. I'm interested to hear your thoughts as you adjust to them. Fair warning, they're bad bad greasy if you autocross in the rain compared to other 200tw

[Lincoln Logs]

Amazing alignment numbers for just camber bolts, are you running camber bolts just on the top?

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

In to see how the Azenis wear. I run the Azenis and have found they're better with a more compliant ride. On my old E36, I had to run a factory swaybar and 26psi cold up front to get the bias I wanted. That car was quite a bit more front heavy though.

So far with the FRS I run a 28/32 f/r pressure setup on factory suspension and it plays well with the normal body roll. Once I have pro kit springs installed and maybe a new swaybar setup, we'll see if I encounter more understeer. The carcass of this tire is the most rigid I've encountered.

Great build!! I've been running Azenis on my cars for about 8 years. I'm interested to hear your thoughts as you adjust to them. Fair warning, they're bad bad greasy if you autocross in the rain compared to other 200tw

I rotate the tires after three events. The wear looks good so far, but to be honest I can't say enough bad things about this tire. Only running these tires because we are forced to in SSC. It takes the fun out of the car. Instead of driver development and competing in a great class, it's turned into 'how to drive on Falkens'. It's a good teacher in patience I guess.

Originally Posted by Lincoln Logs

Amazing alignment numbers for just camber bolts, are you running camber bolts just on the top?

Yes only camber bolts. Initially I had the camber bolt on top when the SSC kit first came out, which gave me even more front camber at -3.6*. I've since placed the bolt on the bottom and maxed out at -3.4*.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

I rotate the tires after three events. The wear looks good so far, but to be honest I can't say enough bad things about this tire. Only running these tires because we are forced to in SSC. It takes the fun out of the car. Instead of driver development and competing in a great class, it's turned into 'how to drive on Falkens'. It's a good teacher in patience I guess.

I will admit, they don't communicate well at the limit. They get greasy and don't recover well from it. I enjoy their characteristics, maybe I just need to try other options like mpss or the newer star spec variants. I'm curious what else you don't like! I love hearing different opinions

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

I will admit, they don't communicate well at the limit. They get greasy and don't recover well from it. I enjoy their characteristics, maybe I just need to try other options like mpss or the newer star spec variants. I'm curious what else you don't like! I love hearing different opinions

The ultimate grip is just not there. The front tires give up way too early, leading to an understeer biased car. They do feel consistent throughout the day. Doesn't seem to fall off and get greasy. I spray water after the first run and so far so good.

(only talking about my own preference and experience)

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

The ultimate grip is just not there. The front tires give up way too early, leading to an understeer biased car. They do feel consistent throughout the day. Doesn't seem to fall off and get greasy. I spray water after the first run and so far so good.

(only talking about my own preference and experience)

Interesting, I wonder if my experience with them is different because I've never had a fully equipped autocross car. I've also used them a lot in hillclimb/mountain pass activity rather than tight autocross, so perhaps my experience is different in that regard as well.

Have you tried running even less in the front and more I'm the back to maybe lessen the front bias? It's also likely I just can't push these tires 10/10ths to find these weaknesses, haha. I really appreciate the input! I understand if this is simply fruitless conversation since you don't like the tires, but as I said, I love hearing what others have to say. Sorry if I'm derailing or whatnot.

[pitbull008]

This is great info, I have these tires being delivered to try on my newtome track/ax/street 86 and am happy to see some recommended tire pressures.