Racecomp Engineering Tarmac Springs

[forwallblakmail]

Originally Posted by feldy

@forwallblakmail have you had any issues yet with the koni yellows and the whiteline top hats?

I have been running Koni yellows whiteline top hats and rce yellow springs since April. On my 2nd set of top hats since the bearings seized and my 2nd set is also having issues.

Saturday my Koni exploded at the point where the top hat sits.

the only issuses I've had with the Whitleine top hats are the clunking noise when turning the wheel. Apparently they had a bad batch of bearings, they took care of it no problem. No other issues.

[leon78]

Subbed

[forwallblakmail]

Autocross impressions: Continued

So I just got back from the Toledo ProSolo.
I was hoping to place well in STX, but my dreams where shattered by much better drivers than I. As you can see:

I'm Nick Kelly by the way. Wayyyy down at the bottom.

http://sololive.scca.com/STX.html


I was the only FRZ at in the class without either KWV3's or Ground Control coilovers. Entering a national level event on a spring and strut combo in STX is suicide.
In addition to this disadvantage, I was running the stock tune. The car has only a catback exhaust and TRD intake box. All the other FRZ's had EcuTek, some even on E85.

That all being said, I think the fact that my times where at least in the realm of the mid-60's (combined) was pretty cool despite the cars huge disadvantages.

Koni setup:
I had to fiddle with the Koni's quite a bit to get them dialed in from using the stock springs. In the end, I found that a half turn towards stiff up front and full soft in the rear was the best setup I've used so far.
I'm headed to Wilmington Ohio for the national tour event this Friday and I may turn up the rear struts a hair and see if that dials out some of the understeer.

Sway bar setup:
Originally running the car in stock class, I had a Cusco 20mm front sway. When I added the Tarmac springs the increased rate in the rear overpowered the small front bar, so I ordered a larger 25mm adjustable hollow bar from RCE. Adjusted to the "soft" setting, the car settled back down and the results where phenominal.

Locally this car has yet to be beat in STX.
That being said to compete at a national level, coilovers are almost a must if you want a chance at the top 3. The spring rated the fastest guys where running had almost 100lbs on the Tarmacs. But for a lowering spring designed to work with a normal perched strut, there is no subsitute.

I will add additonal impressions when I return from Wilmington Ohio's National Tour this coming weekend.

Club Trials:
August 25th I will be attending a Club Trial (time attack) at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Beaver Falls, PA. Last time I was there I had stock springs and Koni's and ran a 1:12 I will provide a full track review and impression, as well as video after that event.


I would recommend this spring to anyone wanting an afforadable, decently competitive setup with either Bilsteins or Koni's.

The quality of these springs is unmatched to anything I have used in the past or have installed on customers cars when I worked in the industry.

This is as good as it gets without coilovers.

However being within seconds of the top runners at the ProSolo, I will be saving pennys, selling myself, and doing dirty things to eventually buy a set of Tarmac coilovers from RCE.

*At ProSolo, I was running 245 BFG Rivals on 17x8 RPF1's.

-Nick

[feldy]

Nice Write up.

I run STX as well running the Koni yellow,RCE yellow and Whiteline top hats. Camber bolts ect. Stock sway bars. I have a 3rd set of replacement top hats coming in as both sets have went bad.

The car feels very good though. I have been running the konis on a half turn from full stiff front and rear. I have -2.5 degrees of camber up front and -1.9 in the back and about 6.5 degrees of caster up front as well. Tire wise I have been running the rs3s 245 on a 9inch rim. Running pressure wise 28 up front and 25 26 rear. Car feels really stable.

[forwallblakmail]

Wilmington National Tour (8/3,8/4)

Results were better this weekend than the ones from the ProSolo

Everything on the car was the same as Toledo

One thing I noticed at Toledo was the car was pushing at the limit. I was still trying to dial in the struts, and I added the bigger front bar.

As soon as I got to the Wilmington site Friday evening, I turned the rear Koni's up one quarter of a turn up from full soft.
The result made the car an absolute animal in slaloms. No understeer what so ever. I'd say the car is perfect, or as good as its going to get.

I finished 11th out of 18. Still not great, but again, all the cars head of me had about 100lbs of springrate, power, 9" wheels and loads more experience.

August 25th I'll be running a time trial (SCCA) at Pitt Race. Full track review will come next.

[forwallblakmail]

Originally Posted by feldy

Nice Write up.

I run STX as well running the Koni yellow,RCE yellow and Whiteline top hats. Camber bolts ect. Stock sway bars. I have a 3rd set of replacement top hats coming in as both sets have went bad.

The car feels very good though. I have been running the konis on a half turn from full stiff front and rear. I have -2.5 degrees of camber up front and -1.9 in the back and about 6.5 degrees of caster up front as well. Tire wise I have been running the rs3s 245 on a 9inch rim. Running pressure wise 28 up front and 25 26 rear. Car feels really stable.

I'm about sick of dealing with the tophats. Mine are clicking again.

I want to try the RS3 next year, but may go to a 225 because I want to focus on tracking the car more than autocross.

[forwallblakmail]

Crappy cell phone video of Wilmington.

http://s117.photobucket.com/user/for...cdc0e.mp4.html

[forwallblakmail]

I forgot to put pressures I'm running the Rivals:
32 all around. Best I've tested so far. Really looking forward to the time trials with these.
@feldy do you have any rear camber adjust (bushings, etc..) or is that where you ended up after the springs?

[feldy]

Originally Posted by forwallblakmail

I forgot to put pressures I'm running the Rivals:
32 all around. Best I've tested so far. Really looking forward to the time trials with these.
@feldy do you have any rear camber adjust (bushings, etc..) or is that where you ended up after the springs?

Nope I have camber bushings but they are not installed.

This is my current alignment as it sits.

[forwallblakmail]

Added HVT camber plates. Club trials in 2 weeks. 1:12 at PIRC is the benchmark.

More to come.

[forwallblakmail]

Pics from the Wilmington National Tour.
Credit autoxpix.com

[OICU812]

Very good report. And not to take this too far off topic and maybe more directed to RCE but. The thought of these springs and tailored Bilstein is interesting. Allow me to ask a noob question...

When these Bilstein are released with these springs is that meant to use your stock perches etc or will that package be sold as a non adjustable pre set pack for the twins, like several coilovers packages now sold?

[TouchMyHonda]

I have been pondering konis... And several other options. I enjoyed your write up mr black mail.

[forwallblakmail]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Very good report. And not to take this too far off topic and maybe more directed to RCE but. The thought of these springs and tailored Bilstein is interesting. Allow me to ask a noob question...

When these Bilstein are released with these springs is that meant to use your stock perches etc or will that package be sold as a non adjustable pre set pack for the twins, like several coilovers packages now sold?

-This is all educated speculation-
I do believe the Bilsteins will be pre set damping. They will be normal struts (theoretically you can run your stock springs with them even) Look at what RCE already offers for the LGT and GR WRX.

The Bilsteins will likely be awesome. If I had a choice I would have them instead of the Koni's. Th Koni's are adjustable, so finding the right setting takes time. You're messing with suspension voodoo, and my kung-fu is only so strong. Plus I'm lazy...like REALLY lazy. I'd rather have a "bolt on and go" suspension. No adjustment, just your driving style.

Don't get me wrong, the Koni+tarmac is INSANELY good. I know there is alot of time left out there just in adjustment.