whataboutbob's firestorm build

[whataboutbob]

Just noticed @GrimmSpeed linked to my Youtube video of their hood strut review:

http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=258

[colHolm]

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

No AutoX events yet, this weekend will be the first.

Driving around on the street is INSANE! These things are GRIPPY.

Glad to hear it. I'm looking forward to your imressions post-event.

[ayau]

Do the fenders rub with your 245 setup?

[whataboutbob]

@ayau

No. Did my first AutoX practice event today on them and had no issues. Daily driven them for 5+ days 80+ miles a day, and to the Torrance meet too.

[whataboutbob]

Sat practice was tough. Lots of tight turns and rapid accel then braking. My fastest time was 70.995. I was prob off 10 seconds or so from the fastest "streetable" cars out there. Tires were great in the slalom, and if I'd been braking correctly the tight turns prob wouldn't have been so painful.

Sun race included some nice changes in the course. Not so much tight turns, instead a few more open/sweeper stuff. More my style. Raced STX and X, and then did 6 more fun runs at the end of the day.

STX was 7 deep. 1st run conservative, 2nd run more aggressive @52.023, good for 1st after that run. 10 year AutoXer came back on his 3rd run to better my time by 0.356. My 3rd was a DNF, and 4th couldn't match my 2nd run time. Total of 3 FR-S/BRZs, 2 Impreza WRX, and some old 240SX driven by a 10 year AutoX vet that kicked all of our asses.

X runs are always faster for me, guess I know the course as you do them after your class runs (in my case STX). Went out hot and pulled a 52.088, then a 51.338 and 51.342 right after that. Either of those times would have given me 1st in STX. At least I know that if I drive the car right I can be FAST. Got a sneak peek at the results tonight at the SDR SCCA board meeting and I got 4th in X (edit, not STX) behind Jeff Hawthorne (FR-S in CS/RTR), Peter Bollenbecker, and Carl Miller. Pretty sure Jeff is a multi-time nat champ AutoXer and Peter (WRX STI in STU) and Carl (Integra Type R in SMF) are some of the fastest out there in SD for street cars.

Car handled much better on the race course. I also was braking properly which lead to the fast, fun runs. The slalom sections were amazing, car just tacked perfectly back and forth through the cones. Even in the tight turns I don't remember the rear end coming out at all. Car just sticks, unless you do something stupid and start plowing the front end.

They also do a PAX where they rate everyone against each other with a scaling factor. I got 43 out of 160. Not too shabby.

Oh yeah, I did 36psi all around on Sat, and 40 front 34 rear on Sunday. Sunday's pressures seemed better.

Got in on the practice list for Sat in El Toro, and am also in for the Competition Sun there. Should be interesting running with the LA crew.

Future events:

SD Nats: https://www.motorsportreg.com/index....AD0A666C527C0F

Next Sat in El Toro: https://www.motorsportreg.com/index....40357EE92B314A

Next Sun in El Toro: https://www.motorsportreg.com/index....0D4A232F51852C

B

[Huehuecoyotl]

bob, you sound like a fun guy to hang with-fun reading your posts!

Keep it up, good 'work'

I plan to come out to cali to play with you guys on your tracks once my build is done!

[whataboutbob]

Made the Whiteline FB page: http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage...50424192&r=111

[whataboutbob]

More Whiteline Flatout goodness for the FR-S! 16mm rear sway, front STB, COMCs, rear subframe inserts, adj rear camber kit, and rear diff bushings.

[whataboutbob]

Bolted up the front strut tower bar and rear sway bar tonight. Was going to post a DIY but I'm beat and I've got the SCCA El Toro event tomorrow. I'm caravaning up with Jonathan Lugod and have to meet him a 6AM in Oceanside.

I owe Whiteline and any of your who are interested more details on these parts. Hopefully sometime this weekend...

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

Bolted up the front strut tower bar and rear sway bar tonight. Was going to post a DIY but I'm beat and I've got the SCCA El Toro event tomorrow. I'm caravaning up with Jonathan Lugod and have to meet him a 6AM in Oceanside.

I owe Whiteline and any of your who are interested more details on these parts. Hopefully sometime this weekend...

I'm interested. Came from Mustangs and M3. I know a CRAP ton about them, but very little about suspension in the FR-S. You drink beer by chance? Any chance I could buy you a couple beers in exchange for picking your brain for a couple hours?

[whataboutbob]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

I'm interested. Came from Mustangs and M3. I know a CRAP ton about them, but very little about suspension in the FR-S. You drink beer by chance? Any chance I could buy you a couple beers in exchange for picking your brain for a couple hours?

Beer - hell ya, drinking one right now.

PM me and we can figure it out. Maybe we can go for a drive before tipping a beer or two.

:happy0180:

[whataboutbob]

One of 5 great photos from last weekend. More at lateapexphoto.com.

[whataboutbob]

Shots from Mar 3rd in SD taken by Larry H. from lateapexphoto.com.

[whataboutbob]

Fast AutoX courses this weekend in SD. Saw a few people arrived from out of the area to practice for the SCCA Solo tour stop at the end of the month.

Took 4 of 9 in STX. Not bad considering that 1&3 were fast LA area drivers and 2 has been kicking my A** all year.

STX times:

56.720
56.905
57.197
56.613

X run times:

56.274
56.501
56.451
55.582

Here's a decent video of Sunday's course from another driver:

[ame]http://youtu.be/Yio370b-3G0[/ame]

Whiteline 16mm rear adj sway with adj endlinks has really made a nice change in the car. SO planted. Easy to rotate when needed. Thanks @Whiteline!

Oh yeah, @Supermassive stopped by today for a bit. Nice to meet you in person, your car looks great! That turbo setup is impressive looking.