Let's discuss SCCA Stock Class

[xwd]

Hi Tom, I know you have the Strano bar installed, have you had any issues with it shifting at all and are you using any type of collar? The stock bar uses collars and the Whiteline bar comes with them.

I also re-weighed the stock bar and Strano bar on a better scale and with bushings they are almost identical in weight. The Whiteline bar is still about 1.5lbs heavier than either one.

In the end the Whiteline bar and Strano are about the same stiffness, so it comes down to whether you want the ability to adjust the stiffness depending on the surface. Or it may be best to use the Strano bar due to weight and stiffness and then just use shocks to adjust for surface. Decisions decisions. Good thing our first event of the year is a test and tune.

Given how little wear I saw on the A6s I am expecting them to die from heat cycling before I cord them or wear them too much, especially rotating/flipping them.

[ABQautoxer]

I didnt run mine long enough to have it shift around. On most bars I just put a piece of coolant hose around the bar and hold it on with a hose clamp to make my own collars. The BRZ went back to stock, long story there that's a bit off topic.

The Strano Parts 22mm hollow bar is heavier than originally planned because he ended up going to a stiffer wall thickness after testing it on his STX car. However I do think it's stiff enough that either will work for us. As you know, if you buy from Sam, you get his technical support which I've found handy. For others, full disclosure is Sam and I are friends, we are on the SAC together, but we became friends after being a very pleased customers for years. So a little biased but for good reason IMO.

Keep in mind Whiteline tends to dumb down the adjustment range, their range isn't as broad as it sounds - do the match yourself to verify. However either will be around what I think is a good start for RTR or CS. Much better than without IMO.

[-max-]

I've got the Strano bar and think it feels great. Makes the car limits a lot higher, but also more balanced. Rear end still comes out but not at every turn of the wheel like stock. Guess this will also depend on your alignment.
Only have one event on it and that was 45 degrees and raining, but it felt good.

[xwd]

Originally Posted by ABQautoxer

I didnt run mine long enough to have it shift around. On most bars I just put a piece of coolant hose around the bar and hold it on with a hose clamp to make my own collars. The BRZ went back to stock, long story there that's a bit off topic.

The Strano Parts 22mm hollow bar is heavier than originally planned because he ended up going to a stiffer wall thickness after testing it on his STX car. However I do think it's stiff enough that either will work for us. As you know, if you buy from Sam, you get his technical support which I've found handy. For others, full disclosure is Sam and I are friends, we are on the SAC together, but we became friends after being a very pleased customers for years. So a little biased but for good reason IMO.

Keep in mind Whiteline tends to dumb down the adjustment range, their range isn't as broad as it sounds - do the match yourself to verify. However either will be around what I think is a good start for RTR or CS. Much better than without IMO.

Yeah in the end I'm hoping I have enough time at our first test and tune to try one bar in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Usually Whiteline is pretty good about providing exact stiffness specs if you email them, I emailed them Friday and I'm just waiting to hear back from them.

[jdrxb9]

Originally Posted by ABQautoxer

You'll want that 22mm hollow on either car IMO. Because of the front and rear end design of this car it need it to put power down in tight corners, camber save on the front, and have the better balance at higher speeds.

ditto

I ran the Cusco 20mm bar most of last seaon and everyone who drove it (several very quick drivers, including P5 in RTR at nats) thought it was still a bit 'loose'.

[xwd]

Good to know. Trying to do some parking lot testing this weekend maybe if the weather stays clear.

I finally got around to weighing my wheels/tires, the Velox PG-5S with the 245/40/17 A6s weighed right at 36lbs so about 24lbs less total than stock.

[ABQautoxer]

Originally Posted by jdrxb9

ditto

I ran the Cusco 20mm bar most of last seaon and everyone who drove it (several very quick drivers, including P5 in RTR at nats) thought it was still a bit 'loose'.

You might want to think about your rear toe. That 20mm solid isn't much softer than the 22mm hollow with thick tubing just the 22 is lighter.

[xwd]

The Cusco is rated at 74% stiffer than stock, Sam's 22mm is rated at 85%.

[jdrxb9]

Originally Posted by ABQautoxer

You might want to think about your rear toe. That 20mm solid isn't much softer than the 22mm hollow with thick tubing just the 22 is lighter.

After nats, I dialed the toe back to only 0.11/0.12 deg L/R and it did seem to help a bit. Right now I'd say it is getting close to good. The theoretical calcs say the 20mm cusco is 152% of stock and Sam's hollow 22mm is 186%, so I'm hoping the 22 will do it.

[Kido1986]

Im jealous of you all; I want/need my front sway bar

[ayau]

Originally Posted by dwx

Good to know. Trying to do some parking lot testing this weekend maybe if the weather stays clear.

I finally got around to weighing my wheels/tires, the Velox PG-5S with the 245/40/17 A6s weighed right at 36lbs so about 24lbs less total than stock.

Can you explain your math?

OEM wheels with tires weigh about 40lbs.

40 - 36 = 4

4 x 4 = 16lbs savings

[ABQautoxer]

Just a note, I think you are using calcs from his site which I think he did before he increased the wall thickness just a touch. Sam knows for sure. But my original point is the 20mm solid/22mm solid should be in the range of what you need so I would consider more toe-in if you feel like the car is loose, not less.

[GTB/ZR-1]

Originally Posted by ayau

Can you explain your math?

OEM wheels with tires weigh about 40lbs.

40 - 36 = 4

4 x 4 = 16lbs savings

He has a Tyrell version... lol

[jdrxb9]

Originally Posted by jdrxb9

After nats, I dialed the toe back to only 0.11/0.12 deg L/R

Originally Posted by ABQautoxer

Just a note, I think you are using calcs from his site which I think he did before he increased the wall thickness just a touch. Sam knows for sure. But my original point is the 20mm solid/22mm solid should be in the range of what you need so I would consider more toe-in if you feel like the car is loose, not less.

After my first couple events, I added a lot (0.26/0.27 deg L/R) of rear toe in and the cusco bar at the same time. It was a lot better than stock, but probably not ideal. After nats, a couple folks suggested maybe the toe was excessive and with winter coming and only a few events left, I decided to try less. (btw, Stock was 0.14/0.18 deg L/R) Only the better half and I have driven it this way, but we both prefer this setup vs any previous. I fully admit that optimal may be somewhere in between.