Next Upgrade?

[Luftmeister]

Hi Everyone,

I run about 10 events per season, plus a couple of HPDE. I daily drive the car in warm weather only. I have fun when I AutoX and want to be competitive, but I'm not going to nationals...

Currently, I have:
17x9 Rota DPT with Direzza Z2 245/45-17

What is my next upgrade? I do have the budget (barely) for KW Variant 3 but if there are other things I can/should do first, I'd certainly entertain it. (Bars, bushings, etc)

That would certainly erase the remaining mod budget for this season.

If there is also a more economical coilover which is close to the KW3 all the better.

Thanks,

-Jim

[frslee]

Choice of your spring + koni dampers?

[fooddude]

I've been reading nothing but great things about Fortune Auto 500/510

But, be advised, like Mike said... It could be a case of 'the Story of the Frog in the Well' ...but, great praise nonetheless and affordable.

I'd really love to hear more opinions/experiences about FA coilovers on this track/autox-focused board particularly (vs the suspension board, which is a heavy mix of dd/comfort-focus interest).

[Luftmeister]

Well, so long as I don't LOSE performance over stock. I've known people who have certainly fallen into that well. I'm a function over form guy.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by Luftmeister

Hi Everyone,

I run about 10 events per season, plus a couple of HPDE. I daily drive the car in warm weather only. I have fun when I AutoX and want to be competitive, but I'm not going to nationals...

Currently, I have:
17x9 Rota DPT with Direzza Z2 245/45-17

What is my next upgrade? I do have the budget (barely) for KW Variant 3 but if there are other things I can/should do first, I'd certainly entertain it. (Bars, bushings, etc)

That would certainly erase the remaining mod budget for this season.

If there is also a more economical coilover which is close to the KW3 all the better.

Thanks,

-Jim

Run stock and figure out ways to get more camber. Learn how to drive your car and figure out what your car really needs. Without proper dialing, the KW V3 may be a limitation rather than an enhancement. If you plan to be competitive as well, you'll want more than a KW V3 setup. Look into brake pads, good tires, and camber adjustable setups. Also, find out what class you want to run in. This will help dictate your car's setup as well.

In other words, maximize current setup rather than buying random parts thinking it'll make you go faster.

[forwallblakmail]

Don't underestimate the stock suspension.

[Luftmeister]

Originally Posted by CSG David

Run stock and figure out ways to get more camber. Learn how to drive your car and figure out what your car really needs. Without proper dialing, the KW V3 may be a limitation rather than an enhancement. If you plan to be competitive as well, you'll want more than a KW V3 setup. Look into brake pads, good tires, and camber adjustable setups. Also, find out what class you want to run in. This will help dictate your car's setup as well.

In other words, maximize current setup rather than buying random parts thinking it'll make you go faster.

Thanks David, sound advice. I certainly don't want to simply throw money at it since tightening the nut behind the wheel is always the first step. I would probably say this is going to be an STX car, but I do it mostly for fun.

Aside from camber plates how does one get more camber out of this car? I'll admit I liked the suggestion regarding the Fortune Auto 500's because it seemed to fit the bill and allows me to add camber.

I should have mentioned that I did swap the fluid out for Super Blue and do have a set of Ferodo DS2500 Pads which I used on for the HPDE lapping.

Thanks,

-Jim

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I've been reading nothing but great things about Fortune Auto 500/510

But, be advised, like Mike said... It could be a case of 'the Story of the Frog in the Well' ...but, great praise nonetheless and affordable.

I'd really love to hear more opinions/experiences about FA coilovers on this track/autox-focused board particularly (vs the suspension board, which is a heavy mix of dd/comfort-focus interest).

well, soon you'll hear about my review on them since I recently ordered my FA 500 with 9k/9k swift springs and radial bearing upgrades

[fooddude]

@glamcem: Nice!! I look forward to your write-up ...especially since I am considering which rates to go with - f/r, 8/8, 8/9, 9/9, 10/10 or 10/11 ...9/9 sounds like a great all-rounder and in-between

[TrqlessWonder]

Originally Posted by Luftmeister

Thanks David, sound advice. I certainly don't want to simply throw money at it since tightening the nut behind the wheel is always the first step. I would probably say this is going to be an STX car, but I do it mostly for fun.

Aside from camber plates how does one get more camber out of this car? I'll admit I liked the suggestion regarding the Fortune Auto 500's because it seemed to fit the bill and allows me to add camber.

Check out the C-Street discussion thread. By all means, do your own research, but the cheapest way to add camber is right there on page one. The factory crash bolts. I think mine were $15, shipped. It'll get you some negative, just not as much as plates can.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by CSG David

Run stock and figure out ways to get more camber. Learn how to drive your car and figure out what your car really needs. Without proper dialing, the KW V3 may be a limitation rather than an enhancement. If you plan to be competitive as well, you'll want more than a KW V3 setup. Look into brake pads, good tires, and camber adjustable setups. Also, find out what class you want to run in. This will help dictate your car's setup as well.

In other words, maximize current setup rather than buying random parts thinking it'll make you go faster.

(I didn't mean to threadjack, but..)

So, I already got camber bolts + rear LCA's, with -1.25F/-1.5R camber. Should I get camber plates instead and push my settings to -2.5-ish on the stock suspension, or get coils which might also do that AND also lower my COG?

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by fooddude

@glamcem: Nice!! I look forward to your write-up ...especially since I am considering which rates to go with - f/r, 8/8, 8/9, 9/9, 10/10 or 10/11 ...9/9 sounds like a great all-rounder and in-between

Sure no problem, I was advised to use 10k/10k for my specific setup as my car will see 15-20 HPDE this year but since this will also be my DD and I was initially thinking to get 8k/8k I figured 9k/9k would be a nice middle ground ..

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

(I didn't mean to threadjack, but..)

So, I already got camber bolts + rear LCA's, with -1.25F/-1.5R camber. Should I get camber plates instead and push my settings to -2.5-ish on the stock suspension, or get coils which might also do that AND also lower my COG?

Learn how to control the weight transfer and you can use the settings to your advantage. Getting coilovers in the future means you will probably have camber plates on them to achieve your desired alignment setting. @CSG Mike was running 2:07s at CVR in the CW configuration in December using stock tires and crash bolts (installed morning of) with the JRSC kit. It also means everybody else has room for improvement.