Auto X setup

[finch1750]

I run RCE Yellows. They are good matches to stock dampers. There is also the Swift spec R and RCE Tarmacs. There is a little debate if those are too stiff for stock dampers, but people run them and seem to like them.

[MichaelCorleone]

i actually would be running stock suspension, but the person that had the car before me saw fit to put Tein H tech springs on the car, which everyone has told me are trash. my best experience with springs was with Eibach Sportline springs, they rode super stiff, but the car handled great. I have been advised by Dynosty here in Louisville to go with H&R springs if not coils yet which was my whole reason for that brand. ive personally never had experience with it. Ill scrap the strut bars if they wont help, and the car is getting tuned DIRECTLY after applying these modifications. so the AFR will be adjusted accordingly. After reading a few build threads on here and elsewhere tonight, i think I am going to be going with Enkei RPF1 17x9+45s all the way around with 245/40 on it...seems to be a successful setup, plus those rims are only 15 lbs/rim, which is nuts! I have just previously had an injen intake and was happy with it, what intake brand would you recommend?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by MichaelCorleone

Believe it or not stx is suicide period. There are extremely seasoned driver's running cars that they have been dialing in for years in stx in KYSCCA. They usually run top 3 under a mod

This is illogical.

STX pax is more favorable for your proposed setup than SM for overall placement.

Unless of course you want to avoid a dog fight (class championship) in STX and seek more favorable class positions in SM.

You say your Genesis was in SM... so you should know full well just how much you can do in that class! Or is SM in your region not as strong?

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by MichaelCorleone

i actually would be running stock suspension, but the person that had the car before me saw fit to put Tein H tech springs on the car, which everyone has told me are trash. my best experience with springs was with Eibach Sportline springs, they rode super stiff, but the car handled great. I have been advised by Dynosty here in Louisville to go with H&R springs if not coils yet which was my whole reason for that brand. ive personally never had experience with it. Ill scrap the strut bars if they wont help, and the car is getting tuned DIRECTLY after applying these modifications. so the AFR will be adjusted accordingly. After reading a few build threads on here and elsewhere tonight, i think I am going to be going with Enkei RPF1 17x9+45s all the way around with 245/40 on it...seems to be a successful setup, plus those rims are only 15 lbs/rim, which is nuts! I have just previously had an injen intake and was happy with it, what intake brand would you recommend?

You need coilovers or a lower offset for those to clear. Grimmspeed makes a pretty good intake based on the OFT tune they made for it. Better than the TRD intake which is a decent one. Otherwise just go drop in filter.

[MichaelCorleone]

classing is not my issue, im inquiring about suspension setup. I simply want to know what suspension (springs, dampers, and sways) successful autocrossers are running. I was advised to hop on forums and ask people who know the car better than myself what works for them. I dont want to debate class placement, I just want to take in any useful input anyone is willing to give about their setup. as for the driving skill in my region, thats something that is relative. My region is very welcoming and friendly, I would actually love it if you are an experienced driver and would swing through an event or two to show me what someone who knows how to handle the FRS can do in auto x. most of the people that drive them around here are novice/intermediate, I would love to ride with you or have you ride with me in an event for advice!

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by MichaelCorleone

classing is not my issue, im inquiring about suspension setup. I simply want to know what suspension (springs, dampers, and sways) successful autocrossers are running.

You have you understand that the two are linked together. Tuning for autocross is all about tuning within the rules of your class.

People's parts strategies are generally a result of cost and effectiveness. That's why your shopping list is a bit of a question mark, and why we are bringing class up.

If you don't care about classing then you should make that clear, but then is your goal to just make a fast car? Do you have an aesthetics agenda? Do you have a budget in mind?


On an individual basis, there is nothing wrong with your list from a general point of view, in the end all of the items listed would be welcome on any car, but in a "class" environment their importance has different weight and in the case of the suspension components, are overshadowed by a lack of nice dampers.

[MichaelCorleone]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

You have you understand that the two are linked together. Tuning for autocross is all about tuning within the rules of your class.

People's parts strategies are generally a result of cost and effectiveness. That's why your shopping list is a bit of a question mark, and why we are bringing class up.

If you don't care about classing then you should make that clear, but then is your goal to just make a fast car? Do you have an aesthetics agenda? Do you have a budget in mind?

I like running in SM and my eventual plans are to supercharge the frs when I feel i know the car well enough, which will put me in SM anyway. I am really wanting a set of nice springs that will work nicely with the factory dampers and will be great with koni yellows or bilstein B8s. My goal is to build a car that I will have fun driving, not looking to take over my class, just do well in whatever class my fun car lands me in. I know i dont want any part of STX because there are some incredible drivers in some perfect cars there and i am no competition for them, plus the STX rules limit me from doing what I really want to do to the car. I like to tinker, and build, and work on and upgrade my car. I dont want to worry about not being able to do some little things because it will bump me up.

Now i am concerned about the rims, will 17x9.5 fit if I get camber plates to bring the strut in and use the bolt to bring it back out to the desired camber?

[whataboutbob]

Originally Posted by dwx

The only mod you have listed not STX is the 9.5" wheels and keeping a cat in either the header or front pipe. I'd just stay in STX.

SM obviously the biggest change you could do is run race tires but I'm not sure you want to go that route. However, you can get better tires than the RE-11 like the Hankook RS-3, Dunlop ZII Star Spec, or BFG Rival. It would likely make a bigger difference than anything else you have listed.

Don't forget boost!

[MichaelCorleone]

Lol^

[whataboutbob]

You'll need a fair amount of space on the inside to run 9 or 9.5 in wheels with just lowering springs. You can use extended studs and spacers to get clearance with the factory struts. If you add tons of neg camber in the front your distance to the factory spring perch will be an issue.

I'd suggest checking out the RSR CR coil overs. I just switched to them from the RCE T2s and they are working great on my car.

[whataboutbob]

Also, the Hoosier A7s are very nice.

[xwd]

Yeah the big issue with 17x9 or 17x9.5 in front and wide tires is the stock spring perch. 245/255 with +45 RPF1s isn't going to work no matter what camber tricks you play. You would need to run spacers.

I ran 245/40/17 Hoosier A6s on 17x7 +42 rims and they barely fit.

You can push things out further using a lower offset like the 17x9 +35 RPF1s, then use camber to tuck them into the fender. Not sure if that would work or not.

Of course you could dump every other mod and just get another set of wheels/tires with Hoosier A7s and be faster.

[Racecomp Engineering]

To be competitive nationally in SM, you'll need boost, hoosiers, and excellent suspension. Also, a lot of luck and skill. It would not be easy...at all.

Regionally you can do fine and have a lot of fun. I'd recommend coilovers...but we've had customers do well with just springs, shocks, camber plates, swaybars, and good driving.

If you're sticking with just springs, our RCE Tarmac springs or Swift Spec R are the stiffest out there. Swift says you can run their springs on stock shocks but I would not recommend it. Both should be run with Koni Yellows or Bilsteins. Our springs have a more mild drop and include replacement bumpstops (so you'll have more bump travel and not ride the bumpstops).

Eibach Sportlines are too low and too soft IMO. Most springs out there are like that unfortunately.

I would recommend a front and rear swaybar set. Eibach, RCE, or Whiteline are popular options.

HVT camber plates are quality but I believe there is a bit of a supply issue at the moment. Raceseng makes a good set.

You'll want some rear LCAs too.

Let me know if you have any questions.

- Andy