Ideal Suspension Setup for DD and Mild Track Use?

[Lust]

I've been lurking the forums for a few days and gained quite a bit of information.
My goal is to get a nice modest drop. Not going for a "slammed" look.
Something proper for the track mainly. I am planning to do the suspension with supporting mods, wheels, and tires.
So far I have budgeted myself around 5-6k with parts and labor.
Wheels will be 18x9.5 +38 Work CR Kais and a 1-2 inch drop? I haven't really decided yet. I want to make sure that everything clears and the car handles well with the new wheels and drop.

This is what I plan on getting

RCE Tarmac Zero Coilover
SPL LCA
SPC Camber Bolts
Whiteline Rear Toe Arms

If there is anything I am missing or if anyone has input please let me know! Yes, I am a complete noob

[Captain Snooze]

I am suggesting 18x9.5 wheels are too big for performance. Totally different if you are just going that way for aesthetics. Heavier, more angular momentum, too much rubber. From memory @CSG Mike said that 225 tires were the best compromise for these cars. I shall endeavor to find his post.

[OkieSnuffBox]

I'd skip the camber bolts and just go with Race Eng camber plates.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I'd skip the camber bolts and just go with Race Eng camber plates.

You can skip both actually, the front of the T0's are slotted and you can get a decent amount of camber without them. Around -2.2 or so which is good for DD/mildtrack. You won't need the toe arms, the SPC arms come with an offset toe adjuster thing.

I agree 18x9.5s are pretty darn big and won't help. I recommend 8 to 9 inch wide wheels depending on the car and application.

The rest looks good to me. Your type of usage is what we had in mind with T0s and there are a lot of happy drivers out there utilizing them.

- Andy

[nikitopo]

A wheel with 9.5 inch width is too big for track use. It'll make the car too heavy. Only if you go with forced induction. As mentioned earlier, a 7 - 7.5 inch width is the best compromise you can have in this car. Personally, I prefer more the 7 inch wheels. For DD use you can do whatever you like, but again a large unsprung weight will be too much for the rest of the OEM parts.

[Kotu100]

Have you looked at the RSR i-sport coilovers? Pretty much the same price point and they're supossed to ride real nice on the street.
I have the i-black and they're super comfy. I've had a couple people even say it feels like stock.

Just a suggestion, wish i could give you some track feedback but i havent been yet.
Good luck with your decision.

[Lust]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I am suggesting 18x9.5 wheels are too big for performance. Totally different if you are just going that way for aesthetics. Heavier, more angular momentum, too much rubber. From memory @CSG Mike said that 225 tires were the best compromise for these cars. I shall endeavor to find his post.

Going with that size wheel was more of an aesthetics choice and planning for future forced induction. Still too big?

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

You can skip both actually, the front of the T0's are slotted and you can get a decent amount of camber without them. Around -2.2 or so which is good for DD/mildtrack. You won't need the toe arms, the SPC arms come with an offset toe adjuster thing.

I agree 18x9.5s are pretty darn big and won't help. I recommend 8 to 9 inch wide wheels depending on the car and application.

The rest looks good to me. Your type of usage is what we had in mind with T0s and there are a lot of happy drivers out there utilizing them.

- Andy

That's really good info, thanks. Are you sure the SPL LCA comes with the toe adjuster? I know that the SPC does but I opted to go with SPL. For my intended use, will I see a benefit of going with the SPL LCA or just going with the cheaper SPC LCA?

Originally Posted by nikitopo

A wheel with 9.5 inch width is too big for track use. It'll make the car too heavy. Only if you go with forced induction. As mentioned earlier, a 7 - 7.5 inch width is the best compromise you can have in this car. Personally, I prefer more the 7 inch wheels. For DD use you can do whatever you like, but again a large unsprung weight will be too much for the rest of the OEM parts.

7 inch just seems so thin. In my opinion the car was meant to have some meaty tires and wider wheels. I do plan on doing for forced induction in the future. For the most part it will be daily driven and maybe some spirited driving on the weekends. The car will be tracked ever so lightly as I get more experienced and find time.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Lust

Going with that size wheel was more of an aesthetics choice and planning for future forced induction. Still too big?

IMO yes. You do feel a difference with heavy wheels in all aspects of driving beyond just going and stopping. More unsprung weight means the wheel has more momentum upwards after hitting a bump and more compression damping is needed to control that.

Also important to remember that tire compound is much more important than just tire width. Unless you're adding gobs of power (more than most FI kits), 9.5 inch wheels just aren't worth it. And they're a lot less fun (seriously).

Also if you're new to the track, it's usually not recommended to start with super wide sticky tires...they cover up mistakes and you don't learn as much.

Originally Posted by Lust

That's really good info, thanks. Are you sure the SPL LCA comes with the toe adjuster? I know that the SPC does but I opted to go with SPL. For my intended use, will I see a benefit of going with the SPL LCA or just going with the cheaper SPC LCA?

Sorry, for some reason I read SPC instead of SPL. The SPC part gets the job done, but the SPL pieces are very nice.

- Andy

[Lust]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

IMO yes. You do feel a difference with heavy wheels in all aspects of driving beyond just going and stopping. More unsprung weight means the wheel has more momentum upwards after hitting a bump and more compression damping is needed to control that.

Also important to remember that tire compound is much more important than just tire width. Unless you're adding gobs of power (more than most FI kits), 9.5 inch wheels just aren't worth it. And they're a lot less fun (seriously).

Also if you're new to the track, it's usually not recommended to start with super wide sticky tires...they cover up mistakes and you don't learn as much.



Sorry, for some reason I read SPC instead of SPL. The SPC part gets the job done, but the SPL pieces are very nice.

- Andy

Hmmm okay. Do you think having 18x9.5 as more of a DD/show wheel then have another set of lightweight 17x9 wheels be a suitable option or would you not even DD a 18x9.5 wheel. I just like the look of the 18x9.5s so much lol

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Lust

Hmmm okay. Do you think having 18x9.5 as more of a DD/show wheel then have another set of lightweight 17x9 wheels be a suitable option or would you not even DD a 18x9.5 wheel. I just like the look of the 18x9.5s so much lol

Separate wheels for the track isn't a bad idea at all (same with separate brake pads). For DD you can do as you like...it will ride and handle a little worse but that's up to you if you're okay with the trade-off.

8.5's might be better for the track for you, or even 8's...but if it's a quality lightweight wheel then 9 inch width isn't too bad (it'll be expensive though). For auto-x the 9 is the way to go.

- Andy

[Lust]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Separate wheels for the track isn't a bad idea at all (same with separate brake pads). For DD you can do as you like...it will ride and handle a little worse but that's up to you if you're okay with the trade-off.

8.5's might be better for the track for you, or even 8's...but if it's a quality lightweight wheel then 9 inch width isn't too bad (it'll be expensive though). For auto-x the 9 is the way to go.

- Andy

Oh boy the decisions... Just to clarify one last time, will I need the toe kit? If so, what do you recommend?

[86_Insider]

Depending on how much track time you are going to see it can be really nice to have a dedicated set. It can be more $$ up front, but in the long run you save your better tires for the track and don't burn them up daily.

Tons of suspension options out there with different options at different price points. Not sure if you plan on doing more auto X or track days, but that would adjust my choice possibly based on springs rates.

A toe kit will really depend on how low you go. It is always nice to have the extra adjustments for alignment purposes though.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I am suggesting 18x9.5 wheels are too big for performance. Totally different if you are just going that way for aesthetics. Heavier, more angular momentum, too much rubber. From memory @CSG Mike said that 225 tires were the best compromise for these cars. I shall endeavor to find his post.

Unless you have a LOT of power, or are exclusively running (cornering) grip limited venues/roads, wider wheels generally do not help.

[Lust]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Unless you have a LOT of power, or are exclusively running (cornering) grip limited venues/roads, wider wheels generally do not help.

How much power would deem 18x9.5 necessary? I plan to slowly build up the motor with an end result of probably 350+ whp