Will 17x9.0 35ET Enkei RPF1 with 255/40/17 TOYO RA-1 work without rubbing issues? Will it clear OEM brake (from 06 6spd) ?

I plan to use Bilstein PSS9 coil over susp.

Yes...

Additional question:
Found goodwin racing has the same size wheel with 45 ET. Thus, the question is, which one will be better? I assume with a 35 ET the tires will be further apart (+10mm) thus having wider track?

The 45 is what is most commonly used, I would stick to that as its a proven setup.

9.0 +35 with a 255 may rub the rear lip, it will be very close, well IMO it will rub slightly

+45 is no problem though, I ran this in 9.5 with wider tires than yours without issue

Will 17x9.0 35ET Enkei RPF1 with 255/40/17 TOYO RA-1 work without rubbing issues? Will it clear OEM brake (from 06 6spd) ?

I plan to use Bilstein PSS9 coil over susp.

Spring rates are a bit funky on those for the RX-8. The rears are stiffer than the fronts. Just a heads-up.

Spring rates are a bit funky on those for the RX-8. The rears are stiffer than the fronts. Just a heads-up.

What's your driving impression on those?

9.0 +35 with a 255 may rub the rear lip, it will be very close, well IMO it will rub slightly

+45 is no problem though, I ran this in 9.5 with wider tires than yours without issue

Thanks. Will go with the goodwin racing version then...

What's your driving impression on those?

I looked into them, but didn't purchase them...so I can't offer anything tangible, just what I found out. If you do a search, you'll see I posted about it a while back inquiring why they would have done that.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=92769&highlight=PSS9

I looked into them, but didn't purchase them...so I can't offer anything tangible, just what I found out. If you do a search, you'll see I posted about it a while back inquiring why they would have done that.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=92769&highlight=PSS9

I read your thread. The PSS9 was in my plan because it worked well on a e46 m3. Guess for rx8 its a different story...

Anybody tried those? What other option should I consider?

Read your thread. The PSS9 was in my plan because it worked well on a e46 m3. Guess for rx8 its a different story...

Anybody tried those? What other option should I consider?

I think what was listed in his thread as things he considered is a good place to start. I have also seen one of the vendors around here mention Tein basics as one of the best bang for the buck coilovers around - i dont know how much money and adjustability are a factor to you.

What will you be using the car for? That could narrow down what you are looking for.

Read your thread. The PSS9 was in my plan because it worked well on a e46 m3. Guess for rx8 its a different story...

Anybody tried those? What other option should I consider?

I think what was listed in his thread as things he considered is a good place to start. I have also seen one of the vendors around here mention Tein basics as one of the best bang for the buck coilovers around - i dont know how much money and adjustability are a factor to you.

What will you be using the car for? That could narrow down what you are looking for. Will this be a daily driven + HPDE car or an all out track only setup? and road course> autoX, time attack? etc...

NASA time trial TTD class

It appears for TTD that for adjustable dampers like the PSS9, or Tein Flex, etc...that you'll take a 10 point penalty. While off the top of my head you'll only get a 5 point penalty for a non-adjustable. You're also going to take point penalties for running above a 245mm tire, and a few more for the 100+ tread rating.

Before you make a decision, I'd play around with the 19 points and get confirmation from NASA. You don't want to make a mistake and spend money on a combo that will get you moved to C.

Was actually playing around with this yesterday for TTD after seeing your other thread as I've thought about it from time to time.

It appears for TTD that for adjustable dampers like the PSS9, or Tein Flex, etc...that you'll take a 10 point penalty. While off the top of my head you'll only get a 5 point penalty for a non-adjustable. You're also going to take point penalties for running above a 245mm tire, and a few more for the 100+ tread rating.

Before you make a decision, I'd play around with the 19 points and get confirmation from NASA. You don't want to make a mistake and spend money on a combo that will get you moved to C.

Was actually playing around with this yesterday for TTD after seeing your other thread as I've thought about it from time to time.

Thanks for the heads up. Non of these will be finalized. It is in the planning stage. I'll bring my plan to NASA TT director before spending money.

So far, my first draft of plan:

TOYO RA-1/ NITTO NT-01 +5pts
255 width tires +1pts
Coilover suspension +10pts
F&R sway bar +2pts

Total: 18pts

don't forget with the adjustable shocks you still have to take the penalty +2 points for aftermarket springs as well. That would put you at +20 and in C-class. Run 245 width tires and you stay in TTD. You may also want to calc out just how much wider the track of the car will be with 9" wide wheels and a +35 offset. There is a penalty for going 2" or more wider than the factory track width.

don't forget with the adjustable shocks you still have to take the penalty +2 points for aftermarket springs as well. That would put you at +20 and in C-class. Run 245 width tires and you stay in TTD. You may also want to calc out just how much wider the track of the car will be with 9" wide wheels and a +35 offset. There is a penalty for going 2" or more wider than the factory track width.

Hmm, didn't consider the track difference. I doubt it'll be wider than 2" but will definitely look into that.

At this point, I think I'll go with +45 offset.

As for suspension, hmm, maybe I should go with springs+shocks......any inputs on this?

Hmm, didn't consider the track difference. I doubt it'll be wider than 2" but will definitely look into that.

At this point, I think I'll go with +45 offset.

As for suspension, hmm, maybe I should go with springs+shocks......any inputs on this?

Actually I am on the phone right now discussing what exact classification the Tein Flex should fall under. I won't have anything official until I talk to a NASA official but the thinking right now is that they should probably fall into the +3 rating. And I believe that the tein basics should have no problem being in that +3 rating.

Actually I am on the phone right now discussing what exact classification the Tein Flex should fall under. I won't have anything official until I talk to a NASA official but the thinking right now is that they should probably fall into the +3 rating. And I believe that the tein basics should have no problem being in that +3 rating.

Wouldn't the sum total of the Flex or Basics be +5? +3 for non-OEM shocks, and +2 for non-OEM spring rates.

Wouldn't the sum total of the Flex or Basics be +5? +3 for non-OEM shocks, and +2 for non-OEM spring rates.

That is what we are thinking now. The question was if they would fall into of the +10 - Non-OEM shcocks/struts/dampers with an external reservoir or more than two ranges of adjustment (must still take points for springs below).

The tein flex having the rebound/compression adjustment was what was in question but I think we settled on that since it is only a single adjustment for rebound & compression simultaniously it should be covered by the rule you are referring to and I was mistaken.

From NASA TT Rules
1) Non-OEM shocks/struts/dampers with an external reservoir or more than two ranges of adjustment +10 (example: compression (bump) and both high & low rebound adjustments)(must still take points for springs below).


Confusing...

Using Bilstein PSS9 as an example, it only offers compression and rebound settings adjustment. Does it mean that it is a 2 'range' adjustment? If that is the case, then the common available coil over system to amateurs should all be considered a +7 (then you add +2 for springs, which total out +9), rather than the +12 total as I originally thought.

From where I came from, we usually call it 2 'way' adjustable shocks....:Wconfused

Confusing...

Using Bilstein PSS9 as an example, it only offers compression and rebound settings adjustment. Does it mean that it is a 2 'range' adjustment? If that is the case, then the common available coil over system to amateurs should all be considered a +7 (then you add +2 for springs, which total out +9), rather than the +12 total as I originally thought.

From where I came from, we usually call it 2 'way' adjustable shocks....:Wconfused

+7?

non-OEM shocks/struts/dampers with a retail price of greater than $600 per unit (2400 total) or $750 each if sold only as a coilover with spring included ($3000 total). Also "piggyback" external reservoir shocks/coilovers/dampers with a retail price of less than $1050 per unit ($4200 total) - must still take additional points for the springs below +7

I don't agree that the PSS9s and other commonly available coilovers would fall into thise rule. The one that comes to mind that WOULd is the KW variant 3.

what originally made me think the tein flex's would fall under the +10 rule is the combination of haivng rebound, compression and ride height adjustability. 3 that technically is 3 ranges of adjustment. But then with rebound and compression being controlled by a single adjustment i don't thik it would fall under that rule.

+7?



2) Non-OEM shocks/struts/dampers with a retail price of greater than $600 per unit ($2400
total) or $750 each if sold only as a coilover with spring included ($3000 total). Also
“Piggyback” external reservoir shocks/coilovers/dampers with a retail price of less than
$1050 per unit ($4200 total)—must still take additional points for the springs below +7
3) Non-OEM or modified/re-valved shocks/struts/dampers +3 (all others)(springs not included)


Mistake by me. Miss read the lines.

I just sent the national TT director an email looking for clarification. Let's see what he has to say.

I think you guys are misreading the rule:


From NASA TT Rules
1) Non-OEM shocks/struts/dampers with an external reservoir or more than two ranges of adjustment +10 (example: compression (bump) and both high & low rebound adjustments)(must still take points for springs below).

This rule is written regarding dampers and dampers only. Notice that the only adjustment examples are variations of damping adjustment - compression, high speed rebound, and low speed rebound.

Spring perch height is external to the damper mechanism, and is not normally considered a damper adjustment.

Disclaimer: I don't normally play with NASA, so maybe they interpret things a little differently, but I've never heard of spring perch height included when describing the number of adjustment ranges on a damper.

I just sent the national TT director an email looking for clarification. Let's see what he has to say.

I was planning on asking the regional guy when I attended a NASA event comming up in the next month or so but this should be the authority on the matter.

I think you guys are misreading the rule:



This rule is written regarding dampers and dampers only. Notice that the only adjustment examples are variations of damping adjustment - compression, high speed rebound, and low speed rebound.

Spring perch height is external to the damper mechanism, and is not normally considered a damper adjustment.

Disclaimer: I don't normally play with NASA, so maybe they interpret things a little differently, but I've never heard of spring perch height included when describing the number of adjustment ranges on a damper.

You may - and probably are - entirely corerct in that i am misinterpreting the rule. I also am just starting to read these rules. I was simply trying to error on the side of caution. I wouldn't want to show up with Tein Flex's thinking I had a +19pt car and just stay in TTD and be asessed the extra 7 points and now be on the very low end of a TTC car.

Just a thought, I think they (NASA) could use some good technical writer...

I just posed the question on the NASA forums. Lets see what the guys with the experience have to say.

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=102183#102183

This says it all:

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=12774&highlight=coilover

So, let me try this again:


TOYO RA-1/ NITTO NT-01 +5pts
255 width tires +1pts
Coilover suspension +3pts
Springs +2pts
F&R sway bar +2pts

Total: 13pts

I guess then I can go with Hoosiers/V710s and still stays in TTD?

Yes. Good. Well....good for those with Tein Flex's and equivilant.

Cost:

Wheels: $1,076.00
Tires: $648.00
Coilover (Tein Mono Flex): $1,880.00
RB F&R Sway + Links: $388.00
Installation, shipping and installation (estimate): $600.00

Total: $4,592.00

Not as bad as I thought........

better swaybars and there's no need for the endlinks

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=109096

edit: maybe not for you if they give points for adjustable bars

better swaybars and there's no need for the endlinks

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=109096

edit: maybe not for you if they give points for adjustable bars

i dont think there is a difference in the points asessed for sway bars being adjustable or not.

If people have been snapping end links with the racing beat bars then why would these hold up with no upgraded endlinks? and conversly if these hold up without the upgraded endlinks why wouldn't the setup with racing beat bars hold up?

The simple answer to why most people break endlinks is that they mess up and install the rear bar upside down. Now go for a ride...Ding..Ding..Ding... You are a winner! ...and now have broken endlinks ... :) very simple!

The problem with that answer is that racing beat recommends to upgrade the FRONT endlinks.

I've not heard of an OEM front link breaking given everything was installed 100% correctly. Perhaps someone has some experience if there's has ever gone bad? Seems most difficulties of this type are cockpit error, not true end link failure. There's nothing wrong with making them more heavy duty, but if the end result is the same...it's just personal choice and a little revenue for RB..

The simple answer to why most people break endlinks is that they mess up and install the rear bar upside down. Now go for a ride...Ding..Ding..Ding... You are a winner! ...and now have broken endlinks ... :) very simple!

Yep...never heard of the stock failing...I'm sportin the RB sways too...

better swaybars and there's no need for the endlinks

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=109096

edit: maybe not for you if they give points for adjustable bars

Good specs and good price. Do you think it'll make the car too tail happy for track?

that would depend on any variety of factors, but my experience is that it's unlikely since both the front & rear bars are adjustable. It gives you quite a bit of balance range.

that would depend on any variety of factors, but my experience is that it's unlikely since both the front & rear bars are adjustable. It gives you quite a bit of balance range.

Knew it was going to be hard to quantify. I guess I'll have to do some test 'n' tune