Nathan Atkins

Ok so i acquired and installed a Progress front sway bar, i put zerk fittings on the new brackets, used some really strong endlinks i cobbled together for around 50 bucks from McMaster parts. They're rated to 11,000 some-odd pounds radial loading. I'm on the middle setting of the sway and a few test runs off course show mild understeer at the limit. Take this for what you will, i was on my 700 treadwear all-seasons for that, but figured the trend would be similar.

I have two events this weekend at similar venues so i think I'll try to use the different settings and see what gets me around course faster/more consistently.

Anyone have experience with this bar want to offer up some commentary?

for reference my springs are still 10k/7k, shocks are Bilstein HD's, not exactly sure what ride heights are...but there's something like two finger widths fender gap on all four corners.

Also I dyno'd the car again since i had the opportunity and saw 171ish to the wheels, which isn't disappointing for a 2005 with no power mods.

We'll see how it goes this weekend; first a local club in Waldorf, MD then the last WDCR event of the year at FedEx Field.

MikeTyson8MyKids

iTrader: (1)

That is a lot of spring for OTC Bilstien HD..wow.

Anyway, before I went with real coilovers and had Progress Springs with D-Specs, mid front bar and soft rear bar is what I settled on for concrete with bumps.

Not sure that tells you much, if anything. But if you start with that, you won't be way off.

Nathan Atkins

The Bilsteins seem to be coping ok for the time being, they are under damped for sure. My intent is to revalve the bilsteins to suit the higher rates, I just haven't gotten to it yet. I even have the specs for what shims to use and everything I just need to get it done :-P

In the meantime I'm a regular top five in STX locally, which my region has Peter Appel and Peter Tyson in their 325's and Caitlin Dunlap in her Mini, so coming in fourth behind them feels like a win, and I can pip the Mini every once in a while :-)

So once I get the valving set it should be a little better on body control, but it really isn't that bad for now, and it's quite comfortable to drive on every day, even on crumbly maryland roads.

I've done no power mods at all so there's probably a good 15hp and a whole lot of noise to be unlocked yet. I dyno at 168-171 to the wheels. I'm also still on stock wheels with 245/40/18 Rivals so there weight to be shed and more favorable 'gearing' from 255/40/17 on a 17x9.

I'm just saying there's a lot to do, and I'm not lazy, just busy. :-). But I really want to get the shocks revolved so I have at least one aspect of the car fully prepped (and I have a success story to encourage ion four )

Nathan Atkins

I was the longest of longshots yesterday to steal the local club STX title from my buddy Alex, I needed to win both events to lock it in, morning and afternoon sessions were separate points. Two stellar drives later and I had it! This was my first time with the progress bar in the dry and the whole suspension package just feels as good as it can get now!

Here's video:

Nathan Atkins

Nate the thread killer strikes again XD

MikeTyson8MyKids

iTrader: (1)

Would anyone be kind enough to share their amount a shock compression travel to bump stop at ride height? We all have seemed to settle on 13.5" or so ride height. I've been running this front and rear, and on the Mazdaspeed (eibach) coilovers, there is quite a bit less available travel in the rear than the front.

Thanks

Nathan Atkins

Selling RX8 and going STR Miata next year.

If anyone is interested in the car or the upgrade parts let me know.

Simmons-Racing

iTrader: (1)

I bought my old STX Rx8 back

fourwhls

Welcome back! Think this car will still be in your possession by the time the 2015 season starts?

ajrrx8

Are you going to race it? If so why didn't you go with a BRZ like everyone else? Just curious.

Simmons-Racing

iTrader: (1)

Yes I am going to race it........I originally sold it to and bought a New brz that I built and raced for a year.....Plus this year I co-drove my friends BRZ for the season.


I had problems with Both BRZ's with the "ice mode" under braking.


I like the way the Rx8 handles better.


Simmons

Simmons-Racing

iTrader: (1)

I hope so


Do you make a hitch for the RX8?




Simmons

fourwhls

I just bought a tire trailer, so I guess I need to put together something. I didn't realize the lack of hitches for the 8 till I saw your post. It definitely won't be as easy to install/uninstall as my BRZ/FRS twin hitch, but I will be sure to make it either lightweight or have a quick disconnect option.

I'll let you know if I come up with anything good.

Simmons-Racing

iTrader: (1)

Awesome,....keep me posted.




Simmons

Nathan Atkins

I have the Curt hitch on mine, I never weighed it, but Id say it weighs about the same as a progress bar :-)

Shipping weight is claimed at 25.39lbs according to etrailer.com, so that includes packaging, and it's pretty discreet:


Regarding shock travel to bump stops, I have the Bilstein B8's which have a shorter shock body, but I havent crawled up there to check yet, I also use the fat cat bumpstops which are a little shorter, I'll crawl under there and have a peek at some point and let you know what I got

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Did you sell it off again yet?

Hi Flying 8

iTrader: (2)

Has anyone tried to put 255-40-17's on Enkei RPF1 17x8's? or are 245's pretty much maxed out on on an 8" rim?

I run at high altitude and the slightly lower (.3") diameter and weight (app. 1#) will not affect performance much as horsepower is down without a lot of oxygen. I think they extra 1/2" of tread might help more than the gearing improvement.

Thoughts?

ABQautoxer

FWIW, I ran 245/40/17 most of the time. I'm in Albuquerque so same altitude issues and I did it for that reason initially. On the RS3v2 I had to run a bit more pressure than my 255/40/17 users, my best guess for why was due to the different load ratings between those two sizes. It was only 2psi difference.

Hi Flying 8

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, Tom.

Did you experience a softer sidewall with the 255's that necessitated the bump in pressure? Did you run pressures in the mid 30's with the RS-3's?

What about the new 200TW, do you think it will be any different than the 140?

ABQautoxer

The opposite. I ran 245s and had to run a higher pressure on the 17x9s than others running 255s on 17x9s. I was 34f/32r-34f/34r depending on handling. Most running the 255 were 32/30 or so.

Also all the v2 RS3 were 200tw, they worked great all around. There are several new tires coming out by March. I've already run the Z2 Star Spec and really like it on the Spyder but never ran it on the RX8 to compare to an RS3 directly.

Hi Flying 8

iTrader: (2)

I'll probably wait until that time and maybe touch base with you again in March or so.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Good to hear. How many times has this happened in your past... Seriously, glad to hear to re-acquired my old RX-8.

I'm still deeply involved in the tennis scene. Currently a top 50 ranked open-level player in the Mid-Atlantic. Currently driving a 2013 cosmic blue Evo X GSR to events though!

--Chike

Simmons-Racing

iTrader: (1)

This is the 3rd time I bought one of my old cars back.


Maybe I can sell it to you when I am ready. The new engine is strong.




Simmons

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Good to hear Eric. Looking forward to seeing how you do in the car and what class you build it for this time around.

I've made a commitment to my 11 year-old to hold on to my Evo X until he graduates form high school. So...I probably won't be in the market for another car for some time. With that said, the Evo has been a great daily driver - 4 doors, averaging 22.5-23mpg, and the cheap interior doesn't make me think twice when I have to take the dog somewhere.

Tofu*Monster

1st event in the books here in San Diego. VERY happy with my 8 so far, can't wait to get it more dialed in!