The STX thread!
01-31-2015, 10:15 AM
#3226
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Nice Job Tofu, always good to start the season on a high note! What changes have you made and what do you still hope to improve?
Your season starts early, all the lots around here have ice on them still :-P
Your season starts early, all the lots around here have ice on them still :-P
01-31-2015, 01:59 PM
#3227
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I had to remove the AEM intake that I had to be class legal as we all know. All my prior testing was done on Kumho XS, but I switched to the Version 2 RS3 in a 245/40R17 instead of the 245/45R17 Kumho I was running. Other than playing with settings on my Bilsteins, nothing else has changed.
I haven't touched the braking system on the car other than better fluid, so I need to get some HAWKS on there and maybe some SS lines. Was thinking about playing around with doing heat wrap on the factory air box, just because. Not sure where else I want to go with it. Maybe a COBB, but I don't know yet.
What would you guys suggest?
02-10-2015, 09:11 PM
#3228
Drive like a girl
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If anyone is looking for a midpipe for STX, my BHR with HJS cat is for sale. I've got a few people interested, but as of right now it's still available in case a fellow autocrosser is interested. 
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...-legal-256953/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...-legal-256953/
02-20-2015, 05:29 PM
#3229
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Tofu I'd like to throw in a suggestion for the progress tech front sway bar. Of the things I've done on my car that had the best effect. It really allowed me to get on the gas early mid corner without fear of the back end stepping out. My front roll couple is a bit high at 76%ish with that bar and the 560/392 springs! but it feels pretty much perfect.
Some of these guys on here have much more experience than I perhaps they could chime in with their suggestions.
Personally I've never had the stock mazda brake pads let me down, they don't overheat for autocross use and they have good feel and stopping power. I've tried a few others including the Hawks and I ended up happiest with the Mazda ones in terms of feel and consistency.
You can improve braking by only running as much camber as you require which might be less than you think. It's worth checking tire temps after your runs to get an idea of what camber changes to do and air pressures and such.
I like to maximize what I have before I throw additional parts and money at the car if possible and that data will help you to do just that
Also the 245/45/17 is good, but I think the one to have is the 255/40/17. You can take advantage of 2.5% more torque everywhere! which as long as you're not running out of second gear revs should be much appreciated. I'm still using factory wheels with 245/40 but have run on borrowed 255/40s from a friends STR miata. The difference in acceleration is pretty substantial. Not as much as the 4.777 diff but as good as it gets in STX anyway.
Just some thoughts, best of luck to you and keep us posted of your ups and downs :-)
Some of these guys on here have much more experience than I perhaps they could chime in with their suggestions.
Personally I've never had the stock mazda brake pads let me down, they don't overheat for autocross use and they have good feel and stopping power. I've tried a few others including the Hawks and I ended up happiest with the Mazda ones in terms of feel and consistency.
You can improve braking by only running as much camber as you require which might be less than you think. It's worth checking tire temps after your runs to get an idea of what camber changes to do and air pressures and such.
I like to maximize what I have before I throw additional parts and money at the car if possible and that data will help you to do just that
Also the 245/45/17 is good, but I think the one to have is the 255/40/17. You can take advantage of 2.5% more torque everywhere! which as long as you're not running out of second gear revs should be much appreciated. I'm still using factory wheels with 245/40 but have run on borrowed 255/40s from a friends STR miata. The difference in acceleration is pretty substantial. Not as much as the 4.777 diff but as good as it gets in STX anyway.
Just some thoughts, best of luck to you and keep us posted of your ups and downs :-)
02-21-2015, 12:57 PM
#3231
Well I'm getting there now, just ordered a 33mm hotchkis FSB last night (tire rack has them on clearance) and will be ordering the 12mm larger end links from mazdatrix next week probably, on top of getting New steel braided lines for the brakes and clutch for $50 from someone who just traded his 8 in.
Now I'll still have a ways to catch up to actually be competitive in the class but might as well start getting the car ready. Only problem is I don't want to put the OE cat back on lol.
Now I'll still have a ways to catch up to actually be competitive in the class but might as well start getting the car ready. Only problem is I don't want to put the OE cat back on lol.
03-02-2015, 03:58 PM
#3234
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I'm going to start off the year on a set of RS3 V2s and go from there. As Mark said, there are too many variables in the works to say what will be "the" tire to have.
I am kinda disappointed that Hankook didn't re-up their contingency support. Not that I would have ever gotten any of it, it doesn't hurt to dream.
I am kinda disappointed that Hankook didn't re-up their contingency support. Not that I would have ever gotten any of it, it doesn't hurt to dream.
03-23-2015, 04:44 PM
#3240
We had our first one of the year. I tossed on a new set of Star Specs and let er rip. Course was very bumpy but had decent grip. Won stx and indexed 5th, which is a little lower than normal, but then again we got assaulted on index this year..lol.
Here's the video:
Here's the video:
03-24-2015, 11:02 AM
#3241
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Tofu I'd like to throw in a suggestion for the progress tech front sway bar. Of the things I've done on my car that had the best effect. It really allowed me to get on the gas early mid corner without fear of the back end stepping out. My front roll couple is a bit high at 76%ish with that bar and the 560/392 springs! but it feels pretty much perfect.
Some of these guys on here have much more experience than I perhaps they could chime in with their suggestions.
Personally I've never had the stock Mazda brake pads let me down, they don't overheat for autocross use and they have good feel and stopping power. I've tried a few others including the Hawks and I ended up happiest with the Mazda ones in terms of feel and consistency.
You can improve braking by only running as much camber as you require which might be less than you think. It's worth checking tire temps after your runs to get an idea of what camber changes to do and air pressures and such.
I like to maximize what I have before I throw additional parts and money at the car if possible and that data will help you to do just that
Also the 245/45/17 is good, but I think the one to have is the 255/40/17. You can take advantage of 2.5% more torque everywhere! which as long as you're not running out of second gear revs should be much appreciated. I'm still using factory wheels with 245/40 but have run on borrowed 255/40s from a friends STR miata. The difference in acceleration is pretty substantial. Not as much as the 4.777 diff but as good as it gets in STX anyway.
Just some thoughts, best of luck to you and keep us posted of your ups and downs :-)
Some of these guys on here have much more experience than I perhaps they could chime in with their suggestions.
Personally I've never had the stock Mazda brake pads let me down, they don't overheat for autocross use and they have good feel and stopping power. I've tried a few others including the Hawks and I ended up happiest with the Mazda ones in terms of feel and consistency.
You can improve braking by only running as much camber as you require which might be less than you think. It's worth checking tire temps after your runs to get an idea of what camber changes to do and air pressures and such.
I like to maximize what I have before I throw additional parts and money at the car if possible and that data will help you to do just that
Also the 245/45/17 is good, but I think the one to have is the 255/40/17. You can take advantage of 2.5% more torque everywhere! which as long as you're not running out of second gear revs should be much appreciated. I'm still using factory wheels with 245/40 but have run on borrowed 255/40s from a friends STR miata. The difference in acceleration is pretty substantial. Not as much as the 4.777 diff but as good as it gets in STX anyway.
Just some thoughts, best of luck to you and keep us posted of your ups and downs :-)
For my driving style I love aggressive brake setups. I agree the Stock brakes amazed me, but I wanted something with greater initial bite. I went with Hawk+ all around and Centric parts blank rotors from Total Automotive Performance | Auto Parts and Accessories | Shocks | Mufflers | LED Lights. I couldn't be happier.
I ran the San Diego National Tour last weekend and had a blast. Was hanging in there in trophy spots but got knocked out during the final 2 runs of the weekend. I was running the Hankook RS3's and pushing the car to the max. My car still isn't a fully setup STX car yet due to the fact I only have a cat back for engine mods, but those new Bridgestones are FAAAAST. Look at the gap from the top 2 from everyone on Hankooks.
http://sololive.scca.com/stx.html
It was a fantastic course that really had you pushing. I was flat out almost everywhere. Still don't know where I left all that time out there.
Only footage I have from the weekend. Outside shot of 1 whole run from Sunday.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=3&theater
Last edited by Tofu*Monster; 03-24-2015 at 11:11 AM.
03-24-2015, 12:33 PM
#3243
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This is off a STU Vette. 40 runs 5/32nd 2nd place at the tour
This is off a STF RSX 22 runs. Class winner at the tour
03-24-2015, 01:58 PM
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03-29-2015, 09:54 PM
#3247
Eric Simmons
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I had a good weekend in the cold weather, Saturday I won Pax and FTD http://www.scca-susq.com/results/201...axresults.html
Sunday I won Pax and FTD
http://www.scca-susq.com/results/201...axresults.html
Sunday I won Pax and FTD
http://www.scca-susq.com/results/201...axresults.html
Last edited by Simmons-Racing; 03-31-2015 at 07:42 PM.
03-31-2015, 06:09 PM
#3249
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Very nicely done, makes my efforts look like slow motion!!
Id like to come up to Hershey since its closer to me than Waldorf (i live nearby to Ripken) the lot looks pretty awesome, and maybe I could talk you into riding along with me and giving some advice/critique. :-)
Id like to come up to Hershey since its closer to me than Waldorf (i live nearby to Ripken) the lot looks pretty awesome, and maybe I could talk you into riding along with me and giving some advice/critique. :-)
03-31-2015, 07:43 PM
#3250
Eric Simmons
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Very nicely done, makes my efforts look like slow motion!!
Id like to come up to Hershey since its closer to me than Waldorf (i live nearby to Ripken) the lot looks pretty awesome, and maybe I could talk you into riding along with me and giving some advice/critique. :-)
Id like to come up to Hershey since its closer to me than Waldorf (i live nearby to Ripken) the lot looks pretty awesome, and maybe I could talk you into riding along with me and giving some advice/critique. :-)
Anytime. Just let me know when you are going.
Simmons