shaunv74

Let us know how it feels when you get the alignment done and get to test it out!

Dan it was great to watch you lap Corvettes and Porches today! Getting respect for th RX8's everywhere!

-Shaun

kristopher_d

I'm actually starting to wonder how much difference the alignment is going to make. The thing that was bugging me Saturday was front shock adjustment. One was full soft and the other full hard. Right now they're both half way. She's already definitely more rigid and provides a bit more roll resistance, but sway bars are in the future. The best part is that the nose dive on braking is drastically reduced, which means I'll be able to dive much deeper into the corners before I have to slow down. :D

dmp

Thanks for coming, all! Great to meet new folks, and see others again. :D

dmp

Pics:

dmp

last few:

dmp

I'll let somebody else explain :D

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

It wasn't me at least

kristopher_d

Damn, I guess we should've stolen Darin's car.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Kris....remember when I said I needed gas when we picked up the spring compressors

I made it out of the driveway Sun morning..........

05TiGr8Lady

Looks like you guys had a good time. Great pics, as usual, and nice to have faces with names - at least I think I can figure out who's who.

It'll be interesting to see how you do on this next drive Kristopher.

Oh, and thanks Darin

kristopher_d

Yup, I remember. That's why would should've taken another car.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Did you get the alignment done??

kristopher_d

I did. I've been waiting for traffic to settle down and am now on my way out to test it. :D

shaunv74

I think next time we'll all have to pitch in for a tank of gas for Danno.

Kinda looked like a DOT road crew huh? 5 guys standing around watching one guy (Dan) work.

kristopher_d

Well who'd a thunk there'd be sedans and Smoky's all over the place at 8pm on a Monday.

I'll have to hope for a clear on-ramp tomorrow morning.

05TiGr8Lady

kristopher_d

Clear on ramp!

It's the North Bound entrance to 405 from 85th in Kirkland. Right-hander off 85th, immediate Left-hander, and another Right-hander get's you onto the freeway.

I always start out at the speed limit and usually brake to about 20~25 for the first right hander, then start feeding in throttle as I feed out steering input. That would put me right on the ragged edge and enterint the highway at 114, and immediately getting on the brakes.

Well, no need to slow for the initial turn in, and traction to spare. I used to grab 3rd exiting the left-hander. This morning I was grabbing 3rd before the apex. I didn't push it beyond that as I've been getting lit up there more frequently.

Initial impressions with the alignment dialed in ($99 at speedware for a "Street Performance" setup) are great. Body roll is noticeably reduced, but as I said before, sway bars in my future. High speed stability is drastically improved. Absolutely no sensation of floating as I cross into trips. And the best part is the near elimination of nose dive and squat. When you really dive deep into the corners with the stock suspension the 8 feels like it's ready to nose over. With the RB springs and Koni shocks that sensation is gone. I can now threshold brake right up to turn-in and trail off more gradually. Heck, I even had occasion to haul down from speed in the middle of a corner last night and she felt rock solid.

Acceleration is more crisp to. The rear doesn't want to drag the asphalt when you romp on it, and tire hop is reduced considerably. She's more balanced and more predictable. The ride's a bit more harsh, but not uncomfortable. You just feel the contours of the road more, which I like. It's a very good cross between the sophistication of the RX-8 suspension and the raw mechanics of the FC RX-7 suspension.

The ride height change (drop of 1/2 inch) is barely perceptible. In fact, I'm not sure if I really notice it at all, or if I know it's supposed to be there, so I'm fooling myself into noticing something. I can still open the doors at the gas station without worrying about the curb (man was I nervous this morning ).

Overall I'm pleased so far (with an hour of restricted play and a 15 minute commute under my belt). Now, if someone would just release a reliable Forced Induction setup. I guess I can wait a while longer though. I still have some suspension and night-driving visibility mods to do (plus that exhaust).

shaunv74

Awesome! Glad you hear you've got it dialed in and it's working for you! We're taking your car this weekend right?

kristopher_d

Sure. I'll give you a call this evening.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Oh... I thought it was about the sticker...