mosby4570

Just wondering if you all could share your experiences and impressions from autocrossing with your cars. We are expecting in April and are considering buying an RX-8 as a compromise between a fun and practical vehicle. I've been running my 02 Camaro SS for the last 2 1/2 years in street mod. I know I'm going to have to learn the characteristics of the 8 and change some of my driving style to fit the car.

While I'm not competetive in my class now with a stock motor going up against STI's and Evo's with heavy boost, if I'm going to change cars, I'd like to be in something that I could mix it up a little within my class. With the S2000's now in A stock this should help, but can I expect to be soming in behind 350Z's?

Thanks in advance.

PUR NRG

Get the sport, not touring model. That will save you some weight but keep all the performance goodies. Of course you lose the amenities like heated side mirrors, traction control, etc. that make everyday driving enjoyable.

Stock the RX-8 has potential. You can stick 275 Hoosiers on stock wheels, which I think is incredible. I'm driving my RX-8 in SM (no FI either) so I can't provide as much input regarding B-stock.
________
Digital vaporizers

clyde

If you're just competing locally, it really doesn't matter if you're in an RX-8, 350Z, E36M3, 968, etc... The fastest driver is most likley to win by a margin greater than the difference in the cars' potentials.

For national competition, who knows? A lot of people that have some idea of wha they're doing and a good amount of skill are going in different directions... RX-8, 968, 350Z.

One thing that the RX-8 has over the other cars in B Stock is that it is an absolute blast to fling around an autocross course. And you can put a baby or two in the back seats.

Dark8

I ran STU last year locally and was right up there with the B stock times on the OEM street tires. Slicks, a front sway bar, a good alignment and adjustable shocks should put the 8 in the running. One advantage we have is the gearing and wide RPM range. Even on tight courses I never had to downshift out of second. And you can definately steer the 8 with the gas pedal, it is that well ballanced. Plus we have rear seats to carry our tires. :p

PedalFaster

A lot of smart national-level people are betting on the RX-8 for B Stock this year -- it's almost universally considered one of the top three BS contenders this year (the other two being the 350Z and the 968).

No one knows for sure right now, and eight months from now a lot of people may be crying into their beers, but it certainly seems like a strong option right now.

Dark8, are you coming to the Seattle National Tour?

Steve

John V

iTrader: (1)

Are the DA Konis available yet, or are they still a custom build?

Steve is right, there are some folks betting their season on a car (SOP for stock class...) and the rest of us are running what we can find and hoping for the best.

Imp

MMmmm Beer.

Correction for PUR NRG (just got your screen name!)... I have a sport and it has traction control and DSC. There's one model lower that doesn't.. or it's just a different version of the Sport. (Just don't get an automatic).

I'm also thinking about the Koni DA setup.. would it even be worth it if Nationals is moving to Smooth asphalt for 2006? People get DAs to handle the topeka concrete bumps.. but if it's smooth, wouldn't a properly tuned/valved SA be more than enough?

--kC

clyde

If you're only concerned about a single surface that is smooth (and unlikely to change/worsen between shock rebuilds); lacks dips, humps, cracks and seams; the car is always going to be run with the same tires at a single point in their lifecyle; the car is driven infrequently enough (or with those shocks installed) that shock wear is unlikely (and thus unlikely that the shock's performance is unlikely to fall out of the desired range); and the weather is always going to be the same then a SA would be more then enough...once you know where you want the valving. And if it's a street driven car, you may not want the bump valving set as stiffly for regular driving as you would for that given surface.

IMO, SAs have their advantages too. Less stuff to fiddle with means less opportunity to chase your tail when you're at the lower end of the setup learning curve. They're cheaper. They don't have the bump valving adjustment plates inside, so they don't rattle (at least in the case of the Konis).

As it applies to Topeka, Nationals are still going to be on the concrete at Forbes field in '05 with the earliest that we might be at Heartland Park being 2006 (assuming that the ProSolo Finale and the Solo II Nationals actually move there too and they don't wind up covering Forbes Field in asphalt). That would be a long time to go without shocks, wouldn't it?

clyde

And some that are waiting to see how things play out before comitting car purchase money. :p

Some of us know enough to know that we don't have a chance against some of the other people...no matter what is being driven by whom...particularly our codrivers. :o

John V

iTrader: (1)

Imp

Oh come on... tell me what you really think. No reason to hold back! :D

--kC

clyde

You'd be well advised to consider the source of that statement before evaluating its credibility or validity

John V

iTrader: (1)

I hear that the hot setup people are going to with the DA Konis is to have the compression adjustment set the same on both sides of the car (left to right).

We might try that this year.

clyde

Yeah, that would be good. I'm going to go out on a limb and make another suggestion...that tire pressures be checked between every run and adjusted as needed.

Imp

Up or down? I still haven't found the knuedeler valve in the 8 yet... anyone?

--kC

John V

iTrader: (1)

It's under the hood, next to the boost fluid reservoir.

StrokerAce

No, thats the liquid NOx reservoir. ;^)

om-nc

Pardon me guys, but you need to remember about the Schrader relief valve when adjusting for flex, especially with the NOx reserve tank. Just FYI!
paul

Imp

Oh yeah.. thanks! Couldn't find the adjustment range in the manual... anyone got the stock specs on that?

--kC

clyde

Yeah, but I don't like to share secrets.

Dark8

I'm going to try and make it to the Bremerton tour. Will depend on finances and if I can find a couch to crash on. Are you going to make it to either of the Packwood events?

PedalFaster

I'll be at any / all Packwood events that don't conflict with national-level events. Also, FYI, this year's Seattle Tour may be in Packwood instead of Bremerton.

Dark8

Cool, Packwood is a little closer and the traffic doesn't suck. :p Also don't they have a campground there?

Now back to the discussion about dohickys that can be used to adjust the wankinator inhibitor....

wera100

Did a Solo ll in the 8. What a hoot!. This event was in the Columbus, IN region. I like it down there because they use an old airfield for the event. It's much larger and faster course than they have here in the Indianapolis region. But they are the both fun.
Was only 1 other car in my class ,B stock, it was an MR2 Turbo. Ended up winnning my class by almost 3 seconds. I left the traction control on. The 8 handled like it was on rails. Was topped out in second gear a lot but hit 3rd also. The power was fantastic since I was in the rev's. Pulled like a banshee! What a blast!!
I ran stock tires and had a passenger in the car for all runs. I have ran a few solo's over the years my 1st in my new 1980 corrola and than my new 1994 Corvette. I did well in those winning a couple. While the vette had plenty of hp and handled well the smallest bumps or pot holes would totally upset the chassis makeing it impossible to do well unless you had a billard top type course. Well this course is pretty ruff with some holes and crumbling asphalt. I was amazed how the 8 took it all in strid. Did not even notice them even in some nice 4 wheel slides.
This same course had my vette studdering and sliding and even a coulple of 360's after letting go without much warning! I never felt this in the 8 and was quite comfortable at all times. My brother was running his 300ZX and rode with me on 1 run. He could not belive how the car stuck and how fast I was going, almost 10 seconds faster then His run.
If you go make sure and work the corners if they ask. It helps to get to no the course before you go out.
I have been roadracing motorcycles for the last 10 years. I am expert ranked and have won 3 regional titles. I'm only telling you this because I cannot belive I could go out spend 20 bucks, some gas and a little tire ware and have such a great time autocrossing. You have to try it. Then and only then can you really appriciate what the 8 has to offer, when pushing the 8 near it limit's you will be amazed at the power and handleing almost perfect. And it won't cost you $600 to $1200 a race weekend like it did on my bike! Thanks and rev on!