After some research, I basically narrowed the allowed B stock mods to cat-back exhaust, wheels/tires (stock 18x8, within .25" of oem offset...tires either v710 or Azenis), Koni sport shocks, and a front sway bar.

At this point, I only have about $800 to spend so I need some guidance on what would be the most effective purchase for the sake of autox/track days.

For wheels/tires, I am looking at some Rota's with Azenis (little over the $1000 and would be hard before the end of the season, but would be BRAND NEW)...either that or find some OEM's cheap and get some used v710's. If I choose this, can't get anything else.

For suspension, I am guessing I could afford the shocks and front sway, and maybe have left over for something else.

Exhaust would be fun, but no real performance gain...would be a possible add-on to the suspension choice.


Any opinions, preferably from some experienced autox'ers/track junkies, would be greatly appreciated!

 

Tires will make the biggest difference by far. If you're looking to be competitive, v710s are the way to go. New ones will eat up your entire budget though. You could always look for some used ones to start with that are still decent.

Lightwheel wheels would be nice since you'll need a new set for the racing tires anyways, but they aren't really required. You can be competitive with OEM wheels.

A lot of us are on the stock sway bar. Konis will help a bit, but you can do pretty well with the stock shocks too.

Main benefit of changing the exhaust is weight savings. You simply won't get much power out of a catback.

 

Forgot to mention, V710s probably aren't the best choice for track days. I hear they work well on the track, but will wear out very quickly.

 

When I first got the 8, I was kinda in the same boat... I got the konis amd some used v700's. I did realize quickly that the v710's were THE competitive tire though. If I had it to do all over, I would go with wheels/tires/shocks/Front sway/drop in filter/maybe exhaust(in that order). If you don't plan on going to nationals or anything like that, another set of oem wheels would be fine. About a 5-7# diff. over the ssr comps. But, thats just me. Good luck.

 

Used OEM wheels and 710's. The 710's work fine on track, they just won't last as long as they would if you only autoxed on them. Don't waste your time on V700's (/shameless plug: but I have a used set with 40 some runs on if you're interested, pm me if interested /end shameless plug), the 710's last as well if not better and they offer no excuses.

 

If you have a street tires class then I'd say get the Azeni's and some wheels since you're on a budget. If you don't have a street tire class then I'd say do an event or two stock and save some more money for V710s and wheels.

 

Wow, great info guys!

I have done a driver's school, and 3 events so far on the stock wheels/tires and am quickly realizing that the better I understand what the car is trying to do, the more I realize the stock tires aren't up to the task in terms of being competitive. I realize driver skill is more important, but when I try to mimic the technique of a faster 8 on R-compounds, I start overdriving the car. I am just cautious about what I modify b/c I don't want to mask my poor technique...want to learn to drive before throwing parts at it.

From everyone's advice, it sounds that tires are definately the way to go, even at this stage in my rookie "career." The only prob is actually finding a set of OEM or aftermarket 18x8 wheels that are good for B-stock, and are already fitted with some V710 used. Keeping my fingers crossed...............

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=92269

 

I'll have a set of stocks and V710's up for sale pretty soon as well...so you'll have plenty of options for slightly used V710's. I have 12 runs on mine right now, probably closer to 30-40 when I will be upgrading to 285's.

 

Thanks for the leads...sent some PM's so we will see if I can get the v710's with OEM wheels within my budget!!!

 

isn't it common logic to do the first couple of seasons on street tires because r comps will cover up your mistakes a little too much and inhibit your learning?

wouldn't a more aggressive alignment be a good, cheap mod as well?

I'd also agree with Ike's advice to run in an indexed street tire class if they have one.

disclaimer:
I've only done about a dozen autocrosses so I might not know what I'm talking about.

 

I ran about five events on street tires, as well as about four practice events. You drive differently on street tires than you will on R-compounds. The speeds at which you carry into and out of corners as well as improvements in accelaration and braking make the course completely different.

Practicing on street tires is good for racing on street tires. The way I see it, the best practice for running r-compounds, is getting seat time with those tires.

 

I have heard that the benefit to running on street tires first is to attempt to get a feel for what the car will do when it is on the edge of traction and how to recognize that condition. I guess street tires "sing" a little more than r-compounds so it acts as a warning that you won't get with r-compounds. Once you get used to that feeling, you are ready for the jump to r-compounds.

Like I said though, I am just repeating something I heard so I may very well be talking out of my a$$!

 

The R tires can hide/fix some of the problems that some cars and drivers have. However unless you plan to run in STU I say get the race tires now. They transform the car and it is way more fun to drive with them. imho

 

I can't wait to give them a shot...I bought a set a few days ago and they should arrive mid-next week!

 

Totally agree on all points. It was the best thing for the car and the auto x experience. I would recommend the switch to r-compounds as soon as possible.

 

Don't forget to do an alignment!
All 8's have toe and camber #'s that are all over the board.
I had positive camber on one side and negative on the other straight from the factory.
My suggestion is to go with zero toe front and rear, max out the front camber 0.9 negative and just slightly more around 1.5 negative in the rear.
This will give you a better turn-in and less understeer plus your tires will wear more evenly which is nice when you spend so much $$$$ on tires.
With this alignment the car will still be stable at speed, I have had mine to 145mph on a couple of occasions and it was dead stable.

 

Don't forget to move the caster out. the 8 has the added benefit of adjustable front and rear caster.

 

^^^
What would you recommend for the caster?

 

Take it all out. The more caster you give up the more -camber you will get.

 

Thanks! Getting my alignment done on Friday.

 

Thanks for all these tips....this is a great thread for beginners in stock class!

 

2nded.

 

Has anybody actually run with the 285s on 8 inch rims? I know it's a stock class tradition to cram way more tire on a too-narrow rim, but 285s on an 8 inch rim seems pretty extreme. Has anybody validated that 285s would be faster for stock class?

 

285 Hoosiers fit on an 18 x 8 as evidenced by the C Stock Pontiac Solstii.

285 Kumhos, however, do NOT.

The 285s woke up the DSP BMWs... I don't see how it wouldn't help the RX8s if someone would say they'd fit.

--kC