AutoX Vets: help me out!
07-13-2009, 10:59 AM
#1
My 8 looks like a Smurf
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AutoX Vets: help me out!
I know I'm still pretty new to this and I may just need some more seat time, but I've been having the same consistent problems over the last 3 events and could use some pointers.
My main issue is that the back end kicks out very quickly in corners. I tightened my front sway and it is a bit better, and I do expect a bit of oversteer from an RWD car, but I would expect the RX-8 to not completely lose traction so quickly. The car begins by stepping out little by little and then very quickly loses it and falls into a free spin. I would like to get it to step out softly much longer before giving out.
So my questions are:
- Should I loosen the rear sway?
- Stock tires are 140 TW. I'm running FK 452s which are 300 TW. Did I shoot myself in the foot here?
- Tire pressures? What should I be aiming for? Tried 40 all around, 35 all around, 40 front 35 back. Don't care about tire life. (yes I know, ironic since I bought 300 TW tires...)
- Is this just seat time required?
I'm not too happy with my times right now and I think that these "free spins" are what is costing me the most; I need to improve my tight corners and loops a lot. Should easily be able to do 6 seconds better than what I am doing right now...
My main issue is that the back end kicks out very quickly in corners. I tightened my front sway and it is a bit better, and I do expect a bit of oversteer from an RWD car, but I would expect the RX-8 to not completely lose traction so quickly. The car begins by stepping out little by little and then very quickly loses it and falls into a free spin. I would like to get it to step out softly much longer before giving out.
So my questions are:
- Should I loosen the rear sway?
- Stock tires are 140 TW. I'm running FK 452s which are 300 TW. Did I shoot myself in the foot here?
- Tire pressures? What should I be aiming for? Tried 40 all around, 35 all around, 40 front 35 back. Don't care about tire life. (yes I know, ironic since I bought 300 TW tires...)
- Is this just seat time required?
I'm not too happy with my times right now and I think that these "free spins" are what is costing me the most; I need to improve my tight corners and loops a lot. Should easily be able to do 6 seconds better than what I am doing right now...
07-13-2009, 12:47 PM
#2
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See if you can get one of the fast drivers (preferably experienced with RWD cars) to drive your car at the next event. That way you can determine how much of your issue is car setup and how much is the nut behind the wheel. 
07-13-2009, 12:58 PM
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I know I'm still pretty new to this and I may just need some more seat time, but I've been having the same consistent problems over the last 3 events and could use some pointers.
My main issue is that the back end kicks out very quickly in corners. I tightened my front sway and it is a bit better, and I do expect a bit of oversteer from an RWD car, but I would expect the RX-8 to not completely lose traction so quickly. The car begins by stepping out little by little and then very quickly loses it and falls into a free spin. I would like to get it to step out softly much longer before giving out.
...
My main issue is that the back end kicks out very quickly in corners. I tightened my front sway and it is a bit better, and I do expect a bit of oversteer from an RWD car, but I would expect the RX-8 to not completely lose traction so quickly. The car begins by stepping out little by little and then very quickly loses it and falls into a free spin. I would like to get it to step out softly much longer before giving out.
...
Where in the corner do you start accelerating?
How hard are you getting on the throttle?
What is your alignment?
Treadwear 300 tires are not a fast choice for autocross, but properly driven you should be able to avoid spins.
07-13-2009, 01:32 PM
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Im not a fan of FK 452's...good touring tire I guess... IMHO 0% performance...but I tend to find the un-grippiness of any "Street" tire.....
Getting someone whos either A)experianced at driving in genereal B)Has good amounts of experiance in Rx8's or C)BOTH! lol....... They'd be able to give you tons of advice and plenty of starting points.
Skill is one thing(a very importantent thing if not the most) but if your learning on a "badly" setup car its not very progressive and downright frustrating. skill shows alot when you are the most skilled. but equipment can mean lifetimes when up against equally skilled people.....
quite a few different perspectives on this, this is just my experiance on it good luck and keep us posted, im curious if its driver or gear :p.....
Getting someone whos either A)experianced at driving in genereal B)Has good amounts of experiance in Rx8's or C)BOTH! lol....... They'd be able to give you tons of advice and plenty of starting points.
Skill is one thing(a very importantent thing if not the most) but if your learning on a "badly" setup car its not very progressive and downright frustrating. skill shows alot when you are the most skilled. but equipment can mean lifetimes when up against equally skilled people.....
quite a few different perspectives on this, this is just my experiance on it
good luck and keep us posted, im curious if its driver or gear :p.....
07-13-2009, 01:39 PM
#6
My 8 looks like a Smurf
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Do you brake before the corner and then accelerate through the turn, or are you trying to brake in the middle of corner (trailbraking)?
Where in the corner do you start accelerating?
How hard are you getting on the throttle?
What is your alignment?
Treadwear 300 tires are not a fast choice for autocross, but properly driven you should be able to avoid spins.
Where in the corner do you start accelerating?
How hard are you getting on the throttle?
What is your alignment?
Treadwear 300 tires are not a fast choice for autocross, but properly driven you should be able to avoid spins.
Alignment is mostly neutral with a slight camber.
I didn't buy the tires with AutoX in mind, they were supposed to be street tires but then I got sucked into the addiction
I wish I could take more experienced 8 drivers with me but truth is there aren't many people running 8s in Ottawa. There 2-3 more in our groups and they are pretty new too except for one guy who runs almost right after me so it's hard to get him in with me.
Already planning to get a few more experienced RWD drivers in with me next week, hope for the best!
07-13-2009, 01:51 PM
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I found going from a Miata on R comps to an RX8 on factory RE040s- I could punch the throttle with impunity in my Miata but with the RX8 I need to respect the power vs grip a bit more.
I find I need to roll into the throttle with a bit more care.
If I'm too abrupt with the throttle I find the rear end gets sloppy and tries to step out.
A decent experienced driver should be able to help, especially a good smooth RWD driver.
I find I need to roll into the throttle with a bit more care.
If I'm too abrupt with the throttle I find the rear end gets sloppy and tries to step out.
A decent experienced driver should be able to help, especially a good smooth RWD driver.
07-13-2009, 01:55 PM
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is the camber stock? did you get it aligned after suspension mods?
Dontca love timing happen to me when i first got into driving.....just gives ya something to shoot for lol. (I.e bald tires 
)
happen to me when i first got into driving.....just gives ya something to shoot for lol. (I.e bald tires )
07-13-2009, 01:59 PM
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I found going from a Miata on R comps to an RX8 on factory RE040s- I could punch the throttle with impunity in my Miata but with the RX8 I need to respect the power vs grip a bit more.
I find I need to roll into the throttle with a bit more care.
If I'm too abrupt with the throttle I find the rear end gets sloppy and tries to step out.
A decent experienced driver should be able to help, especially a good smooth RWD driver.
I find I need to roll into the throttle with a bit more care.
If I'm too abrupt with the throttle I find the rear end gets sloppy and tries to step out.
A decent experienced driver should be able to help, especially a good smooth RWD driver.
gets even better when you double the Torque on it (i.e Turbo
)
07-13-2009, 02:19 PM
#10
My 8 looks like a Smurf
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Camber is not stock, got it aligned after new tires last year.
Only suspension mods are the sways so I didn't see a need to re-do it.
Only suspension mods are the sways so I didn't see a need to re-do it.
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