Im looking for a discussion from people with experience with body kits and autocrossing. Which kits have enough clearance to do it? Which dont? I think it would be helpful to know, so that those of us that autox can work on our style points.

I know someone has the MS kit and was going to autocross with it, not sure of the result.
Personally, I want the veilside kit.
Suspension matters obviously, so give info on how youre equipped also please.

 

I don't know of any autocrossers who run "body kits"...just additional weight, with no functional benefit.

In some of the modified classes, you will see wings and splitters, but they are so large in surface area and so aggressive in setting, that they do actually generate significant benefit in downforce.

 

veilside claims it is more aerodynamic. Although I know autox speeds are lower and so it probably doesnt help much. But I also daily my car, and so having mods to enjoy the other 28 days a month would be nice. Hell... I sometimes autox with two 10"s in the back because my box is too difficult to remove quickly.

 

mwood has got it right: Autocrosser's will most likey avoid them as they just add weight and kick you into a different class.
I know Kwescott had a full MS kit but that was because he kitted his car and THEN down the road decided to autocross.

 

Should be fine.

This is about how much roll you'll get with the MS springs (.8 inch drop all around)

 

Since most of the autox guys here are competitive nationally, they will tell you:
1) Bodykits are illegal for BS
2) Bodykits do nothing for performance, except for certain wings, which might make a marginable difference at > 100 mph
3) Bodykits actually make you do worse in autox, since they often provide a lower flared edge to catch cones

However, once upon a time, I did autox my car with a bodykit for much of the same reason; I wanted a car that looked good the other 25+ days of the month I wasn't autocrossing. And I didn't autox it nationally. It sounds like you will only autox locally, so as long as your local guys are happy (I would ask them first), you can probably autox your car in BS with a bodykit.

From my experience, autox cones does not do well with bodykits, even polyurethane ones (which I had). After a few cones, a polyurethane kit will crack. I have hit so many cones, that I have actually had my body kit come off. On my last car, an s2000, I went through three different polyurtherane front lips in one and a half seasons. Ouch.

If you are thinking the fiberglass body kit type like what veilside provides, you are asking for an expensive bodykit damage right away. gl.

 

Ah, hitting cones....

I thought we were talking about clearance.

Don't hit cones!

Extremely hard turn on MS springs(note the girl thrown in the passenger seat and the parking tag "g" meter)

Clearance = fine.

 

And this is how much roll you will get a a much faster speed with a good KW coilover system,

Almost nothing on the low setting.

 

i dont autox nationally, running locally here in Hawaii in STU, have an autobahn replica front, burnout replica sides, tein flex coilovers. i often wish i didnt get the bumper.