MotoGeno

I currently run STX since I'm still running the OEM tires, and this car is very well suited for the class. I'll be following this post and your mods as I'm interested in how much time it's actually worth. I haven't lost a local event in STX yet, but we don't have any nationally prepped WRX's - there will be one at our State competitions and I think he'll be spanking me, but a lot of that is talent and not car. Honestly, it seems the biggest gains would be only with slightly shorter springs, good shocks, and maybe adjustable camber plates in the front. I can't see the gains from stiffer springs being significant in a street tire class, but I could be way off on this. Seems for lower grip levels with street tires the factory spring rates are pretty good - you need a level of compliance in there still unless you're running a really flat and smooth surface.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Bump.

Fluid Motorsports is working with Progress Technologies on developing motorsports oriented springs for the RX-8: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/progress-technology-springs-169893/

I probably won't race my RX-8 in 2010 as I have an offer to co-drive an STU STi, but I'll definitely pick up a set of these springs to make my car more entertaining on the daily drive.

Cito

I am all over those springs. They seem to be the key to making an STX RX8 economically viable.

Anybody found deals on 17x9 or 18x9 wheels yet?

Brent

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

^ Definitely post your interest in the linked thread as the vendor is using that thread to gauge interest/viability of this project.

There's a good chance I might have a co-drive in a STU STi next year, but I'll still be making a few upgrades to my RX-8 to run STX at local events with my car. My list lincludes:

-Progress Springs w/ current koni SA shocks
-Lightweight 17x9" wheels (Enkei, 5Zigen, WedsSport, etc)
-255/40/17 tires (will go with a competitive tire in 2010)
-Midpipe with a high-flow cat

If money allows I'll pick up a Cobb AP and get the car dyno-tuned by Hill @ Agile Auto in MD on pump gas. Car should be a 90-95% STX car with just these simple changes and a blast to drive on my daily commute/weekends.

Cito

I PM'd him about the springs. Hopefully they will be available sooner than later. If I had some extra change laying around that didn't need to go into the moneypit I call my wife's house, I would probably get serious about this STX thing.

MotoGeno

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking - there isn't a boatload of mods that would be necessary to be competitive. I'm running totally stock right now and I'm winning STX locally in two different regions. But, as stated before, there's no one nationally competitive in either of those regions. In the discussion on the spring rates though, I see a lot of suggestion for some pretty high spring rates and I'm really wondering if there is any benefit there. On R Comps you'd want stiffer spring rates because of the increase in tire grip which produces more body roll, but if you're setting up to run on street tires I'm not sure that super stiff springs will be of any benefit. What say you?

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

I don't feel 450# Front and 275# Rear springs are super stiff. There will still be body roll in turns and plenty of compliance. I can also use swaybars to further fine tune the handling of the car.

R-comps do offer much higher grip levels, but the latest batch of performance street tires will still allow cars to generate over 1g of lateral grip in turns. These tires are much better than the OE tires you're currently running on - plus you can up the width from 225 to 265.

At the end of the day do what's best for you and your driving style.

S0l08

iTrader: (1)

You will have some competition this weekend!

MotoGeno

Glad to have some competition! You're going to the Delta event on Sunday? Who is this, by the way?

S0l08

iTrader: (1)

This is Max. Yes I should be there Sunday. Though my car will only have about 300 miles.

S0l08

iTrader: (1)

By the way, does anyone know if the Konis will fit the new 09s?

MotoGeno

Well they may not be - I'm certainly not educated in spring rates, but I saw that in the other thread they were mentioning having street springs that were significantly more compliant than the rates above. Since my car is a daily driver too I wouldn't be able to put anything too aggressive on there, and honestly a little body roll isn't necessarily slower or a bad thing - and yes, you'd be able to tune that out with sways and shocks anyway. I know that the RE01r's and equivalents are much better than the OEM tires, but they're still not A6's. If the above rates are the hot ticket or what you like I'm definitely not one to tell you otherwise - really I'm just trying to educate myself in this thread and figure out what would be advantageous for me in STX. It's only my guess, but I'd say that the above rates would be too stiff to do double duty comfortably.

MotoGeno

Hey buddy, I was thinking you were going to be RotoMax? 300 miles - are you gonna run? I was too worried about break in, since these rotaries do seem to be a bit sensitive, to run until I put 1000 miles on the clock. I'd think the shocks would be the same - I don't think the suspension changed at all in '09, just gearing, bodywork, and a third oil pump.

S0l08

iTrader: (1)

I'll probably run it. I'll break it in right. I might go drive it some Sat night. try to get it to 500 at least.

MotoGeno

Actually, the Mazda manual says 600 is all you need. See you Sunday!