PUR NRG

I've been playing with the idea for a while but I can't quite justify $3500 Penske shocks in the RX-8. Anything up to $2000 is doable though. Popular concensus on this board seems to lean towards the JIC FLT-A2 but I wanted to get a second opinion.

For serious autocrossers: what type of shock/spring upgrade would you recommend? Something currently available or wait a couple months for something you know is coming out soon that will be better than what's out there now?

This is for a street mod car that's on stock wheels for now.
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GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

I think you are rolling the dice right now, in terms of finding the "hot" autocross setup. This will be the first full seasong for autocrossing the '8, and I think much will be learned. Based on past experiences with other makes, it might take a few YEARS to figure out who makes the best "budget" coilover setup for autocrossing.

Sorry, I know I'm not answering your exact question, but you asked if you should wait, and I'd say it just depends on wether you like being on the cutting edge, or if you'd rather save some money and learn from other's mistakes.

Edit - I'll also say it depends on your objectives. If you are looking to go to nats, you have your work cut out for you in terms of finding the hot setup. If you want to have fun and put some good local times in, then most of the available systems will probably work quite well. Having gone down the "build it as you go" approach with my semi-CSP Miata (having ended up with Tokico Illumina dampers with Ground Control coilovers - not optimum) I can say that the best thing you can do (other than shop for a matched system, which you are already doing) is figure out what tires you are going to run, and let that guide you in choosing a spring rate. Basically, the more tire you run, the more spring you need. If you intend to run 275-section Hoosiers or Kumhos, then a 30% increase in spring rate probably wont cut it. You might look for 75% increase or even 2x+.

This is all based on my experieces with my Miata. The RX-8 is different, of course - supposedly it has better camber curves, so it might not be as sensitive to spring rate as the Miata. Hopefully somebody will chime in with direct experience, but the only concrete thing I've heard on this board so far is that a big front bar is needed if you run the big tires to stay off the bump stops. This was from someone running BS, so you have more options at your disposal and the BFB might not be optimum.

PUR NRG

Well there's "hot" and there's "at least it's warm". The dice have been rolled; I ordered the JIC FLT-2A's with 10kg/7kg springs, along with Racing Beat sway bars front and rear. We'll see how it does.
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Hassan

I am curious to see how the FLT-2As work.

VividRacing.com

I would recomend the JIC FLTA2 as well. They have been working fine for me. Though I don't autoX road racing is my bag, baby. The adjustability is quite good and should give you plenty or room for dialing it in. I'm using the Racing Beat rear sway with JIC front and rear strut bars as well. On a flat coars the car handles like gang busters. I think you'll be very happy with your choice. BTW did you get them from us. I've got a set right now that I'm selling dirt cheap brand new in the box. You should have called me.

PUR NRG

I saw your advertised special at $1575 but wanted to avoid CA sales tax, which would have bumped it up to $1700 not including shipping. Ended up finding another vendor at $1500 + shipping out of AZ. All other things being closely equal I would have supported a board sponsor but that sales tax was a deal braker. Not your fault I know.
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Nash Rambler

syntrix

They work extremely well. Check my other recent posts.

However, do you have the time to get the car on jacks and make minor adjustments after each track (or autox) session.

I had no corner weighting shops avail locally, so I tuned on the track.

What I thought worked on the street (60% of limits), comitted suicide on the track!!!

I had strip the tires off and make minor weighting changes for the track. That was my first 1/2 day.

Even with corner weighting, you still have to play with dampning.

You can pay me big money to reproduce my settings! I was faster than S2000's and Boxters S's with coilovers and THEY were on slicks. I was on street tires.

GO FIGURE!!

......but track is different than autox, your tires never heat up properly, so that's another factor... in a nutshell, have a pit crew handy no matter what you do!

syntrix

After track tuning, I would NOT recommend only a rear sway bar on the car, unless you need the rear to come out at 60% of your driving level... which might make sense on the street, but disastrous in a panic situation. Do a matched set for sure; and make sure the company tests the setup to your standards!

On flat corners on the track... gang busters... cool, but what about at 104% of the tires, how does the car perform? How does it do with bumps that upset the suspension geometry when at that 104%? Probably not gang busters!

I actually got my rears to roll over and the car to handle great on stock sways with the JIC's . Excellent tire wear front and rear, unheard of! I will do sways next, matched set, and will report after the next car (read not bike, that's next month) track day!!!

tpryor

A couple of observations.

This is an autocross car, so the setup should deal only with transitions and control under throttle. Very different requirements to a road race setup.

Will you be driving this also as a "daily driver" on the street? If so, then you must have a durable shock, along with springs that you can live with (compromise).

If you are going to be serious (National Level, MUST win at all costs), then you need a shock that is easily rebuildable and has a wide range of (repeatable) adjustment, and whatever springs are necessary.

If you are not AS serious (Local, Regional, and Divisional events), then it's not as important. Go for "good" but comfortable.

Then take a hard look at what's out there. There are several shock manufacturers that will take a stock set of shocks and put thier adjustable internals in them for you (Bilstein, Moton).

I am a believer (typically) in softer (relatively) springs with big bars, as I am a fan of mechanical grip.

Having said all this, the Penske is the only shock with a single HUGE piston, double adjustability in several varieties, fully custom made, and OWNER REBUILDABLE! I would LOVE a set of these, but I am not financially capable - but for serious autocross work, this is the only way to go.

Otherwise, I am going to wait until the adjustable Koni's are available from Racing Beat. Fits my budget, gives me 75% of what I need, etc.

Just my $0.02 worth........

PUR NRG

Fortunately the alignment shop I frequent does corner weighting as well.

This is why two driver cars are a good thing. The stock RE tires lost significant grip when heated up.

What, information isn't free? I'd love to compare notes and settings with you. Our setups are different enough that it won't be a 1:1 translation but still close enough that comparisons would be useful. Let me know if you change your mind.
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PUR NRG

Daily driver but we don't mind stiff shocks. The stock S2000 suspension is stiffer than even the RX-8 with FLT-A2 shocks and 10kg/mm springs up front. We drove that S2000 with a Genron front bar that made the ride even stiffer. I loved it.

I've been autocrossing for two years now in a region with national-level drivers in almost every class. It will be a while before I am a concern to any of them. Still, just for comparison my Street Mod 540i (stock engine, street tires, lots of suspension and quaiffe rear diff) averaged in the middle of the pack compared to most driving on slicks.

Yeah, I'd love a set of Penske shocks as well but the JICs, RB sways and exhaust all together were still a grand less. Life's full of compromises.
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syntrix

Good for you on the corner weighting! Where did you have yours set at?

2 drivers definately helps to get the tires warmer!

The pay thing was a joke, but very few people can on-track tune a suspension, so maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that!

PUR NRG

Haven't done the corner weighting yet. There is an outstanding question in to JIC about my rear springs. The 7kg rear springs JIC USA has in stock are 5.5" in diameter at the top. The stock springs are 4.5". I think they were sent the wrong springs by Japan; should know more about that today.

Currently I have the FLT-A2 shocks w/10kg springs and RB sway in front and stock suspension in the rear. Should make for an interesting experience when we autocross this sunday...

When everything goes on, the corner weighting is done and we get a couple autocross events under our belt I'll post some data. Hopefully we can get a good dialog going.
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Lovely Wendie99

VividRacing.com

Just a side not here for all of you who are serious about the coilovers and racing/ track events.... Before you buy, call me! This is twice now I've seen someone pay too much for the coilovers. Our website price is not the price I usually charge forum members. It does pay to talk to me.