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I full understand that neither is a good option, more spring is definitely needed for these tires, I underestimated the effects it would have. The rubbing issue is on the fronts, we broke the fender roller we were using and weren't able to give them much of a pull, it was rubbing my tire chalk off and doing a little bit of gouging into the sidewall up there. I couldn't find where on the fender it was hitting exactly though, I will pull the wheels off this weekend and take a closer look to identify the problem, maybe I need to extend my roll a bit further down the back side.
The rubbing issue is on the fronts, we broke the fender roller we were using and weren't able to give them much of a pull, it was rubbing my tire chalk off and doing a little bit of gouging into the sidewall up there.
I originally thought my tires fit without even rolling the front fender lip, but a high-speed full opposite lock slide recovery took a big bite out of one of them. I rolled that lip flat and now I have a bunch of room. I now only get rubbing on the pinch weld on the backside of the wheel well, at the top inside next to the shock tower, on the fender liners at the front of the wheel well, and on the back of the control arm at huge steer angles. I think I should retract the word "only" from the beginning of that last sentence. Also, I'm running all the camber in the front and rear. I actually never measure it because it's just maxed out so I don't have a number.
I originally thought my tires fit without even rolling the front fender lip, but a high-speed full opposite lock slide recovery took a big bite out of one of them. I rolled that lip flat and now I have a bunch of room. I now only get rubbing on the pinch weld on the backside of the wheel well, at the top inside next to the shock tower, on the fender liners at the front of the wheel well, and on the back of the control arm at huge steer angles. I think I should retract the word "only" from the beginning of that last sentence. Also, I'm running all the camber in the front and rear. I actually never measure it because it's just maxed out so I don't have a number.
The pinch weld became an issue for me and required me to run lots of caster to move the wheel forward a bit, my old wheels hit the control arm but these don't seem to have that issue... hmmm. We will see the full story when I pull everything apart again and see where I was rubbing. Maybe our differences have to do with ride height or something.
I'm now the proud owner of a set of 285/30/18 A7 and have no wheels to put them on, I'm continuing to spelunk the classified for appropriate wheels since I hesitated too long on the PF01's I nearly scored, but worst case I'll just order a new set if it becomes crunch time.
Update:
a friend has a set of 18x10.5+38 PF01 I'm going to see what I need to do to fit those, Id prefer a higher offset but I've asked around some and it seems I should be able to make these fit with some subtle re-contouring of the fenders.
I'm going to jump from STX to DSP in time for the (local to me) DC tour. I will not have aero but will have a light flywheel and 4.777 diff.
Last edited by Nathan Atkins; 05-10-2016 at 07:17 PM.
I got to drive the Bristol match tour STX winning car. Believe it or not that is the first time I have driven an 8 on course. I was very impressed and motivated to get my build going.
I'm still working through the plans for some stuff but I hopefully will be able to get the motor rebuilt in the next month or so.
Monnar and Atkins signed up for the DC Tour.. where are the rest of you folks? This is a great site for a tour and will feature a Sam Strano course that will sure to be fun and challenging.
I changed my registration for the Toledo Pro to DSP, I'll basically be running the car as I have in STX just with my new wheels and tires on.
59John Vitamvas 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe
Stranoparts/PFTuning/HumanCannonbal
Washington DC RegionDSP
76Eric J Campbell 1993 BMW 325is
Joefis Racing/CKD
Ohio Valley RegionDSP
89Nathan M Atkins 2005 Mazda RX-8 6-speed
Second Gear Racing
Washington DC RegionDSP
159Kevin Henry 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe
Stranoparts/PFTuning/HumanCannonbal
Washington DC RegionDSP
176Christopher Douglas Dressler 1993 BMW 325is
Joefis Racing/CKD
Northeastern Pennsylvania RegionDSP
Just looking at the competition I think my realistic goal is to not be DFL by more than 2 seconds haha, but you never know, the car might do well.
Last edited by Nathan Atkins; 06-06-2016 at 07:17 AM.
Kenneth, I'm interested in the front top hay spring adapters you have, do you have a source for those? available separately?
Hey Nathan, I actually made those adapters myself (assuming you're talking about the ones on my Koni Yellows), so the source is me. I think I need to keep them together with my shocks because without them, I don't think I'd ever be able to sell my setup. However, Bilstein's PSS9's have a nearly identical adapter, so maybe you could try to find a source that could sell you just those parts. How are you managing that interface now? Are you using RX-8-specific springs? Alternatively, I think a pretty standard conical upper spring perch would work too, and would probably actually be better because it doesn't bend the spring.
And good luck at Toledo! I'm out of town this weekend, which is unfortunate because the Toledo Pro is basically a local for me. Otherwise I'd come by and say hi. Maybe another event.
Hey Nathan, I actually made those adapters myself (assuming you're talking about the ones on my Koni Yellows), so the source is me. I think I need to keep them together with my shocks because without them, I don't think I'd ever be able to sell my setup. However, Bilstein's PSS9's have a nearly identical adapter, so maybe you could try to find a source that could sell you just those parts. How are you managing that interface now? Are you using RX-8-specific springs? Alternatively, I think a pretty standard conical upper spring perch would work too, and would probably actually be better because it doesn't bend the spring.
And good luck at Toledo! I'm out of town this weekend, which is unfortunate because the Toledo Pro is basically a local for me. Otherwise I'd come by and say hi. Maybe another event.
Thanks Kenneth, I'll need good luck out there! it'll be my first time driving on Hoosiers!
Right now I have the TEIN 70-90mm tapered springs at all four corners with the OEM top hats. When considering the conical plate dapters I wanted to keep clear of anything that would just apply the weight to the rubber grommet under the OEM top hat which meant either getting some kind of off the shelf spherical bearing top hat or making a collar like yours so the weight bears on the top hat body rather than the grommet. I think Im going to ring up Bilstein and see can they sell that adapter separately. It would open up a ton of spring options.
You can sort of see my front tapered springs in this shot. I cracked some paint rolling the tears, but touched it up with some automotive enamel I had on hand.
the intent was not to be 2 seconds away from DFL Id say mission accomplished, I wasn't that far of Chris Dressler really and was within a second of Shelly Monfort in JV's car :-) I still have a fair bit of prep to do so the car will gat faster. I need proper shocks, or to revalve my Bilstein HD's and to make more power, so I'm looking long and hard at a longtube header. A few other goodies like the lightweight flywheel I have will help, and I'm also looking at better seating options than my relatively heavy and uncomfortable Corbeau Forza seat.
I'll post video later on when my Co-Driver Danny puts it up on youtube. and another thing, if you are someone casually considering DSP from STX or CS.... DO EET!! the car felt amazing!! As I said on facebook it's laughable that some people call RE71R "Hoosierstones" because they're not, they're street tires. Hoosiers are a whole different level.
Unfortunately John's car had an oil pressure problem and will be out of commission for a bit :-( So now is our chance to plump the class up and everyone get really fast before he returns!
Class standings for DSP [6 Cars] (01:22:49 PM)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T 1 59 John Vitamvas 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe Hoosier RT/60ft
RL 35.213 35.272 35.469 DNS DNS 70.574
38.436(1) 35.361 35.636 35.423 DNS DNS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T 2 76 Eric Campbell 1993 BMW 325is Hoosier RT/60ft
RL 41.962(3) RL 35.778 35.495 35.643 71.051
38.812(1) 35.637 36.532 36.239 DNF 35.556 (0.477)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 189 Daniel Gross 2005 Mazda MAZDA RX8 Hoosier RT/60ft
DNS DNS DNF 37.149 40.898(2) DNF 74.662
DNS DNS 43.782(3) 37.513 RL 42.680(3) (2.236)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 159 Kevin Henry 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe Hoosier RT/60ft
40.379 40.128(2) 39.782(2) 42.035(3) DNS DNS 75.351 35.569 38.413(1) 35.757 41.147(2) DNS DNS (0.689)
and lets not forget Shelly from L1, she ran a 71.648
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T 2 59 Shelly Monfort 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe Hoosier RT/60ft
37.899 38.082(1) 38.430(1) 36.252 35.972 41.994(3) 60.758
41.316(1) 51.858(1) 39.912(2) 36.255 35.676 37.383(1) (1.319)
:::EDIT::: - I feel like I should explain the DNS's, on my morning runs I cracked a radiator end tank. We found a replacement radiator at the local AutoZone and were able to get it done in time to do our work assignments and then run in the afternoon, Whew! John and Kevin never had a chance to run Sunday morning as they had the engine fault while Shelly was running in L1.
Last edited by Nathan Atkins; 06-14-2016 at 09:46 AM.
Reason: added Shelly
Here is freshly posted video as promised. Don't judge Danny too harshly, he is quick as hell in his STF Mazda3 so the RX8 was a big adjustment for him, I think he did really well considering that. As for myself, Tamra suggested I lost about a half second per side adding distance in sweepers and such. JV suggested I launch at higher rpm, increase spring rate (planned) and get better shocks (planned).
So the short term, as in before nationals, list is:
Increase spring rate 40% from 10k/7k to 14k/10k, Bilstein revalve, aero bits, flywheel install, better tune (still on raw Cobb stage 1 flash)
I'm a bit wishy-washy about the 4.777 diff, I have one but might not put it in. We'll see how it goes in Marc's car this weekend.
Awesome job out there this weekend, Nathan. For your first time on Hoosiers running an STX prep car, that was a fantastic showing. I can't wait to see how you do as you get the car better setup and you adapt to the insane ability of Hoosiers.
Now I really can't wait to join the class. I'll be shopping for coilovers and wheels starting soon, if anyone has any available. Leaning toward Ohlins DFV Full Race setup with custom spring rates (undecided yet), but open to suggestions. Not sure on wheels.. RPF1 or 949 6UL?
Well, thanks to Marc I had a chance to sample a fully prepped car this weekend and we got some tires out of the deal :-) Marc's car Serenity was the class of the field, especially Sunday. Marc put in a great drive but wasn't able to recover from day one troubles. I entered day 2 in second by a slim margin so it was anyone's game. Doug put in a good drive in the BMW but there was no stopping Serenity and we wrapped up the win by 0.768
I've definitely found my new autocross home in DSP, and I cant wait to get my car built up to a nationally competitive car. Huge thanks to Marc for giving me the experience and I'm looking forward to squaring off with you in the future :-)
Thanks Dave, yeah always good to get a solid run in from the beginning, i didn't have to sweat the sloppy dirty runs that followed it haha
The car is damn good, I'll have to kick the build into gear and drive well to keep up in Lincoln. In fact JohnV has gone to some length to notify me that Peter/Doug were on garbage shocks and I should have been 3.5 seconds faster than I was, so that's the size of the hill I have to climb. Lots of work to do on the car and then to learn to drive it well enough to be in the mix.
Last edited by Nathan Atkins; 06-21-2016 at 02:44 PM.
haha... don't let John get in your head. If you were 3.5 seconds faster, you would have set FTD
It looks like he is right about that putting me in DSP Championship contention. I had a look back at some past results and it seems that's about how much pace I would need to find to get there. I'm hoping he gets the car together soon so I can run off against him directly a few times before Nationals.
I mean, lets be real here, I'm still developing as a driver and to think I'm going to stroll in and take the title is a bit off base. but I still want to do as well as I can and not get stomped by 3.5 seconds or similar.
So there was this flourish of activity on here so I thought Id join the fun and then silence. What are you guys up to? Any successes? failures? no time to deal with it? went on vacation to Timbuktu instead?
So my S2000 recently sold (DSP funding: check!) and I'm about to dive into DSP with my 05 RX8. We will be DIYing aero, my coilovers are decided (So $$$), going to go catless. Tuning solution TBD. Spring rates TBD. Wheels TBD. Sticking with the OEM diff.
For wheels, I've been wavering between 17x10 and 18x10 options. I'm leaning toward 17x10 with 275/35/17, since it's not much narrower than the 285/30 option, is slightly shorter in overall diameter, and has a slightly taller sidewall (which I prefer the feeling of).
I can't find much info on the forums about the 17x10 949 6UL's but they are at the top of my list right now. I would love to try 315's in the future but for my initial sampling, this seems like an easy button. Opinions?
I'm also really excited - going to drive Marc's car at the Wilmington Tour.
04-20-2016, 01:27 PM
