MazdaRich

I had thought I would get an RX-8 to get into B-Stock, but it sounds like there's trouble getting tires. So I'm wondering about STU? It looks like it would be very competitive, considering an M3 and an IS300 won the last couple of National events. I probably wouldn't do any more than 17" wheels and swaybars.

So does anyone have any experiences so far they'd like to share?

Imp

Could be a good match on street tires in the class, but not at your level of prep you're thinking of.

You'd need some good adjustable coilovers for the car to be nationally competitive. One of the nice things about STU is becuse we're 2WD, we can use 275s whereas the EVOs/STis can only use 245s. On street tires, that's a good benefit, although the STis/EVOS will have gobs of power. So I would look for a 17" wheel that can put a 275 on it... something like 9" or 10" wide.

Also, being as we're 2WD, we can throw a better limited slip in the rear... that would probably be needed too.

So you're looking at:
275s
17" wheels (x9 or x10)
Swaybars
Good double adjustable coilovers
Exhaust
Headers
Seats
Better LSD
Maybe a big rear wing (for downforce yo!)

It could be fun, and taking on the EVOs and STi would be a challenge I wouldn't mind. :D I'm jsut done with supplimental classes for a while. Oh... only in Solo-II... definitely not for ProSolos. That would be a no-brainer for the STi/EVO benefit.

Dark8

I'm running 17x8 Kosie K1 TS with 255/40 Kumho MXs and TIEN Basic Coilovers. And I'm definately not a national caliber driver. I wouldn't buy the MX unless you are in the South since the MXs definately need a lot of heat to work good. That has been a problem for me in the cool PNW where we haven't had an auto-x with temps over 65 degrees yet this year.

Locally, no M3s or EVOs in the area but I'm having a hell of a time with an STI. I've been able to get within 1.5 seconds on a course that had many high speed transitions. But on any course where the STI could stretch it's legs or use it's awd advantage, the difference grew to 2-3 seconds. They are monsters on putting down the power coming out of low speed 1st gear corners!

clyde

ECU too
if you could fit smaller calipers on the brakes, you might even be able to go with a 16" wheel...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you can get a 16" wheel to fit over the OE sized brakes, but your selection of tire sizes is slim

understand that STU is only a supplemental class, unlike the official classes the rules or complete makeup of a supplemental class is potentially open for changes at anytime

some serious behind the scenes assessment is being given to forced induction vehicles in general, I can't say what that holds for the future though

MazdaRich

Maybe just slightly more expensive than B-Stock.

But it might be competitive regionally...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

if you want to be competitive regionally then I'd suggest B Stock, if you can find a set of Kumho V710's they will likely last you all year, there is a general shortage but they can be found

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Dont do it... You dont want to run with rally cars. To easy to play with boost. For some reason to this day SCCA cant seem to check them. Go for BS. I hear about these problems getting tires, but I know one guy that just got 8. I have brand new set. I was one of maybe two people that did not have new V710s at wendover. So they are out there.

Kurt Bob

I set up my car for STU because I didn't want to go the "extra tires and wheels" route. However, this year the RX-8's are real competitive in BS (and I'm wishin' I went with BS).

We're at a disadvantage in STU because of the lack of aftermarket goodies available (and the aforementioned boost issues). Also, M3's have good aftermarket support and have better torque.

All in all though it's fun to do STU, and not have to changes wheels and tires. I'm running the SEDiv Divisional this weekend in Atlanta; wish me luck!

AlexCisneros

I'm doing fairly well at the regional level. Long straights are not your friend against the EVO/STI. The M3 and SRT4 would be the biggest threats though IMO.

Can't change the seats (SRS)
Forgot Pullies, High Flow Cat, brake pads, rotors (brake :o ), ECU, and intake.
:D


IMO OEM LSD is good enough, get the 275 Kumho MX, I NEED COIL OVERS.

you can follow the link in my sig to see what I've done to mine

Imp

Sure you 'can'. The rules allow for a seat to be replaced.

--kC

Dark8

Just like those Scooby pre-cats that are against federal law to remove....

Ike

Which I believe is just as illegal as adding a high flow cat.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

it's not against federal law as along as the emissions don't exceed their 49 state specifications, I think you are confusing Republic of Kalifornia law with federal law

if's against federal law to remove an airbag steering wheel, that's why they don't allow this in the ST rules

a well setup and driven RX-8 might have a shot since the AWD cars are limited to a smaller wheel/tire width spec

Imp

The rule is written that you can go down to one high-flow cat. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you have a problem with the rules, dgill@scca.com is the e-mail address you'd need to send your comments to.

Reading the rules, you can replace an SRS equipped seat with an aftermarket one without. The only thing you can't touch is a steering wheel equipped with an airbag.

--kC

Imp

And one reason my old car was towed to events. (And it still passed Mass emissions with just one high-flow cat... a testament to how well most new cars are soo clean that I would be that with fuel and tighter engine tolerances, I would bet that we could do away with cat-cons now and not have the same problem we did in the lat 60s/early 70s.).

This discussion isn't about Subarus. There's plenty of other forems out there where you can bitch and moan about them, just like the Spec Civic in STS.

This is about how to set up an 8 for STU.

--kC

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you're car passed the emission test because they don't do a cold start check like what the manufacturers have to conform to, that's what the extra cats were there for

not to mention the state may impose looser emission specs too, just because you pass the state test does not infer that you met the federal specifications

the real issue is the SCCA not being able to test to the spec listed in the rulebook, otherwise IMO a lot of you guys would be getting busted, that said there's a general rule to the unfair advantage; if you can get away with it then it must be as good as legal.

and yes, you can presently change an SRS seat because unlike the airbag steering wheel it is not federally mandated, if the feds ever did impose an SRS seat mandate then the rule would change

Imp

Extra CAT. So if I chose to leave the stock cat in the uppipe as the one and only cat, would that be legal then? Becuase that's the only reason that cat is there (and missing in the new models now). So I would do more good if I had left that one on there instead of theone in the DP?

Correct me if you think this crazy... but my car was't a daily driver (and neither are more of the nationally prepped cars) So by running it 5-10 days a month... I'm killing the atmosphere? Let's see, gas is cleaner than 1977. Highflow cat technology cleans more particulates than 1980 stock cats ever did. And not runing it every day and skirting the U in ULEV (WRXs are ULEV) and only making it a LEV.. which is STILL much cleaner than many of the sports cars on the market today.

Not to mention I live in MA... we're pretty green here... they do the cold start check... the only new cars you can buy in MA are Cali emissions.

--kC

Dark8

Sorry, I didn't mean to get this thread off track. I only mentioned the cat issue because personally I don't think the ST rules always make sense. But I'm content to play within the rules. :D

eclps0

what class would i be in..

2004 gt 6speed
front sway
rear sway
front and rear strut bars
18-9 inch bbs rims
K&n intake

Splak

BSP

Rear sway and strut bars throw you outta B stock. Technically you can run STU, more competitive in BSP I think.

eclps0

i ran bsp last auto x and there was me and a mustang on r compound tires

Splak

How'd that turn out?

I run street tires and the only car that gives me a hard time is a MR2 turbo on hoosiers.

Imp

Any time you'll run against cars shod with r-compunds, you'll never be competitive on street tires... always pick ST as the class. You'll be a bit more competitive in ST than in SP 9 out of 10 times (ie: you could have a weak SP field)

--kC

eclps0

ok but what class Sp? i was in bsp and teh mustang was fully prepped to run in damm nascar, but i did come with in 0.4sec from him which is pretty good on my shitty tires and stock suspension