Jason, how did the OE diff hold up in your opinion? I've heard from people who have tried STU RX-8s that it needs to be upgraded in order to put power down effectively.

 

there are slight ridges which enclose a small rectangular shaped area right behind the back suicide doors of the rx-8 but in front of the back tires (on the lower part). What are they for? Are they for air ducts?

 

That is a piece of clear bra type material to keep that area from picking up stone chips in your paint. I wish they had done that on the nose from the factory as well.

 

That's really interesting, considering how "under powered" you are, I cannot spin the 265's at will in my 330. Good gearing?

 

Strong willed.

 

Knowing how Jason drives, probably very early throttle application at corner exit.

 

I would guess my effective rear spring rate is higher than yours, and/or my front to rear spring ratio. The RX-8 is very long, for me it responded well to a relatively high rear spring rate, the drawback is throttle on oversteer.

At El Toro, where we did most of our development, I could get on the gas nearly as early as I could in BS trim. However, that sadly was not the case with the "grippy" concrete at Lincoln.

It really sucks to think about having to make extra trips to Lincoln to properly set up a car for that surface.

 

I have no plans to further test or develop any ST related items on my car.

I think everyone should have a set of each, 17s and 18s. Run them both on your car to find out which one you like. Then use the slower set as your streets/rains.

 

Jason, did you have corner-exit issues on the west course? I did not, but I did remove some rear compression before running that day. In then end I convinced myself it was the off-camber corners on the east course causing most, if not all of the corner exit oversteer, but that's just a guess.

[edit] Like you I've never had corner-exit problems on my home turf, in my case Packwood.

 

I had changed the car enough by the time I got to the west most of the corner exit wheel spin was gone... But the bumps were kicking my @ss.

 

That's what the rebound **** is for.

 

This is exactly what I plan to do next year, although I do wonder about the logic of having rain tires when you compete with AWD cars.

Maybe I'll just make the slower wheels my track wheels.

 

And this conclusion is reinforced by my experience, where the only change I made at LAP to my Packwood setup, with my KWs and their relatively soft springs, was to remove two clicks of rear (low speed) compression damping.

 

Interesting comment - do you think it is rolling too much? I am using Whiteline bars, which are not super stiff.

 

I agree with this in general, not just on the RX-8s. The downside being that one needs to plan a bit further ahead with inputs on a softer car.

 

Yes, I am aware of that, just wondering why you think there is too much roll - do you think the car is too deep into the bump stops?

The added grip at LAP does result in more roll than at Packwood, particularly when we run late in the week. So, if I want to reduce roll, I have to choose between two apparent evils - raising the car or adding more roll stiffness.

 

hi ulllose,

what spring rates are you using for your moton?

 

All of my specs will be in an upcoming SportsCar magazine feature.

 

aaaahh... But that means it would not be available on the net right?

 

I would imagine by the time people are reading it you will see most of it posted up.

 

i thought so bro... Oh well, guess have to be wait it out since i cant get the mag here...

anyway, hope u do well for all your coming eventz man !

 

Well it looks my development next season will focus soley on dialing in my suspension and wheel & tire package. I'll probably go with some decent double adjustables, and a 18x9/265 set-up. If money permits, I'll work on exhaust and engine management stuff as well.

Beyond 2010, I hope to pick up a spare RX-8 diff and have an OS Giken lsd installed. Ian Stewart, as well as some CSP people I've spoken to, have spoken highly of this lsd, and I feel running a good aftermarket lsd could be the key to unlocking the RX-8's potential in STX trim.

 

^So you've decided to go with the 18x9's eh? I'm still on the fence between the two choices.

 

That's the way I'm leaning right now, but I won't be purchasing wheels until after Xmas.

If no new ST tire comes out next year, I'll probably decide between the Dunlop Star Specs and Hankook RS3's. Isley had a good article in the latest SportsCar comparing the current crop of top ST tires and these two seemed very closely matched. My only "grey area" about the RS3's is their ability in the wet compared to the Dunlops (which are exceptional).

 

^Yeah I enjoyed that article. And was surprised by the RS-3's performance. I'll be waiting untill after christmas to pick up my STX set as well. But right now am set on the Star Specs.