The STX thread!
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The car was a blast to drive. While it doesn't have the overall grip of a B (C) Stock car, STX suspension allowances really let you set up a car that's more responsive, better balanced, and ultimately (imho) more fun to drive. I really enjoyed it, and I can't see going back to the restrictions of Stock class.
Now let's just get the car reclassed to DSP so I can enjoy R comps AND the suspension.
Now let's just get the car reclassed to DSP so I can enjoy R comps AND the suspension.
Maybe the RX8 goes to DSP if they allow the Datsun Z car in and it smokes the status quo...I'm not so sure about the first (which is out for comment), but I am very confident in the second...
Either way, DSP should just be left the fark alone...it is probably the most interesting SP class, currently.
Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to pull much weight out or add power beyond this point for awhile - the new kiddo keeps eating into my play money.
Last edited by altiain; Jan 19, 2010 at 07:59 AM.
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So I ran the car at a local winter series event yesterday at Pennington Field (the same site Andy Hollis used for the recent "street tires vs. r comps" story in Grassroots). Miatamoto co-drove the car with me. This was not an SCCA-classed event, but there were several competitive SCCA cars there.
Out of 59 cars, Miatamoto and I took first and second in class (under 4.0L displacement on street tires, including a couple of STU cars), and first and third overall on PAX index (we calculated the index on all the SCCA cars there).
It's a small data sample, and I certainly don't expect it to mean anything to anyone but me. However, the car performed better than I expected against a couple of known quantities, and I walked away feeling confident that the car will be in the hunt. Hopefully next month I'll have a chance to run against Lucas and Ledbetter's 328 and add a better data point.
The car was a blast to drive. While it doesn't have the overall grip of a B (C) Stock car, STX suspension allowances really let you set up a car that's more responsive, better balanced, and ultimately (imho) more fun to drive. I really enjoyed it, and I can't see going back to the restrictions of Stock class.
Now let's just get the car reclassed to DSP so I can enjoy R comps AND the suspension.
Out of 59 cars, Miatamoto and I took first and second in class (under 4.0L displacement on street tires, including a couple of STU cars), and first and third overall on PAX index (we calculated the index on all the SCCA cars there).
It's a small data sample, and I certainly don't expect it to mean anything to anyone but me. However, the car performed better than I expected against a couple of known quantities, and I walked away feeling confident that the car will be in the hunt. Hopefully next month I'll have a chance to run against Lucas and Ledbetter's 328 and add a better data point.
The car was a blast to drive. While it doesn't have the overall grip of a B (C) Stock car, STX suspension allowances really let you set up a car that's more responsive, better balanced, and ultimately (imho) more fun to drive. I really enjoyed it, and I can't see going back to the restrictions of Stock class.
Now let's just get the car reclassed to DSP so I can enjoy R comps AND the suspension.
255/40-17s on 17x9 +35mm RPF1s. I personally don't think the marginal increase in tread width on the 18/265 combo is worth the added weight and expense. The powertrain is still in BS trim (nothing but an axleback exhaust) - 175-180whp?
By the way - the 255 Star Specs are slightly wider than my 255 R888s (which in turn were substantially wider than my old 255 RA1s), both mounted on identical wheels. These suckers run pretty big.
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2. What's most people would normally see in STX for power?
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Row faster, I hear banjos
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From: Charlottesville, VA
2. I think 200-210whp is a reasonable estimate. That's the power level I'm hoping for when I get around to engine tuning later this year (won't have the money to do it for another 10 months or so).
Videos from Sunday:
Morning run
Afternoon run
Please excuse the typo - apprently Miatamoto doesn't know how to spell "Dunlop"...
Morning run
Afternoon run
Please excuse the typo - apprently Miatamoto doesn't know how to spell "Dunlop"...
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas, TX
Videos from Sunday:
Morning run
Afternoon run
Please excuse the typo - apprently Miatamoto doesn't know how to spell "Dunlop"...
Morning run
Afternoon run
Please excuse the typo - apprently Miatamoto doesn't know how to spell "Dunlop"...
Cone Killer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 124
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From: Dallas, TX
Well, it was a good day today. First, I was able to close the deal on the 18x9 SSR Type Cs, which I purchased from user Herblenny. About 1 lb heavier than the 17x9 RPF1s, but I get to run (and pay for) 265s. 3 lbs lighter than the 17x9s I ran last year. 
More importantly, Shaikh, the proprieter of FatCat Motorsports, flew up from San Jose and we spent the day test fitting shock bodies & bump stops, and measuring bump vs. droop travel, on my car. While I need to be a bit cagey on the results, suffice to say we believe we found opportunities for improvements over the KWs. It will be a few months before I get the FCM units, however.
Great service from Shaikh, who will be looking at a local NC tomorrow for the same purpose - a buddies car which is being prepped for STR. We both plan to run DA FCM coilovers.
More importantly, Shaikh, the proprieter of FatCat Motorsports, flew up from San Jose and we spent the day test fitting shock bodies & bump stops, and measuring bump vs. droop travel, on my car. While I need to be a bit cagey on the results, suffice to say we believe we found opportunities for improvements over the KWs. It will be a few months before I get the FCM units, however.
Great service from Shaikh, who will be looking at a local NC tomorrow for the same purpose - a buddies car which is being prepped for STR. We both plan to run DA FCM coilovers.
BTW, all you CS guys might think about calling Shaikh as well, if you are looking for an interesting alternative to Koni Yellows, or just some alternative bump stops. Shaikh has an excellent working knowledge of the stock class rules, and just might have a trick or two up his sleeve.
Sorry if this sounds like a plug, but he's a great guy and really is interested in seeing his customers succeed.
Here's a pic from yesterday, taken with my iPhone. Shaikh's kneeling in the forground.
if i had the money i would be all over a set of his Bilsteins for CS. but just not in the budget, esp with how much i'm planning on Lemons racing. i had some of his stuff on my STS miata, and i really liked it. i might give him a call re: bumpstops, though.
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From: South Bend, IN
However, I'd love to get my hands on a set of used HD's for STX.
i thought that was in reference to the '09+ cars, but i could be wrong. definitely something to be aware of; however, Shaikh seems like a vendor who understands the class rules.
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Interesting rumored new size of Dunlops of 265/40-17
http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/40035...ad.aspx#400359
http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/40035...ad.aspx#400359
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Row faster, I hear banjos
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From: Charlottesville, VA
+1 I also thought it related to '09+ cars AND the '08 40th anniversary edition that came with bilsteins. Apparently the stock perch height was changed on those models from the earlier cars. Bilstein has had HD shocks available for the RX-8 as a direct OE replacement since late 2004 iirc...