The STX thread!
06-03-2010, 11:16 PM
#1178
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I'd skip the DC Pro. The Fedex lot has a lot of elevation changes and the current B Lot we're using isn't as large as the previous E/F and A lots we've used in the past. It'll be tough to make up the 1/2 second you'll give up to the WRXs at the start on a 25 second course (per side).
06-03-2010, 11:19 PM
#1179
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Here's my fastest Sunday run from the Divisional:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmF8Ibr_48E&fmt=18
Gary's fastest Day 2 run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJDspS4kkgs&fmt=18
P.S. We didn't use the camera on Day 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmF8Ibr_48E&fmt=18
Gary's fastest Day 2 run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJDspS4kkgs&fmt=18
P.S. We didn't use the camera on Day 1.
Last edited by chiketkd; 06-05-2010 at 10:06 PM.
06-04-2010, 12:29 AM
#1181
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George,
At this point going to Nats in 2010 is not even on my radar.
I'm talking to Gary about going to either the Peru NT or the Finger Lakes NT in July. I'm pretty sure we'll attend one of these events. However, seeing that I'm still on the stock brakes, stock seats, stock sized battery and have no ECU tuning, I'm just not sure my car is ready for the highest level yet. I've also done zilch events on concrete. The high grip asphalt at Fedex is the best site I've run on thus far...
At this point going to Nats in 2010 is not even on my radar.
I'm talking to Gary about going to either the Peru NT or the Finger Lakes NT in July. I'm pretty sure we'll attend one of these events. However, seeing that I'm still on the stock brakes, stock seats, stock sized battery and have no ECU tuning, I'm just not sure my car is ready for the highest level yet. I've also done zilch events on concrete. The high grip asphalt at Fedex is the best site I've run on thus far...
06-04-2010, 07:20 AM
#1183
You should indeed do Peru. I'm currently the only RX-8 signed up and I'd love to see more (you know, so I can move farther and farther from a trophy). I'm heading out there for a divisional event this weekend. I'll report back on how the car behaves compared to other sites I've been on this season. I'm guessing I'll have huge oversteer like I did at Toledo though.
06-04-2010, 08:57 AM
#1184
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While I'm personally up for doing Peru, I'll need a co-driver to help split costs -- so which event I attend will depend on which event Gary wants to do. We won't have the time to do both, and I'd rather do Finger Lakes than nothing at all.
06-04-2010, 03:16 PM
#1185
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I'd skip the DC Pro. The Fedex lot has a lot of elevation changes and the current B Lot we're using isn't as large as the previous E/F and A lots we've used in the past. It'll be tough to make up the 1/2 second you'll give up to the WRXs at the start on a 25 second course (per side).
Oh that's great to know.
Looks like my predictions are right, I'm gonna get my *** handed to me in two weeks
How is the lot grip by chance? I mean obviously I'm gonna have a go at a few practice launches to gauge what I should be launching at as just about every lot I currently run on is different (anywhere from 3500-6000k)
Hey Kenneth, I didn't know you were on here. (Brian from the NWOR 2 day event at the airport a few weeks ago) You were having oversteer issues at Toledo? My car was pushing like a heavy pig out there, which is funny because I have it set up extremely loose for just about every other lot I run on. I just couldn't get the car dialed in in the two days out there. Hopefully with any luck I'll get it to respond how I want out there on the 13th so you don't trounce all over me at the Toledo Pro.
You thinking about coming out on the 13th in a week? It's the last event at the airport before the Pro in July.
06-04-2010, 05:59 PM
#1186
Michael,
I know this is the STX thread and that's what Chike was responding to but . . .
A Pro is a whole different experience than anything else you've done. It is crazy fast paced and at times hard to understand but it is a lot of fun.
If you have the time/means and can get registered, I'd go.
Tomas
I know this is the STX thread and that's what Chike was responding to but . . .
A Pro is a whole different experience than anything else you've done. It is crazy fast paced and at times hard to understand but it is a lot of fun.
If you have the time/means and can get registered, I'd go.
Tomas
06-04-2010, 09:12 PM
#1187
Michael,
I know this is the STX thread and that's what Chike was responding to but . . .
A Pro is a whole different experience than anything else you've done. It is crazy fast paced and at times hard to understand but it is a lot of fun.
If you have the time/means and can get registered, I'd go.
Tomas
I know this is the STX thread and that's what Chike was responding to but . . .
A Pro is a whole different experience than anything else you've done. It is crazy fast paced and at times hard to understand but it is a lot of fun.
If you have the time/means and can get registered, I'd go.
Tomas
Jim
06-08-2010, 08:13 AM
#1189
Hey Kenneth, I didn't know you were on here. (Brian from the NWOR 2 day event at the airport a few weeks ago) You were having oversteer issues at Toledo? My car was pushing like a heavy pig out there, which is funny because I have it set up extremely loose for just about every other lot I run on. I just couldn't get the car dialed in in the two days out there. Hopefully with any luck I'll get it to respond how I want out there on the 13th so you don't trounce all over me at the Toledo Pro.
You thinking about coming out on the 13th in a week? It's the last event at the airport before the Pro in July.
You thinking about coming out on the 13th in a week? It's the last event at the airport before the Pro in July.
As far as this last weekend at Grissom, the event was...interesting. On Saturday, we got three runs in the pouring (and I mean pouring!) rain, and the organizers called the event around noon due to forecasts of heavy rain and hail. Of course the sun came out immediately, the ground dried up and we all sat and watched. The course was so confusing that something like 50% of drivers on their first runs DNF'd, including some top talent. Some guys DNF'd all three runs and never knew where it happened. I drove pretty badly because it was so hard for me to see the course between the rain and the poorly placed cones, but the car felt good in the wet with the Dunlops.
After some pretty serious tornadoes Saturday night, Sunday was completely dry and a little cooler. The course was pretty slow for such a large site, as it was mostly a bunch of really tight turns linked together. The car felt totally different from how it was at Toledo, as it was pretty neutral through the one sweeper on the course and had a bit of understeer in the slow stuff. I'll see if this huge difference in handling between the two sites is real when I go back to Toledo this weekend.
06-10-2010, 12:06 PM
#1190
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Hey guys. Couple STX related questions for you all.
Any idea if a Greddy oil pan is STX legal? I see in the rulebook that baffles in the oil pan are permitted, but the rules are silent on increased oil pan capacity. I know normally if the rules don't explicitly permit it that it's not allowed, but in the case of a larger capacity oil pan there's really no performance advantage (in terms of power output, though it should improve cooling) so I'm wondering if perhaps it's something that is in fact legal for the class. If this is an unexplored area, do you know who I would contact at the SCCA to get a ruling on it?
The other issue I'm looking for some feedback on is the LSD. I've never used a clutch-type LSD for autocrossing, though I have tested clutch-type LSDs in various race cars and street cars around racing circuits and they've always outperformed Torsen/gear-type LSDs like the OE diff in the 8 (though they are noisier on the street and are higher maintenance, so I'm not even sure I want to upgrade the 8's diff). What's the conventional wisdom on clutch-type LSDs for autocross competition? Are they generally considered to have no real advantage at Solo speeds? I'm just thinking about how a 1.5-way and especially a 2-way clutch-type LSD offers some lockup during deceleration and how this might help reduce low speed understeer, plus with customizable ramp angles and clutch-pack material it may be possible to really dial in a clutch-type LSD for autocross use. But maybe I'd just end up chasing my tail on this without seeing any real gains over the OE torsen diff? Thoughts?
Any idea if a Greddy oil pan is STX legal? I see in the rulebook that baffles in the oil pan are permitted, but the rules are silent on increased oil pan capacity. I know normally if the rules don't explicitly permit it that it's not allowed, but in the case of a larger capacity oil pan there's really no performance advantage (in terms of power output, though it should improve cooling) so I'm wondering if perhaps it's something that is in fact legal for the class. If this is an unexplored area, do you know who I would contact at the SCCA to get a ruling on it?
The other issue I'm looking for some feedback on is the LSD. I've never used a clutch-type LSD for autocrossing, though I have tested clutch-type LSDs in various race cars and street cars around racing circuits and they've always outperformed Torsen/gear-type LSDs like the OE diff in the 8 (though they are noisier on the street and are higher maintenance, so I'm not even sure I want to upgrade the 8's diff). What's the conventional wisdom on clutch-type LSDs for autocross competition? Are they generally considered to have no real advantage at Solo speeds? I'm just thinking about how a 1.5-way and especially a 2-way clutch-type LSD offers some lockup during deceleration and how this might help reduce low speed understeer, plus with customizable ramp angles and clutch-pack material it may be possible to really dial in a clutch-type LSD for autocross use. But maybe I'd just end up chasing my tail on this without seeing any real gains over the OE torsen diff? Thoughts?
06-10-2010, 12:22 PM
#1191
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Send an e-mail to Brian Harmer (bharmer 'at' scca 'dot' com) or Doug Gill (dgill 'at' scca 'dot' com) about the oil pan question. They're busy, and they can only deal with member questions, so be sure to include your SCCA member number in the subject line of your e-mail. 
I have zero experience with clutch type lsd's. Team had a Kaaz lsd in his former STU v1 car, and has "something unknown" in his current STU v2 car. He'll be a much better person to respond to that question.
I have zero experience with clutch type lsd's. Team had a Kaaz lsd in his former STU v1 car, and has "something unknown" in his current STU v2 car. He'll be a much better person to respond to that question.
06-10-2010, 07:56 PM
#1192
I have the OS Giken LSD, still unsure if it's setup right for the car yet. It works completely the opposite of most LSD units i.e. it's always trying to unlock rather than lock up.
an aftermarket oil pan is not ST legal, you have to make the allowed mods to an OE pan
.
.
an aftermarket oil pan is not ST legal, you have to make the allowed mods to an OE pan
.
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 06-10-2010 at 08:00 PM.
06-10-2010, 10:46 PM
#1193
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I have the OS Giken LSD, still unsure if it's setup right for the car yet. It works completely the opposite of most LSD units i.e. it's always trying to unlock rather than lock up.
an aftermarket oil pan is not ST legal, you have to make the allowed mods to an OE pan
.
.
an aftermarket oil pan is not ST legal, you have to make the allowed mods to an OE pan
.
.
Interesting about the OS Giken diff. Maybe they should call it the Super Unlock LSD?
06-14-2010, 08:35 AM
#1194
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Had an interesting weekend in STX...
In my small Blue Ridge Region, I won my class and captured my first ever FTP.
Link: http://www.brr-scca.org/Results/20100613.htm
I then jumped into the 2nd place finishing '91 Civic Si during fun runs. Kimber has received input from Dave O'Maley and Tim Smith on setting up his car and runs a set-up similar to theirs. However, he's on some well-worn Bridgestones and not the hot ticket 195 Toyos or 225 RS-3's. I did my first two runs ever in his Civic Si last month at a PCA event. Yesterday, I took 3 fun runs in it and straight-timed my winning time in the RX-8.
My car is still lacking power (Cobb AP and tune), while his car is a '91 which is ~50lbs heavier than the '89, and he's a little down on power compared to O'Maley's car. But nevertheless, I was absolutely floored.
Course was very transitional with some fast slaloms and transitions, mixed in with 2-3 low speed sweepers/corners that hurt cars low on torque.
I know the STAC is moving to subjective classing in ST, but I was wondering if anyone else has tried running a decently prepped Civic Si back-to-back with their STX RX-8?
A few pics from the event:
Kimber's Civic Si
In my small Blue Ridge Region, I won my class and captured my first ever FTP.
Link: http://www.brr-scca.org/Results/20100613.htm
I then jumped into the 2nd place finishing '91 Civic Si during fun runs. Kimber has received input from Dave O'Maley and Tim Smith on setting up his car and runs a set-up similar to theirs. However, he's on some well-worn Bridgestones and not the hot ticket 195 Toyos or 225 RS-3's. I did my first two runs ever in his Civic Si last month at a PCA event. Yesterday, I took 3 fun runs in it and straight-timed my winning time in the RX-8.
My car is still lacking power (Cobb AP and tune), while his car is a '91 which is ~50lbs heavier than the '89, and he's a little down on power compared to O'Maley's car. But nevertheless, I was absolutely floored.
Course was very transitional with some fast slaloms and transitions, mixed in with 2-3 low speed sweepers/corners that hurt cars low on torque.
I know the STAC is moving to subjective classing in ST, but I was wondering if anyone else has tried running a decently prepped Civic Si back-to-back with their STX RX-8?
A few pics from the event:
Kimber's Civic Si
Last edited by chiketkd; 06-18-2010 at 11:34 PM.
06-14-2010, 08:54 AM
#1195
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Btw TopGear and Modified Dave, it doesn't look like I'll be able to attend either the Finger Lakes NT or the Peru NT. Gary is just too busy at work and quite frankly so am I. So just local/regional stuff for me for the rest of the season (as originally planned).
06-14-2010, 07:41 PM
#1196
Never driven an ST Civic, but I've been schooled by them at Nats and at Wendover, at a Pro no less.
Sat night at the Wendover pro I talked to Andy Hollis about this briefly. I mumbled (as best the Tequila would allow) something about tire-to-weight ratios & vehicle size. Andy acknowledged these factors, but pointed more to the extensive development they've seen. Then he probably said something about my needing to drive faster, but I think the Tequila blocked my memory of that.
I do recall veiled threats about him entering his Civic in STX at Packwood...
Sat night at the Wendover pro I talked to Andy Hollis about this briefly. I mumbled (as best the Tequila would allow) something about tire-to-weight ratios & vehicle size. Andy acknowledged these factors, but pointed more to the extensive development they've seen. Then he probably said something about my needing to drive faster, but I think the Tequila blocked my memory of that.
I do recall veiled threats about him entering his Civic in STX at Packwood...
06-14-2010, 09:54 PM
#1198
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Never driven an ST Civic, but I've been schooled by them at Nats and at Wendover, at a Pro no less.
Sat night at the Wendover pro I talked to Andy Hollis about this briefly. I mumbled (as best the Tequila would allow) something about tire-to-weight ratios & vehicle size. Andy acknowledged these factors, but pointed more to the extensive development they've seen. Then he probably said something about my needing to drive faster, but I think the Tequila blocked my memory of that.
Sat night at the Wendover pro I talked to Andy Hollis about this briefly. I mumbled (as best the Tequila would allow) something about tire-to-weight ratios & vehicle size. Andy acknowledged these factors, but pointed more to the extensive development they've seen. Then he probably said something about my needing to drive faster, but I think the Tequila blocked my memory of that.
Thanks. It's with my smaller local region, but still a milestone. Best I've ever managed at an event where a National champion was present, was 6th at an Autocrossers Inc event in DC last August (Sam Strano, Ian Baker & Lee Piccione were the top 3).