It seems like most everyone on this board has given up on our cars as far as performance goes, but hitting the autox track I realized that a cars potential does not lie in its 0-60, or quarter mile times. I was very impressed with how well my car performed and I would like to see us 7thgeners get some more respect out on the racetrack. I want to start a serious autox thread about parts, and performance. I want to know what works, and what doesnt, and how everyone is faring in their local chapters. I was thinking this because I know that those 90 Civic Si guys have winning down to a formula, and they know what spring rates, shocks, sway bars, etc they need to win, and I want the same for us. So basically, what does everyone have, how are they doing, and what is going to help them do better?
2003 civic ex coupe, k@n FIPKII intake, Revo SS, Neuspeed front strut, RSX rear sway, sportline springs, tokico d spec shocks, spc camber kit, 205/40/17's with wanli rubber.
My first autox went a lot better than planned. I beat a handful of people but I know I can do better. I placed towards the end of STS and I was about 12 seconds off of the leader, but I did cut 13 seconds from my first to last run. Over time I want to get a pair of 15 inch rota slipstreams with kuhmo mxs (need all seasons because I dont have room for two sets of wheels), a fatter rear sway bar, a rear disc conversion with hawk pads all around, and maybe go to some ground controls with custom spring rates. What spring rates would you all suggest, what other mods, what isnt working for me, what kind of camber adjustments should I make, tires, wheels??. Lets get the ball rolling!
Yeah... don't do the rear discs. Its not worth it to run in STX. I only did it for open tracking.
Everyone pretty much knows my shiz by now, but...
Koni Yellows
Custom GCs - 375/ 525+1"
Tein Camber Plates
Hotchkis Rear Camber Arms
Comptech 22mm Sway Bar
Stock 25mm front sway bar
Neuspeed Upper Front bar
Cusco upper rear (not sure it does anything)
DIY lower rear tie bar
Hawk HP+ pads and Autozone rotors - front
Si Discs w/ honda pads - rear
Russell SS Brake Lines
15x6.5" Esses Speedmasters w/ Azenis
What are your opinions on chasis reinforcements Boilermaker? I want to do the Nuespeed X brace, and a local company is developing bars that connect behind the front seats that I am interested in as well. Also, what are your opinions on tire width, would you go to 7 inches if you had the chance?
I ran with a 225/50/15 on 15x7 wheels my last AutoX. Although I had a lot of grip my tires stuck out farther and I found I was disturbing cones a lot more than usual. The other thing I'm working on is using the E-brake to slide the car a little better around the slalom sections. I still don't have it down yet but I think I could shave another second or two off my times at the next meet.
What are your opinions on chasis reinforcements Boilermaker? I want to do the Nuespeed X brace, and a local company is developing bars that connect behind the front seats that I am interested in as well. Also, what are your opinions on tire width, would you go to 7 inches if you had the chance?
Technically, you can't do either of those if you want to stay in STS. Any bar has to go between the struts. I mean you can be a "cheater" but no one will complain unless you get competitive.
It depends on the class you want to be in. Mod for the class not for yourself or you will end up in a class where you are not competitive. Technically a CF hood will throw you into Street Mod against turboed vettes and swapped civics.
I would suggest 15x7 rims with some Azenis will really help.
Don't do the rear disk conversion - Get upgrade rotors (brembos/powerslots) and pads (Hawk, Axxis) and Dot 4 brake fluid.
Get an alignment close to what justin is running.
See how those things work first. Then start changing other parts. Don't get new springs/shocks if you don't need too. A larger rear sway is pretty good, but again wait until you have tested it with better tires and an alignment.
I ran with a 225/50/15 on 15x7 wheels my last AutoX. Although I had a lot of grip my tires stuck out farther and I found I was disturbing cones a lot more than usual. The other thing I'm working on is using the E-brake to slide the car a little better around the slalom sections. I still don't have it down yet but I think I could shave another second or two off my times at the next meet.
Who taught you to use the e-brake in autox. You should NOT be using the E-Brake in autox or even track days.
I haven't been. But the guys at the track were suggesting it. I've been trying to use my brakes a little better and then gunning it once the car is straightened out. I tried the E-brake a couple times but it seemed to hurt more than it helped.
Thanks RobbClark. Im not really set on getting anything new, just want to figure out the absolute best setup for our cars, even if I wont be running it. I know everyones opinion on upgrading before you master the driving aspect of autox, and I intend to run out the rest of this season with my current setup, but there are some things I am considering changing for next season.
PS: how come the big three autoxers on this board all have silver coupes?
Make it 4.
I loved the way my car handled just by adding a front sway bar and front set of Falken Azenis. I ran highly inflated street tires in the rear. For that extra oversteering effect. needless to say my 2nd autox out in it I took 1st place for HS.
Last edited by PrecisnTec : 06-14-2005 at 03:12 PM.
I haven't been. But the guys at the track were suggesting it. I've been trying to use my brakes a little better and then gunning it once the car is straightened out. I tried the E-brake a couple times but it seemed to hurt more than it helped.
Learn Left foot braking. its more controlable, and you can play the brakes off the gas for smoother transitions.
i am a reformed newb. i have already purchased the i\h\e in an attempt to be another white boy from the burbs ricer. and have since gone back to stock and didnt notice any power loss. so i dont want to make the same mistake twice. if i upgrade my handling and suspension for auto-x what is the order in which i should purchase items? what brands are the best? what brands give the biggest bang for the buck? and which ones should we stay away from?
needless to say my 2nd autox out in it I took 1st place for HS.
