I'm going to be running autoX events (STS) and some track days next year using this winter to get my car up to snuff (95 Acura integra GSR). It is no longer my daily driver and is for the most part stock with the exception of slotted rotors, hawk brake pads braided stainless brake lines, Intake and catback exhaust. I notice that seat time is the most important aspect of honing skills and lowering times but my car is tired, 135k of hard daily driving. In the process of bringing my car back from the 11yr old hard knock life I'd like to bypass stock replacement parts when I can and use parts such as: Koni/GC suspension, urethane bushings, new axles, rebuild head, new headers, etc... My question to you guys/girls already involved in the racing community is how far can/should I go and what components are no-no's in STS. I will be replacing my clutch and wonder about lightweight flywheels. Yes i have researched threads until my eyes burn but I wanted personalized feedback from intelligent folks, thats why I'm in this forum. Thanks.

 

step 1> read the FAQ at the top of this forum
step 2> read rulebook. find link to online Solo rulebook in FAQ
step 3> ?????
step 4> profit!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">step 1&gt; read the FAQ at the top of this forum
step 2&gt; read rulebook. find link to online Solo rulebook in FAQ
step 3&gt; ?????
step 4&gt; profit!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Now if I could just figure out step 3...

To the OP, I've been running my 00 GSR in STS for the past 1.5 seasons, and while it certainly in't the most competetive car, it is fun. So far, all your existing mods are STS legal, but the lightweight flywheel isn't (if my memory serves). Follow solo-x's advice, read the rules, and see what mods make sense for your car.

However, before you change anything else, I would stick to just the necessary changes to have a safe, fun car, which would be replacing any worn out bushings (and please do plenty of research about polyurethane before purchasing) and the tires if they're dead, and then get out there and drive. Seat time really is the best way to spend money to go faster.

If you just want a quick starting point, and are going to mod the car anyway before getting out there, then here's a good starting point. Koni Yellows, GC sleeves with rates you can live with (400/400 here, but going stiffer soon), a fat rear swaybar, and some RT0615 Azenis. Anything else after that won't provide increased performance equivalent to the cost, and should only be done if you're looking for that last 0.01 second, or just have extra cash you want to burn on the car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">step 1&gt; read the FAQ at the top of this forum
step 2&gt; read rulebook. find link to online Solo rulebook in FAQ
step 3&gt; ?????
step 4&gt; profit!!</TD></TR></TABLE>


step 3 and 4!

Makes me think of a South Park Episode.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublezero_si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


step 3 and 4!

Makes me think of a South Park Episode.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Step 1. Collect underpants
Step 2. ??????
Step 3. Profit

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Furyof4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Step 1. Collect underpants
Step 2. ??????
Step 3. Profit

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats the plan! Speak of the devil, that episode is on right now!

 

I'd say tires and suspension first before you start buying bling bling parts like an expensive header. The wonderful thing about auto-x is that it is very humbling. Getting beat by "inferior" cars only proves that more power isn't needed, but better driving. Drag racing makes you want more power.......auto-x makes you want more seat time.

What region do you plan on running with? Philly? Autox Inc? I wish Philly had a Delaware site since it is still considered Philly region

EDIT: Shameless plug..........I have an ITR flywheel in the garage that needs a new home for super cheap if you are interested and it's legal in STS. Weighs ~14lbs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88 rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">EDIT: Shameless plug..........I have an ITR flywheel in the garage that needs a new home for super cheap if you are interested and it's legal in STS. Weighs ~14lbs. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said about tires and suspension first.............
BUT an ITR flywheel in a GSR is not legal in any ST class.... No update/backdate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TunerN00b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
However, before you change anything else, I would stick to just the necessary changes to have a safe, fun car, which would be replacing any worn out bushings (and please do plenty of research about polyurethane before purchasing) and the tires if they're dead, and then get out there and drive. Seat time really is the best way to spend money to go faster.

If you just want a quick starting point, and are going to mod the car anyway before getting out there, then here's a good starting point. Koni Yellows, GC sleeves with rates you can live with (400/400 here, but going stiffer soon), a fat rear swaybar, and some RT0615 Azenis. Anything else after that won't provide increased performance equivalent to the cost, and should only be done if you're looking for that last 0.01 second, or just have extra cash you want to burn on the car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said.

Think twice about the poly bushings. Some have had good luck with thim and others not so much. If this is a daily driver, you're better off refreshing with all stock or Mugen bushings.

In addition to shocks, springs, rear sway, and tires, I'd recommend camber adjustment, especially for the front. The rear you can get away with adjusting by ride height and maybe some washers, but on the front you're going to want at least -2.5* and that's hard to get with just lowering.

 

I appreciate all your feedback. I'm doing a compression and leakdown test tomorrow on my day off just to check the health of my engine. I'll stick with tires and suspension like you guys suggested Koni yellows/GC springs but not sure about spring rate, thinking 450/400 and I've got a ST rear swaybar sitting in my garage. The car will be driven on the street but not daily I have a Grand Cherokee for that. I've downloaded and read the rules and am quite excited to get out and meet some folks and pick their brains. As far as what region to run I'm still not sure, Delaware is in the Philly region but its just as easy for me to get to DC. I'll probably run south jersey, philly, and DC events to try to get as much seat time as possible. Open to suggestions once again. 16 or 15 inch wheels? and in the rules under section 14.2.F Bodywork, when they use the word "Valance" can that be interpeted as "hood" because my hood needs replacing and carbon fiber has come to mind.

 

99% sure carbon hood will put you into SM.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88 rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd say tires and suspension first before you start buying bling bling parts like an expensive header. The wonderful thing about auto-x is that it is very humbling. Getting beat by "inferior" cars only proves that more power isn't needed, but better driving. Drag racing makes you want more power.......auto-x makes you want more seat time.

What region do you plan on running with? Philly? Autox Inc? I wish Philly had a Delaware site since it is still considered Philly region
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Getting beat by the fast sts guys in my sm car is definitely humbling. Its easy to get wrapped up in figuring out what to change in your setup when just improving your driving makes much more of a difference.

OT: 88 rex, You run in the Philly region too? What events do you usually go to?

 

tortured interpretation much? valance != hood

leave the car alone. show up and drive. i could hand you my fully developed, nationally competitive STS car and you'd be 10 seconds off the pace right now. first step, realize the car isn't what is holding you back.

 

I'm not worried about how competetive my car is, but I'm sure as hell not going to drive an 11yr old 135k car to FedEx field 1.5hrs away and run the **** out of it and expect nothing to break. Thats a towing bill I could live without and expect to pay at some point, but will do all in my control to prevent. I'm not going to put stock replacement parts on the car to replace worn items just to upgrade to a performance replacement next year. Plus I like cars and like working on cars so why not have a well sorted machine that I can be proud of. and yes I would be 10sec off your pace in your car or a faster car I have things in perspective. A ride along will be much appreciated!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Furyof4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Getting beat by the fast sts guys in my sm car is definitely humbling. Its easy to get wrapped up in figuring out what to change in your setup when just improving your driving makes much more of a difference.

OT: 88 rex, You run in the Philly region too? What events do you usually go to?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The STS guys around here are rediculous!!

I haven't been out much, but plan on running a little more next year. Oddly, I've never run with the Philly region, only came up to watch once at the Boeing facility. I did run with Susquehana, NJ, and SJ once this year.

I personally think SJ is a good region to get your feet wet. Not many people show (40-50 cars), and you get a good 8-10 runs in. Susquehana I got 4 runs in, and north jersey gets 4-6 runs in. I forget how many runs Philly typically gets. I would like to run at Giant stadium with the Susquehanna region next spring...nice LONG course

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88 rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The STS guys around here are rediculous!!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

2 of them placed top 10 at nationals this year.

Philly region is getting pretty large now, averaging 180 per events this past year. Depending on the site its usually only 3-5 runs.

I'll have to check out SJ this year, 8-10 runs would be awesome.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Furyof4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'll have to check out SJ this year, 8-10 runs would be awesome.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea, I would like to spend more time there next year. I just hope my schedule permits more car event time.