I am going to try autoX next season in my 94 accord ex 5spd. By using the search function i have learned i will probably have to compete in street prepared class. Here is what I have done...

IHE
eibach prokit with KYB-AGX
front and rear strut bars
lightweight 17" wheels with 215-45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE950's

Unfortunately, I just got the tires so upgrading to racing tires isn't an option. I only have about $500 to spend right now.

What mods would be the best bang for the buck?

SS brake lines?
Rear sway bar?
brake pads?

 

for me, brake is the frist thing i want to upgrade.
perhaps some brembo blanks?

 

brakes........... stick with street tires until you understand how a car feels when pushed to its limits

http://www.cobaltfriction.com is your best bet for brakes, talk to Andie, if he can't help you out then he will find someone who can, he is the only person I have dealt with for two years now

I would also suggest using your stock rims, 15's will give you better accceleration and gearing coming out of those tight corners

 

Brake pads are a safe bet.

you may also want to adjust the nut behind the wheel

 

yeah, too bad I sold them to finance my 17's

 

Yes, I do realize that I will be the biggest obsticle to lowering my lap times. I am just wanting to do what I can to get my car ready now.

What about SS brake lines? Are they a good investment? I heard they are the first thing you want to do along with DOT 4 or 5 fluid.

 

SS brake lines cant hurt.

Learn the car as you have it set up now before making anymore modifications. Get to the point where your skills are superior to what the car can give you, then move on to another upgrade.

 

For brake fluid, you'd probably want to use something synthetic like Motul. I could not get my brakes to fade in heavy canyon running w/ motul. Kinda pricey but worth it.

You might also consider some kind of ducting system to get more air to your brakes. Cheap & home-depot fun.

If you have leather, you might also get a cloth seat-cover for when you run. It's hard to steer when your sliding all over the place.

Prolly best thing is to learn your car at the limit like some of the other guys said. You know...like knowing your maximum 'at the limit' capabilities. Hopefully, you have a decent set of rubber on those 17s.


[Modified by RotaryBzzz, 7:20 PM 1/5/2003]

 

So, Are brembo blanks really all that much better than OEM rotors?? Is there much of a price diff when staying with the same size? I thought I had heard they were cheaper even while also lasting longer and performing better than oem...
thanks!

sohc

 

Stay in STS until you get the race tires. It allows almost all the same mods, just no clutch, flywheel, diff, upgrades. I also wouldn't worry too much about the brakes just yet, a rear sway bar will definatly help you through the course more than a better set of pads. And the biggest thing is seat time, the more events you go to the sooner you will start kicking azz

 

Thanks for all the input guys.
I think I will just get the ST rear sway bar and better brake fluid for now.

Once my weaksauce driving is no longer the limiting factor, can the Accord be competitive in the STS class? I would think maybe so since its got basically a Lude suspension set up?

 

I would buy pads also
they make a dedicated auotx pad, fluid will tighten up the pedal but not eliminate fade

 

I am using upgraded brake pads on new OEM type rotors (Brembo) .. still have the stock brake fluid.

My suggestion .. getting a rear sway bar is good, but being that you have an EX you already have a stock one. So you are already better off than the LX's (They don't have one).

The bigesst improvement you are going to see, is getting race tires. Believe me! When I was in FSP (Street Prepared) switching to Victor Racers almost shaved 2 seconds off of my times.

Seat time is probably the biggest thing you will gain ... get to know and learn your car. You will soon find out that your car is being held back by tires after a few events. STS is a tough class, Subaru's here in AZ are in STS ... so you will have to race against them possibly.




[Modified by Accord_Munch, 6:39 AM 1/6/2003]