lets say one were to go w/ super stiff sus (22kgF/20kg R) like the ITR racers in JDM land. Is it still necessary to upgrade the rear sway bars also? Do they just leave stock to retain some independentness of the sus?

yoshi - who keeps thinking of diff sus settings

 

I probably would, cuz the car would probably still understeer, but then again I don't really know what it would handle like with such stiff springs. Hrm... Maybe remove the front bar and keep the rear stock? Hrm... (not much help)

 

I would imagine it depends on the driver preference.

As you know Realtime used to use 800F/1200R with a 1.5" hollow rear bar <--crazy

 

Yoshi,

You're relentless!! Heh. I have an update for you on all my suspension craziness. I ran at watkins glen last weekend (with el pollo boy), and I ran the 26mm mugen bar in the rear with everything else stock. Let me tell you that I think people severely overstate the amount of oversteer that setup will get you (andrew can back me on this one). I didn't find it problematic at all. Yes, the car was more willing to rotate, yes it felt different, yes you will be afraid to push hard at first (rightly so), but after getting accustomed to the setup (days 2 and 3), I thought it was great. I definitely didn't push as hard as i would without the bar on there, but I think i was maintaining speed better because I wasn't plowing/scrubbing it all off. I did have the back wheels slide twice...very slightly...but it was at about 60-70mph, and very easy to catch (through a chicane). I think you might just want to give it a shot...particularly at autoX. Maybe you can find a used one for a decent price...i know that Mugen gear is $$$. I'll probably autoX with the setup really soon, so I'll give you the full report then. Based on my 3 days on the track, and plenty of street time, I am sure this setup will really feel good through slow autoX corners. It's cool...you just feel that tail following you around...very pleasant. I think if i get some more time in with this bar, it's really going to pay off with some speed.

 

see that's what I don't understand...the totally diff styles between the US and Japanese racers.

US = med to high rates in front w/ super stiff rear
Jpn = super stiff front w/ just slightly softer than front rear sus but also has slightly skinnier tires in rear

yoshi - who'd like to be able to try some ITRs w/ both setup

 

Me too...well what the hell were you all doing at the EXPO?

Oh...forgot to mention...I got a ride in my instructors 911 RS America...we hit 140-145 down the back straight on the track...first time I've felt fear in quite some time. After the first lap though...transformed into bliss. Main thing I noticed...smooooooooth as silk. Car never twitched, bucked, jumped...it swooped...beautiful. I have a lot to learn about driving.

 

Maybe the Japanese tracks are tighter? Or maybe it's the small asses of the Japanese drivers that make the difference.

Big asses = more weight in car = more understeer = need to dial in more oversteer

 

I raced/drove with a RS America at Seattle International Raceway. We were pretty even, except he was faster on the straights. At Seattle they limit the front straight entrance speed into turn 1 at 125 mph (although 140 is do-able in the R)

It was a beautiful car. I posted some pics a while back - it even had a commemorative plaque in the engine bay.

Before I ran with him and met the driver, I was like WTF? How come this old-*** 911 is so fast? Then the driver of the car found me in the pits, introduced himself and showed me his car. He was really nice. Just goes to show you not ALL Porsche owners are ********

 

hrm, I'm of japanese descent and small height wise, but not really small in the 455 dept

yoshi - who needs to lose some 455 *curses at american fast f00d*

 

it all depends on driver style/preference. last year i had stock itr springs and shocks with mugen bushings and a 26mm bar and 205/50-15 v700's. a friend drove it at an autocross, and right before we left the line he asked me if it oversteered like mad, i said no. suffice to say after a 1 gear bashing run, he was saying the car would come around with no warning. i off course, never had this problem. i have since gone to staggered hoosiers (225/45-15 front, 205/50-15 rear) and upgraded the spring rates to 670/580lb and am totally content with it.