1. complete tune-up (will do actual parts install at the event)
2. rear hub bearings (don't know why they need to be done again, but i can't find anything else that is loose)
3. new rear toe compensator arms (to adjust toe to zero for drive out and 1/2" out once in kansas, currently rusted to frame)
4. new offset bushings for rear lca's (reduce rear camber and track while fitting a 205 falken)
5. *wish list item* new cylinder head to hopefully cure low compression in 2&3. not likely to happen, so i'll be putting up an effort with a 90hp, 150lb overweight understeering pig.
6. alignment, "zero" swaybars, corner weight

for just the basic stuff not including the head, i'll be dropping $800 this coming week. that reduces my budget for the week in topeka to $500 or so. this'll be tight for sure. after reading the latest story on the nsxfiles, this seems _really_ cheap. i can't fathom $5500 for one race weekend. however, if i had the money, i'm sure i could figure out a way to spend it.

now to start saving for a complete fresh motor for next year. 125fwhp here i come. i may even spring for a tow vehicle so i can ride to kansas in an air-conditioned vehicle!

nate-who figures he won't be taking home 1st place at nationals this year and has already started to establish a game plan to do it next year.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nate-who figures he won't be taking home 1st place at nationals this year and has already started to establish a game plan to do it next year.</TD></TR></TABLE>

looks like you've got the same plan i do. Good luck this year though. I'll see you there in a year from now.

 

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

Huh?

 

Set the bars to zero preload. Given his list of other changes, very possible they will end up preloaded without adjustment.

 

"Set the bars to zero preload. Given his list of other changes, very possible they will end up preloaded without adjustment."

How do you do that????

-Tom

 

Depends on the type of end links on the bar. With the car on a level surface and driver's weight in the seat, disconnect the bars. If a heim joint style, turn the end links until both can attach without twisting the bar at all. With stock(solid) rear links, there is no good way to adjust. With stock style front links, use washers between the arm and link as spacers until there is no twist.

This way the bars are neutral when the car is going straight and the bars will react the same with turns in either direction. If preloaded, turning one way adds load, the other way removes load until past zero load then increases again. Just another tuning thing that makes another little difference.

Of course, I mean it makes a difference Nate can tell, not me.

Andy, whose DSP GSR is 2+ sec slower than Nate's tired old STS Civic.

 

yeah, just like andy said. i'm having heim joint style endlinks made so that the adjustability is there. right now, my rear swaybar has so much preload that it actually effects how the car tracks going straight down the road.

nate

 

OK, so with my solid endlinks at both ends I don't have a choice

Good. I already have too much adjustable crap on the car..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trhoppe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OK, so with my solid endlinks at both ends I don't have a choice

Good. I already have too much adjustable crap on the car..</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's not something i'll be adjusting at every event, so it's not something that will get me in trouble. however, if your coil-over perch slips *ahem* you might have a hard time getting things back to the way they were without some scales. most cars don't come with adjustable links (like mine) and something custom has to be fabbed. that's the point i'm at right now. fabbing some links for the wrx wouldn't be that hard either.

nate