What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Springboro, Ohio
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 383ci, +150hp N20
Transmission: Built 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3.73 Detroit locker
What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
Hey guys,
When I started my build I did not intend to autocross but the more I've put on the car, the more I'm thinking it would be a waste to not. What do you think of my set up, specifically, did I screw up on shocks and springs?
UMI:
K-member
A-arms
SFC's
Wonderbar
LCA's (adjustable)
LCA relocation brackets
Panhard (adjustable)
Torque Arm (adjustable)
Torque Arm Relocation cross member
Hotchkis:
Front and rear sway bars
Tokico Blues and sportlines
What do you think?
When I started my build I did not intend to autocross but the more I've put on the car, the more I'm thinking it would be a waste to not. What do you think of my set up, specifically, did I screw up on shocks and springs?
UMI:
K-member
A-arms
SFC's
Wonderbar
LCA's (adjustable)
LCA relocation brackets
Panhard (adjustable)
Torque Arm (adjustable)
Torque Arm Relocation cross member
Hotchkis:
Front and rear sway bars
Tokico Blues and sportlines
What do you think?
#2
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgetown TX
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
That sounds fine. More can always be done of course. With more money. Then again my stock v6 with wonder bar, wide tires and no back seats is fine too! It's about the fun of driving first.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Springboro, Ohio
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 383ci, +150hp N20
Transmission: Built 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3.73 Detroit locker
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
Thanks! I have never done autocross so I guess it really doesn't matter much. I'm sure I will not be able to drive the car to its limits anyway!
#4
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
Heya,
I had Tokico blues and they were a decent shock/strut, although my Koni yellows are much better now, the blues did a decent job.
The sportlines however, I've heard are soft and bouncy, which is not good for handling, more for the low look.
I had Tokico blues and they were a decent shock/strut, although my Koni yellows are much better now, the blues did a decent job.
The sportlines however, I've heard are soft and bouncy, which is not good for handling, more for the low look.
#5
Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5 manual
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
I hope your just aiming to autocross for fun. With all the mods that you have made you're going to be classed in with the really fast cars.
Go and enjoy yourself, learn and see if this is something you want to get competitive with. How you mod to be competitive depends on who your going to autocross with, NASA, SCCA or some independent club.
Again, go and have fun.
Go and enjoy yourself, learn and see if this is something you want to get competitive with. How you mod to be competitive depends on who your going to autocross with, NASA, SCCA or some independent club.
Again, go and have fun.
![Smilie](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#6
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgetown TX
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
Very true. Takes good advice and practice to get as good as the car. Then if you improve the car you have to get to be a better driver again! Just time and money.
#7
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
TIRES????
It also seems like you have cheaped out on the shocks and springs to pay for everything else. I would skip everything else and buy the best tires - stocks/struts - springs you can afford, in that order.
Buying sway bars is a waste of money until you drive the car.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,257
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: Turbo Buick
Engine: 3.8 V6
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
^^^ what he said
Sway bars are a tuning tool and I've found that the stock selection of bars is more than adequate.
Setting up a car for handling is about tuning. You can have all the best parts in the world but without a tune, you won't have a good handling car. It's the same with engines. It takes some running time to get things dialed in.
To get to where you know what you want to change you need to know what you are doing while driving. To give you an example, many novice drivers find that their car pushes a lot. You put that same car in skilled hands and the advanced driver may find that the car is neutral or oversteers. The difference is that the novice is "over driving" the car. If you can do some homework and learn what you are supposed to be doing behind the wheel, you'll be able to discern the difference between a suspension issue and a driving issue.
It doesn't mean you'll be able to execute everything you know you should be doing - that takes practice. What it does mean is that you'll be able to know when you did things correctly or didn't. You'll also know what goes wrong when things don't go according to plan.
Get this book if you can, I highly suggest it. Lots of great info.
Sway bars are a tuning tool and I've found that the stock selection of bars is more than adequate.
Setting up a car for handling is about tuning. You can have all the best parts in the world but without a tune, you won't have a good handling car. It's the same with engines. It takes some running time to get things dialed in.
To get to where you know what you want to change you need to know what you are doing while driving. To give you an example, many novice drivers find that their car pushes a lot. You put that same car in skilled hands and the advanced driver may find that the car is neutral or oversteers. The difference is that the novice is "over driving" the car. If you can do some homework and learn what you are supposed to be doing behind the wheel, you'll be able to discern the difference between a suspension issue and a driving issue.
It doesn't mean you'll be able to execute everything you know you should be doing - that takes practice. What it does mean is that you'll be able to know when you did things correctly or didn't. You'll also know what goes wrong when things don't go according to plan.
Get this book if you can, I highly suggest it. Lots of great info.
#9
Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5 manual
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
Another thing I would suggest is when you go to an event, talk to people. In Dayton there are two major clubs that have regular autocross; Miami Valley Sports Car Club and Western Ohio SCCA. Both have knowledgeable people that are more than will willing to help new comers. Specially the Weavers, husband and wife team that used to run a 'stang in ESP and now have a Vette.
There is also the Cincinnati Region SCCA and the Central Ohio SCCA in Columbus.
To affirm what has been said above. Tires and shocks are the two best tools for tuning a car to a course. Sway bars and springs follow. I believe springs are better to tune with but they in most cases harder to quickly change. For my self I have Koni Sport shocks, 3 front bars, 3 rear bars, 2 sets of front springs and 4 sets of rear springs.
For competitive autocross there is really only 2 tires to choose from; Hoosier and Kumho V710s. Both are R-comp tires and are only good for competition. Too soft for street driving. I've liked running V710, they don't have all of the stick of Hoosiers, but the are a little cheaper and last twice as long.
That is another thing, if you get your car tuned for street tires and then switch to R-comp tires you need to re-tune the suspension. Because it all boils down to the classic line, "Tires are everything".
There is also the Cincinnati Region SCCA and the Central Ohio SCCA in Columbus.
To affirm what has been said above. Tires and shocks are the two best tools for tuning a car to a course. Sway bars and springs follow. I believe springs are better to tune with but they in most cases harder to quickly change. For my self I have Koni Sport shocks, 3 front bars, 3 rear bars, 2 sets of front springs and 4 sets of rear springs.
For competitive autocross there is really only 2 tires to choose from; Hoosier and Kumho V710s. Both are R-comp tires and are only good for competition. Too soft for street driving. I've liked running V710, they don't have all of the stick of Hoosiers, but the are a little cheaper and last twice as long.
That is another thing, if you get your car tuned for street tires and then switch to R-comp tires you need to re-tune the suspension. Because it all boils down to the classic line, "Tires are everything".
#10
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: '91 Camaro Z28, '85 Camaro Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9
Transmission: T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: Eaton 3.73 Posi, 3.23 Posi
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
For competitive autocross there is really only 2 tires to choose from; Hoosier and Kumho V710s. Both are R-comp tires and are only good for competition. Too soft for street driving. I've liked running V710, they don't have all of the stick of Hoosiers, but the are a little cheaper and last twice as long.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Springboro, Ohio
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 383ci, +150hp N20
Transmission: Built 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3.73 Detroit locker
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
I previously purchased the shocks, struts, and springs when I intended to drive the car to the golf course, the office, and to local shows. The project just snowballed once I got started. Tires are 275/35/18 NT555 front and 305/35/18 NT555R rear on Rushforth Rated-X's. 18x9 5.25" bs front and 18x10 6.25" bs rear. I did just realize that I have put this car into a class that is entirely out of my league. (Especially with my tire choice) but again, purchased previously. This is just for fun. I don't have the time to get competitive. (2 young children). Thanks for your responses guys!
#12
Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5 manual
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
I agree ST classes are an option, but a F-body will never be truly competitive when your running against BMWs, STIs or Evos. The only really competitive class for a 3rd gen is ESP. CP is the only real second choice, but to build to that is building a true race car.
I do plan to run my ESP car in a local street tire class since ESP has dried up locally, Street Tire Street Mod. For a 17" wheels there is only 1 good ST tire, Kumho XS. None of the other ST tires get wider than 255. There are a few more choices for 18" wheels, but then you talking more money and more weight in the wheels.
If your going to just have fun it really doesn't matter what your suspension is setup like, as long as it is safe and not spongy as a 1970s Caddy.
I do plan to run my ESP car in a local street tire class since ESP has dried up locally, Street Tire Street Mod. For a 17" wheels there is only 1 good ST tire, Kumho XS. None of the other ST tires get wider than 255. There are a few more choices for 18" wheels, but then you talking more money and more weight in the wheels.
If your going to just have fun it really doesn't matter what your suspension is setup like, as long as it is safe and not spongy as a 1970s Caddy.
#13
Supreme Member
![](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/ranks/tgo10.gif)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 10bolt w3.42 Torsen
Re: What do you think of my set up for Auto-X
![my 2 cents](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/twocents.gif)
but Tires, yes tires are huge. i read once that all your suspension mods only purpose is to maximize the traction of your tires. Since your just getting started, maybe just buy good tires(maybe wheels too), SFC's, a wonderbar and try that for a season.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
82tabird
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
3
12-21-2015 10:22 PM
[Sold] Accel 30# injectors
hydrolic144
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
08-29-2015 04:14 PM
IROCZDAVE (88-L98)
Exterior Parts for Sale
0
08-24-2015 06:52 AM
mustangdmurder
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
2
08-21-2015 07:17 PM