Autocross

[NickAlero2000]

Well, as I have come to find out, RPI has an autocross club, which come spring I intend to join.
I need to know the ins and outs of autocrossing, how it works, adivce for autocrossing, mods I should consider, etc....
This seems pretty fun but I don't know a lot about it....

[[ion] C2]

suspension
brakes

[NickAlero2000]

brakes are R1's, less than a year old...
suspension is stock....
which springs? I want a 2'' or so drop but I want good performance...

[[ion] C2]

KYB AGX struts
Eibach springs
hardcore pads, rotors, calipers (Baer/Brembo/etc)

[NickAlero2000]

C2;423685']KYB AGX struts
Eibach springs
hardcore pads, rotors, calipers (Baer/Brembo/etc)

so another brake upgrade? im most likely gonna run my 18s too...

[NickAlero2000]

oh and heres a question, am i gonna have to be running two different suspension setups, one for 1/4 mile and one for autocross?

[misslindseysue]

Get a copy of the rules for your local governing body. Lighter wheels and stickier tires are where you want to start for Auto-x. If you change suspension or brakes you'll probably end up in a modified class racing people you'll have zero chance against. If you're already modded out of stock class, wheels and tires will still help, but suspension will, too

Basically they set up a bunch of cones in a parking lot, fastest time aroud the course wins, penalties for going off course or taking one out. Look for autocross days that have instructors - come early, walk the course and get someone to take you around in your car and then ride along with you, you'll have a lot of fun.

Oh - you'll need a helmet (again, check the rules for what kind) and you'll probably want a G-lock. http://www.cg-lock.com/index.html

[NickAlero2000]

Get a copy of the rules for your local governing body. Lighter wheels and stickier tires are where you want to start for Auto-x. If you change suspension or brakes you'll probably end up in a modified class racing people you'll have zero chance against. If you're already modded out of stock class, wheels and tires will still help, but suspension will, too

Basically they set up a bunch of cones in a parking lot, fastest time aroud the course wins, penalties for going off course or taking one out. Look for autocross days that have instructors - come early, walk the course and get someone to take you around in your car and then ride along with you, you'll have a lot of fun.

Oh - you'll need a helmet (again, check the rules for what kind) and you'll probably want a G-lock. http://www.cg-lock.com/index.html

Its kinda a club, we just compete against each other, but eventually I want to enter into a real competition.

[NickAlero2000]

edit: we do compete against other schools lol

[AJules]

If you want AGX struts, look on ebay, you can usually find them for a few hundred less there than other sites like pfyc

[Cliff8928]

Lindsey pretty well hit the nail on the head.

Make sure you don't do any modifications to your car that will throw you in a class where you'll just end up at the bottom (like my Alero, the 12" brakes put the car into Street Modified).

Basically, for stock you can change....

Tires (can be DOT-R compound)
Sway Bar (front only)
Struts
Air filter element (not whole intake!)

You can change your wheels, but they must be an available diameter and a stock available width. I don't believe there's a restriction on tire size, as long as they fit on the stock width wheels.

[NickAlero2000]

Lindsey pretty well hit the nail on the head.

Make sure you don't do any modifications to your car that will throw you in a class where you'll just end up at the bottom (like my Alero, the 12" brakes put the car into Street Modified).

Basically, for stock you can change....

Tires (can be DOT-R compound)
Sway Bar (front only)
Struts
Air filter element (not whole intake!)

You can change your wheels, but they must be an available diameter and a stock available width. I don't believe there's a restriction on tire size, as long as they fit on the stock width wheels.

I'm pretty much gonna be in street modified then. Brakes are R1's, and by the time club time hits I'll be turbo'ed. Just gonna have to make it even better!

[Cliff8928]

No, not street modified. Most likely you'd be in a STS (street touring street tire) class if you have an intake and the R1 rotors. Acually, the rules have changed since I last looked and my Alero would be in STX (street touring extreme) now.


Here's a basic rundown of what you can and can't do for popular modifications for the classes.

http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/Solo/carmodandclassification.pdf

I've seen STS be a very competitive class, however there are usually a TON of cars in it unlike SM.

[NickAlero2000]

Then I'm gonna be in SM. I'll be turbo'ed soon....

[Redog]

Pending on how curvey the track is. I'd run in 3rd gear, maybe 2nd.

You don't want the tranny to be hunting for gears.

I ran the Delta in autocross once with worn out sturts but good tires. My arms and shoulders were sore after whipping a 4000 lbs car around that track for 6 laps. Didn't silde out on me once. :thumb: But the outside edges of my front tires were shot :D

[NickAlero2000]

I have the auto, does that mean just leave it in "3" or "2" then? After I get up to speed and such

[jayson_waltz]

if its a tight technical track just leave it in 2 right away, no need to be moving first. but if you are revving out in that gear put it in 3

[billytheman1188]

your gonna be going through tires like there's no tomorrow:ninja:

[NickAlero2000]

your gonna be going through tires like there's no tomorrow:ninja:

I have come to terms with this possibility....:(

[Spilner521]

Then I'm gonna be in SM. I'll be turbo'ed soon....
You better keep the boost down low on that 3076R if you're going to run autocross. You'll be spinning like a mofo coming out of the turns. And I hope you're getting an LSD...

The R1 rotors are nothing special, just stock sized rotors drilled and slotted. Get some good pads and stainless brake lines to go with them and some good sticky tires on lightweight rims.

[will176]

honestly, the best thing you can do for autocross is practice as a driver, i frequently autoross a c6 vette with lots of engine mods... it puts down about 370 at the wheels but me and my buddy who owns it where over a second apart on our time on a 30 second course (i won btw :yahoo: ) at the anual vette fest, but the bottom line is, autocross is about 75% driver, and about 25% car, i'm not saying you can take the alero against huge horsepower rwd beasts with slicks, but you may be able to take on faster cars if you up your driving. technically though? suspension brakes tires are the best things to modify and if your going turbo, deffinetly an lsd otherwise you won't be able to out your power down

[NickAlero2000]

Thread Zombie!
But yea, I got lowering springs so suspension will soon be modified.