Autox Setups, What do you run?

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678) 05/05/2016 at 13:07 • Filed to: None

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For those of you fellow oppos out there who autocross, I am just curious what sort of setup y’all are running. I have been attending just about every autox that I can and have seen some wildly varying setups; from totally stock to unrecognizable as the car it started out as. Also within that variance, I have seen the skill levels vary even more. I have seen totally stock cars look A TON faster than the modded out, weight reduced, sticky tire loaded race cars. Of course, this is due to driver skill being way more important than any sort of mods. Anyways, what do you fellow opponaughts run for autocross in your area?

I can start with my setup. I have a 2001 Mazda Miata that started out last season totally stock with all season tires and 140k miles. Made for a great first season of autocross. I did about 8 events, one of which was a test and tune where I got about 35 runs that day! Anyways, for this year I did a little bit of modding. I now am running 15x8 wheels (heavy, zero offset; not ideal), BFG Sport Comp 2 Summer Tires (~300 TW), Flyin Miata Vmaxx Classic Coilovers, and soon to be installing the 1" solid Flyin Miata NB Front Sway Bar and 949 Racing adjustable Front End Links. Looking to dial in some of that oversteer! I have also gotten a slightly more aggressive wheel alignment recently. So far I am MUCH happier with the new setup and have done 3 events plus a test and tune this season (great being down in VA for the spring). I'd like to have stickier tires but I daily the car so I would kill that rubber way quicker than I can afford. With this setup, I am running SCCA's STR class. I can compete with the others of similar skill level at least but I have no grandeur of beating all the damn S2000's that run in that class lol. I am just out there to have fun!

CalzoneGolem > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:17

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Only the finest Mutual industries 17720 orange traffic cones.

AfromanGTO > CalzoneGolem 05/05/2016 at 13:20

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Aren’t you all fancy.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CalzoneGolem 05/05/2016 at 13:20

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Those are some pretty cones. They do not have nearly enough black tire marks nor rips from being eaten by a crazed Corvair on steroids.

derf > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:22

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Or ground down edges from being wedged under a car and dragged halfway around the course.

yitznewton > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:22

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I’m kind of a lousy example b/c my autocross debut keeps getting postponed, BUT — this Sunday should be the first one. Bone stock AP1 with Firehawk all-seasons, cuz I got the car with new A/S rubber and can’t justify wasting them. I plan on doing 2-3 autox events per season, upgrading to midrange tires (RE-11, PSS, Star Spec etc.) when these wear out.

The stock S2000 is IMO a pretty good compromise for 95% street / 5% autocross duty, certainly with a less experienced driver. For me the car is totally good enough to not get me spending a lot of money on chassis upgrades. People also mix-n-match with sway bars of different years.

Oh yeah, alignment: I’m going in tomorrow for a Honda UK-spec alignment: it’s slightly more aggressive than the US spec.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:25

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I run faster than you so I can’t tell you my setup.

:-P

Though I am running in STR at a National SCCA Pro Solo this weekend in Ohio. I’m hoping to be in the top 3

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 05/05/2016 at 13:28

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Haha I know you are kidding, but there are definitely a select few out there that I have run across who I can imagine saying this. Same as the guy who gets stopped by a red flag on course and starts yelling at you for stopping his great run. But seriously, I am so happy with the culture in general out at an event. Everybody is having a great time, unless their car breaks or something.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:30

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Whatever shitbox I happen to be daily driving at the time, usually somewhat broken and mostly stock.

miadaman? yes please > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:30

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Upgraded the 8 years old A/S that came with the car with wider 4 years old A/S this year, progress will be made.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:32

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SRS BZNZ

fourvalleys > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:34

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Hmm, stock everything including all-seasons. Plus a pair of bike carriers on the roof.

Two points about that: One, I’m not really there to be competitive. I’m there to enjoy myself. Two, I’ve got a lot to learn. Better tires would probably make me faster, sure. But the car isn’t holding me back, so I’m not about to spend thousands on a new setup.

It does crack me up that the Fiesta and the Mini both run in HS, though. Compare:

derf > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:36

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‘06 M3 convertible on stock 19" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S04s (245 front, 255 rear). The fact that it’s dragging the extra convertible weight around to begin with provides a good excuse to avoid doing anything to it that would bump it out of FS, and in my case I think the biggest performance gains are still to be had between the seat and the steering wheel. Also, the S54 sounds delicious at full chat with the top down.

The guy with the #78 Civic next to me regularly sets FTD, and usually spends about half of his run on three wheels. :)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > yitznewton 05/05/2016 at 13:37

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A/S tires are actually rather fun at an autox. Sure you aren’t going to have the fastest time around the course but with RWD and a balanced car, you will be having a fun time. It will be a constant struggle and you will be battling the rear end coming around, but that is the fun part! Summer tires are definitely the number one upgrade for being faster but are not absolutely necessary to enjoy it. The S2000 seems like so much fun out there, I have gotten a ridealong in an AP2 and that thing had grip and power for days. Those AP1s though just scream at the redline, it makes me with I had 9000 RPMs to use!!

yitznewton > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:38

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BWWOOAAAUUUU!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > yitznewton 05/05/2016 at 13:39

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I think you forgot a few more OOOOOOAAAAAAAUUUUUUAHHHHHWAPWAPWAPWAP in there

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > derf 05/05/2016 at 13:42

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I love the three wheeling cars. Seems so absurd to me that it is totally normal for them to be doing that. Best I have seen was a Sonic sedan with one rear wheel totally airborne followed by an immediate spin out in the other direction while going through a slalom.

yitznewton > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:43

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Pulling out of traffic at the 3W-US46 merge near Totowa the other day, I floored it in first and bounced the rev limiter. It just sounded like the engine was ready to give me another 1000 RPM, I was totally surprised when it maxed out!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > yitznewton 05/05/2016 at 13:47

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Oh yeah, it freaks me out when I hear an S2k revving it out. I am like it's still not done yet with that gear?? There is one guy at the last event I did who was running STR with an AP1. He also has a bunch of mods to it, including a loud as hell exhaust, but that thing sounds nuts out on the course. He also beat me by a solid 3 whole seconds but I was not surprised.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:50

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Tires are far and away the most important thing, followed by good dampers and good “foundation” as I call it - basically all the little rubber bushings or possibly worn joints in the suspension. I’ve basically waged war on rubber in my car, replacing all the rubber suspension bushings with either urethane or heim joints, as well as some urethane inserts for the engine mounts to fill the voids in the stock rubber, stiffening that as well.

But yeah for me the relevant mods would be a set of Toyo R888 r-compound tires for the track, the mentioned bushings/heim joint arms, Koni adjustable shocks w/weld-on coilover sleeves, some street/autocross brake pads from Porterfield, Motul 600* brake fluid, EBC slotted rotors, stainless brake lines, deleted AC, 15lb Braille battery relocated for optimal weight distribution, sway bars, brake master cylinder brace, rear strut tower bar, quick ratio steering rack and pinion, smaller aftermarket steering wheel, brass shifter bushings, etc.

Basically make it grip, make it lighter, make it able to stop over and over even when it’s hot out, keep it from flexing, keep it from bouncing, make the things you interact with (steering, shifter, brakes) feel as direct as you can.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 13:53

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‘99 318ti

Koni yellow shocks with H&R “race” springs, 29mm front sway bar, X-brace, mostly poly bushings, and new for this year 17x8 wheels that are HEAVY with 245/40 Bridgestone Re-71r tires and new control arms. She handles pretty well but the lack of power really hurts for our PAX. Pretty similar to your dilemma with having to run against S200s.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 14:00

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My entry to regular (read: going to every event as opposed to showing up once or twice a season) AX was my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring GLS 5-speed. totally stock drive line and brakes, but front and rear sub-frame braces, front strut-tower brace, relatively heavy Motegi MR116 16" wheels (OEM correct offset) shod in 205/55-16 General GMAX AS-03's. I was novice class my first year, and I only did two sessions the next year in FP... but I managed to piss off a whole bunch of WRX bros with that setup. I have not yet AX’d the FieSTa because of relocation, time conflicts, etc... but this year Pickle has the COB rear-engine mount, 15x6.5 Sparco Assetto Garas, and 205/50-15 ZII Star-Specs (woot! 34lbs 14oz ea with TPMS!). It’s a ball on the back roads, but I need to kill me more cones this summer.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 14:13

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Yeah, that power disadvantage is real. Thankfully I am only trying to have fun and really only competing against myself and other Miatas. Last event we had three of us with '01 Miatas and the same Vmaxx Coilover setup. Wildly different tires (all season, ~300 TW summer, and 200 TW summer). I somehow came out on top of them both in my last run! But I had done 20 runs on a VERY similar course the day prior in the test and tune and they had not.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > miadaman? yes please 05/05/2016 at 14:15

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newer part is the best upgrade always. I could care less for the slightly stiffer spring rate and better shocks that I have now. More important is that they have 150,000 fewer miles on them lol.

miadaman? yes please > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 14:27

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It also helps when newer part is not full of rust - god’s gift to the great lake cities.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 14:31

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Nameless axle-back exhaust

Direzza ZII* 215 (?) on stock rims 33-34 front depending on track temperature/condition/surface and 0.5-1 down out back (yes, I notice the 0.5)

Upgraded pads

Upgraded fluids (All Motul all the time!)

Trunk junk removed

Fuel light on

The only two people who beat me in CS in a field of about 20 regulars in my local were maxed out for the class with an upgraded sway bar, crash bolts, and konis. My favorite competitor was a guy in an e36 M3 that was in immaculate condition and also spec’d out. He and I would be chasing each other’s times all day. I usually won out, but not always. He had me on power tracks.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

In theory I’m mega outclassed here, but there’s a fellow AW11 owner who runs in this class who I run similar times to, so decided to pick this one. I’m not sure if I can technically do SSM or EP (car would be ES stock). I believe there are requirements in either regarding interior trim. Mine is gone. Most of it was moldy and had to go anyway. Not stock anyway.

Blacktop 20V 4A swap

Lightweight pulleys

SVTPower full exhaust (header, test pipe, muffler)

Centric rotors and pads

Eibach springs

Koni yellows

ST rear sway bar (set soft)

Upgraded end-links all around

All poly bushings all around

Direzza ZII* 215s (33/32.5 or thereabouts again though always 0.5 PSI instead of a full one)

TR 15" rims (+1 on size, +1 on width over OEM)

Motul fluids all around

As stripped as it can be apart from the dash which I have to keep in for rally

Camber maxed out up front and not as much out back (IIRC around 1.2f 0.8r)

Bit of toe in on the front

NO TOE on the rear (factory is something crazy like 0.4 in to cause understeer)

Passenger seat removed

Driver’s seat replaced with one piece solid bucket on fabbed sliding mount.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > CalzoneGolem 05/05/2016 at 14:34

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He said run, not ruin

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > derf 05/05/2016 at 14:35

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Or worse - all the way around the course. There’s nothing like the walk of shame when you walk back to timing with a cone in your hand because it hitched a ride all of the way back to the paddock.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > miadaman? yes please 05/05/2016 at 14:47

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speed holes and weight reduction!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 05/05/2016 at 14:58

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That aint a shame, that’s an accomplishment! Last event, a Corvair ate three cones someplace on course and brought them all back to the paddock. They were shoved in there real good!

96Formula6spd > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 15:12

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I play in ES in my 2001 Miata Base with a Torsen LSD. Shocks are a set of used Koni’s that I got for $25. Front sway bar is the racing beat 1.25 inch using racing beat endlinks. Currently running 205/50/15 Bridgestone Re71r. Setup is below

Shocks - 1.5 Turns Front and Rear.

Tires Pressures- Front 32 Rear 30-32 Depending on rotation needs.

Alignment

Camber

Front - -0.6/-0.5 I need the Camber BAD. To bad the flying miata ball joints are not legal.

Rear -2.0/-2.0

Caster who cares I need the camber

Toe Zero Front and Rear.

The car is handling well. Its going to Solo Nationals this year in ES. Was at Dixie Tour. Going to the Match Tour in Bristol Next weekend. Hoping to get a Trophy at Solo Nationals. Engine needs a rebuild as I am down 10-15hp and 10tq. It also has all new rubber Mazda Bushings for the suspension. Body has 242k engine has 171k. At least it looks good right now.

Video From Dixie Day one. Can see more on the channel.

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 15:58

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How do you like that suspension setup? I have a ‘98 ti and I’m getting ready to replace the way overdue OEM suspension. I haven’t autoxed it yet but I plan on it. Mostly just enjoy spirited backroad drives. I was leaning towards the Bilstein Sports with H&R Race but also considering the Konis.

edit: I enjoy your username.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 17:04

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Haha I’m glad someone actually gets my username! The suspension is pretty nice but the springs really need to be stiffer. The H&R race springs are supposedly some of the stiffest you can get but there’s still a crazy amount of body roll and considering that there isn’t any room for suspension travel that’s fairly impressive/sad.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 17:09

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We just had our first event and I somehow managed to nab 3rd in PAX. We started out in the wet where I was 2nd in raw and PAX but once it dried out I was quickly overtaken.

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 18:31

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Yeah I haven’t seen anything that seems to be stiffer than the H&R Races but that should be fine for this car, it’s not something I would ever turn into a hardcore track car. I like it for what it is but there are better platforms out there.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 18:57

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I’ve had a ton of fun driving the ti competitively, I might eventually turn mine into a track car, but mine is rather rare so I suppose I could pick up another

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 19:06

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Is yours a California top? I would prefer to do an E30 as a track car.

daender > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 19:55

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Vehicle: ‘02 Miata with the sport package (LS-model).

Class: E-Street

Mods: *deep breath*

15x6.5 Konig Heliums in bronze

>1-y/o Dunlop Z2 Star Specs (bought them for a steal from a fellow auto-x’er who moved to RE-71Rs)

RoadsterSport muffler and mid-pipe (shush, I know it’s not legal)

Adjustable Koni Sport shocks with FatCatMotors bumpstops (not trimmed because I don’t care about class legal, I don’t want a harsher ride)

Racing Beat ‘99-’00 front sway bar with RB adjustable endlinks, RB sway bar reinforcement block ( YOU NEED THESE FOR ANY SORT OF NA/NB FRONT SWAY BAR UPGRADE ), and RB front swaybar brace (also not legal)

Exedy OEM replacement clutch

I’m still slower than Miatas with brand-new RE-71Rs, it is what it is.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 21:25

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It is! A 1999 sport, 5 speed, with a Cali top, only thing rarer is a clubsport.

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 21:48

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Nice! Mine’s about as normal as it gets besides a few bolt-ons and the fact it’s in good shape.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 22:06

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Nothing wrong with that, and the differences between the base and sport models arent that great anyways.

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 22:35

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At this point either suspension would be pretty difference and that’s about all that was different right?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > daender 05/05/2016 at 23:19

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You probably ought to be in STR with that setup lol. And how important is that reinforcement block actually? FM didn’t sell one so I’m just curious how necessary it is. I was considering the RB sway bar but I was worried it would be too much front bar. I still like the oversteer but I just want to balance it out a tiny bit. Plus the FM bar was a good bit cheaper.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 23:22

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Pretty much, a few cosmetic differences but mechanically the sport models had a little stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and swaybars

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/05/2016 at 23:23

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Also, if you haven’t yet, head over to 318ti.org its a great knowledge base

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Trunk Impaired 318 05/05/2016 at 23:27

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Sway bars do much more for body roll than Springs do!

Trunk Impaired 318 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/05/2016 at 23:37

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Im running a 29mm front sway bar (thats really f’ing big) and extra chassis bracing up front, its so stiff that I three wheel it with my front inside tire off the ground. And yet, the body roll is still atrocious. Next on the list is a big rear sway bar but there are guys out there who race their 318ti’s and they run springs with such high rates that they’re able to run no swaybar at all!

daender > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/06/2016 at 05:42

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Aw, hell no, STR class here is brutally-competitive with far better-prepared cas, including a S2k. At least I’m on equal dueling grounds with other Miatas in ES.

daender > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/06/2016 at 05:43

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Also, here’s the difference between blocks and no blocks.

No blocks:

Blocks:

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Trunk Impaired 318 05/06/2016 at 08:24

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That has got to look pretty nuts. Body roll isn't necessarily a bad thing though. I know Miatas are notorious for body roll as well but I've seen plenty of ES guys running crazy times and getting the FTD.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > daender 05/06/2016 at 08:28

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Well I meant in terms of your quasi-legal mods you are talking about. The exhaust and bumpstops probably do put you there. I actually like STR because most people who end up there just put an intake on their miata or aren’t fully prepared. It seems like there are way more people in ES that max out the allowable mods, get the absolute best legal tires, and have the skill to back it up. Either way, i can certainly afford the better suspension but no way I could afford a new set of the best tires every season.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > daender 05/06/2016 at 08:33

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Wow that whole mount is bending like it's made out of plastic lol. This is an excellent comparison of the two! And for the price, that seems well worth it.

jasmits > Trunk Impaired 318 05/06/2016 at 10:42

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Oh I know 318ti.org very well haha. Have anything on yours besides the suspension?

96Formula6spd > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/06/2016 at 19:35

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If your wanting to be fast then you need a 200tw. ES has been fun and his car has not been legal but at local events no one cares. Tho the bump stops are legal. Time for some other rims so you can get on the 200tw game.

deander’s car is good. I have drove it once or twice. The driver needs work to come catch us. Last time I drove it I know I was 1-2 seconds faster and knocking on his local competition. His car is fun and could be in the top 10 pax on a weekend. If he works on his driving some even the older Z2 can be fast. Heck my worn out ones at the beginning of the season were knocking on fresh Re71.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > 96Formula6spd 05/06/2016 at 22:40

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My plan is to eventually be living some place where I don't need winter tires anymore so my second set of wheels will eventually be dedicated to autox only and then I can get a nice set of RE71Rs or something similar. Plus I also hope to get another daily so that I can truly dedicate my miata to fun.

96Formula6spd > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/07/2016 at 00:42

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Yeah you can see my post below with my setup. Still pending. I daily drive on re71 and my old z2. The last set of z2 had 10 autox on them as well as some track day sessions at CMP which is RUFF on tires. Anyways I got 20k out of the dunlops and they are still above the wear bars. Going to use those as track day tires on my spare set of saturn wheels. The re71 are sticky enough that wear is an issue. That plus the fact that the sidewall is so dam stiff that the sidewalls don’t flex. Its a good tire but when I want to drop pressure I can’t as the edge of the tire wears instead of it flexing like the dunlops did .

Trunk Impaired 318 > jasmits 05/07/2016 at 21:52

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Not really, just some poly bushings, an x brace and some 17in wheels