[crystalhelix]

Hello all,

This is the land of experts so I will post here vs. Nabisco. A couple of local enthusiasts and I have stock STi's and we started auto-crossing this summer. We would mostly like to stay in A Stock. So there are limited mods (see list) to help performance. Please make non-driver suggestions as to how we can stay in our class and increase our performance. I have done a lot of reading but I wanted to post this as a general question. Please keep in mind we are starting low budget but we understand "pay to play." We also use our cars as daily drivers so we can't go with an extreme alignment.

MOD(s) available

Front Swaybar, Air Filter, Tires, Dampening adjustable shock inserts, and a cat-back exhaust, specialized alignment that is streetable(sorry if I missed something)

Thanks a lot,
Justin (<---noobtastic) :roll:

[Xman]

In order of importance
1. Hoosiers
2. Noltec camber plates (I run mine all the time without an "extreme" alignment and see no adverse tire wear to my street tires)
3. After market springs (pinks, eibachs or other with rates to meet your driving style)
4. any aftermarket catback to give slightly more power

Thats about all the worthwhile AS mods I can think of. If you want to step up to ESP I would go with some engine mounts, rear sway bar and possibly front strut tower bar.

The tires are definitely the best thing you can do.

[crystalhelix]

Camber plates and springs for A Stock? I don't think they follow SCCA rules? Comments?

No change in ride height?

[RS WRC]

A good alignment (max '-' front camber and 0 front toe) with some sticky tires will be the things to start with; not to mention a drop-in filter.
Then may be a cat-back, if you like it noisy.

After some auto-x mileage learning to drive STI on R compounds, you can try a front sway-bar, I say.

(BTW, neither camber plates nor springs are allowed in AS)

[Grinch]

Camber plates & aftermarket springs are definately NOT legal for stock classes.

Big R compound tires (I have heard of guys using 255s) at the proper pressures and with as much camber as you can get (you can't get enough to be a streetability issue without camber plates) should make the most difference.

Report are that larger front swaybar will help reduce understeer (even though a stiffer front bar is typically asumed to increase understeer).

[Xman]

sorry, I forgot my rules that camber plates are not allowed.

I have 255 kumhos fitted to my stock BBS, no rubs, no problems

and as far as understeer goes, it is not that big of a problem. With a heavy car like the STi you have to SLOW DOWN before turning. The front differential actually helps eliminate understeer if you slow down enough to power through the corner. My problem is with oversteer and I have only the tires, camber plates, exhaust and boost controller (SM).

[Slowride]

Originally Posted by crystalhelix

Front Swaybar, Air Filter, Tires, Dampening adjustable shock inserts, and a cat-back exhaust, specialized alignment that is streetable(sorry if I missed something)

Front swaybar: I've got the Cobb hollow bar. Definitely helps with roll. I like it for autocross and daily driving. I can't really say if it made me faster, but it feels much better.

Air filter: I just ordered the Perrin from RallySport Direct. Can't hurt, but don't expect it to help in an autocross. We've already got power out the yin-yang.

Tires: I've got the Avon Tech R's in the stock size. Hoosier doesn't recommend even 235's on less than 8" wheels, and I just didn't want to deal with having to pump up the pressure to maintain control. The Avons are great and immediately gave me 1-2 seconds per run. I've got them mounted on my winter wheels. The P Zero Nero M+Ss will go back on after the autocross season.

Shocks: haven't gone there. Frankly, I'm not that good a driver yet, and anything less than custom Konis will probably be no better than the stock dampers.

Cat back: I've got a Scoobysport muffler, mostly because I like the sound. Again, we're not lacking for power.

Alignment: that's next on my list. Should be a great bang-for-the-buck mod for autocross.

Bottom line:

1) alignment and swaybar ASAP
2) tires when you can afford them
3) power mods if you want them
4) shocks if/when you're ready for them

[Oldalfaguy]

The alignment made the biggest change. If you look in the handbook that comes with the car, you'll see that the factory camber is set at -.03 which is too modest for a high performance car and would account for the understeer everyone complains about (keeps the lawyers away from the factory for those of us without the skill needed to drive this car to a fraction of it's abilities). I went to -1.5 fr and -1.0 rear with 1/8 toe and has made a dramtic difference in the turnin and front end grip. A good alignment should be a the top of everyone's list who wants to get a feel for what this car is capable of.

[crystalhelix]

I think it is awesome to get so many friendly responses. I think this will be my new favorite place to visit at work.

I will take you suggestions and get a more aggressive alignment. I have the swaybar already ordered so it is going on. It is good to know I can adjust the camber agressively. I plan on getting some slicks then when I get some extra dough and wear out the RE 070's. I will put the slicks on the BBS's and get some all season rims and tires.

Thanks everyone and keep the great info coming. I realize the STi is a pig but I get on the gas a little to much and have to brake super hard for turns. I am working on getting the smoother braking down and trying to brake only in a straight line.

Thanks again,
Justin

[DMikko]

i suggest you run the car a few times AFTER you get a proper alignment and BEFORE you put the front swaybar on. You may not like the swaybar..... also, would changing out the steering rack bushings to the whiteline bushings be illegal in A stock? if not, "just DO IT." you'll LIKE. very nice mod. it doesn't change the geometry or anything so it seems to me it'd be legal????

[crystalhelix]

DMikko,

I will most likely. And I thing that the steering rack bushings would be illegal unless I was told otherwise by an official. It is a gentlemen's sport. :wink:

Justin

[TwisterX]

Alignment and tires, as has been said. The alignment will be significantly less than R compounds. A whole new set of wheels and tires gets very expensive. But most importantly, especially on a lot budget, a lot of seat time. When money is tight, you are much better served getting every bit of wheel time in that you can and learning to drive. Save you money for entry fees, not mods. :wink:

[Slowride]

Steering rack bushings are illegal in Stock.

[Slowride]

Originally Posted by DMikko

i suggest you run the car a few times AFTER you get a proper alignment and BEFORE you put the front swaybar on. You may not like the swaybar.....

It's always a good idea to make one change at a time so you can evaluate the results. It's definitely possible to not like the front swaybar, but controlling roll in a corner does a lot to minimize dynamic camber change (i.e., keeps the front outside tire from gaining too much positive camber), resulting in more traction and less understeer.

[crystalhelix]

Thanks everyone,

I took your advice and went out to my alignment shop tonight and got hooked up.

I already had neg. camber and near zero toe in the rear so I had them adjust the fronts.

Stock 2004 STi w/6500miles

Starting values
LF
Toe 0.13"
Camber +0.2
RF
Toe -0.08"
Camber -0.2

End values
LF
Toe +.01"
Camber -1.0
RF
Toe 0.0"
Camber -1.1

Rears FYI (did not adjust)
LR
Camber -1.3
Toe +0.04
RR
Camber -1.4
Toe +0.03

This was the best the tech could do on my stock camber bolts. The car feels awesome. I had to take some crap out and go hit some twisties right after I changed the oil. I was throwing stuff all over the inside of the car from work :wink:

EDIT: I went out for a ride tonight. The car feels like a different car. I pushed it in a sweeper and it felt fantastic. I could not induce much understeer but I was already pushing it pretty fast through the turn. Let me know what you think.

Please look over my numbers and make any suggestions. I will update after I get the car through a test n tune at the end of the month.

Justin

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE GREAT INFO!!!!! :P