Racecomp Engineering Tarmac 2 Review - Page 2

**RaceComp Engineering** · 03-21-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

Here's an update:

http://www.hpdedriver.com/tech/tarmac2-3.htm

Thanks for the update. We're VERY happy with how these have turned out.....reviews like these make us feel all warm inside.

- Andrew

stretch · 03-21-2007, 11:44 AM

Hey RaceComp, any chance you'll ever release a shock dyno of these struts? I saw one of the normal KW V3's and it looked quite impressive. I'd love to know what changes (be vague if you must) you made to the already good valving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

Here's an update:
http://www.hpdedriver.com/tech/tarmac2-3.htm

Re: the article, I'm not a fan of battery relocation. Putting the battery in the rear means increasing the car's polar moment of inertia since the battery is moving further from the car's center of gravity. Besides, the wiring to put a battery in the trunk weighs nearly as much as a lightweight battery alone.

SubyFi · 03-21-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretch

Re: the article, I'm not a fan of battery relocation. Putting the battery in the rear means increasing the car's polar moment of inertia since the battery is moving further from the car's center of gravity. Besides, the wiring to put a battery in the trunk weighs nearly as much as a lightweight battery alone.

That's why he mentioned relocating the battery in front of the rear axle as much as possible. Putting it at the rear corner (like where the intercooler water tank is) would create a pendulum effect (not his words, just trying to describe it). Just relocating the weight would balance the car better. The wiring could run along the passenger side since there is less weight there.

Are lightweight batteries dependable? I saw a Lotus Elise at the track one day and its battery died in the pits. I would hate to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.

***BoostJunkie*** · 03-21-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

Are lightweight batteries dependable? I saw a Lotus Elise at the track one day and its battery died in the pits. I would hate to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.

Depends on which one. I had a Braille and it died after about a year. I recently switched to an Odyssey PC680, which weighs a couple pounds more but supposedly works a lot better, especially in cold weather. Plus it has a 3 year warrantee.

stretch · 03-21-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

That's why he mentioned relocating the battery in front of the rear axle as much as possible. Putting it at the rear corner (like where the intercooler water tank is) would create a pendulum effect (not his words, just trying to describe it). Just relocating the weight would balance the car better. The wiring could run along the passenger side since there is less weight there.

But in front of the rear axle would mean in the passenger compartment... is that legal? I thought I remembered reading it was not allowed in most racing classes, but I'm pretty fuzzy on what the rules are. In any event, some people certainly do it:
http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/tech/...atbattery.html

Quote:

Are lightweight batteries dependable? I saw a Lotus Elise at the track one day and its battery died in the pits. I would hate to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.

Yes, so long as you don't leave the car parked for long durations with the stereo blasting. The small batteries can provide high current for short durations, but they don't do well with long, slow drains. They'll also work pretty well down to 20 degree weather or so, but beyond that you can tell the engine wants a little more CCA's. Braille sells a 15lb battery that is probably sufficient in very cold weather.

Anyway, I don't mean to take the thread off subject. (Sorry!)

TR11 · 03-21-2007, 11:57 AM

o god do I want to order the T2's.

I have my car apart, deciding on what struts to use for my hub swap. Im pretty decided on the coils vs. ohlins fixed perch, for their increased track capabilities. Hey, if i can maintain near close to the harshness from my stock struts with pinks id be happy. Superior valving FTW!

Credit card is TIGHT though, especially since id need new camber plates most likely, and new rears.

Get financing RCE haha.

I guess ill pull the trigger eventually, it'd just be the best to do it now though, but that+hub swap+new rims/tiresx2 = $

**RaceComp Engineering** · 03-21-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretch

Hey RaceComp, any chance you'll ever release a shock dyno of these struts? I saw one of the normal KW V3's and it looked quite impressive. I'd love to know what changes (be vague if you must) you made to the already good valving.

It is proprietary, partly because this is OUR shock and we don't want anyone to copy it and partly for other reasons. I will say the shock oil is different/improved then it is in the KW V3's.

I'll see what else I can do for you though....I'm awesome at being vague

- Andrew

SubyFi · 03-21-2007, 11:09 PM

Andrew,

One thing I forgot to do was to weigh the Tarmac 2's. What are the weights of the coilovers?

For the stock struts, Ben posted: ~10 lbs each front strut, and ~5 lbs for each rear strut.

**RaceComp Engineering** · 03-22-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

Andrew,

One thing I forgot to do was to weigh the Tarmac 2's. What are the weights of the coilovers?

For the stock struts, Ben posted: ~10 lbs each front strut, and ~5 lbs for each rear strut.

Nuts! I have everything sitting here (including stock stuff) but no scale at the moment.

I'll see if I can grab one.

- Andrew

wrxroy · 03-26-2007, 10:22 PM

That was a very nice review! The video was pretty sweet and It looked like you were owning the track! As Soon as my Whiteline's go out, I think I may have to grab a set! Thanks for the info guys.

SubyFi · 03-26-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering

Nuts! I have everything sitting here (including stock stuff) but no scale at the moment.

I'll see if I can grab one.

- Andrew

Did you get to weigh them yet?

wrxroy, I'll be trying out the track compression/rebound settings on April 8 on Buttonwillow.

**RaceComp Engineering** · 03-27-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

Did you get to weigh them yet?

wrxroy, I'll be trying out the track compression/rebound settings on April 8 on Buttonwillow.

No scale here right now still....i'm picking one up soon.

SubyFi, were you happy with the provided settings? There's definitely some potential left in them (since i'm tuning in the general sense, not for a specific track or driver), but i think as baseline settings they do very well. I'm still fine tuning them a little bit....so feedback is appreciated.

- Andrew

SubyFi · 03-27-2007, 01:24 PM

I did about a 1/4 turn soft for the compression in the rear to make the washboard-like road surfaces better.

**Rosspbig** · 03-27-2007, 02:05 PM

great write up. Im seriously thinking about these coilovers for my next mod once my rotated turbo setup is done.

SubyFi · 04-05-2007, 05:23 PM

Bump for coilover weights from Andrew or anyone else.

04-05-2007, 05:23 PM	#30
SubyFi Spec C Club Car: '05 STi in OBP Fav Mod: coilovers & www.hpdedriver.com Location: L.A. (SFV), CA Posts: 1,185 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	Bump for coilover weights from Andrew or anyone else. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

New To Site?	Need Help?	More
REGISTER FOR FREE! IWSTI Rules/Signature Rules Create a Member Journal Bookmark IWSTI Tell your friends about IWSTI	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Make a suggestion or report a bug Mark Forums Read Contact Us	Member Journals Forum Pictures & Photography Forum GR Series (08+) Marketplace GD Series (03/04-07) Marketplace Hot eBay Deals Forum Beyond Off Topic

03-21-2007, 11:57 AM	#21
TR11 Professional STI Driver Car: 2004.5 STi Fav Mod: Driving School Location: Toronto Posts: 486 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	o god do I want to order the T2's. I have my car apart, deciding on what struts to use for my hub swap. Im pretty decided on the coils vs. ohlins fixed perch, for their increased track capabilities. Hey, if i can maintain near close to the harshness from my stock struts with pinks id be happy. Superior valving FTW! Credit card is TIGHT though, especially since id need new camber plates most likely, and new rears. Get financing RCE haha. I guess ill pull the trigger eventually, it'd just be the best to do it now though, but that+hub swap+new rims/tiresx2 = $

03-21-2007, 11:09 PM	#23
SubyFi Spec C Club Car: '05 STi in OBP Fav Mod: coilovers & www.hpdedriver.com Location: L.A. (SFV), CA Posts: 1,185 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	Andrew, One thing I forgot to do was to weigh the Tarmac 2's. What are the weights of the coilovers? For the stock struts, Ben posted: ~10 lbs each front strut, and ~5 lbs for each rear strut.

03-26-2007, 10:22 PM	#25
wrxroy Junior STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Exhaust, Cleared Headlights Location: Salt Lake City. UT Posts: 187 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	That was a very nice review! The video was pretty sweet and It looked like you were owning the track! As Soon as my Whiteline's go out, I think I may have to grab a set! Thanks for the info guys.

03-27-2007, 01:24 PM	#28
SubyFi Spec C Club Car: '05 STi in OBP Fav Mod: coilovers & www.hpdedriver.com Location: L.A. (SFV), CA Posts: 1,185 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	I did about a 1/4 turn soft for the compression in the rear to make the washboard-like road surfaces better.

03-27-2007, 02:05 PM	#29
Rosspbig Gold Member Car: 2007 M coupe Fav Mod: Bondurant Racing School Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 1,408 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	great write up. Im seriously thinking about these coilovers for my next mod once my rotated turbo setup is done.