and ran a best time of 70.19 understeering like a ****.
best time was a 60.64 which was an m3 with dunlop starspecs
wasn't really pleased with my performance, but i hope that wider tires will fix the understeer problem.

anyways to my question. has anyone taken their car to the track or autox'd it? and if so did you have a hard time steering? I know I had a hard time in the tight turns.

 

As long as you had fun, that's all that matters. I'm yet to take my RA to the track or an autox, but I have taken it on some fun twisties. I will say that the car does feel rather large, but I don't think it is as porky as it seems.

As for the understeer, that is something you have to be ready to live with if you buy a AWD or FWD car. I'm not sure that tires alone will fix your understeer "problem." Generally, a more rigid/thicker diameter rear sway bar will help with that. Stiffer suspension springs will help as well.

So I take it the car is bone stock? If so, you're lucky, because now you can start to measure the impact of each mod.

 

nope its got RRM springs. When I was turning into corners it was really hard to turn the damn steering wheel.

 

alignment and rear sway bar will eliminate 90% of your understeer

 

And how you drive it. The driver can cause more understeer just on how you approach the corner/entry.

Alignment specs? Tires? -- big factors too.

 

I think that Cusco actually makes some suspension parts like swaybars for the CY4A lancer that might be able to fit our cars. I am not sure what website I found it on but if you do a search o0n google you will find it.

I am just waiting for something that doesnt have JDM tax on it and waiting for months on end.

 

How many times have you AutoX before?

What year M3?

What was the average time of the other cars, an M3 isn't really in the same class.

 

Robispec also sells an upgraded swaybar for the Ralliart, but I believe they try to do the install themselves because installing it requires dropping the diff.

 

If it's your first time doing autocross with that car, that's probably more a cause of the understeering than anything else. If you enter a corner too hot, it doesn't matter what kind of suspension or tires you have, the car won't turn. Stickier tires likely won't do anything either, the car will still understeer when driven at or past the limit. Understeering is the result of having more grip in the rear than in the front (that is, the front tires lose traction first). This is why a rear sway bar helps as do stiffer rear springs.

 

How hard is it to get a rear sway bar installed? By hard I mean how much is it gonna cost, how easy is it to do and does it break the 36 mile / 36 min warranty?

 

A rear sway bar is easy, you can do it yourself. No it won't void the entire warranty.

 

I know Cusco makes underbody bracing specifically for the RA. I've only found pics of them installed. Anyone know other information about them and where they can be purchased?

 

Just found this.

http://www.cartronicjapan.com/carlist08/mfortis.htm

 

Underbody bracing won't solve handling problems. Stiffening the chassis is a secondary issue.

 

Would this help reduce under steer?
I am pretty sure I could install that w/o screwing it up :-p