Why so few DSM's on the track?
 

I see talons/gsxs at the strip all the time, but can never remember seeing one at an hpde/autocross/track day. I would think that being small, awd, turbo, and cheap that they would be everywhere! what does everyone else know that I don't? Thanks!

Have you seen a stock DSM from their belly? the suspension control arms are steel and heavy. The wheel well is huge, the stock profile tires are 55's and they are mounted on 16x6" rims. The stock brakes are mediocre, they will fade rapidly(brake hard twice at over 100mph and you will see what I mean) the stock sway bars are like a pensil. The steering feel is too soft.

From my point of view and as a owner of 4 DSM turbos you would need a huge quantity of money to make it track worth it.

Carlos

The 2gb GSX has 17" and 215/50's :P but it's true.

Yeah, you are correct, I forgot to mentioned, mine is a 95 and I was thinking of my rims but I do recall on the later model having the beautifull 17" 10 spokes(I think)

Good catch!{thumbup}

Carlos

They are so numb and unresponsive there is no feedback at all

My GSX has Evo 9 rims with Evo 9 tires, Koni yellow adjustables, front and rear shock towers bars and crossdrilled rear disc brakes.

The suspension and tires made a decent difference, the tires made the steering more responsive but the brake departament is miserable, it is an underachiever.

It would take me a good solid $5000 to make the Eclipse to try to duplicate what a Evo could do, this would be(suspsnesion, brakes,tires and rims,sway bars, etc)

Carlos

I imagine for the same reason that you don't see many Mustangs or Camaros; DSMs are good at going in a straight line for cheap. Not so good in the corners...

i have no problems with the twisties....... i think some of you guys are a lil crazy.. just my opinion.. ive seen DSMs out-handle Evos at auto-x events... if the car has a properly tuned suspension set-up and decent brakes... (ss brake lines, pads, rotors, calipers) it should be able to hang... i think a big part is how well the driver is behind the wheel...

I suspect the availability of Miatas is a big reason. They're cheaper, easier to fix, and much better handling cars.

I'm sure with the proper mods and setup a DSM can be a capablable handler. However there are many other cars avalible that offer a better base platform out the box. I personally had dreams of setting up a great handling DSM in the past. My car was mildly modded (suspension wise) when me and a friend went messing around in his Evo. At this point I decided to switch to an Evo as it was a significant better all around performer. Not saying it couldn't have been done, just easier. I know price wise were not comparing apples to apples though.