After my first AutoX the absolute first thing I felt I needed was a harness and possibly a bucket seat. I am pretty small and the Recaros could fit me alot more snug, but with a harness, it's a HUGE difference. It is probably the best money I have spent on the car yet. A seat has now taken the back burner for a long time.

 

I wish being flinged around in the stock seats was a problem for me.

 

ok this popped in my head breifly...

since im the "on a budget SM" car here. lol

do u guys think with the 17x9 5zigens and 255/40 tires i can run a small spacer up front. or dont even worry about it. i know some guys like to have a good size spacer but with the 18x9.xx+

only less than a month away before my regions first test and tunes start. cant wait!!
thanks

 

I don't think anyone LIKES having a spacer. We generally try to avoid spacers at all costs. For what reason do you WANT to use a spacer?

 

They allow you to use the same size wheels while widening the front track. If you do this it'll help your tires last longer since you can rotate them frt to rr. I found it especially useful with the 710's last year. The main problem becomes replacing only 2 tires and you end up with a mismatched set where your fronts are new and grippy and the rears are partially heat cycled and the balance of the car shifts.

I think for autox it's not really such an issue as driving on the track with the higher speeds and continued loading through long corners.

 

I think robi uses them in some if his "kits" to widen the front track for better turn in. That is the theory anyway IIRC.

 

Ah, ok. I was thinking from the road racing perspective where you try to avoid it.

 

i'll try to get my hands on 5mm and see if it helps. i'll do the first session with them off and the second send session with them on and see if i notice improvement.

 

Manny, I don't think you will notice any differences with or without spacer performance wise, with 17x9 wheels (35 offset) and 255 tires, you shouldn't run into any clearance problems.

Kev

 

the people running 285s, are you removing the fender liners or are you just leaving them in and rubbing slightly?

 

Check out my build-up thread. I just rolled the fenders front and rear - no rubbing during my one auto-x, but I haven't put it to the test on the road course yet - not until Mar 17/18.

 

aright thanks...i really need to get on ordering up coilovers and tires...

 

Subscribed - great thread.

I'm currently running STS but i'm going to make a jump in classes when i purchase my evo in the fall.

 

I rubbed throught the fender liners with my '04 275/40/17 setup, but with the 285/30/18 setup have had no rubbing issues. I think the rubbing has alot more to do with diameter than width, at least UP TO the 285 mark.

EVOlutionary

 

sort of. The sectional width of the kumo v710 in a 285/35/17 is 11" while the same tire in a 275/40/17 is 11.4"

I think the contact patch remains about the same due to the different profile of the tires.