(sorry about spelling and grammar mistakes after this sentence)

Ok so being a complete newb to the autox sport, I figured this might be the best thread here on evom to start.

Right off the bat, I will say upfront that Im not really interested in being a national champ or even going to other autox events outside my region (house, wife, ect...)

Anyhow I really just want to get into the sport for the fun, be somewhat competitive, and get the proper use of my weekend car.

Since Im not building a national SCCA solo champ car... the list in the second post of this thread really doesn’t apply to me, I wanna maybe get some ideas for a weekend racer.

I am starting out with my 06 MR as it sits... its prob. (guessing) around 280whp / 260wtq with all basic bolt ons, I don’t plan to up the power at this time, also its lowered on springs and has an upgraded clutch.

I have done some research on my local Solo site, and I have determined I will be placed in SM because of my cams.

Here are my gray areas:

Wheels and tires? - right now I run stock MR BBS, with stock A046 tires. In this area Im clueless, I don’t wanna roll fenders or anything like that, Im think maybe 18 might be better, something like 265/45/18 ?

Coilovers or springs? - right now I run WORKS lowering springs, I know coils would be best in the future, my question is do I run my first season on springs? to learn how to handle my car in autox, or does it take coils to be somewhat competitive? and I should start with coils.

Camber and alignment? - right now with stock springs and shocks Im not sure if there is much I can do, in the future maybe some tips? Again the car will only be driven on the weekends (if that) and to autox events.

Brakes? - right now stock, because speeds are not high and I only plan to autox race, Im thinking simple yet effective braking set up: SS lines, pads, slotted rotors, upgraded fluids? Any suggestions?

Lastly I am considering relocating the battery to the trunk would there be any downside to this? or is it better for weight distribution?



I know i have alot of questions, but hopefully you guys have the time to help a weekend racer newbie

 

Fixed that for you. If you're thinking of going to 18's, keep the stock rims for your street tires and put R-comps on the 18s. You'll get killed on street tires.

Stick with springs. Learn how to get faster by driving right before you try to get faster by adjusting stuff. You want a non-adjustable suspension for a while.

If you're on street tires (not recommended, see above), you're ok with the adjustability you have. If you put R-compounds on there, you'll want to get some camber plates. With only -1.5 degrees, you'll wear out R-comps too fast.

Stock is fine for brakes. SS lines can improve pedal feel, but I wouldn't upgrade pads or rotors unless they're worn out anyway.

 

One other thing to consider is that some local regions have a street tire class for each regular class. If so you could run SM on street tires and be competitive.

If not, then the advice above is spot on.

One more thing to think about is getting a 4 or 5 point harness. It holds you in the seat far better than the regular belts and lets you concentrate more on driving the car rather than bracing yourself with your arms and legs in every corner. . .

 

wow ask and I shall recive...thank you very much guys.

few questions though,

1. why 245? isent that just like stock?

2. if I run R-comp tires, you suggest camber plates, i am gussing this is because the R-comps require more camber? or is to take camber off to make them last longer?

 

as far as a harness goes, would a long type be a good idea? and maybe remove the backseat to mount it?

 

You can't really fit anything bigger than 245s in an R-comp without rolling the fenders. The size guys are running at the national level is 285/30R18. There's not much available between that and the 245s. Regardless, 265/45R18 is WAY too tall. I actually ran 245/40R17s in A-stock last year.

Yes, R-comps require more camber. You go from 0.9g to about 1.2g in the turns. More force = more roll which means you need more camber (around 2.5 - 3 degrees). If you're running the stock 1.5 degrees, all you'll do is wear out the outside shoulder. Remember, you're turning all the time, so MORE camber = LESS wear.

5-point harnesses are a pain in the ***, especially for a street car. Just get one of these:

http://www.soloracer.com/cglock.html

 

Before you spend any money, you should probably just go out a few times. Don't worry about winning or being fast for the first few months because you're not going to be. If there is a novice class, run in it.

d

 

that is my plan... im just getting some ideas for my tax return

 

so at this point so early in my racing experience should I stick with my 17's and good tires or go 18's and good tires?

 

Stick with 17's and stock tires to begin with. The stock advans are actually very capable. I used to sit about 1-2 seconds off the A-stock pace when I drove on those. Depending on how deep your local SM class is, you might actually be able to WIN on stock tires. Once you decide you really like the sport, you'll justify spending $1000 on tires that you'll get 60 good minutes of use out of.

And that motor should be over 260 whp bone stock. If you've got cams and bolt ons then you should be able to push 320-350 whp with a good tune.

Just go out and get some experience. Donour's right. Don't do ANYTHING until you learn how to drive the car at the limit. If you can't reach the limits of the car as it is, pushing them farther out won't make you any faster.

 

cool thanks guys...i will let you know how things go

 

EVILEVO - Where are you in AZ? There is a member here with a really fast AX Evo that you may talk with if he's local. PM "FLMJR" (Frank), he will be a good local contact to help get you started. His car is REALLY fast (won a National Championship in 2005) with minimal mods. If you happen to go to an autocross that he is at see if you can get a ride.

 

is that the red bsp evo?

 

Yep, Frank and Aaron Miller's car is based in AZ, but during the summer they run it alot up here in MI. At Nat's the past 2 years they had Tage Evanson co-drive it (BSP 2006, SM 2007) and he was pretty successful. Took 2nd or 3rd in 2006 having never driven an EVO before Nats, and would have beat me out for 3rd last year had he missed just one cone. . . (he actually beat me on the east course by a good margin in that BSP car)

 

I am in the Phx. area and it looks like I would be racing him:

(from the results page)
SM Open Francis Miller 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Viii Rs

Im guessing this is him...

I will have to get out there and meet up with him