So not to clog my other thread of what ppl are running. I'd like some comments on my options I've put together:

Background: I'm just going onto my 2nd year of autox and HPDE's. Budget-wise I'm a bit tight, but I'd like to lower the car around 3/4" and have damper adjustability so I can begin learning how changes in the damper can affect vehicle dynamics.

Here are the options I'm looking at and I was wondering if ppl could provide some comment and maybe even suggestions to which part would fit the bill. Keep in mind I already bought hotchkis sways and powergrid endlinks that I will install in the beginning of the season.

Option 1) Continue to drive the season on stock shocks/springs and continue to just improve driver skill.

Price = $0
Pro's = Continue to improve driver skill and put the $$ into more seat time
Con's = More body roll / less stiffer handling -> not using full tire capability

Option 2) Buy a set of lowering springs (with hopefully a stiffer linear spring rate) like the COBB and combine with OE shocks.

Price = $200
Pro's = Lowered stance, stiffer spring rate
Con's = OE shocks will die quickly. Then will have to replace those in the near future.

Option 3) Buy lower springs like COBB or the RSI*R springs other ppl are running and combine with Tokico D-Specs for basic dampening adjustability.

Price = $200 + $500 = $700
Pro's = Basic dampening adjustability, good budget setup that will last a while until I exceed the limits of the suspension
Con's = After time I'll be wanting more, like coilovers which will cost another $1500

Option 4) Coil-overs (ex. KW V3's)
Price = $1500
Pro's = Impact and rebound adjustability. Corner weighting ability. Superb suspension, won't need anything else.
Con's = Price, won't be able to take full advantage of the adjustability.

So I you can see, I have a lot of options. I'm still doing my research and don't plan to buy immediately. But I guess when the time comes I want to be able to make a good decision.

And another key note, I'll be running street tires for a couple more years.

Sorry for multiple threads, but trying to do as much research and get as many comments as I can.

Thanks!!

Rob

 

If you're going into just your 2nd yr, keep the car the way it is. Try doing different things.....braking deeper, throttle on sooner, etc.
You should have an ok feel for the car now as to what it does. Have you had the car aligned? If not, get it aligned and see how she behaves with the same drivign characteristics.
In the middle of the year do one mod, and see what she does. Too many changes at once and you wont' know what change did what.
Bottom line though, seat time is your friend and best way to get faster

 

option 1 for at least one more season... use the money for more seat time, tires, and brakes. then when you're ready to change, go option 4, buy the best you can afford and don't look back.

 

agreed.
than the hotchkis are already adjustable and enough to play with for a while.

 

You sound like you are in exactly the same boat that I am.

I've already committed to option #1 in an attempt to use my budgeted funds to maximize seat time (although, I'm not completely splurge free as I just picked up a set of high end street tires to mate to my unused stock rims).

I'm going to make a run at the top spot in BStock in my AutoX region and do a handful more HPDE. At the end of the year I'll decide if I want to go the Option 4 route or maintain the status quo.

 

IMHO talking about mods you should have eventually...
in order:
front camber arms (dial in more than the lame stock setup)
clutch or gear lsd (depends on taste)
lower/stiffer springs and koni tckline or truechoice

that if you really want more handling.

what I like more so far... my damn sparco evo seat ... I can think more about driving and less about staying in place.

 

coilovers ftw... but if you arent going to take advantage of the adjustability, then i think option 2 or 3 would be best.

option 2 with like cobb or hotchkis

option 3 with a spring and strut combo sold as a kit

 

CG lock...at $40 bux its one of the best investments in autoX

 

^ I'm sorry, this picture is distracting me from what you are trying to show us!

OP I am in the same boat. I've talked to a lot of autox/HPDE guys and all of them have said that seat time is ftw no matter what. I would go option 1, which I am doing as well, and if any mods are done, for me at least, would be brakes, lsd, rims/tires and seat, seat being least important just more of a want than an absolute need.

 

Yeah, i agree with everybody, and even my co-workers at work who are a bunch of BMW instructors and varies other HPDE instructors all told me to go option 1. Especially because it's only my 2nd year and because of the economy which I totally agree with.

Thanks for everybody's suggestions!

 

Where'd you get your leather parking brake handle cover?

 

Is that passenger a ZIP up girl as opposed to a blow up doll?

 

I have one.. and yes, it helps A LOT.
and is an expense 1 to 50 to have the real "nest" (seat, steering wheel, rollbar, 6 point harness).

 

I've often thought about a CG lock ... but i never actually purchased one. I don't feel like I move around much at all in the Z's seats (cloth). Even in AutoX and HPDE I never have felt even once that movement cost me a 0.1 of a second.

I think they are some of the best OEM seats for both sport and everyday driving IMO.

 

^ I agree, depending on your build this cars stock support isn't bad. It definatly helped me and my friends in other cars though.

 

what handle cover? I only see two handles and its behind the seatbelt

 

Seat time is always best.

If you do want to upgrade suspension bits, its dampers that the Z needs.

Next thing will be front upper A arms.

The oem springs are fine for regular tires.

 

yea I've decided to leave it alone this year and get a CG lock. lol I remember one HPDE event I actually got a cramp in my left calf trying to support myself the entire time I was out on the track.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Kolia hope to see you around Mid-Ohio some time this year.

 

If I can find a decent Z, you just might!