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Evaluate my setup (save my life :))

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Old Dec 9, 2002 | 07:29 AM
  #1  
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From: Lastweek Lane - Watertown, NY
Car Info: 02WRXpseudoSTiWannabeWagon
Evaluate my setup (save my life :))

Haven't had a chance to run this setup in Solo2 or during a 'day at the track', yet, but from a little test session I found it to be fun with some potential. I'm just going to need to be on my toes.

WL read adj swaybar-set to 24mm, WL ALK, and BFG KDW's (225/50/16) @ 44psi. on stock rims.

My short test resulted in quite a bit of drift when I let off of the throttle, but it was easy to regain control once throttle was re-applied.

Anyone have any experience with similiar, or just an opinion?

Thanks,

Pat
Old Dec 9, 2002 | 02:36 PM
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From: Lastweek Lane - Watertown, NY
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Thanks fellas,

I've got a wagon 02 WRX.

I'll look again, but I thought that tire pressure on the KDW's was supposed to be 44. I'm probably a numbskull.

A sedan friend of mine (actually a few of them) is offering me their front swaybars.

Thanks for your input.

Pat
Old Dec 9, 2002 | 07:50 PM
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Pat,

I agree with Kevin, 44psi seems awful high. Taking a look at Tire Rack's specs it appears that 44psi is the max pressure (the number on the sidewall, right?). That number on the sidewall is most definitely not the recommended pressure. Kevin's suggestion of 37psi is probably pretty good, I would imagine somewhere in the 35-37psi range is where you want to be.

As for the rear swaybar, in my opinion 20mm isn't enough. I base that on two track days in my sister's WRX wagon. Even with the sedan 20mm rear bar installed the car understeered like a pig, and even dropping the throttle mid-corner didn't do much to rotate the car. And that was with rear tire pressures set 4-6# higher than the fronts to try to balance the car. So, I would say 22mm is probably a good, safe place to start. I know on my car I actually broke one of my rear swaybar endlinks by driving on my stock suspension with my Whiteline bar maxed out , so trying 24mm might be a bad idea if you're really pushing the car.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan
Old Dec 9, 2002 | 09:52 PM
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Thumbs up

Drop the tire pressure to 39psi and have fun.
Old Dec 9, 2002 | 09:53 PM
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Thanks Pat,

On my list of todo (added to change my oil) is lower air pressure and put the RSB back to 22.

I know if I left it the way it was, I'd most likely have some hard learning.

It's good to have another guru here on the island.

Pat
Old Dec 12, 2002 | 12:25 AM
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Great idea.

Thanks much.

I'll do that.

Pat
Old Dec 15, 2002 | 12:02 AM
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Originally posted by Akiata
Also I don't think the front bar will work going from sedan to wagon.

p@
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I've got the 22mm Whiteline front swaybar on my 02 WRX wagon. It fits just fine.
Old Dec 15, 2002 | 10:43 AM
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Swapping front wagon sways for sedans won't work- different bar (where it attaches to link), besides they are the same dia 20-20.

A couple of thoughts- tire pressure- this will vary based on your needs- autox, track, street. You will need to experiment (for example I run close to 5lbs higher when autoxing). I think it is worth trying higher front pressure vs rear (for example I run 39.5 front/ 37.5 rear autox- T1S tire). Also get an alignment, one of the cheapest bang for your buck mods. Increase front camber from oe setting (-0.25) to -1.0- -1.4 (this can be accomplished w/ oe camber bolt). Rear camber is unadjustable (w/o bolts/plates0 and should be in the -1.3 range. I run 0 toe front/rear, if you have specific needs you can adjust toe front and rear.

Also experiment w/ your sway bar (slowly, under controlled settings ie safe). You can run "inbetween" settings, ie 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24- by using one hole on one side and another on the other.

Big Sky
Old Dec 16, 2002 | 12:52 AM
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Big Sky,

Great advice.

I love to tinker around with different settings.

BTW, I put new 225/50/16 KDW's on the stock rims about 1 month and a half ago. When I went to check my pressure after reading this, all 4 tires were down to 32. I don't believe that they all, in synchronization, lost 12 lbs. I think that Sears filled them to what they thought they should be.

Maybe that, along with the 24 mm in the rear, and the ALK are what were the cause of my drift-o-matic setup.

Hmmm.

Pat
Old Dec 16, 2002 | 06:34 PM
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Tire temps are great to help setup a car. Ideally three temps (inner, middle, outer) are taken. "Ideal" camber should be reading temps equal outer and inner. "Ideal" temps should show the center temps should be equal to the average of the outer/inner. A pyrometer is on my must have list this spring.

Big Sky



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