I heard that before you take your car out onto the track its a good idea to learn with your stock suspension before upgrading to any other after market suspension because it is less forgiving then stock.

I have never driven on the track before or done any auto-x, but I plan to this summer. So, I guess my question would be is the above statement true about suspension upgrades for first-time track and auto-x goers?

 

You will probably get mixed responses on this. I feel that this is a good way to go about it. This way your concentrating on following good lines, controlling entry speed, looking ahead, and turn follow through. The driving (especially since you're just starting) is what you should be concerned with instead of waht combo of after market parts are doing what.

I DO suggest making some changes before you go to the track......I'm assuming your in a WRX and not an STi?

1. Replace the RE92 tires, they are slightly better than horrible. On a decent speed trackday they will quickly heat up and grease out. I'm not saying you need R compound tire either. Just pick a nice set of resonably priced summer performance tires. My preference is Falken 615's and then Kumho MX's in a tire size that will fit your current wheels.

2. Get an alignment if you have not already done so. An OEM spec alignment is better/safer than a miss-alignment on the track. Even better yet you could research and ask around for some mild performace specs on toe/camber on front and rear.

3. Some TLC for your brakes.....which are going to be your best friends. Bleed your oem fluid out completly for Motul600 (or other) and install some performance pads. Make sure to bring your OEM pads along to the track just in case you burn up the performance pads. At least you can still get home.

4. Personal opinion...a CG-lock ($40) is a nice alternative to going out an buying a harness bar and safety harnesses ($500+). The CG-lock will help keep the lap belt snug and your azz in the seat. Again, this is not required but it is something that is cheaper and useful.




Now.......try a few track days with a combo like this. Play with your driving lines, entry/exit speeds, and tire pressures. You will soon figure out what aftermarket parts you want and which ones you would just be wasting money on.


Good luck.....I hope you enjoy it. By far my first trackdays were the most fun I've ever had (car related).

**I'm a track guy rather than an autoX guy....so there may be some slight changes that someone else could chime in on.**

 

Great advice from WarHammer.

Concentrate on your driving skills. When you start outdriving your car, then you can start looking into modifications. Right now, tires and brakes are the best thing to upgrade. The RE92's should go, even if you're just driving on the street ().

 

I agree with Warhammer. Brakes are a huge deal, especially if you're going out to a track day.

I've never tried a CG lock before, so I can't comment on that.

 

i agree.

one thing that came to mind for me is that if you are going to auto-x alot it would be good to run stock, the once you get some upgrades run again and see what you are missing and what you gained. I am doing the same with power mods. Going one step at a time to get used to each step and also to see how the gain affects my car.

 

I think the CG lock is a must for any type of competitive driving if you are not running or can't afford a full harness belt. That was the first thing that I bought before my first autocross. Without the CG lock, I found myself bracing against the door with my thigh, but with the CG lock, I am firmly planted in the seat and fully able to concentrate on driving not bracing myself against the door.

 

I always found myself using the steering wheel to brace myself. Now that I have a harness, I've got much better steering control.

FWIW, I use the Schroth Rallye series of harness which doesn't require a harness bar or roll bar. It attaches to existing anchor points in the rear of the car. They're about $150 and well worth it. I leave mine permanently mounted in the car and I can still use the stock 3 point belts on the street.

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

The only downside is that you have to make sure you close the door *before* you put on your harness.

 

I never knew about these belts. D.O.T. street legal, too (for the Rallye series of belts)!

 

Even though they are DOT legal, I use my stock belt for street driving. It's nice to be able to reach the radio, glove box, etc.

 

Big sways and very stiff springs might not be a good idea in the beginning but as long as you don't install anything that will make the car tail happy and you do have money burning a hole in your pocket I see no reason to wait.

IMO WarHammer's suggestions are the most important but if you have the $ I'd add some struts, springs, a Whiteline 24mm adjustable RSB plus links set @ 22mm and some more negative camber in front. It's not necessary but it will make a big difference. The first time I tracked my car I had a RSB, Koni's, GC coils (soft rates), GC caster camber plates, around 2 degrees of negative camber all around with 0 toe, Ferodo DS2500 pads, RBF 600 fluid, stainless brake lines and 225/45/17 S03's so I can't comment on running a stock suspension at the track but I do know it made a big difference on back roads.

At the track I felt very confident with this setup and the car felt neutral. This season might take some time to make adjustments since I'm running a bigger RSB and a fairly large FSB. One thing I've been told is to avoid changing the car constantly so you can work on your driving.

 

I just bought a CG lock and have a track day coming up this weekend. I hope it works well. As to the Scroth harness... they don't work on the 06s. It seems kind of weird that they don't.

 

Are you using the Schroth Rallye 3 Harness or the Schroth Rallye 4 Harness ? I'm guessing you use the 4.

 

I have the 3's. When I bought them a couple of years ago, the 4 was not yet certified for the 04 STi.

 

Thanks, this is an option I'd be willing to buck up for in the future. I'm going to have to see if the new mods sling me around my car more than last year. If not I have a few more things under the car to change first.

 

I was amazed at the difference the harnesses made. You don't realize how much you are bracing yourself against the steering wheel and other parts of the car as you run around the track. Running the harness gave me much better control of the vehicle.