Autocross Question

[RX-7 Chris]

Question for all the Autocross nuts:

I'm talking with a guy over on RX-7 Club about how I should set my car up. I plan to keep the motor stock except for a free flowing cat. Everything else I plan to do is suspension related. Coilovers, larger sways, adjustable struts, and strut brace. The guy I'm talking to says I will be able to compete well in CSP. What does everyone think? I know nothing about this.

[tbot]

^^new thread maybe

[RX-7 Chris]

better?

[RX-7 Chris]

My parts list.

I plan to keep the motor stock except for a Bönez Street Exhaust Systemand a K&N drop in filter.

-ReSpeed strut brace
-ReSpeed front sway bar
-Suspension Techniques 3 position adj. rear sway bar
-ReSpeed front coilover kit, Road Race
-ReSpeed 2.5" ID x 8" Long, coilover springs
-ReSpeed rear coilover adjuster kit
-ReSpeed camber plate kit
-TOKICO Illumina adjustable shocks
-Energy Suspension bushings
-Mazdatrix watts link bracket reinforcement
-Hawk hps pads
-SS brake lines (already have from black car)
-Powerslot rotors on all corners

[RX-7 Chris]

It seems like I might be able to compete in STS or STR but I'm not sure. I think the free flow cat bumbs me out of that though since I'd be going from three to one cat.

[Dange]

im actually wondering the same thing... i want to start autocrossing the last few winter series so i can get the hang of it again, and be somewhat competitive come this spring

[GR-8]

THREAD JACK

Do u need to have a cat and do they look for a cat upon inspection?

[jamiel]

It seems like I might be able to compete in STS or STR but I'm not sure. I think the free flow cat bumbs me out of that though since I'd be going from three to one cat.

STS is a probably a good fit- not sure about the cat though, make sure to ask about that. CSP is a taller order to built a competitive car. "competing well" is probably 90% driver, 10% car. Spend money on seat time- fun runs, event entry fees, schools. They will give you the best "go faster" bang for the buck vs. buying parts

Best bet is to make a "Please class my car" post on rmsolo. Inlude year, make, model, and mods, you'll get a definite answer there.

[jamiel]

THREAD JACK

Do u need to have a cat and do they look for a cat upon inspection?

Tech inspection is strictly for safety. Class compliance is between you and your competitors. Generally speaking, you could be class illegal- until you start beating people, then you get protested

We do have sound limits depending on the venue- 93db at Dicks, 103db at PPIR, FRA- none- but there is a log if you want to check

[iani1.1]

The csp class isn't soo bad. Just not enough seat time for beginners. But as stated before tech inspection is usually based on safety.

As for the cat, are you going for the bones highflow? If so then you shouldn't have any problems with the tech inspection. I had to run csp cause I ran a piggyback system without an afm.

[jamiel]

The csp class isn't soo bad. Just not enough seat time for beginners.

What do you mean by this? All drivers get the same number of runs.

The cat is not checked at tech inspection- only the following safety items:
battery doesn't move (this is a common problem)
no active leaks- an occasional drop is ok, no pooling on ground during the inspection though.
no loose items in passenger compartment
no play in hubs
no cord on tires
active throttle return spring
brake pedal doesn't go to floor
no missing lug nuts
gas cap in place

The status of your cat is a "class compliance" issue between you and your competitors.

We also have sound limits depending on the venue- FRA is unrestricted (with a log so you can check), DSGP is 93db, PPIR is 103db

I run in FSP- another "Street Prepared" class (SP is short for Street Prepared), there is A-F Street Prepared (ASP, BSP, CSP, DSP, ESP, FSP)
"Class" is just a level of preparation. The amount of mods available increases roughly like this: Stock< Street Prepared/ Street Touring/ Street Mod< Prepared< Mod
Basically, Stock, SP, ST and SM are meant to still be street driveable. In practice, "fully prepared" SP cars are not really streetable- trailered, with teeth rattling stiff suspension (come over and try to compress either end of the Scirocco's suspension ). "Fully prepared" Prepared and Mod class cars are meant to be non street legal dedicated race cars.

[iani1.1]

What do you mean by this? All drivers get the same number of runs.

my mistake, i ran once then got kicked out for drifting on the second run when in csp. so disregard that last comment completely forgot i got kicked out lol

before that it was sm which i got more seat time cause i actually took it seriously, i think it was 5 runs, i couldve had more but tires said no.

[tbot]

hmm...I drifted with my 6 at autox before and didn't get kicked out haha. I'm gunna have a hard time NOT doing that when my car is running again tho

[jamiel]

Drifting isn't the fast way around the course, so it's kind of self limiting for most people. From a safety standpoint it's frowned upon since course worker safety is vital

Think of it this way- when you are working course, would you want to have to deal with other random people of various skill levels trying their hand at drifting? It's plenty already to keep track of cars coming every 30 seconds that are trying to avoid slides. Sure, spins and slides happen, but we like people to gather them up ASAP to avoid danger to workers, and delays to events.
Think of it another way- would you want your "hero run" spoiled because someone else was purposely sliding around and spun out?

[tbot]

No i hear ya...but i wasn't trying to drift...it just happened...and worked out very well to my benefit actually was my quickest time around the track