auto X, parts? Options

[4-eyed-freek]

hey everyone im takeing up auto X witht the celica and i was wondering ifanyone knows any tips or parts that will help. im thinking about end links but i dont know yet, if anyone has any idea let me know im open to all comments.

[nics]

-coilovers
-anti-sway bars F&R
-endlinks
-light weight rims
-slick tires??
-alignment (tuned to your preference)

[4-eyed-freek]

well i have light weight rims by motegi racing and hankook radials.
what do you mean by alignment>?

[Tigawoods]

if you want light weight rims. you will have to go with 15s or 16s
the lightest 17inch rims can get is 15lbs. and adding a tire to that adds a decent amount of weight.

go with 16s and 7.5 or 8 width.
if you are just starting out i wouldnt go with radials just yet because once you get them youll be running with the big dawgs lol
i highly suggest the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z1's
im not sure what you budget is like but the 2 main things that make a world of difference are
-suspension
-tires

hoosier slicks

star specs

just remember these tires have a very low tread wear rating because they are a softer compound
so dont daily drive them like me lol

This post has been edited by Tigawoods: Jun 21, 2010 - 3:59 PM

[4-eyed-freek]

your actually the one who i found out about auto X!(tigawoods) i was inspired by your video. nice driving btw. im kinda on a low income budget, but the radials i have on the car right now are good, and the rim size is 16in. i was reading a forum about someone useing some kind of mazda end links and i was intrested about that, do they make a difference, because i want to keep my car an every day driver but still have it an auto X machine. o and i also have a rear strut bar and a front one too.(if that make a difference)

This post has been edited by 4-eyed-freek: Jun 21, 2010 - 4:33 PM

[nics]

well i have light weight rims by motegi racing and hankook radials.
what do you mean by alignment>?

toe and camber angle alignment. maximizing the grip of the tires while cornering but beware that straight line braking performance can be affected depending on how much toe and camber is set.

[4-eyed-freek]

sounds dangerous lol, idk but i gotta pull something out of my hat b/c the auto X race is july 4th.

[nics]

do the have the stock class?

i know rally X is different but windowlicker does it on stock suspension. auto tranny i believe also.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=66035&hl=

[4-eyed-freek]

wow thats so cool, my first auto x is going to be in millwakee at miller park's parking lot. its about a 3 hour drive for me. and unfortinatly i have an automatic tranny. and while im on the topic of automatic tranny's, do you think i could run it in 2nd when i do it because i get so much more responce from the car when i do that, or is it bad for the car?

[nics]

wow thats so cool, my first auto x is going to be in millwakee at miller park's parking lot. its about a 3 hour drive for me. and unfortinatly i have an automatic tranny. and while im on the topic of automatic tranny's, do you think i could run it in 2nd when i do it because i get so much more responce from the car when i do that, or is it bad for the car?

i suggest you go pm windowlicker (chris) on how he drives his auto ST on rally X. he can give give you a better input

[Tigawoods]

it might be a bit harder with auto.
2nd is what you should be in when racing but since youll be in the higher rpms, it will want to shift to 3rd which will suck
id say save up and get a transmission swap.
and yes you can run in stock classes
http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo_Rules/2..._solo_rules.pdf
im not sure what section youd be in (A Stock C Stock F Stock etc.)
id run in no matter what first and get some seat time. auto trans and all. the more time you get the better

[4-eyed-freek]

i can get up to 60 with the trans in 2nd. and i think they put me in the f class

[Tigawoods]

then get out there!!!!
i think you can throw on some sway bars in between now and the auto-x

but ill also suggest going the first few stock and adding the parts and feeling the difference

This post has been edited by Tigawoods: Jun 21, 2010 - 8:45 PM

[4-eyed-freek]

well i just bought a magnaflow muffler off a friend, and im going to do 2 1/2 in. pipe, im going to see if i can get it done tomarrow, if i do i will post pics on my project form.

[windowlicker]

going off what i've already pm'd you, personally, i'm a firm believer in running what you have right now, get a good feel for the car, then after a while, start the upgrades. when you've learned your car and start doing upgrades, you will really be able to notice the differences the upgrades make. i'd start off with simple stuff like better brake pads (i personally like the hawk hps pads), an inexpensive front and rear strut tower bar to slightly stiffen up the car, and when your current tires get worn down and need to be replaced, then get some tires that will fit your needs.

if you get really serious about autox, then i would suggest trying to find a set of 15" or 16" wheels for cheap and then get some stickier tires when you're ready. that way you can have a set of softer tires that you won't be wearing down fast by daily driving them.

the most important part is just getting out there and giving it a try with what ever you have and seeing if you like it. if you like it, then just go with what ever you can afford along the way and take your time modding it. the best mod you can ever do is the driver mod, and by this i mean learn to become a better driver. great example of this was that last weekend at the western states national scca rallycross, a guy in a stock subaru 2.5rs on pretty much bald all season tires had the best overall time than all the cars competing. this is against people with sti's and rally tires. goes to show you how if you know how to drive it regardless of whats done to it, you can be competetive.

also, this is my opinion, don't jump into getting r compounds or slicks anytime in the near future. super grippy tires will make you go faster, but won't allow you to learn to use better driving techniques. the sticker tires will sort of band aid your bad habbits when you're starting out, and you'll eventually flatten out in skill progression. a lot of people may not agree with that, but i've seen quite a few people do just that and they never really get that much better after a while. i've learned a lot running the celica stock for the last 2 years that i've had it. its always fun when i drive the canyons and people try to catch up in cars that have more power and better suspensions, and then to see their faces when they hear that i'm running the stock ST suspension/engine/auto trans. ask randomstranger or 2celicas2love, they were there one time when it happened.

[nics]

chris, remember the camry guys??

[windowlicker]

chris, remember the camry guys??

not really. i liked the civic that was trying to keep up with me and then he asked faust what i had done to the car. he said they were like WTF? when he told them i was stock with an auto trans.

about a month ago i had a s2000 cr on my ass up there, so i let him pass. i expected him to pull way ahead of me, but i never lost sight of his taillights. goes to show how much driving ability comes into play.