which tires for c/street?

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DavidM938
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Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

thanks for the advise. My future plans include coil overs (probably the Ohlins) but in the interim I'd like to improve the handling without buying shocks and springs that would get replaced within a year. What about installing a bigger front bar? It sounds like the Progress bar would be too much, so would the Racing Beat at the softest setting help my overall setup with the tire pressures used to fine-tune? Also, I want to change exhaust and have read and listened to all the posts. Am I correct that there is no real performance difference between the super Q and the Roadstersport II? (I'm in that over-60 group that likes to hear the engine's "song"). But I do want to be able to drive on a trip without too much drone, so I'm leaning towards the super Q. Any advise? I appreciate your help and interest in helping us new owners enjoy their cars! Thanks.

david m nashville
Brian
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Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by Brian »

The SuperQ did slightly better on the dyno compared to RSII, and you are better prepared to add a header later, and the new Helmholtz midpipe that kills any drone before it gets to the muffler.

Many C Street guys using the Progress front bar, can't say it is 'too big', so much depends on the driver's preference for balance which you don't know yet and won't know until you get a lot more seat time. Nonetheless, whether you go with our Racing Beat front sway or the Progress Front sway, it will help a lot for C Street. But if coilovers are coming that means you are out of C Street class and likely in STR where coilovers are allowed along with full header and exhaust system and 17x9 wheels.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
DavidM938
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

yes STR is in the future including the header and the 17x9's! (and the Helmholtz) I do like the flatter attitude the bars provide (I had the RB's on my NB that was totaled) so if I go to the Progress bar, can I keep it drivable with just tire pressure changes and alignment (I'm at -1.3 camber 1/16 toe max caster) since I don't have adjustable Konis or different bump stops at this point? thanks david m
Brian
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Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by Brian »

The addition of the front bar won't have much downside, it will just be much more fun in the turns with less body roll.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
DavidM938
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

brian, just installed the super "Q" and the progress front bar. the Q went on nice and easy, and is almost too quiet! (I know, it will be just right when I get the headers!) sounds great though on the road at cruise. I tried your suggestion of increasing the tire pressures on the 215 size michelins to 35 psi and liked the improved response and stability. Now that I have the new bar up front I raised the fronts up to 38 and initial feeling is great. Love the flatter attitude and the sharper steering of the big bar. Thanks for taking the time to walk me through this. (the hardest part of the bar install is all the stupid push pins and screws on the plastic under tray!) Going to a drivers school and autocross weekend event in two weeks will let you know! thanks again David nashville
DavidM938
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

brian,
just completed a great weekend of driver's school and test and tune autocross and really liked the upgrades of progress bar and super Q. Reaffirmed what I sorta knew that the car is a lot faster than I am! the instructors kept telling me to drive harder, trust the car to stick.. so I guess I'll have to do lots more events! I just put in my order for a set of Koni's and the FMC sport bumpstops. Is there any real need (or benefit) to getting adjustable front end links at this time? Also, how much should I drive after the shock installation before getting re-aligned? thanks david
Brian
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Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by Brian »

The answer is indeed seat time, seat time, seat time. The more seat time you get, the more comfortable you are taking the car to the limit and playing and having BIG FUN at that limit.

Indeed no need for endlinks at stock height unless you can't reach one of the sway bar holes and want to use that hole.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
DavidM938
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

Brian, just installed the Koni's and the FCM bumpstops yesterday, along with the Powerflex rear sway bushings. Boy, do I like the shocks! The stock Bilsteins were actually leaking noticeably at 32k miles and the stock bumpstops were torn, so it was indeed time for the change! I was able to get a bit more neg. camber, too, set it at -1.7 front and rear, 6 deg caster and a little bit of toe in. Now the car is not yo-yo ing up and down when on or off the throttle or brakes and the ride is no worse. I set the fronts 1/2 turn from full soft, and the rears 1 full turn, and will tune from there. I now can feel the Progress front bar working, too. I also installed a set of RE-71R's on the stock rims and you were right about the fact that they feel more like a dedicated autocross tire than a 200 treadwear "street" tire. Since I drive this car only 3-400 hundred miles a month, I can live with these tires until I can swing the set of 6UL 17x8's for my street Michelins. Meanwhile, next autocross is 2 weeks and for the first time, I won't feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gunfight in C street! This car is now so more more responsive and controlled, I highly recommend these changes to anyone not ready to plunge into the expensive STR-type mods. Thanks again for all the help. David M Nashville
Brian
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Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by Brian »

Happy to hear you are having fun with the upgrades, good luck at next autocross event.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
DavidM938
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:20 am

Re: which tires for c/street?

Post by DavidM938 »

I have a question about ride height. I was looking back on the build for the 2012 of Andi's, and noted that it had initial heights that were a bit over 14 1/2 at all 4 corners. I also measured a 2014 GT on our lot (I'm in the car business) and it was 14 1/2 front and 14 3/4 rear. my 2013 club is now at 13 3/4 front and 13 1/2 rear with just the Koni/ FCM bumpstop installation. I like the drop a lot but was wondering why it dropped nearly an inch. Do the club's start lower? I forgot to record the starting heights (had a senior moment). Does this car work better with the rear slightly lower than the front? Can I expect the car to settle a bit more? I only have about 200 miles on the new setup so far. Next autocross in 1 week is on an old rough parking lot here at Nashville dragstrip and was wondering what the thinking is on a low traction bumpy track regarding shock settings. Do I want to adjust softer and run lower air pressures to prevent skipping around? thanks for anyone's feedback on this. I love the combo of the Koni's and the RE71R tires but am looking for a good baseline as to set up. Thanks david nashville
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