Specific 2011 PRHT suspension advice

[mdw1000]

So my local autocross club allows me to change the following things and remain in the stock class:

- shocks
- sway bars
- end links
- bump stops

It currently has the crappy sport suspension Bilsteins.

Everything is stock except for 225/45/17 Toyo Proxes R1R.

What would Brian and others recommend for a car that is occasionally autocrossed but mostly daily driven?

Note that I cannot change springs.

Thanks!

[mdw1000]

Also don't want to lower the car much due to speed bumps in the area. And complaints from thr lovely wife.

[njaremka]

Progress springs
Progress sway bars
Bilstein Sport shocks
RoadsterSport endlinks

[mdw1000]

Can't do the springs, but thanks for the reply.

Do you have the Bilstein sport shocks? I've heard some mention a harsh ride. I assume you disagree with that?

[njaremka]

Whoops! Missed it that you didn't mention springs.

I had the Bilstein Sports on my PRHT with OEM springs, and the ride was firm but not uncomfortable. Others may disagree, but I don't care much for Konis.

Progress sway swill still pair well, and for the price, are an excellent upgrade for handling.

[DanielS172]

For shocks, I would recommend either Konis or the Tokico HTS. Both are adjustable, although the Konis will lower the car somewhat (~0.5" I believe?), even with stock springs due to the lower gas pressure. The Tokicos will not lower the car, and are still adjustable so you can crank them up for autocross and back down for daily driving, which is what I do.

For sway bars, I've only ever used the set from Flyin' Miata, which are very good. However, the ones from Progress seem much beefier, and I'd be interested in trying those out since they seem to get rave reviews. Both of these sets mentioned are adjustable, which is always nice.

As far as bump stops, I'm currently running the stock ones. I don't run into any issues with hitting them because I'm running much stiffer springs which keep me off the stops. If you're going to be using stock springs, you may want to look into the stops that Goodwin sells for "lowered cars" if you're using Konis (again, because of the lowering effect), but if you're using the Tokicos or any other shock that doesn't lower the car then you're probably fine with the stock length stops.

Finally, concerning endlinks, I would recommend the RoadsterSports. I have yet to try them myself, but that will likely be the next upgrade I do. I've researched endlinks like crazy, and I believe these are the best value.

Hope this helps your decision-making!

[mdw1000]

Thanks for the replies!

I had the Tokikos on my RX-8. Loved the adjustability (like you, I would stiffen then up for track days but would soften them for street), but I did have one blow out on me, so I have mixed feelings on them.

[Brian]

I prefer the KONI over the Tokico....and the KONI drop the car half an inch because they are twin tube construction. Result is much needed negative camber for stock class. That's why the fast guys in stock class are almost always on KONI.

[mdw1000]

Brian,

I'm running your "standard" alignment for good street handling, tire wear, and occasional autocross (1.2 negative camber all around). I run the same Toyo R1Rs for street and autocross. I only autocross 4 to 5 times a year, and I have a lot of speed bumps in my area, so I'm not super concerned about getting much more negative camber or lower ride height. Would you still recommend the Konis, or would something else be more appropriate?

[Brian]

It's only a half inch of lowering from stock, not enough to make a difference on speed bumps in my region...so indeed I still prefer the KONI for that competitive advantage on autocross days, even if just a few per year.

[JamesK383]

Start with the shocks and change the bump stops while you are in there. Fat Cat has lots of online videos and info for the value here.

Then if you feel like the suspension needs to be balanced in ways that your dampening couldn't.

I'd recommend taking an incremental approach.

Changing too many variable at once with make it harder to appreciate their effects, and adding the sways latter is pretty easy.

There is also a lot of debate/opinion whether or not anti sway bars positively or negatively affect handling. This approach allows you to base line the before and after sways also.

Personally i didn't go this way and have second guessed it ever since. I did sways first. then springs and shocks.

[mdw1000]

What about reliability of Koni vs Bilstein? Thoughts?

[Brian]

What about reliability of Koni vs Bilstein? Thoughts?

No difference there on reliability.

[mdw1000]

Do you recommend a specific bump stop set be installed at the same time as the Konis?

[Brian]

Our senior Mechanic, Rocky, loves the Powerflex kit, our item 20-1022NC...because complete with high durability stops and dust boots. But for a lowered car I prefer the dynamics of our item 61-0792 stops. So, for the casual driver not lowering, or just a little with Koni, the Powerflex is a great choice. For using Koni and lowering springs, we suggest 61-0792.