Hi everyone:

I notice a few of you have autocrossed your -8 - TPryor, I noticed your autocross photos on your WebShots page - and, yes, your car does have the appearance pack without the spoiler and it looks great. Missed those photos on your website Wish I didn't have that damn basket handle on the boot lid.

Anyway, if you're running a stock RX-8, what kind of setup tweaks do you do to it?

For example, way back when I used to 'cross my '85 RX-7, I put 43 lbs in the front tires, 38 in the back, which was a combo that was found by much trial and error. I also found that the car handled and drove best with a 1/2 tank of gas - any less and you could get a "cough" in a hard left turn as all the gas slammed to the right side of the tank, and with the spare tire installed (helped the balance of the car somewhat).

Got my first autocross of my new -8 planned for Sunday, October 10th in South Bend, Indiana - the South Bend region fall solo event. Would love your wisdom and experience.

StewC625

 

Are you running at the Tire Rack lot? I lived in South Bend for 5 years in the early 90's - I LOVE those guys!

Anyway, what you will find is that the car is too soft. Due to this, you will experience the front end sitting down on the bump stops and the spring rate will then go to "Infinity" causing a MASSIVE push. We installed the RB front bar and links, and the problem was GREATLY reduced (opposite of what you would expect, but it allows the car to turn farther before going to full stiff).

Otherwise, we have the RB exhaust, three sets of wheels (2 stock, 1 SSR Comp's) and three sets of 275/35/18 Hoosiers (yes, you read that right - they are 275's on the stock rims).

The alignment is within factory specs, but is fairly aggressive. -1.5 camber in the front, 0 toe, -1.25 camber in the rear, .12 TOTAL toe in (stock is .04).

Alignment was with me IN the car. Otherwise, just listen to the car, it will let you know what it wants.

We have finally settled on 48lbs front pressure, 46lbs. rear pressure for the Hoosiers. I have never run the stock tires, but I would think that it would need to be a fair bit higher.

I hope this helps a little.

 

i found the same thing with the stock suspension- the front will get on the bump stocks while trail braking and understeer ensues. so got to baby it a bit on entry. i use same pressure all around on this car on street tires. if you can avoid this the car is fast and extremely stable. i found it hard to find the drift, get it wrong and go wide, get it right and the car tracks through the corner like a champ.

i use near street pressures on street tires in autocross, mid 30's front and rear. my driving style doesnt put as much emphasis on the front tires on most people though, so thats why i use a lower pressure.

james

 

I agree, with stock Dunlop's on the RX-8, 32 psi all around worked very well for me. I tried 36 PSI all around and that was way too high. I didn't get around to tracking the tire temps yet, maybe next month.

'84 RX-7 on V700 Kuhmo's I use 38 psi front (205/50-15) 32 psi rear (225/50-15). It's a totally different experience than in the 8.