Cool, thanks.

Since chiketkd asked, here's a few of me. I think they are in run-order, based on how badly I tagged the cone in the first picture. I'm guessing that's the cone that left a mark across my class designation magnets on the driver's door, LOL.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1942617...7621452680997/

 

Thanks George! I like the 2nd and the last pic the best:

 

This thread is getting too far down the page.

I have my Star Specs mounted on some 5zigen wheels- 17x9 with 255's. The race roots formerly known as fluid motorsports springs are on their way to Iowa. I am looking forward to seeing what this very inexpensive, mild combination will do versus a couple of local guys who are going to threaten for a trophy at nationals.

I think I have an idea about an exhaust setup and battery. The pieces I am still wondering about are intake, pulleys, and maybe flash. What are you all considering in these areas?

Thanks,

Brent

 

Brent,

Definitely take pics and post once you get those springs on there. Are you planning on making the trip to Nats?

I saw that there were two STX RX-8's competing at the Vail NT over the weekend (Duncan & Vaughan). They both finished in the bottom 1/2 of the class, but I'd be interested in hearing their experiences if they post on here.

Came across a pic of Duncan's RX-8:

 

Hey guys, it was getting a bit quiet.

I went with an Agency Power pulley. Did some before-after tests using the MaxQData, and couldn't see any difference, although it was 10 degrees warmer and more humid with the AP runs, so who knows. Also, the car is a little easier to stall now, so I do think there is some inertial effect due to all those masses spinning slower.

I did not do an intake. Eric Meyers has a great thread on exhaust design, and he has a dyno plot showing the before/after torque curves using a MS intake. It looks like you gain a tiny bit of torque in one rpm range, and loose it elsewhere. So, I decided not to get an intake, but if I did it would be the AEM/MS. Perhaps the CAI aspect of that design would pay off in real-world solo situations.

I picked up a used Cobb AP, and have a dyno tune scheduled with Surgeline a week from today.

And, I installed a Bride seat a few days ago (Zeta III L on FG rails). In my opinion, this should be in the top three mods for any STX driver - wheels/tires, coilovers, and seat. The seat is really awesome - you can feel the yaw behavior of the car soooo much better. Picked up at least 2" of headroom as well - I feel like a kid in my dad's car now.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...2076388&ref=mf

I'm a little worried about the airbag situation, however.

Going to a Porsche Club autocross at Packwood this weekend, and will work on dialing in compression settings on the KWs, and play with front toe a bit as well.

 

Vail very nice event lots of grip. First time for me in the RX8 (STX 80). Totally stock car way out classed by the other cars but still had fun. Used this event to get a base line on the car. Now just looking at which class to set up for stock or STX.

 

STX is great if you like to tune the car and spend $$$ on parts. Also, I just think my car is plain 'ol more fun to autocross than it was in BS, even if the grip level is a little lower. The chassis response, added power (OK, it's only a little), and cool seating position just makes it a blast to drive. But I do miss the grip of R compounds. A little.

[edit] BS is great from a driver's perspective, though. If you are new to Solo then I'd reccomend staying in BS to hone your driver skills. Without those skills you will find it hard to setup an STX car.

Back to my car setup, I also ordered some Racing Brake ET800 brake pads yesterday. Wanted a pad that could do well in Solo & track days as well. The guys at RB gave me a discount if I would write up a review, which I'll do after I get some time on the pads.

 

funny...my very first thought my first time behind the wheel of a BS RX-8 was "man, this thing would be a blast in STX trim."

 

I am not sure about nationals. At this point, I have been driving my dad's XP Mustang (yes I know, XP Mustang-wtf?!?). We just had the panhard rod fail on us, but it should be ready for Lincoln. It is fun as all get out to drive. The g's about pull the eyes out of my head, but we will get killed in Lincoln. At least I am used to being near DFL at Nationals.

My goal is to get the RX8 competitive in STX at a local level and still be able to drive it around town. I am so sick of changing tires at autocrosses.

I will get pictures up as soon as I can after the spring install complete with those low riding 17's. I should have some MaxQdata to look at (or criticize mercilessly depending on who you are) by the 16th or 17th.

Brent

 

The Mustang sounds fun. Keith Brown has an XP Miata and it looks like a blast to drive.

I know what you mean about tire changes. I'm still changing mine, but it's not so bad when you have shelter from the weather when you are doing the work. I did drive around on the R1-Rs for a while, to wear the tread down, and it was fun - the 17s make the car more nimble on the street and quicker too.

 

I still change my tires for events as well. For local events, I just put the RE11s on for the whole weekend and drive around on them. For out-of-towners like Peru, I carry them with me and then do the same thing when I get there.

I don't drive around on the autocross tires all the time because I don't want to heat-cycle them every day. I got lazy last year on my Azenis and they got hard as rocks by the end of the season.

Also, I'll agree with George: I think my car is an absolute blast to drive in its constantly-changing STX trim. I've learned a ton about suspension tuning along the way, and the noise from the exhaust is ridiculous. It's a little much around town, but at an event it really gets my heart going. I just want to get on it as early as I can out of the next corner to hear it again.

 

Anyone on here coming on out to nationals divisionals this weekend? I decided to just go for it and see what I can do. I know there are probably going to be some crazy SM cars, but I'll still give it my all.

 

My plan would be to put them (my race set) on the night before, drive to the event, run the event, and go home.

Right now, I am running non-star spec Z1's and Yokahama Neovas as my daily tire (yes they are mixed and again--wtf!?!). I haven't really noticed that they are heat cycling out, but I do not drive them a lot, and I am not sure exactly what constitutes a true heat cycle.

I have about 22k miles on my car in four years of ownership, and most of those are from going to events, which are almost always more than a 100 miles away. I walk to work, so my car is not your typical daily driver.

As an aside, the panhard problem on the mustang is worse than I thought. We might not make nationals in either car. Hopefully, I can get the springs on the RX8 by next weekend to look at potential differences.

 

Glad to see some activity in this thread again! I installed the BHR ignition a few days back in preparation for the New England Divisionals this weekend. So far, it looks like five other drivers in two WRX's and a Civic will be my competition. Wish me luck!

Zelse, glad to see you sorted out your cooling issues. Looks like you'll have plenty of competition in SM this weekend

Anyone ever install that high flow cat from a few pages back? Any feedback?

 

Nick (Mr. Pockets) installed his a few weeks back. I'm sure he'll chime in soon with some feedback.

Mine will sit in my closet until after Nats...

 

You changed your mind too and are going to make it? Awesome man. You missed some really great courses over at renegade my friend... REALLY great courses. Hopefully you'll make it to the August 16th event.

But have you seen any crazies or anything in SM register? I haven't looked yet....scared. lol

 

A couple Evo's and two drivers in PJ's turbo 240... Plus a few others. Might be time to check the SCCA clasifieds for some used Hoosiers

 

lol no thanks on the hoosiers..I'm all set with a crutch.

 

I have it welded into a stainless midpipe from rx7store. It made the car...much louder. I haven't weighed the two parts, but it's got to be 15-20lbs lighter than the stock midpipe.

I have a picture of the two midpipes next to each other...I really need to post that.

Anyway, I did one event with the new midpipe and it seemed to work fine. I haven't done any testing on a dyno yet, but it seems to me that the two 'dips' in the engine's power delivery are much smoother.

I've seen no trouble codes so far.

I had to remove the midpipe because the car had to go back to the dealer when I couldn't get it started last weekend. Seems I flooded it, and good. Swapping the pipe out takes 5-10 minutes once the car's in the air. It's going back in tonight.

Here's a video that gives you an idea what the exhaust sounds like from inside the car: http://www.vimeo.com/5633376

 

Sounds great Nick. I must have listened do that video ten times

I guess I'll add a resonator to my wish list. Cat is next on my parts list, but it will probably have to wait until next year.

 

Concerning a resonator, I'm still on the fence. Around 3-4k, it does get really raspy and buzzy.

 

I've installed my cat, but I've been having code issues.

Here are some pics of the install:





As you can see, we installed the cat immediately aft of the resonator. However, I do believe the inlet of the new cat is within 6" of the outlet of the OEM cat, so I think it's legal. Of course, if somebody disagrees, I am all ears.

I'm hoping the code is due to a faulty O2 sensor and/or a botched wire splice job. I have a new sensor & 10" extension cable coming. If that doens't fix it I may have to cut & re-weld the mid-pipe, putting the cat in front of the resonator.

The resonator does help keep the volume down, but it's not quiet. In the low-midrange with moderate throttle, it's got a bit of a baritone sound quality to it, and it draws attention. It's also a little unrefined sounding. Keep your foot in it and the pitch changes to a higher frequency, smooths out, doesn't get any louder, and actually sounds quite good. A nice shriek, if you will.

The resonator is Racing Beat's "small" resonator. Interestingly enough, we could not fit this unit in the traditional location for a resonator, after the S-bend. Something to consider for anybody who is considering building one of these.

 

George, thanks for the info and the pics. I don't see the O2 sensor location, but I'm assuming it is immediately after the cat?

 

I just read that Jason is going to STX, after winning B-Stock 4 years in a row. Is it true?

 

Yes, the O2 bung is just after the cat.

There has been speculation about Jason going to STX, but only speculation. Where did you read such info?