Hey guys,

I went to a annual auto-x this weekend for the 7th yr in a row, this weekend I did my best by far so I want to brag a little.

The event, 5 laps around the outside of a go-kart track, one shot, not multiple runs like a typical auto-x. The course is the same every year so you can get a "record" and compare times from year to year. Follow the link for a pic.

http://www.ssccmedford.com/Track.htm

My car, 93 R1 with M2 stage 3 bolt ons. This event I decided to add a front sway bar which I've had sitting in the garage for 3.5yrs. I also changed my alignment from -1.2 camber F and R to -2.0 F and -2.3 R. What a huge difference it made.

Here are my times over the years for comparison.

5 min 00 sec, in a 87 TII, street tires, newbie driver
4 min 35 sec, TII with race tires
4 min 28 sec, TII with springs and shocks
4 min 16 sec, 93 R1 running Super Stock, SS record
4 min 15 sec, 93 R1 with springs, shocks, CB, DP, ASP record
4 min 13 sec, 93 R1 same mods, new race tires
4 min 15 sec, 93 R1 same mods, old race tires

My ASP and SS records were removed by a 3X SS national champ running his Z06 Vette, he now holds the record in 3 classes, BSP, ASP and SS with times from 4.04 to 4.06. In short he kicked my butt by about 2 sec per lap!

I didn't think I had a chance running against him comparing times so I went to SM2 since no one had run that class I'd have a good chance at a record. Well apparently he thought the same thing, so he ran SM2 also. Well he turned another 4 min 6 sec run, I turned a 4 min 5 sec run! I won! I'm so pumped.

To any auto-xer out there, you've got to run some serious negative camber and put a little toe-in for the rear wheels. My car used to step out almost at will, changing the alignment and adding the front bar made the car really solid coming out of the corners.

When I left there was only 1 other "door slammer" that was faster than me.

My relavent mods if your interested...

M2 Stage 3 stuff
99 gas tank, allows running less than a full tank without starvation
stock wheels with 245/45/16 Kumhos
HP+ brake pads
ACT clutch

 

where did you get the 99 gas tank? I need those, my baffle are shot...

 

I got mine from Mazdacomp. $320 or so.

Really the only difference is one part that attaches to the existing plastic "bucket" the fuel pump fits into.

Also on second thought I think it is a '96 tank, not a '99.

I've autocrossed my car with 5/8 of a tank before and had massive starvation, with this new tank I ran it down to 3/8 of a tank with one little hiccup. For the event itself I was running about 1/2 tank. Oh my baffles were shot too on my original tank. Changing the tank is actually pretty simple, took me about 1hr. The new tank didn't come with all the thick rubber insulation parts the old one came had on it so I spent some time swapping all those pieces over.

 

That's my advice (but amount of camber is HIGHLY tire dependent). Toe in on the rear is almost a must to drive this car hard out of corners. As much roll stiffness in the front as it can take also plants the inside rear tire at exit. Result: it hauls out of corners

Good job.

 

Congrats Jeff. Glad the tank worked for you. Time for tank mod #2?

Gene