Woo-Hoo! 2nd overall in STS in a two-day event to a modded Acura RSX! Objective measurement: in past with stiock springs, SVT struts, Hoosier DOT slicks, never was within closer than 7-8 seconds of any full-bodied [stock, street prepared, modified or Street Touring] overall FTD - fastest time of day. This weekend, in addition to holding off even more (than me) modified Hondas (legal engine upgrades, brakes PLUS suspension) in Street Touring Street Tires. Yesterday (round one) the RSX got me by less than .4 sec, and we both were within 4 sec of FTD. Today, with diff course, he got me by about .7 sec, but again we were both about 4 sec or less off FTD.
Driving impressions in Solo competition, course length .6 mile+, slightly eroding asphalt surface with elevation changes (drainage and about 30 feet altitude North-South due to terrain):
Handling: most of the understeer is about gone, unless local turn conditions are off-camber, but even then much less pronounced and controllable.
Overall traction: both in acceleration and decelleration, as well as with regard to lateral, with the same tires and eventually about the same pressure I ran with previous suspension, much, much more "stick." Even in WOT accel out of hairpin to the lights, considerable improvement in getting power down, when I correctly modulated trail braking. Rear end came around more than previously, but very consistent and predictable: I never got to the point that it felt like I was going to swap ends, but understeer was only noticable on decreasing radius, downhill, off-camber going into a 6-pylon slalom. Slalom and chicanes were smooth, quick and predictable, with little-to-no noticable sway with what seems to be optimum Koni steetings for my driving style (from full soft) 1/4-turn firmer in front, 3/4 turn counterclockwise Firmer in rear.
The limits of the car with this suspension this weekend were probably more factor of my slightly greater than accustomed caution with unknown suspension and tire combination, plus some admitted ineptitude with braking.
I simply MUST learn to two-foot trail brake and modulate same better [I still hell-toe, which can be a bit tricky with our peddle placement.]
The one coment from a former pro-rallyer, several-time "One-Lap" driver, and former road-racer is the the 'Tour looked much flatter, with hardly any lean, more predictable, and that he had never seen me look nearly as smooth! High praise from Doug, & I atribute 98% of it to the combined kit setup, plus 2% increased&increasing confidence in control.
Hope that answers some questions. For those who have asked for more or diff pics, will try to do so in near future, preferably with smaller file size so you don't have to wait until your children have left home to view them. Also have in-car videos from both days that I first want to edit to remove extraneous waiting for car ahead of me to launch or driving back to grid. Also need to remove the few ecstatic expletives after a good run (of which there were many more than expected.)
For those who are considering this, I cannot empasize enough how pleased I am. All I did both days was GRIN
!
Height query: As of day I picked up, ca. 1.5" front, tad more than 1" rear, but fuel load was different. Ground clearance in SVT, or SE w/side skirt, I believe, is a factor of moldings, than actual ride height, per se.
Gotta go watch F1, drink beer, & watch Hockenheim.
By for now.
