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What I would recommend doing first off(after improving tires) goes against what Fred Puhn recommends (a bigger sway bar) just because our stock suspension is so soft. I'd go with Konis/Bilsteins and H&R's/Eibachs and a camber kit. This isn't a cheap upgrade, but the difference is night and day. Then upgrade your sway bar next, then look into different intakes/exhaust scenarios, then maybe go for a rear strut tower brace, and last (and probably not necessary) a front strut tire brace.




All I would add to this is ergonomics. Oh, and maybe brakes, but here's a good car-mod priority list, IMO:

1. Tires/wheels
2. Suspension
3. Ergonomics
4. Brakes
5. Horsepower

Now for the long version.

1. Get the widest wheels allowed, in 16" or 17", as light as possible. Looks? Who cares. Lightness is beautiful. Tires? What Weargle said. I like 205 width on my 16x7.5, because the sidewalls are braced better than a 225 would be, and provide max stiffness. I'll probably go with the MX because I do expect them to be street tires, for real. (And thanks to Weargle's advice...)

2. What Weargle said. Swaybars help the cornering balance, but do nothing for brake dive. And you'll do some serious braking. I also think these cars have quite a bit of roll, and in the quick transitions of autox, you need a car that can swing less and faster.

3. You can't drive your best if you're using the steering wheel to push yourself into your seat. Get a racing harness, or at the very least, use one of those child restraint belt clips to lock your seatbelt. Replace your rubber pedals with some nice metal ones, get your own helmet that fits well and isn't soaked with sweat from the last heat.

4. Brakes. Maximize your stock system, and remove compliance where possible. Flush the fluid, replace the pads with nice high-perf street pads, and install braided lines. Some of this is ergonomic, as it relates to precise pedal feel.

5. HP. I don't think there's a lot to be gained within the rules of STS, but now that the rest of it is sorted out, why not?

Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998