Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track Auto-X setup recommendations?

I have a 99 SVT with BAT springs, adjustable Konis, 21mm sway bar, caster/camber adjusters, and Falken Azeni tires.

What should I set the strut rebound to for optimal autocrossing? Any other recommendations? For the record, I'm going to be competing in Street Tire Stock...

Well not knowing what the BAT handling kit is like I'd suggest going with full soft - 1/4 turn up (out of 2 full turns) up front. In the rear I'd probably do 1/2-3/4 of a turn up. That should give you a good starting point.

Tire pressures I'd suggest is 46/36-38 F/R. Go with 36 if you like the car loose, 38 if you want it more under control in the rear.

Camber I'd go with -1.5 to -2 up front depending on how easy it is to adjust back to street setup. And probably -1 degrees out back.

Here's a question for you though, how can you run in street tire stock when you have a rear bar, aftermarket springs, caster/camber adjusters? Check again, but I have a feeling you're going to be running in STS instead.

I had the BAT springs, and they are pretty soft. I would go a little stiffer on the Konis. And if you are running in STS, I believe you can use race tires. I highly reccomend it! Also, let me know what you think of the camber adjusters, I have them and I am not too happy. The only thing holding the strut in the tower is that cheesy aluminum plate on top.

Jim

The only reason I suggest staying so low on the Koni's is, Koni statets on their website that unless you're running a fully prepped racing setup, you should probably won't use more then 1 turn. Koni's are already incredibly stiffly valved. I've read somewhere that they are valved to handle 450-500 lb-in springs at the maximum setting, don't know what they are valved to for the minimum setting though (that would be good to find out).

My car is set up with stock springs and a 24mm tubular rear sway bar (aussie bar). I also have the konis and the Falken Azenis tires. (STS)

My fastest setup has been full soft in front and full stiff in rear with the tires inflated to 41 or 42 psi front and rear. Setting the konis up this way makes the car very tossable in transitions, and it doesn't have to be driven quite as carefully to avoid understeer. The aussie bar makes it quite neutral in steady state cornering.

Any time I set up the front stiffer than the rear, all I get is push, push, push, unless I am extremely careful on turn in. It also exhibits some spooky handling characteristics at higher speeds. I recommend never running the rears softer than the front.

Your fastest settings may be different since everyones preferences and driving styles are different.

This setup is also very neutral, and more importantly, easy to drive (predictable) on a road course.

Best tires for STS or STX are Falken Azenis Sports, hands down, without a doubt!