Autocross Setup?

[Wikkdgt]

What would you guys suggest for a nice Autocross setup? I know I need springs and some adjustable struts/shocks. What brands would you recommend for these? Also should I get a strut bar and upper and lower control arms and subframe connectors. Would that about do it for me for a good set up?

 

[Hoppy]

Check out the Maximum Motorsports site .
They'll have just what you need.

Hop

 

[CobraR19]

Be sure to review the rulebook for allowable mods, so you know what you can do for the class you want to run. The rules can be very limiting depending on what class you run in.

I suggest running a few times stock to work on your driver abilities before you change the car. (Note: I don't know your experience level so I apologize if this doesn't apply and mean no offense)

I like the Maximum Motorsports stuff, that's my personal opinion.

~Ryan

 

[yellow2kgt]

I agree, Adding the smallest of mods can put you in a whole new class. I also recommend trying to get a few runs under your belt before you throw some mods at it. Trust me I learned the hard way. I started to throw parts on my car then I decided to try out Autox. For the most part I have been put in a class where I have no chance at being competitive because I lack the experience. But it really does not bother me much because I do it mainly for fun. But if you do have a little experience then I agree with what was also said. Maximum Motorsports seems to have some of the best products.

 

[MyStangGT]

What would you guys suggest for a nice Autocross setup? I know I need springs and some adjustable struts/shocks. What brands would you recommend for these? Also should I get a strut bar and upper and lower control arms and subframe connectors. Would that about do it for me for a good set up?

If you are a beginner then leave it stock. You will pick up more time with sticky tires than any other mod suspension wise. You'll need an extra set of stock wheels, tires, and a decent jack. Even if you have to run used street tires do that rather than tearing up your regular street tires. The new Kumho V710 is probably going to be the hottest tire you can get but the tire store is gonna hate you by the time they stretch the available 275/40/17's on those 8" wheels. A budget minded tire choice that will hold up a lot longer would be some Falken Azenis Sports. Only stock size I think for those. Drill the rivets out of the camber slots, mark where they are now and loosen the 15mm bolts and nuts to let it go to max camber. After running jack up the front and set it back to stock or it'll start to scallop the insides of your street tires. Shocks will help some too. I use Tokico Illumina's for my 99 GT. Double adjustable Koni's would probably be a better choice if you can stand the price tag.

 

[MustangLife]

Keeping your car in stock form and autox's will not be any fun. A car that handles like a dream is fun. The first and most important thing would be to go to coil-overs. and of course adjustable struts and shocks, lower chassis brace,strut tower brace, subframes, upper and lower control arms, some weight off the front end will help too, fiberglass hood, battery relocation. But coil-overs are the most important. Normal factory style crap doesn't do it good for autox or even drag racing. x2c coilovers can be had for something like $400 for all corners. But when you lower a car to much the a-arms become angled terrible and they'll need some help. Bumper steer kit, steeda x2 ball joints, offset a-arm bushings. And of course tires, not sure what to get on this though. But nitto makes a autocross tire thats the same compound of the dr's just with a stiff sidewall.

Josh

 

[john_324]

Keeping your car in stock form and autox's will not be any fun. A car that handles like a dream is fun.

Josh

I'd respectfully disagree. I think at the beginning, it's more fun to wring performance out of a stock car than it is to become obsessed with building an race car. And it's definitely very enjoyable to beat guys that have spent their time building a car rather than learning to drive.

The best mod one can make for autocross is improved driver skill, and worrying about mods will just prove a distraction. Spend a season in F-stock, and once you've gotten bored, then think about upgrading.

(and my apologies if you're experienced already...just offering my .02 if not. )

 

[Wikkdgt]

Trust me I don't have a lot of experience in it yet. I did it a few times last season and it was blast, but there was only one other car in my class locally every time I went. I am just getting bored racing against him everytime. So I figured I would do some more mods to bump me up class. Thanks for the responses.

 

[MyStangGT]

I just picked up on your list of mods having the "rear seat delete" I think that bumps you to a prepared catagory if you are running SCCA rules anyway.

The most important thing to remember is not to lower the car more than 1" unless you are prepared to spend the bucks to correct the steering geometry changes. You could easlily spend 3 grand doing suspension mods that will only get you a minimal time improvement of 1 second or less.

On the other hand given the same driver skills on a 60 second course with street tires you can gain 4 to 5 seconds switching to a good set of sticky tires. You do the math. Kumho and Hoosier are the tires of choice for autocross. An autocross compound heats up quicker than road race tires but can get greasy in multiple back to back runs.

 

[CobraR19]

You can run in Street Mod (SM) without a rear seat as well.

If you want to switch classes then you should get your hands on a rule book so you know what you can do to your car for the class you’d like to run. The rules are very limiting and things that I would consider “basic” mods, like sub frame connectors, bump an otherwise stock mustang into a class it isn’t competitive in.

Dedicated tires are nice but add lots to the initial investment, which isn’t a big deal if you’re looking to get involved and serious with the sport. I wouldn’t suggest them as a first mod but that’s my opinion.