pinoyFMtC

So I had an auto-x on Saturday, got some used 225/45/17 Direzza Star Specs on the stock wheels (previously, running 18x7.5 +35 FN01R-Cs with 225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta SPTs). First run was with 39PSI, chalked the tires, and the fronts were wearing too far over the shoulder (past the little "arrow" where the edge of treadwear should be) and the car was understeering. Rears were fine at 35. So, I thought I may not have enough pressure, and bumped then fronts up to 42PSI. Still wearing too far on the shoulder, understeer way less though. All-in-all, it felt worse than my old Kumhos, and these are WAY better tires, doesn't make sense.

I'm thinking since I'm on Hotchkis springs, I'm too low (mine seem lower than Thorium06's were) and I'm getting too much positive camber in the corners. I'm already running -2 degrees camber, and it's running on the outside of the tire. Would increasing the track via spacers to the old 7.5 width +35 stance help?

I definitely need to get some springs ~1.5 drop for this to handle better. As a broke college student, coilovers are kinda out of the budget. I have Tokico HP shocks to help.

Which springs would be best for performance? Vogtland, TRD and H&R are looking appealing height-wise, don't know which ones have the optimal spring rates.

ack154

iTrader: (7)

You're likely just too low. It has been proven in the past that about 1.3 or 1.4" is about ideal like you mention aiming for about 1.5". Anything lower than that and you're losing performance.

You may also just need more tire pressure. It would not be uncommon to go over 40+ PSI. Maybe even 45. I was running about 41 or 42 with RE01Rs yesterday.

As for springs, I have H&R Sport right now (with Tokicos) and I'd say they're not stiff enough. From what I've heard, the TRD are probably the best you're going to get. Right height, (I believe) more stiff than the H&R. No one seems to know what the Vogtland spring rates are and not many people are running them, so I can't say anything about them.

CarbonXe

iTrader: (1)

Raceland coilovers.

IB4poopstorm

pinoyFMtC

Thanks for the input, I may just have to wait it out and get some SSPs or something. Doesn't seem like any great springs are out.

It's strange though, on my Kumhos 39 was about perfect.

How much better are the H&Rs in auto-x than your old Hotchkis?

Lol. How could I forget? I could slam the hell outta them, take some rings out, and it will handle like it wasn't FWD.

ack154

iTrader: (7)

A lot of people have done the TRDs and loved them. I just haven't tried them.

Keep in mind that some tires like different pressures than others. And if I recall some friends talking, I think the Dunlops love higher pressures. It's just something you'll have to experiment with as the events go by.

I can't really give a fair comparison from the H&R to Hotchkis. I have a lot more done to my car now than I did when I had the Hotchkis. They definitely felt a lot more stiff than the H&Rs but it wasn't even close to handling the way it does now - but that is thanks in part to a few other goodies I've added since then.

06sciontcnda704

iTrader: (1)

tein h-techs

pinoyFMtC

Alright, I'll have to try the pressure. Cheaper than new springs haha.

Even if they were more stiff, the H&R are probably better for suspension geometry.

I had those. Handled TERRIBLE, since they're comfort oriented. Really soft spring rate + low=bad handling. With 1.9F and 1.6R, the fronts are about as low as Hotchkis, which wouldn't help me at all.

Thorium06

iTrader: (5)

Any word on the eibach sports? they seem to have a good drop but I cant find rates for them.

Also, I think you are too picky, cause I really think yours handles better than mine at this point, but something is messed up with mine so maybe thats the problem lol.

pinoyFMtC

Those are a 2" drop though. The Pro-Kit is a 1.2" drop. I need something between the two. And I can't find rates either.

Picky with everything but food lol.

Thorium06

iTrader: (5)

ah I was referring to the 1.2 drop ones, forgot which ones they were.

just throw some washers between your tophats and mounts lol

nashvilletc

This maybe a dumb question but does anyone know if using lowering springs like TRD springs or something like those will cause you to have camber issues? I'm just looking for 1-1.5 inches of drop

DJ08tC

you will need to get an alignment but you wont need any camber bolts or anything like that

nashvilletc

Thanks!

KillaSpiceTSW

I say get the TRD springs... 1.25 inch drop all around!

pinoyFMtC

^I'm definitely considering them haha.

Slow_2az

i would personally go with trd springs and trd struts

djspectre

My thoughts are go with the eibach pro-kit. Springs settle and you sometimes get another .25 inch extra if they settle a lot. Which would bring you to your 1.45" drop if that holds true.

I've heard good things about Eibach and was actually strongly considering them myself until I bought the Raceland Coilovers.

I am not auto-x'ing though and the two people who did auto-x in the Raceland coils said they were softer than they hoped (though for me they are stiff as hell!) and really couldn't see running them more than a few times before having to replace them due to the abuse. Though folks have gotten 15k+ on them in normal driving.

Thorium06

iTrader: (5)

ok so since the point is about actual performance, lets refrain from the racelands...

the eibachs do look promising as far as drop, but nowhere can I find spring rates for them.

pinoyFMtC

Yeah, the Pro-Kit looks like a good option. It all depends on the spring rates though and like Thorium said, they're nowhere to be found. The drop would be perfect though.

pinoyFMtC

Just a thought, but how would ground control coil-over sleeve springs do? I already have upgraded shocks, and their springs are made by eibach. They have adjustable ride height and they seem pretty stiff.