50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

I have been autocrossing my 2011 Civic Si coupe several months now and have absolutely fallen in love with the sport. I hate to admit it but the original plan was to sell the Srt-6 and get an AP2 S2000. However after getting an alignment and driving it around a bit more aggressively I have been impressed by the crossfires handling characteristics, although I still hate that it feels big, and heavy even though its not.The steering has some slop and is slow but once you get passed all of that the car is quite the performer.

I have been looking at starting off with the following relatively simple setup; Koni adjustsble yellow sport shocks, cut srt-6 springs, camber bolts for the front and 18x9.5 or 18x10 wheels( I cannot find a low offset light weight wheel that's reasonably priced in our bolt pattern) and Dunlop star specs.

Should I get a new set of my oem springs or keep them even though they have 50k miles and will be cut about 3/4 coil? Is there a better shock option out there? What sway bars is everyone running? Any other parts/mods I should consider?

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

I would wait and see what Ground Control comes up with first.

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

velociabstract, Les, has done more track time, at least posted on here than anyone. I would hit Les up for what has worked for him.... Where the hell have you been DJ? Glad to see you post up...

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

Don't overlook cjw and his dad, they are both died in the wool autocrossers.

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

I said Les posts up more than most. I don't know them, but I am sure there are a lot that track theirs, and don't post much. I just track for fun now...but still hope to do more next year in the straight line field...lol

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

I agree that Les posts more.
I was just saying that I know cjw and his dad, and have gone and watched them run.
I know cjw has done a heap of mods on his 6.

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

Hopefully they will share them...as there seems to be new interest in round tracking now that prices have fallen.

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

I've written and erased 2 long winded responses. Keep it simple and inexpensive in the beginning. Cut the stock springs keeping them as cool as possible. Don't cut too much especially in the front. 1/2" of drop is about as far as you can go without rubbing (under heavy braking). Use the crash bolts in the front for additional camber. They should get you to -1.6 to -2 depending on the offset of your rims. Stay with the stock shocks in the beginning. When you lower the rear you'll need some camber correction. The lower you go the more you need. Camber arms if barely lowered, kmacs if real low. Forgestar finishes their rims to your specifications and are light. It takes a while to get them so even if they say 1 month plan for 3. I'm still using stock sways and desperately need an upgrade. Here's hoping Ground Control makes a boatload of parts!

Les

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

Thanks for the replies. The reason I want to upgrade the shocks is because of the mileage and since I'm under there taking off the springs, might as well replace the shocks. At what point do we reach diminishing returns on tire width? Is there even such a thing as too much tire? I was thinking of going with 285-295 but if it will be well worth it should i go for a 305? Man it looks like im buying myself some groud control parts for Christmas.

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

Well, a lot of us are running 285 rears with no problems, but going much wider might mean rolling the rear fenders...I am sure others will respond...

Re: 50k mile Performance Suspension Upgrade. Need Input
 

soloIIracer squeezed a 285 on the FRONT stock rim with a 1/4" spacer. He was at stock ride height and as far as I know he didn't have interference problems. The suspension bolt limits you on the inside meaning you know what. You can fit a 255 on a lowered xfire with the perfect offset, lots of negative camber and a little fender rolling and have it tuck inside the fender. A 285 wont tuck no matter what you do so the car has to be at stock height with the tire sticking out.

The rear can handle a 295 I believe. I've used a 285/35/18 before.

Les