Most liked posts in thread: SCCA STX Class Build and Experience

Wow...that's a lot of seat time! Cool.

I haven't had an event since I installed the OSG LSD. My next event is a week from tomorrow with the SPOKES Club (Austin) and then one the following Sunday with the SASCA club...both are SCCA clubs. I'll report on both when finished.

Today I'm installing the NM CAI and NM strut bar, both in blue. On 15 October I get an RMW custom tune. That will be it for the engine.

I'll drive this config for about a year or two and then do the suspension. I plan to stay in STX long term.

 

That's an incredible set up. Here we have an SCCA club in San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christie and Texas A&M. The SCCA clubs here always get 5 to 7 runs depending on the number of drivers. The A&M club runs on an airfield so they get 70+ second runs. The rest of us do with 40-50 sec runs and Corpus does 6 runs each day on both Sat and Sun for one weekend a month.

 

Here's a short update on my experience in STX. Since January 2010 I've competed in 15+ events. There is a well driven 2002 WRX that usually took 1st place. I finally beat him once on fastest time right after I got new lite wheels and better tires. Last week was the first opportunity to run against him with the Limited Slip in place. Bottom line, I beat his best time by 1.2 secs on a 57.34 sec time. I also, for the first time, beat his times for all the other runs except one. I placed 19 out of 79 in pax scores which is a big step up for me. The LSD has definitely transformed the car.

I do have much to learn about using it effectively, though. Like most inexperienced drivers I have a tendency to stay on the accelerator too long and come into hard corners way too fast, unsettle the car, bog down and lose the spool on the turbo and come out way too slow, resulting in an overall slower time.

Interestingly, the LSD makes that tendency even worse because getting on the accelerator out of a turn is so exciting I tend to overdrive it into the next corner. The adage, "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" is making more sense with each race. But it is hard to do. Especially when the LSD just flat out improves power transfer to the pavement and acceleration so much. Once I learn to really modulate my speed more effectively I'll be able to take real advantage of it.

The pull through the LSD affords definitely makes up for some of the weaknesses in my current suspension set up. I'm still running a stock cooper suspension. The next change will be installation of the JCW Rear Anti-roll bar...18.5mm to replace the existing 17.5 mm. It is not as aggressive as other aftermarket ones but it is half the price and I thought it should do the trick for now. I may experiment with a heavier one next year after I upgrade the suspension.

 

Yes, we hold events year round in San Antonio. Of course, July and August are often not attended as heavily as the other months because of the heat.

Wow, 26 events given your short season is great. Next year I plan to hit two local events a month and 4 to 6 regional/divisional SCCA events as well. That will be a full year for me.

Actually, I'm glad you said you may brake a little too early but that's better than late. It brings home my core problem of thinking I need to be at max acceleration (positive or negative) every second. When you think it through, giving up a little time at higher speed going into a curve so you can take full advantage of a settled car and great traction accelerating out of the curve has to be faster than ploughing through and skidding around. I plan to get to a school early next year.

 

I'm running Kozei TS K1 wheels, 17x7's with Z1 Star specs in 215-45-17. Great combo for autocross. But, I'm thinking of getting a wider tire next. I've read other posts but hoping someone might post their most recent experience. I'm thinking of 225-40-17's or 235-40-17's of some comparable brand to the Z1's. I found a few posts claiming success with both sizes...just wondering if anyone are currently running these. Not really interested in new wheels right now either but I can go to a 7.5" or 8.0" wide wheel late next year. I'm staying in the STX class for autocross.

 

We had an autox event with SASCA (San Antonio Sports Car Association) this week. I finished 13th/69 in PAX scores and 15th/69 in RAW. I installed the JCW anti-sway bar just before the event and it made a significant difference. I also placed 1st in my class...but I was the only entry..ha.

In August I placed 9th/72 in PAX and 17th/72 in RAW and 1st/6 in STX. I'm definitely improving a bit. I won't be doing any more performance mods till next spring. So, it will be all about seat time for the next few months.

 

If you're commenting on the GreyLens posts I think you got confused when I quoted someone else who was asking about the S/C pulley and I quoted their post with their picture. I bought the GreyLenz new and I have the "day of delivery" picture in my garage.

This thread is meant to discuss the implications of the SCCA STX rules on all mini's. :smile5::smile5:

 

We didn't modify the OS Giken. It was straight-up install which I had done by WerkinMini in Boerne, Texas. As I've mentioned on other posts it is truly transformative.

We held a local Gymkana and HPDE event here on Saturday. That was the first time I've been on the track since the LSD install. I'm still driving the basic CooperS suspension with only the JCW Anti-sway bar and a strut bar that has anything to do with suspension/handling. Bottom line, the performance on the track was incredible compared to my previous sessions. I'm very pumped.

Any of the quality LSD's will have pretty much the same effect. I'm very happy with the OS Giken and highly recommend it. But it is pricey and other options are probably just as good. Several folks around here swear by the Quaife as well.