STR in 2012

JamesShort · **Posted:** Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:40 pm

Matt, yes TRM wheels. DROID autocorrect ftl.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:39 am

Steve Carter......pics or ban.

Who do you think you are putting your new car in your THSCC signature without showing it off first

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Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:21 pm

oh, yeah....so this followed me home from the Triad recently

It isn't without flaws, but I like it--especially the black/red interior. Couldn't beat the price, so I suspect the car will need *something* in the near future. Clean Carfax/Autocheck, Documented dealer serviced, 58k miles (highway commute to Charlotte), perfect interior (makes the wife happy) and very good paint except for some roadrash that can be fixed with some simple Dr Colorchip. Top is without tears, so priority number one is to protect the existing top from getting abraded and torn. It has had a fresh oil service, so I'll let that go until March, then send a sample to Blackstone. The guy I bought it from was middle-aged and not into motorsports, so the trans and diff fluid have likely not been flushed yet.

I'd love to chat up other people about STR setups, so feel free to share!

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:25 pm

Very nice! Did the Subie go away?

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:27 pm

that is very nice Steven. I am with you I really like that interior color!!!

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:31 pm

Thanks guys! The WRX is now DD only. I need to uninstall the Bilsteins and front ARB to sell on NASIOC. Seeing as how the 2008 WRX is going to be a solid performer in STX it should make someone happy in fairly short order. I will probably keep the WRX until 2014 or so, as the wife's 2005 Odyssey has 71k on it, and we're setting up to buy her replacement a year or so from now...

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:42 pm

I wanted a white one. Looks nice.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:23 pm

I love Gran Prix White! Can't wait to see it in grid this year and I'm glad to be part of another Spy Vs. Spy theme with someone, just with a different Honda this year.

Steven Carter wrote:

It isn't without flaws, but I like it

Funny, mine's definitely no garage queen either but if figured an AP2 with a few bruises priced around the AP1 range wasn't a bad proposition if it doesn't burn too much oil, my biggest fear but the compression test was good ~220 across. Besides, what could go wrong with a car purchased from a place called "Exclusive Carz"? :lol:

I've got a little list of blemishes but as soon as I push the start button, they don't seem to bother me too much.

-replace rear endlinks (creaky/a bit of play)
-fix crankseal leak
-replace rollhoop plastic covers (delaminated in FL/LA sunshine? - currently ziptied ftw!
-front tires are wearing a bit on the inner edges (all the more reason for 'Specs. and soon...)
-get another key and fob as it only came with one. Buying from a low budget dealer has it's fun surprises.
-replace leaking ball joint
-front headlight gathers a touch of condensation

I guess my goals and plans before it's Test-n-Tune time are:
-Amsoil in trans & diff
-M1 and filter
-brake and clutch fluid flush
-use alignment certificate at our awesome and very generous club sponsor, Janko (not sure of specs, need to get my 'study on')
-front bar most likely
-245 & 255 Star Specs going on the stock wheels
-maybe some semi-aggressive pads although I'm not sure I need them, especially being on ST
-seatbelt locker as these seats are slippery
-test coolant

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:32 pm

On stock springs, try to get as much front camber as possible. From what I read that's in the -1.8 to -2.2 realm. Whatever you get, match it in the rear or go a bit less (abs value-wise). Square is probably a good starting point. Lot of more conservative alignments point towards more negative camber in the rear than front but that can be really pushy in the steady state stuff since rear suspension gains camber faster than the front per unit compression.

I think the nationally competitive folks are running -2.5f/-2r (or a -0.5* bias towards the front).

For trans fluid, I'd go Redline MTL/MT90 (the latter will be clunky in the winter) or the Amsoil MTF. But for the rear diff, just go with something cheap and robust (Delvac 75w90 or something). Torsens aren't hard on oil and don't require any sort of friction modifier additives etc.

Which BJ is leaking? Upper ball joints are part of the UCAs so you just have to replace the arms. Lower fronts are replaceable on their own. Rear lowers are part of the knuckle and requires a new knuckle.

If the BJ is not loose, I'd just reboot it.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:52 pm

It's actually the tie rod balljoint on the passenger side. The boot is kaput.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:54 pm

Ah, tie rods are easy, nothing to see here

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Judi Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:59 pm

Very nice Steve! We wanted a white one as well, but couldn't pass up the price on the silver one.

I'm contemplating bribes so I don't finish last in every event this year in STR! I can barely drive the car on the road let alone an autocross course. Very fun car though!

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:00 pm

Judi Westerfield wrote:

Very nice Steve! We wanted a white one as well, but couldn't pass up the price on the silver one.

I'm contemplating bribes so I don't finish last in every event this year in STR! I can barely dirve the car on the road let alone an autocross course. Very fun car though!

I know Stephen was looking for a white one and I know he loves red interior

Judi Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:02 pm

Yes, he's a big fan of NC State! By the way, GO PACK!!!

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:17 pm

Keith Vail wrote:

The 245 on an 8 inch wheel will not be the happiest tire and you would be giving up grip and feedback to the guys running the 255 on the 9 inch wheel. I ran my 255 RS3's on the S2000 on both 8.5 inch width and then 9 inch wide wheels and could feel a difference in how crisp the car was. Being that 17x9's are not expensive and I would take the extra inch of wheel on each corner over saving the couple lbs of rotating mass by going with narrower wheels. This is all IMHO of course.

Keith speaks the truth.

With my old 240, I started with 8" wheels. It was a significant difference going to a 9" wheel with the same tire.

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