I will get pictures up soon but I'm excited so just wanted to say that I'm even more hooked than I was last time!
I was wondering what one would consider a good aftermarket suspension, wheel & tire combination for an SVTF to make it really move through the cones. I drove my friend's Beretta and he said his front sway bar was too heavy so it would just plow when he tried to turn instead of actually turning, which I felt, so like what's a sway bar that's too big for autocross? Or rather, what's a good sized one?
On my other Focus I had the Eibach Pro system Plus w/ front and rear sway bars, and they were great, but I don't know how to gauge how good they were for autocross.
I asked about tires--street tires obviously aren't the best choice, but if there are better ones, what are they??? Without getting insanely expensive...
1.) I have an STS, VF tranny mount I have to install and Tom's tune which I will be purchasing and installing soon as well. Just a K&N drop-in filter other than that.
2.) I don't know enough about classes to know what I want to aim for but I ran in STS the first time I went out in my other Focus. I ran G-stock this time but maybe somebody could help me with classes.
3.) Budget is low, as always, but I can round up money to do this or that if need be. I need a clutch soon so that will be first I guess, would also like suspension.
4.) Yes, it is my daily driver so no roll bar/cage, etc.
H&R Race Springs, Koni Yellows, a 24-25mm RSB, LCR Front Camber Plates, and some Dunlop Z1 Star Spec in 215/40-17. That will give you a solid regional car anywhere you want to go.
Just a quick question here, don't want to jack your thread: are 40 (not 45) tires ok for SVT? Apart from the lying speedometer of course. Will they rub less than 45 if I got a little wrong offset wheels?
if you go from a 215/45/17 to a 215/40/17 the tire (40) will measure a tad shorter. Which SVT's like since they have higher gear ratio. If you go to a 225/4/17 then theres a chance you could rub.
215/40/17
The (40) is the sidewall height (a percentage) of the width (215).
I second getting a designated set of tires to use. I have koni's, a sts, cai, wires, and want to get the exhaust replaced- But having more power going on to a course won't help if your tires roll and push through every turn.
My next mod :: designated set of autox wheels & tires!
Ok, so based on that recommendation WeeAsp (what does your name mean, anyway???), what do you recommend as far as tires? I would love to get a devoted set...
Also...what is it that makes the SVTF such a popular choice for an autocross car? I think I know but just want to hear it.
Here's a little comparison I wrote up a few months ago on the top three street class tires. I did not include the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 because they do not come in an SVTF friendly size. I did purchase a set of Dunlop Z1's and I'm very pleased with them. The Z1's also make a decent track tire.
Falken Azenis RT-615
A great tire for the money.
215/45-17 go for $108. (EdgeRacing.com)
Stiff side wall and good turn in qualities.
The 615's tend to lose maximum grip as they wear. (As much as 15%).
They are more susceptible to heat and will reach their limits and become greasy after a few runs on a hot day. (Spray down the front tires with a water bottle to handle this problem).
If your going to drive these on the street as a daily driver, they are ok in the rain at full tread depth and go downhill from there as they wear.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R
More expensive than the 615 at $161 for a 215/45-17. (TireRack.com)
Overall, considered to be a better tire than the 615.
The softer sidewall doesn't do much for turn in but once set, the 01R does have a little more maximum grip than the 615 once some heat has built up.
They are also more resistant to heat buildup but when they do give away, its not as smooth as the 615.
New driver's seem to have an easier time being fast on the 01R vs. 615.
Wet performance is also better than the 615.
The 01R does not lose grip as it wears.
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1
Pricing is more in line with the RT-615. A 215/45-17 cost $117. (TireRack.com)
Released late last year, the Z1 missed Nationals. Early reports indicate the following:
Very stiff side wall comparable to the 615.
Maximum grip equals the 01R.
Resistance to heat exceeds both the 615 and the 01R.
The Z1 does not lose grip as it wears.
STS rules only allow up to 225 width of a tire, most likely the wider tires on the miatas are pushing them in to StreetPrepared class, which kinda opens up a whole other can of worms!
BTW, the only picture that anybody has managed to let me have of my car on the track that day (there are several more I have SEEN but they are taking a while to get to me)...
And a video of me taking the back end of the course...
(that loud car you hear is a 2.5RS with a major exhaust leak lol--but you can hear my car at the end--both engine and tires, which are not good for autocross)
dont worry man. mine rolls. and my tires howl and scream. (that usually means your doing it right,lol) i second the notion of better tires. i should really get a purely dedicated competition set but that must wait a while. at lest until after this year. 9and a couple more powermods, like a new full exhaust systemand an lsd. i will stay in sts (or at least try too.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Focus Fanatics Forum
5.8M posts
189.1K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!