Need Some Help with an SVT Please!

[golfitup]

Hi,

My name is Duane. I have been doing autocross for over a year now in NC and the Southeast . . . I use to drive a 1999 Saab 9-3 in STX, but it got rear-ended last week

So, I am looking to purchase an Focus SVT ASAP for use in H-Stock next year. I am very familiar with all the rules and basic setup, etc, I just have some specific questions for the SVT autocross setup:

1. Sways: What front bar do people run in H-Stock? The SVT comes stock with 21/21, and since you cannot change the rear bar, im thinking the base Focus model 18mm bar would be best? I have always setup fwd cars with small front bar, biggest rear bar, then tuned with tire pressures and struts, etc.

2. Tires: The stocks 17x7 will have to stay, so what size do people run for H-Stock tire class? I like the Hankook RS-3's, and they have a good 225/45-17 . . . is this the right size tire? Also, what size R-comps are people running (I know they can vary, I have seen a 275 on a 7-inch wheel a lot).

3. End links: Are MOOGS the ones to get? What poly bushing are people putting on the MOOGS? Im pretty sure that is the only place within stock rules that you can put some poly bushings in.

4. Harness bar: Since the seats cannot be changed out, what is the best/cheapest (i know, oxymoron) harness bar available? I will put a 5-point harness in it for autox.

Also, does anyone have any contact info for Ian Basford who placed 5th at this years SCCA Solo Nationals in H-Stock? I would like to ask him for some setup advice!

Thanks for the help!
- Duane

[Sponsor]

[steve35svt]

The SVT endlinks don't use bushings , more of a taped hole like an end link. Be careful with 225/45 size tires, some will hit the fenders on courses with rough corners, took some paint of mine using Hoosiers last season. I'm going to try to get some 225/40's this year. Right now just using the stock front bar.

[macdiesel]

Massive Speed Systems sells a harness bar for the focus. They sponsor this site too. You can contact them thru the sponsor section.

[GodLovesUgly]

honestly the front sway feels great on the SVT. i had a 23" rear sway for most of this season, but at the beginning i had the stocker on, the set up felt great.

moogs are defintely the ones to get.

tires, 225/45/17s will give you fits, like steve mentioned. i would stick to a 215/45/17 if you aren't running r-comps. the dunlop star specs in that size are a great choice for street tires and i feel they aren't far away from r comps..

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Save the money of harness bar and just get a Schroth Rally IV...

As for the FSB, some like a bigger bar in a FWD Stock-class car. It will help mitigate the camber gain of a strut suspension by keeping the front a bit flatter. It will also help transition (slaloms), at the expense of corner-exit (sweepers) wheelspin. The 2001 Street Edition Wagon had a 22mm FSB. I also offer a 7/8" (22.25mm) 3-way FSB. I could have it made in 3/4" as well.

[golfitup]

Originally Posted by Auto-X-ZTS

Save the money of harness bar and just get a Schroth Rally IV...

As for the FSB, some like a bigger bar in a FWD Stock-class car. It will help mitigate the camber gain of a strut suspension by keeping the front a bit flatter. It will also help transition (slaloms), at the expense of corner-exit (sweepers) wheelspin. The 2001 Street Edition Wagon had a 22mm FSB. I also offer a 7/8" (22.25mm) 3-way FSB. I could have it made in 3/4" as well.

Ok. Yeah I have seen the Schroth belts, so that should work.

Since Foci are mcstrut cars, preserving as much negative camber as possible will definitly be the goal.

I guess I will try and see how much rotation I can get with tire pressures and the stock bar . . . I usually like a fwd car to be on the edge of understeer, so it may take some testing to find the best setup.

I will run Hankook RS-3's or equivilant at local events, and throw on the A6's for National Tour events . . . what size A6 are people running?

[GodLovesUgly]

really the only one you can run with out the fear of fender burn is the 225/40/17.. the 45 series will most likely give you fits.
i would imagine the 225/40/17 would be hazardous as well.. especially if there are elevation changes on the course.

edit: why not run your familiar class, STX? the SVT would do pretty well in the class with the wider wheels and addition of an LSD.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Originally Posted by golfitup

Ok. Yeah I have seen the Schroth belts, so that should work.

Since Foci are mcstrut cars, preserving as much negative camber as possible will definitly be the goal.

I guess I will try and see how much rotation I can get with tire pressures and the stock bar . . . I usually like a fwd car to be on the edge of understeer, so it may take some testing to find the best setup.

I will run Hankook RS-3's or equivilant at local events, and throw on the A6's for National Tour events . . . what size A6 are people running?

A6--I'd look at 225/40-17s. Under 24". May need to run 5mm spacers.

For locals, 215/40-17 StarSpecs.

[golfitup]

Originally Posted by GodLovesUgly

really the only one you can run with out the fear of fender burn is the 225/40/17.. the 45 series will most likely give you fits.
i would imagine the 225/40/17 would be hazardous as well.. especially if there are elovation changes on the course.

edit: why not run your familliar class, STX? the SVT would do pretty well in the class with the wider wheels and addition of an LSD.

$$$$$ is the simple answer. Were talking thousands and thousands of dollars to nationally prep a car for STX.

The fenders will be rolled, so hopefully they can accomodate the 225's.

[pkolator]

No fender modification in stock class.