New AutoX'er who would like some advice

[Carrera26]

Everyone has made the point so succintly, there's pretty much nothing else!
Don't chase speed with cash, at least not until you've been doing it a couple years. Even after a couple years, you'll still only be getting about 90% of the cars speed in stock form, IF you are very very good. Just good rubber, an alignment, and experience is all it takes to lay the smack down at a local event.

It's hard to come to terms with, but what is holding you back more than anything is that loose nut behind the wheel! Tighten that down and you wouldn't believe what happens.

[BlazingCopper_ZX3]

I might agree with Carrera26 on the point of getting an aligment. Ask you local Ford dealer to have the SVT tech do an 4 wheel aligment, set the camber and caster back to factory spec. since you have different wheels and tires. The previous owner may not have known the importance of a good 4 wheel alignment.
A rear sway bar might be a good choice if yours didn't come with one and the body roll bothers you. But their is nothing like seat time.

[killer ZETEC]

lol at my last event the loose nut fell off (ff drift??) this sunday i'll try to run a littl more consistently. but basically i can say this

second gear is where you will live.
sub boxes that are mounted will still break.
pump up your ties to the highest rating on the sidewall, this will even give your street tires decent grip
left foot braking is fun and you should try it

i am also in the sts class. you should find out what the limits are for the class you want to run. that way you dont accidentally get bumped into a higher class because of a suspension mod that you dont have the power to play in


one last word.: competeing and have fun, if you win more power to ya!

[NJMusicJunkie]

No, I agree. I've got another event in Baton Rouge on the 21st and I'll probably be doing an alignment that week. Ended up when I replaced my rim, there was a bent tie rod (which took forever to effin wrench off, but hey, its ok. Just Ford and their silly ways of not having a slot for a wrench to get a grip on the bearing end).
I've been browsing on FocusSport.com for some stuff and they do have a rear sway bar that goes in the trunk to help the body roll. But, yeah, I definately want more seat time. I wish my schedule would allow it.

[DirtyDeeds]

I think we all agree that seat time is the best thing you can do to improve your times. However, if I were going to spend a few dollars on the car, I think the best bang for buck autocross (STS) mods would be...
SVT Suspension - $295 (Sell the rear sway bar that comes with the kit)
Progress rear sway bar - $137

When its time to replace your tires, take a look at a set of Falken Azenis Rt615's or Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R's. These are the two hot tires in STS these days.