NSX for AutoX

[Animate]

I've been doing a bit of autocrossing lately. My times are improving with each event, but I'd like to hear opinions of others using their NSX for autoX.

What modifications did you feel were most effective?

 

[Ponyboy]

Big fat tires and big fat swaybars. Oh and upgrading the driver helped as well.

I have it done it yet but I'm sure shorter gears would help as well.

 

[Animate]

Ponyboy: I just installed the big fat sways yesterday. I went with the 25mm diameter. I used the middle hole for the front and the end hole (softest) setting for the rear. The car tends to oversteer now, I'll firm up the front next outing...

I'm still on oem wheels/tires.

What wheels/tires do you run?

 

[Tank]

I'm so glad to hear another NSX is out there autox'ing. It's so lonely here in So Cal.

I've been at it for just over a year here in So Cal where the competition is murder. Too many national champions in this club (CSCC/Solo2)! But I'm closing in on them.

I started all stock. Didn't work. This is what I've learned: Driver, tires, suspension are all that matters. And in that order. I still get beat by a guy in a Toyota MR2 (national champion). Because...... driver, tires, suspension are all better than me.

I went to the Zanardi edition parts list for a suspension upgrade (shocks, springs, sway bar) and it made a world of difference. I switched to Kumho Ecsta V700's and dropped another couple of seconds. I went to the Evolution driving school and dropped a couple more.

This is a tough sport for the NSX. AutoX is made for short wheel base, light weight cars. Power doesn't mean that much. And above all, it's very much a mental sport. A really good driver in a piece of sh*t can beat almost anybody else in anything else.

The biggest problem is the NSX is so tail happy. To get around the tight turns you really need to let the tail hang out, rotate, and quickly snap it back in. With all the weight in back, that's not an easy job. I laugh at all the people I let drive my car on practice days when we trade cars. They all spin my NSX like crazy and I do very good times in their cars.

This week in fact I'm going a race suspension place and have a much more aggressive set-up done. Which means a very uncomfortable street ride and an escalating tire replacement bill. But I'm on the "got-to-win" crack pipe now. I'm looking for bigger tires (in the rear) and better brake pads. Don't go to low profile tires, very bad for autoX. It's better to have smaller rims and fatter tires than big rims and little flat tires no matter how wide they are.

But the one thing that really helped me more than anything: Keep screaming to yourself "Look Ahead!" Memorize the course, drive it in your head, and always look where you want the car to be a couple of seconds before it's there. Also ride with anyone that's beating you. You might not be on the best line!

Hope this helps.

Tank

 

[Ponyboy]

Those are nice sways indeed. Dali Track bars? Anyway, you want the NSX to have an oversteer tendency, not too much, but just enough to get the puppy rotated. I run Kumho Ecsta V700's in 235 front and 285 in the rear with the Dali Street/Race sways and Koni/Eibach setup. I have to set the car to full stiff on all four corners for AX and full stiff front and 1/2 stiff in back for OT. Still, I'm not very competitive. Not because AX is hard in an NSX, which it is for various reasons, but I can never figure out the course in time.

FWIW, here's a good primer on AX:

AX Primer

 

[Animate]

Tank: "Got to Win Crack Pipe"...I like that! I'm not sure my addiction is that severe yet but it's getting there. What aspect of the low profile tires don't you like...is it reduced feedback? Let us know how your new setup works after you try it out.


Ponyboy: Yes, they are the Dali track bars. I really like how flat the car stays on cornering, I just have to get a bit closer to neutral handling. Thanks for the AXPrimer link.
I have a short memory, I was recently admiring the pics of your new wheel/tire setup. When you mentioned the large front tire size it clicked. (Zuerst's reply to the post cracked me up btw.. )
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8509&highlight=tires


Sounds like the Kumho Ecsta V700's are worth a look.

 

[Nimbus]

Tank, I just moved to the SoCal area. I will be joining you in the local autocross fields. Please inform me of different events just in case I overlooked them.

 

[Tank]

Welcome aboard! There are plenty of events if you really look hard enough amoung the various marque clubs (like 'Vettes, etc) that allow visitors to fill empty slots. NSXCA does one autoX a year here, usually in Feb.

The only full time racing is done under SCCA's Solo 2 program www.solo2.com and we get at least one weekend a month year round. The next practice is 6/28 and championship 6/29 at Cal Speedway in Fontana. We've gotten over 300 cars on championship days. It's quite an event. If you don't mind the drive, San Diego has monthly events as well www.sdr-solo2.com but they really restrict the number of cars and you can go all the way there and not get in.

Occasionally another NSX will show up at a practice but so far I'm the only one that has "gone on record" by buying a points card and running championships. Right now I'm 5th place in ASP class.

As you know the NSX is a very unique car with some very unique handling characteristics (excluding other exotics) so it can get very lonely out there. I could sure use the company/competition.

 

[GO X]

My wife and I have been auto-xing for the past 2 years. Our current setup is Dali track bars on softest setting, Zanardi shocks, Kumho V700 on 91-93 wheels. We run the car SM2 SCCA, best result so far was this year ... 3rd place overall at SD SCCA National Tour... http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/nat_tour/2003/sandiego/results.html
Our car is not preped to the extent of SM2 rules, remove some weight and add more tire like 16/17 combo with Hooisers and the car will be more competitive.

I believe a stock Zanardi and a strong driver can win AS at the National Tour.

Hope to see you at Cal Speedway.

 

[Animate]

What tire pressures are you guys running?

I'm on 16/17 OEM wheels and Yokos. So far I've tried cold pressures of 35 psi front and 40 psi Rear.

 

[Tank]

[QUOTE We run the car SM2 SCCA, best result so far was this year ... 3rd place overall at SD SCCA QUOTE]


That brings up a good point about classing your car. I let myself fall into ASP (because I added the Zanardi suspension to my 94) but didn't really look at other classes. SM2 would have been a good choice for me in the LA area. It's a bigger field even though top raw times are about the same. While I might still be 4th or 5th, I'd be beating a lot more people ;-).

Hope to see you, Go X, in Fontana. You need to make more trips up North!

As for tire pressures.... I've droppped to 33 front and 38 rear cold. That seems to give me the most rubber real estate with a roll over right to edge of the sidewall while squealing the tires all the way around. Now if I could break a little later......... and find a better line.......

 

[Tank]

What aspect of the low profile tires don't you like...is it reduced feedback? [/B]

In a word, yes. The break point is too fine a line. And with an NSX, you really don't want that line any finer. Also notice that no racing sport uses a low profile tires. Make use of the sidewall!

 

[Nimbus]

Looks like the next autocross I'll be at is 6/29 at Cal Speedway. I'll be in AS with a Zanardi. See you guys there!

 

[Tank]

Can't wait to see you run. Last month Lori with her Vette was the only car in AS. She'll be shocked to see you! Too bad you can't make the practice. In fact I don't know if I made the practice list yet. =:0

 

[Nimbus]

The practice registration was already closed before I had a chance to register. I would sign up if it's still open. I have yet to autocross a Zanardi. Also I have yet to autocross on the west coast.

No pre-reg for the actual event on Sunday right? Just show up at 7am and sign up?

 

[Tank]

If you're running AS, you work 6th group and run 8th (last). Which means you really don't have to be there until noon unless you want to hang around and watch/socialize all morning. Tech and reg are open till 1pm. Course walk is at lunch (which is always late) so if you're there by 11 or 1130am that should be fine. It's open to all that show up. Reg first then tech. The pits are huge, parking isn't a problem. I'm running/working in the afternoon as well so I'll be sleeping in.

Bring sunscreen and water!!!!!!

You're gonna have a blast.

 

[5inchfatlip]

Tank & Nimbus- I autox frequently just not lately, trying to catch up on bills. I will get back into it pretty soon though, keep me in touch with the events you guys are attending..thanks

 

[Nimbus]

If you're running AS, you work 6th group and run 8th (last). Which means you really don't have to be there until noon unless you want to hang around and watch/socialize all morning. Tech and reg are open till 1pm. Course walk is at lunch (which is always late) so if you're there by 11 or 1130am that should be fine. It's open to all that show up. Reg first then tech. The pits are huge, parking isn't a problem. I'm running/working in the afternoon as well so I'll be sleeping in.

Bring sunscreen and water!!!!!!

You're gonna have a blast.

Great! Glad you posted this, I was going to show up at 7am!

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

hey Nimbus, when are you going to join us at the track event in cali?

 

[Nimbus]

hey Nimbus, when are you going to join us at the track event in cali?

I'm sure we will meet up soon, Andrie. The next track event on my schedule is Willow Springs 7/10, then 7/12-13 at California Speedway.

Thunderhill is just too darn far for me. 500 miles!

 

[tmeekins]

A few more suggestions:

1. Harness belt / racing seat. It's amazing how much easier auto-x is when you're not sliding around in the seat. Also, getting your ass planted in one place helps you feel what's going on in the back of the car.

2. Non-compliance toe-links.

3. And of course... big fat sticky tires...

 

[Tank]

Thanks TMEEKINS,

I put in the harness bar and harnesses - what a difference! No more banging into the door.

For the seat: I went the cheap route.... I pulled the bottom out of the stock seat (lowering me about 2") and that made the seat sides so tall they wedge my fat ass in pretty well.

I'm trying to find the time to get the toe links installed.

I'm looking for some wheels that'll maximize my tire sizes. Right now 245/40/17's aren't near big enough, but on an 8 1/2" stock rim, not much available. Looking for 10".

 

[Animate]

As far as tires go, what do you think of the A3S03 Hoosiers.

Go X: You mentioned the Hoosiers on a 16/17 wheels. What wheel sizes were you referring to, OEM or ?

 

[SoCal-NSX]

I think Go-X and Mrs Go-X run on the stock 15/16 setup for the Hoosiers. They're setup is great. Last year when we got to fun runs, Mr. Go-X jumped in my stock 94 with only brake pads for mods and I jumped in his. He shaved 3 seconds off my best time in my car and I shaved 1 second off my best time by driving his - and I stink!!!

He's got a nice setup. Ask him for a ride ;-)

Here's my tentative schedule for the next few months:
Saturday June 28th - SCCC (Cal Club) SOLO2 Autocross PRACTICE (this means many more laps) at California Speedway parking lot http://www.solo2.com/events.htm

Sunday, July 27 - Button Willow Raceway's High Performance Driving Clinic http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/clinic.htm

Saturday/Sunday August 2 and 3 - Streets of Willow Springs with http://speedventures.net/2003_Schedule.asp

August ???? CalCoastal AutoCross organized by Anytime

October 8-12th - NSXPO in Northern Cal including Sears Point Raceway - http://www.nsxpo.com/

November - Buy More tires!

December 13-14 Saturday & Sunday - California Speedway (Road Course) - http://www.solo2.com/events.htm

For those of you wondering why we don't just rent our own track....... http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/track_rental_rates.htm

 

[Tank]

If everybody comes thru, we could have enough NSX's to scare the vettes this weekend at Solo2 in Fontana! Way to go guys.

Look forward to seeing you again, SoCal-NSX.

As for Hoosiers.... on stock 16/17 rims the choices are few. The A3S03's (autox Hoosiers) only come in 205/45/16, 225/50/16, and 245/40/17 for the stock rim widths. But these aren't bad choices. Although bigger rims in the rear would help a lot.

I borrowed a set of 17/18 awhile back to autox in and managed to tear out my splash guard in the front wheel well. I think the way to go is smaller rims and fatter tires.