should i drive with top off?

orbusrex · 1 December 2005

Going to autocross for first time this weekend... should i run with the top off? will they make me remove it, because it could fly off in a wreck? also, any little tips? already read about tire pressure... bump it up to 40-45 or so...

should be a blast

MiamieNeSeX · 1 December 2005

I am sure it will come down to club rules. I would personally run with it on as it stiffens the car and makes for a better ride.

Armando

nsx2tall · 1 December 2005

Good luck, and let us know how it goes! I've been wondering myself as to whether you can run those events with the top off. Every vintage racer I've ever seen lacks a roof, so it can't be too big a deal. Condsidering my head already sticks out of the roof without a helmet, I'm considering the Sampson Carbon Fiber Helmet Spoiler mod to give me a little more down force.

I'd also be interested to know if you ever manage to get out of 2nd gear? I'm discovering that my 96 gears are way too tall for modest street driving which would lead me to believe that autocross would be largely 2nd gear the whole way through.

Patdeisa · 1 December 2005

I believe you can run with it off. Most convertibles run with their tops down. I don't think the lack of stiffness will affect you much. Typical courses only get up to 50-60 mph, so you're looking at mostly 2nd gear, even in the tighter corners as 1st usually has traction problems.

Just a couple of pointers:
1. Clean out everything loose in the car, including glove boxes and especially the trunk. I use a large duffel bag to throw everything into.
2. Make sure all of the car's fluids are topped off and that you have a few gallons of gas in the tank. You don't want to starve the oil pump or fuel pump on the turns. Make sure your battery is fastened down securely and the brakes work well. There'll be a tech inspection, but the more prepared you are, the faster it'll go.
3. Bring some painters tape for your numbers and an air pressure gauge to release pressure when you're done. Autocross pressures wear out tires 10X faster than normal if driving on highways.
4. Let the registration desk know it's your first time. People are a lot more lenient and friendly if you make a mistake knowing you're not quite sure what's going on. You usually can get instructors to ride or drive the car for you to give you pointers.
5. Don't be frustrated if the little S2000 beats up your time pretty bad- the autocross favors smaller, lighter cars. You'll probably see Civics posting times as good as yours. Times are dependent 90% on the drivers and 10% on the cars set-up.
6. Get there early to walk the course as many times as possible. I went to one this past weekend, and 30% of the runs were DNF due to people not knowing the course.
7. Report to work groups when asked- workers are what makes the event run smoothly.
8. Have fun- lots and lots of fun!
9. Take photos!

ANYTIME · 1 December 2005

MiamieNeSeX said:
I am sure it will come down to club rules. I would personally run with it on as it stiffens the car and makes for a better ride.

Armando

Nonsense. Run with the top off and your helmet won't hit the top and you'll be able to adjust your seat more horizontal than not. If you were Michael, then the chassis flex may have a difference in your times, but won't affect us average Joe's.
Drive the course a few times at a moderate pace to learn the track and try not to go balls out the first time out. Learning the course by walking is a good tip :biggrin:

Go slow to go fast

orbusrex · 2 December 2005

Just put the OEM wheels on... gonna scuff up the rubber tomorrow. As I went around the block I turned the TCS off and gunned it... HOLY CRAP... I was all over the place. Guess I'm too used to the wide tires and TCS... it's going to stay on for the runs.

I'll try to get some good pics, don't have a camcorder though.

docjohn · 2 December 2005

Do some searches on auto-x for technique/what to expect.I will bet you can run with no roof,and as others have said as a beginer this will not be an issue.If the parking lot is irregular and bumpy you will probably feel some cowl shake and the car will push more but hay you need to start somewhere!Again not to be too redundant but the slowest looking cars often post surprisingly good times.

Hrant · 3 December 2005

orbusrex said:
already read about tire pressure... bump it up to 40-45 or so...

Have you been receiving advice from Al Terpak

First time I went to autocross he said the same thing and I was hopping all over the place .........:redface: Little did we know then that he was setting us to post lower times so he can shine ........ :tongue:

I say start with the regular 33/40 and see how things go.

orbusrex · 5 December 2005

Wow, what a fun time. Had three clean runs and one DNF. Went with the top off, you know, for style points. I thought the car would stick better around some of the turns. My first impression is that the rears (Kumho Ecstas) are too hard as it was the back end that lost grip. Not going to complain because the tires were free, but will get a softer compound when I kill these. (Or maybe even race tires).

I don't think NSX's are the best crossers... (of course mine is bone stock and I have yet to learn to drive well!) they seem to be a bit long, and I had trouble on the sharp turns when the RPM's got real low getting back into power band (kept it in second the whole time).

All in all I loved it and plan to do it again for sure! Next time I'll try to learn some techniques and maybe fiddle with the tire pressure a little. I ran on the stock 33/40. I may drop the rear a little just for a touch more traction.

Hopefully there will be a few more X's out there the next time... those Z06's were intimidating and I need some backup!!

Rob

redshift · 5 December 2005

I'm glad to hear you had fun Rob. If you start to make a habit of auto-x you'll probably be a lot better off with the short gears and nsx-r final drive.

Again, I'm glad it was fun... maybe I'll join you next time!

Super Sleuth · 6 December 2005

Re: Depends on who you ask

should i drive with top off?

Don't want to hijack your serious thread here, but that's what the Hooters girls were asking Hrant at a recent Sacto meeting. Of course, he's so old and serious, he just went

orbusrex · 7 December 2005

Pics from the event

Here's a couple of pics from the event...

And no, that's not a downed cone, it's directional!

Oh what fun! Diving into corners...

Erin... you should definately come... I'm going to try to drum up a few Xers next time!

Rob

Hrant · 7 December 2005

You need some heavy duty sway bars and shocks

:wink:

As for Super Sleuth, he is just jealous because he didn't get the squeeze hug that I got :tongue:

coolnsx · 7 December 2005

No roof, no problem :biggrin:

orbusrex · 7 December 2005

Any quick swaybar recommendations? I think I can only do front to keep my car 'stock' for autocross... probably not going to do shocks anytime soon... don't want to sink a ton of extra cash into the car. maybe a couple hundred here and there, when the wife allows

nsx2tall · 8 December 2005

You are my hero! Now I'm ready to give this try next year. I can imagine no better life lesson than for me to have my NSX lunch eaten by a Mazda Miata. But no matter how bad I get beat, it'll still be more fun than watching Speed channel reruns while my NSX is bundled up in the garage trying to stay warm. Is it just me, or does Dave Meguiar creep anyone else out?

I also noticed that you were running your laps with the radio on. Very "Stig"-ish of you. :tongue:

Hrant · 8 December 2005

orbusrex said:
Any quick swaybar recommendations? I think I can only do front to keep my car 'stock' for autocross... probably not going to do shocks anytime soon... don't want to sink a ton of extra cash into the car. maybe a couple hundred here and there, when the wife allows

There really isn't much to recommend in here. Your choices of vendors are Comptech, DaliRacing and Science of Speed, and all offer adjustable sway bars. Clint at NOPI is offering great prices on Comptech products. DaliRacing offers various sway bars ranging from street use to totally track dedicated sway bars. HTH.

orbusrex · 9 December 2005

nsx2tall said:
I also noticed that you were running your laps with the radio on. Very "Stig"-ish of you. :tongue:

Were you there? Yes, I did have the radio on... not obnoxious like the Dodge Dakota, but just enough for a little inspiration! (On a sidenote, I even had the A/C on on the first lap... what a NOOB!)

Thanks HRANT... saw the ones on SOS... made by Comptech for a little less than the CT site. Will try NOPI... (is it NOPI.com?)

2tall... definatley cross it... not too hard on the car, great fun, and hell; for $20 it was a great cheap day!

Hrant · 9 December 2005

Rob, call Clint at NOPI and see his post here: http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61657

Also, Comptech offers 10% discount to NSXCA members in good standing.

And Science of Speed is right in your backyard!

Finally, DaliRacing, if he has them in stock, offers stiffer sway bars as well and his pricing is equally great.

So what are you waiting for :wink:

ANYTIME · 11 December 2005

Hrant said:
You need some heavy duty sway bars and shocks :wink:

By looking at the pictures, you would think that he needs sways. I completely disagree on sways being the answer to faster times and think that maybe a driving school would give better results.

During a previous CalCoastalNSX autocross, Brian Selby showed up in a bone stock 1997 NSX and competed in the stock class (running stock tires and under 300hp class) and gave Craig with very modded NSX (CTSC I/H/E, sways, R compound tires, etc.) a run for his money.
Posted below are the track times. I think with some more runs, Brian would have beaten those times, putting him 1st in the modded class, running in a stocked class car. Don't look at my times :biggrin:

Hrant · 12 December 2005

ANYTIME said:
By looking at the pictures, you would think that he needs sways. I completely disagree on sways being the answer to faster times and think that maybe a driving school would give better results.

John, I never said he needs sway bars to go faster

But as you noticed too, based on those pics where the front right is diving and the rear left is lifting that is not ideal for traction and sway bars especially on a T will help with both the traction and body lean :tongue:

And your point in comparing accomplished autocross driver with a newbie is what exactly :wink:

ANYTIME · 12 December 2005

Hrant said:
And your point in comparing accomplished autocross driver with a newbie is what exactly :wink:

I was comparing Brians bone stock T (both him and the car had never been to an AutoX) to a modded Coupes (with an accomplished driver) times, while both being in different classes.

should i drive with top off?

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