Hey all just wondering if anyone was planning on doing some road racing/autocross this year. It's something I've always wanted to try and I think this year I'ma go for it. I'll be running my 2007 cobalt SS, if I understand the rules right I'll have to be in the SMF category due to my header.

My mods are:
3 inch zzp intake
badmab headers
zzp 3 inch catted downpipe
zzp 2.5 inch catback
Progress rear sway bar
option B
Dual pass
Tires are Hankook Ventus evo k110's

Future Plans:
2.8 pulley
#80 injectors
zzp stealth HE
Stainless brake lines


I am by no means a professional at this since this will be my first year trying it out but any tips would be more than welcomed!

 

I'd like to give it a shot as well, i've done local stuff but nothing official before.
Gm Stage 3
YYZ's
Koni's
XXX Bar

Should be a good little setup

 

That's my setup for autocross with PF01's 18x8 235/40/18 summer tires but I've also got the Powell rear twistbeam bushings. Also should be on an EFR 6758 so forced to run SMF. I believe you can run in the ST class since you have a cat still.

 

The best advice is to start with a stock car. Once you start modding you end up in classes with fully prepped cars and you will be getting slaughtered. Start with autox and once you learn some more car control give HPDE's a shot.

 

Problem is my car is already modded lol. I don't much care about getting slaughtered more so as I want to get the experience of the actual sport. For me this year is more of a floater to get some experience of autocross and to have some fun, next year I'll come out with guns blazing

 

i just started last season .... had a blast and will be doing it again this season.

Mods:

injen Intake
bad mab
zzp 3-2.5 DP
zzp 2.5 catback
80's
2.8 pulley
E85

opt. B
FMHE

CABS
Pedders
Koni Yellows
1.5in Rear Sway Bar
Powell Harness Bar
Rotated Mounts

18 x 8 Wheels

-Need new tires tho, these are my choices ... Kumho SPT , DZ II or Nitto's

anyone got a nice aggressive tire size ?

 

Anyone who rolls in the SMF category, did you do the steering knuckle upgrade? Wondering if our knuckles really are as weak as I've read.

 

Powell says No ... that means No lmao

 

I read the thread about the steering knuckle thing and from what I see there isn't a clear reason why not to run them besides retaining the ability to stay in the stock class. Besides that I don't see any real explanation on the downside of it unless are knuckles are a lot stronger than the impression I got from that thread.

 

Andrew were you talking about the twisting beam inserts? How do you like them?

 

The only reason that kid had an issue with the knuckles is cuz he crashed it or something into a curb read threw it.

If u wana pay over $600 for knuckles go for it , its not needed at all.

Check ur knuckles on ur car for a piece of mind but there not going to just snap out of no where.

 

I asked Powell about it and unless you get the SS/TC knuckles or actually break one don't upgrade (you'd have to crash to break one for the most part).

Yes that's what I'm talking about and that's what I will be running, have them in front of me but don't have the tool yet, it's being shipped as we speak.

 

Ah alright. I'm anxious to hear your before/after comparison

 

Believe me I can't wait to get them put in, if only I wan't on my winter wheels and it was warmer to really push it, still got 225/45/17 high performance all seasons for winter though (Khumo Ecsta 4X, actually a nice tire).

 

SMF kinda sucks. I love/ hate the caged honda's and other track cars that i wind up against. But stepping down from R-comps to Hankook RS3's in SMF this year. looking to run some AutoX and some track days

 

Just wanted to say the bushings are in and the beam moves more freely (will drop to the floor now so you must support it when messing with the springs. As for handling benefit, it being winter I can't really say but did get rid of the clunking in the rear.

 

i may try the rear beam mod later this year. I just plunked down a big chunk of change on a new clutch (Clutchmasters FX400 8 puck) Trans rebuild and a quaife lsd. should be a nice help for the season.

 

Will be out in the 09 TC

YYz's, Koni's and a xxx bar should be fun

 

I'll be autocrossing in DS. All stock no mods. Need some new Dunlop's soon though.

 

Doing auto-x for the first time this year. I'm quite successful in local rally-x in my fathers 03 bug eye and hope to do well in auto-x also.

Need to test out these YYZ's I installed yesterday

 

Will be hitting the local SCCA events this year.

Interested in what people will be running as far as tires go this year with the changes.

Anyone have some advice on a non R compound tire for this year?

Hearing lots of good things about the Hankook RS-3's but don't have any personal experience

 

I'm more or less going for fun this year.

Long story short, I drive a ton. If I buy some nice tires, they will be gone extremely fast. My local track guy suggested RE-11's, after much research, they have awesome reviews and arguably the longest tread life of tires in its category.

There is a new RS-3 coming out. That along with the BFG Rivals and Direzza Z2 will be my go to tire next pending how much life I get out of the RE-11's. They are the top three tire (RS-3, Rival, Direzza) choice for auto-x.

 

Yeah heard alot of good things about the RE-11's also. I do live in the NW so pretty well 100% chance at least one of the days at the track will be wet. Any insight into those top 3 in wet conditions? Also these will be track exclusive tires
Much appreciated!

 

If I remember correctly, the Direzza performed best. Pretty sure the rivals were better in the dry but in the wet they didn't perform so hot.

Some major magazine did a test which these three among others were in, I'll have to see if I can find it.

 

im running NT05's .... they seem ligit ... did 1 event already.