NC STR Project - Tires or Coilovers First?

[OZMDD]

Miatamoto has spoken! Thread can be closed.

[POS Racing]

Miatamoto has spoken! Thread can be closed.

Boom!!!

That just Happened!

[strathound]

Without a fender roll, 9" wheels will not fit. Ask JimH about a shredded set of week old star specs. Fortunately, its very easy to do a nice roll on the NC. Take it to TDR, they have done several NC's.

What tire size are you getting? Even though you can run as big as 255, I've found the 245/40 to be a very good size. Also, some brands are wider than other. Remember: the contact patch is the same size whether you run 235, 245, 255. Only the shape changes. Picked a specific tire yet? I've driven most of the choices, if you'd like any feedback.

You should get in contact with TXCoyote on here; he built an STR 2012 PRHT last year and can save you a lot of trial and error.

I got the Hankook R-S3s. I'll talk to TDR. I need an alignment as well.

MS

[OZMDD]

Best deal on alignment is at Texas Track Works ($75, or $135 for 1 yr unlimited), but its a long drive. Cobb is good and close. tTW can probably do the fender roll too, if you want to make one trip.

The RS3s are a very easy to drive tire and will last a full season easily. Good choice. If you plan to daily drive them, be cautious in heavy rain.

[strathound]

Best deal on alignment is at Texas Track Works ($75, or $135 for 1 yr unlimited), but its a long drive. Cobb is good and close. tTW can probably do the fender roll too, if you want to make one trip.

The RS3s are a very easy to drive tire and will last a full season easily. Good choice. If you plan to daily drive them, be cautious in heavy rain.

Thanks. Yeah, I'd heard similar good things about the RS3s from others and noticed many folks driving them. Figured I'd give them a shot. I typically drive the Element if it looks like there's a chance of rain. But I've been caught before. I'll heed the warning and be careful.

Is there also a low temp that they shouldn't be used? They are mostly a summer tire, correct?

MS

[wrx74]

Best deal on alignment is at Texas Track Works ($75, or $135 for 1 yr unlimited), but its a long drive. Cobb is good and close. tTW can probably do the fender roll too, if you want to make one trip.

The RS3s are a very easy to drive tire and will last a full season easily. Good choice. If you plan to daily drive them, be cautious in heavy rain.

Check their website for the NEW 2013 prices. Alignments have gone up!

[sammm]

^Wow, they went way up! I need to get in there for a tweak before my year expires.

[OZMDD]

Don't drive RS3's in <40 degree weather; they are like slick stones.

[strathound]

Don't drive RS3's in <40 degree weather; they are like slick stones.

I don't get out of bed if it's <40 degrees. :)

[strathound]

Anybody here roll their own fenders? Saw several articles on how to do it and even found a place to rent a fender roller:

http://www.rollyourfender.com

[strathound]

A counter point to a lot of the advice here. Modify the car however you want. After autocrossing for a couple of years you'll have a better idea of how serious/competitive you want to be and what class you want to compete in. Build the car for how you want it on the street, that's where you'll spend most of your time enjoying it.

If you find that you want to compete then it'll be time to make some decisions about how to modify the car, buy a new car or co-drive a car that is already properly prepped for a class. I started in a pretty modified M3 that wasn't a class killer. I learned a lot in that car and prepped a Miata for stock class when I decided to be more competitive. No regrets here at all.

My only suggestions are to stay on street tires and have fun learning. Seat time is king and ask for instructors to ride along. Good ones will teach you everything you'll see at an Evo school.

BTW, meant to say ... thanks.

[slowchildmiata]

BTW, meant to say ... thanks.

Don't thank him. It just makes his head bigger.

[strathound]

I doubt getting thanks from cart-before-horse guy is going to do anything to bloat his ego.

[slowchildmiata]

I doubt getting thanks from cart-before-horse guy is going to do anything to bloat his ego.

He is a newbie too. He doesn't know better.

[strathound]

He is a newbie too. He doesn't know better.

I like him already.