*The FL5 Track Junkie Thread*

[BigBird]

Those are some crazy classes!

Yeah it's why I like the SCCA TT classing system. Not perfect, but at least a bit more structured.

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[PointByPatrol]

Yeah it's why I like the SCCA TT classing system. Not perfect, but at least a bit more structured.

A buddy invited me out to do TT. I've never done it.

 

[BigBird]

A buddy invited me out to do TT. I've never done it.

once in the right class, it definitely gives a good yardstick to you as a driver. Seeing how much worse or better than you are compared to similar cars, and most important other drivers

 

[Rexpelagi]

Sorry to say, but you wouldn't stand a chance in GL Street the way it's structured and classed. The top cars are 400 hp+ AWD Turbo swapped, caged and gutted "street" cars

Oh don't worry, I have some experience with Gridlife "Street" classes lol - I actually attended Midwest Fest this year in my RC-F that was built for casual track days (ie, coils, camber, wide tires) and was never intended for competition just to try it out - the event was a blast, and it's why I decided to get something pseudo-competitive again.



The Type R definitely isn't the right car on paper, but I also have no desire to own a 20yr old Evo 9 (did that before when they were only 6 years old) or a stock-internals STI at 400hp (you actually can't touch the bottom end in Street/Street GT, and they also have restrictors for turbo swap cars now to try to reign that in, although the rules are always subject to change). I do think the Type R can at least be towards the top though with decent prep and decent driving, and power-wise it should be in the 370-380whp range on 93, so I don't think it will be way off. The suspension is also far better than what those cars have, although the AWD is definitely an advantage.

 

[TW00Si]

The Time Trial format is great. Never caught in traffic. If you do, it gets addressed next session.

 

[simpleisbest]

So, now that TT Nationals is over, my plan for the winter is to move up classes (with the primary focus being Street for Gridlife Time Attack) and therefore add more power and coilovers. Power is fairly straightforward but what is everyone running for coilovers? I can run up to 2-way adjustables, and traditionally I'd look at 2-way remotes from MCS, JRZ, etc, but man have those gotten spendy from what I remember from 5yrs ago. What is everyone's thoughts on something more in the $3k range - any good options (Ohlins, HKS Hipermax, other)?

I don't daily this car and honestly anything would probably be an upgrade from stock, but I want it to at least be livable and handle bumps/curbing on-track well (which honestly shouldn't be difficult with any of the higher end options).

I've been looking at coilovers too lol.
At the $3k range the HKS HiperMax R look to be the most promising for off the shelf kits.
14kg/14kg spring rates, 1 way rebound only adjustable with cancellers. Everyone I have talked to that has the R kits (not CTRs) love their track PBs, but don't seem to really comment about how they ride on the street

For custom stuff, there is Shaftworks Bilanx that start from $2400 too.

 

[Rexpelagi]

I've been looking at coilovers too lol.
At the $3k range the HKS HiperMax R look to be the most promising for off the shelf kits.
14kg/14kg spring rates, 1 way rebound only adjustable with cancellers. Everyone I have talked to that has the R kits love their track PBs, but don't seem to really comment about how they ride on the street

For custom stuff, there is Shaftworks Bilanx that start from $2400 too.

Thanks! I chatted with an FK8 owner of the Hipermax IV SP setup (predecessor of our R setup as I understand) which he uses for autocross (and seems pretty competitive with) - he really didn't have complaints but he couldn't find a rebuilder and after 4 years of use it may be time for him to move on, so he's considering MCS now.

I also chatted Lugod (Shaftworks) about his options, and I haven't ruled that out either, just not sure where to start on this platform in terms of damping/spring rates as there doesn't seem to be a lot of people really pushing the performance yet (on the suspension side), although maybe I just haven't found the right person/shop yet.

 

[BigBird]

Oh don't worry, I have some experience with Gridlife "Street" classes lol - I actually attended Midwest Fest this year in my RC-F that was built for casual track days (ie, coils, camber, wide tires) and was never intended for competition just to try it out - the event was a blast, and it's why I decided to get something pseudo-competitive again.



The Type R definitely isn't the right car on paper, but I also have no desire to own a 20yr old Evo 9 (did that before when they were only 6 years old) or a stock-internals STI at 400hp (you actually can't touch the bottom end in Street/Street GT, and they also have restrictors for turbo swap cars now to try to reign that in, although the rules are always subject to change). I do think the Type R can at least be towards the top though with decent prep and decent driving, and power-wise it should be in the 370-380whp range on 93, so I don't think it will be way off. The suspension is also far better than what those cars have, although the AWD is definitely an advantage.

same here. I don't want to drive a old ratty car that is maxed rulebook wise, but the FL5 is also my daily. Even so, it doesn't stand a chance in GL Street maxed out.

Eddy in a FK8 is pretty much maxed out in GL street class, and a very good driver, but always 2-4 seconds away from those AWD cars. Even though they have a restriction to put in the intake for the turbo upgrades, the AWD cars still make tons of power.

 

[Tougefl5]

KwV3 top notch customer service, lifetime warranty , you can get rebuild and have them back in a few weeks.
Great build quality and pedigree.

I don't track my car however touge is my thing. My car is a monster on roads like tail of the dragon. Better ride quality then stock suspension and I can road trips in comfort.
If you run slick tires then just swap out to club spot spring and good to go.

 

[Rexpelagi]

KwV3 top notch customer service, lifetime warranty , you can get rebuild and have them back in a few weeks.
Great build quality and pedigree.

I don't track my car however touge is my thing. My car is a monster on roads like tail of the dragon. Better ride quality then stock suspension and I can road trips in comfort.
If you run slick tires then just swap out to club spot spring and good to go.

Have you actually had to have the KWs serviced? I've heard mixed experiences with their serviceability, or maybe moreso their re-valving options.

I am very familiar with the V3 though - I run a version of the V3 on my Tesla which I used to race for TT also, and I've really had no complaints from an NVH or build quality perspective, but they are a bit soft, and the rates listed for the Type R, even on the club sports, are also fairly soft (457lb/in F / 400lb/in R from what I can tell).

Thanks for the input though - it's great to get feedback from someone actually using the various options!

 

[Tougefl5]

Have you actually had to have the KWs serviced? I've heard mixed experiences with their serviceability, or maybe moreso their re-valving options.

I am very familiar with the V3 though - I run a version of the V3 on my Tesla which I used to race for TT also, and I've really had no complaints from an NVH or build quality perspective, but they are a bit soft, and the rates listed for the Type R, even on the club sports, are also fairly soft (457lb/in F / 400lb/in R from what I can tell).

Thanks for the input though - it's great to get feedback from someone actually using the various options!

This is my 3rd set of KW suspension. I had them on evo8 and evo9 now on my fl5. I only had them rebuild one set for my evo9. I got them back in 3 weeks.
In less I'm building a car that needs 3/4 way damper I'm sticking with KW.
I had a cancelation module failure due to a shop installation error. I called KW expected to get charged for 4 modules and they sent me a replacement for free no questions asked.

 

[svvitch]

This is my 3rd set of KW suspension. I had them on evo8 and evo9 now on my fl5. I only had them rebuild one set for my evo9. I got them back in 3 weeks.
In less I'm building a car that needs 3/4 way damper I'm sticking with KW.
I had a cancelation module failure due to a shop installation error. I called KW expected to get charged for 4 modules and they sent me a replacement for free no questions asked.

This is the reason I'd buy from a company with a good US presence vs something JDM. Just seems easier to deal with if needed.

 

[Rexpelagi]

This is my 3rd set of KW suspension. I had them on evo8 and evo9 now on my fl5. I only had them rebuild one set for my evo9. I got them back in 3 weeks.
In less I'm building a car that needs 3/4 way damper I'm sticking with KW.
I had a cancelation module failure due to a shop installation error. I called KW expected to get charged for 4 modules and they sent me a replacement for free no questions asked.

Good to know, thanks! When you had them rebuilt they stayed in the US?

 

[Tougefl5]

Good to know, thanks! When you had them rebuilt they stayed in the US?

No they got sent to Germany. I was working with Robert fuller AKA robispec back in 06 and he was one of the first guys to really push the brand over here. He shipped them out and I got them back in 3 weeks.

 

[MooMoo]

Does Nitron make anything for the type R?

They make really nice stuff, closer to MCS than KW V3s but priced in between. This place in texas rebuilds them and they have excellent customer service and turn around time

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