I don't know, why don't you go check and stay the hell out of my thread! :-p

You're just mad because you can't go :lol:

Been a REALLY long time since I updated this thread, but this past weekend I completed a fairly major suspension upgrade on the car. Here are the details. Will try to post more pics/videos over the course of the season. Still waiting to mount the new 245/40/17 Bridgestone RE-01R's on 17x8's, but should have those pics next week. :D

So finally got around to installing the Koni/GC's this weekend. These are Koni Yellows OTS and Ground Controls with 500lbs springs up front and 550lbs in the rear. Also for this install I've added custom B15 Motorsports top mounts for the front and rear for additional suspension travel, and also the fronts are offset for additional camber. In the interest of more camber, the struts have been slotted as well.

Essentially spent the entire day working on the project as the stock fronts had been sitting for roughly 3 years. Had to get them properly sanded down, and then after removing the stock perch and welding in our own custom perch at a lower point (which ended up being lower than expected...bad measurement on my part), we powdercoated the final product. Install the Koni's, put everything together, and put it on the car.

The rears though were pretty simple as they only required putting all the parts together. Nothing in the rear had to be fabricated...well, at least not with the new suspension. The bottom rear bolt wouldn't come out, so we had to cut off the nut/bolt. Luckily there's a Nissan dealership right across the street, so we only lost a couple hours max there.

While I had everything set up, also replaced the FSB bushings and replaced the CAI filter.

After the initial install, the car understeered pretty harshly due to the front being toed in from the additional negative camber. Yesterday I fixed the camber to bring the toe "roughly" to zero (getting it aligned this week or next). Also realized that I had set everything initially to a full turn off soft, instead of a full turn off hard. So I had to take the rear apart to reset them.

Once all this was fixed, took the car out for a short drive and handled MUCH better. Rotation was back (a little more than expected in one spot, especially when combined with dirt on the road...we'll leave it at that). There's a little bit of excess travel in the front that may require a helper spring, a situation to be assessed after the first event in a couple of weeks. Also have a 20 run test and tune in 3 weeks where I'll really be able to test, adjust the RSB and Koni settings, and play with tire pressures to hopefully find a nice balanced setup.

The 245/40/17 Bridgestone RE-01R's should hopefully be mounted either this week or next, at which point I'll be able to see how much camber I can run with the setup. I'm hoping to get -2.5 with the new wheels/tires, but I'm thinking I "might" need some 5mm spacers to make it happen, bringing the offset from et42 to an effective et37. More to mess with on that front though.

Anyways, below are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Stock fronts with Koni/GC's waiting for install.
http://a346.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...3a34e316b1.jpg

The bolt that wouldn't come off.
http://a220.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...695720d133.jpg

The "ears" were cut off around the nut to get it out.
http://a376.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...9a89696df7.jpg

Fronts with top cut and guts removed.
http://a170.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...79faf84e71.jpg

Front after removing stock perch and new perch welded after powdercoating.
http://a733.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...c83bfc282c.jpg

Completed front suspension.
http://a507.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...eb732e471a.jpg

Completed rear suspension.
http://a236.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...b833ef1d3b.jpg

All four vehicles getting new suspensions.
http://a645.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...f80c66dc3c.jpg

The "other" vehicles in the hangar.
http://a502.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...e21c6b199d.jpg

From other side of the hangar.
http://a701.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...6dff03a37c.jpg

nice setup...im sure youll kill in the autox this year once again....cant wait to hear how the 245s work out!

good stuff dude, likin the new setup, let us know how it dose on the track at the next auto x event.

http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/...ad.php?t=55146

There's the full report. Needless to say, the new setup is ZOMG fantastic! The car transitions way better than it ever has. I also think that the higher spring rates and the longer travel in the rear of the Koni's is really helping out. Below is a pic going into the tight turnaround, and the rear is just barely off the ground. Last year, it would have been at least a good 6 inches off the ground. Just need to manage tire pressures and heat a little better. I'm getting ready to leave for the A.I. event in about 15 minutes down at Fed Ex, so I'll give an update after that. I think I need to either increase the rear sway or increase the rear damping just a hair to get the rear rotating a little better. Still some development needed, but it's definitely heading in the right direction. :wink:

http://teamwtf.smugmug.com/photos/291189379_EqgHv-L.jpg
http://teamwtf.smugmug.com/photos/291195981_ampYQ-L.jpg

Very cool. I love how dedicated you are to the sport. :cool:

the action pics look sweet, what kind of wheels are those, they look really good

Thanks Bob! What can I say, I'm addicted. :mrgreen:

As for the wheels, they're Motegi LC5's 17x8 et42 with 245/40/17 Bridgestone RE-01R's. Unfortunately the LC5's are now discontinued. I was able to get them out of pure luck...but I'll take it. :wink:

:bigeek:

welded after being powder coated?

That ****s painted!

Bad sentence structure. They were cleaned, welded, then powdercoated. They still have some left over pitting from the rust that was cleaned off (why it's rough on the left in the pic), but it's powdercoat not paint.

Yeah, I probably should have put a parentheses after "welded". Essentially trying to say that all that stuff was done, and then this is how it looked after powdercoating. But yes, it was powdercoated. :wink:

Autocrosser's Inc. Event #1 on May 10, 2008 Update

http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/...452#post905452

So I sold the Spec V back in August, but just picked up next season's autocross ride. It's a 2006 Aspen White with 17k miles, Cobb intake, APS 3.5" turbo back exhaust, and Cobb Accessport w/ Stage 2 map. Oh yeah, it's fun. And will be even more fun in February when the STU prep begins. :D

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...3de1e73006.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...fa5a41d41e.jpg

nice sti. nice ser before too. are you sure the color is not aspen white? never heard of alpine white before

nice STi. Its Aspen White, not Alpine ;) Great STU Autox car! Friend down in Tennessee had one and did very well at nationals and won many local events. Enjoy!

Wise pickup bro :)

Nice! Just be aware that the stage 2 map may put you in a different class as I believe it changes the max boost. Cobb should have a map JUST for autox, at least they did for my 05 2.0 wrx.

Thanks guys!

Yes, I'm very aware that the Stage 2 increases boost and is therefore illegal for STU. But once I start putting together all of the STU mods, I'll have Hill at Agile Auto put together a custom STU tune and run the Stage 2 on the street. I'm very aware of the ruleset. ;)

And yes, I'm a retard. Aspen White, not Alpine. Doh!

Well, you finally did it and got rid of the spec V, atleast you got ALOT of use out of her! Alot more then most. Now enjoy boost! I have been enjoying it for a couple years now and must say there's nothing better!
I should be getting a bigger turbo in my b13 this spring(holset or gt3071r) along with another b13 with a sr20ve in it, which I might just autocross NEO VVL FTW!!!