Post your auto cross setup in here!

[$ub$onic]

The class combination is screwing a lot of people over.

I have friends that run civics in stc that will have no chance in sts and will also hinder there pax time.

IMO a turbo sonic is not a good nationals car, it is simply out classes. Ya you can go up to smf, but you will get crushed by highly modded gti's and swapped s/c civics.

 

[AxelRipper]

Actually I think someone could get one pretty close. If you gutted it and put coil overs with the right tires and a rear bar you could probably be close to competitive.

In the meantime, I'll just keep going on in local open class until I get my FSAE car going.

 

[$ub$onic]

Actually I think someone could get one pretty close. If you gutted it and put coil overs with the right tires and a rear bar you could probably be close to competitive.

In the meantime, I'll just keep going on in local open class until I get my FSAE car going.

If you gut it, you will be thrown into SMF.

We have SMF cars in my area that run FTD.

I doubt a sonic will ever get to FTD.


Now that STC and STS are getting combined, it will be very interesting for the turbo.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Well I brought it up on the regional forum, and they directed me to the national forum, where people have been asking about STX Cobalts. The thing with the GM code is that it reads throttle input as a requested torque, then the ECU determines the best way to get that torque output at its current status, be it throttle, cam timing, fuel, spark, boost, or downshifting in the case of autos. You really can't take the boost out of that equation.

I may contact the SCCA tech guys and see about this, mostly just because I'm curious, but also because I'm sure some other people would like this to be sorted as well.

Did you ever do this? I'd love to hear about it.

Also if you go with the bully dog my understanding is they do not modify boost at all and give ok gains. that is an option.

I also think a turbo sonic would have a chance with the right mods.

 

[4Flattires]

Really, SCCA's classes suck for most things. If you want to try to get to nationals you have to dump a ton of money in to be competitive, regardless of what class. For a tune, intake, exhaust, and suspension you still are competing against dedicated gutted cars (and SCCA hates turbos, so 1.4t = STC).

The 2015 rule book came out on Jan 8th. The 1.8 Sonics are STF this year. The 1.4T Sonics are in STS. All of the national trophies in STS went to Miatas or CRX/CRX Si's in 2014. Actually, those were the only two cars in the whole class. :blankface:

 

[$ub$onic]

At least 1.8 is competitive in STF. 1.4 in STS, maybe not so much.

Sadly, I am not running STF this year. I am going to SMF, not planing on very high finishes in SMF.

 

[mitdr774]

I should be joining you in SMF this year James.

 

[4Flattires]

H-Street this Year

Good luck in SMF, fellows. Sincerely. As dedicated as you are, I am sure that you will both do better than you think.

I want to drive cheap this year and so it's H-Street for me. I doubt if anybody in the Region weekly events will notice or complain about my ECO wheels. Come September, I'll just put the RS wheels back on, hopefully with some new rubber. Tire Rack has a bunch of new 200-wear tires this year, but to stay cheap, I might just pick up some of their 2013-production BF Rivals. The new Bridgestones that resemble ZIIs look interesting though. Bet they aren't cheap.

Otherwise my setup is just the ZZP rear sway bar and the 225/45/17 Pilot Super Sports to begin with.

 

[$ub$onic]

I'm starting to put together some racing numbers for people who want them, they are magnetic.

This is the one I made for myself but I have some magnetic sheets left over.

 

[Topaz blue turbo]

Autocross setup

Racing in SMF this year too. I got a 2014 sonic dusk riding on the GM performance shocks/struts lowering kit. Stock 18's with the continental contact extremes. Both TTR mounts the DDM works rear brace, M32 short throw with ddm shifter bushings. Trifecta custom tune with zzp intake and cat back exhaust. Ran 59/86 total cars at my local autocross two weeks ago. Ready to go to the next level and get some ultra aggressive 200 treadwear tires soon as I finish these stock continental xtreme all seasons off!!!

 

[4Flattires]

Hey, Topaz!

Racing in SMF this year too. I got a 2014 sonic dusk riding on the GM performance shocks/struts lowering kit. Stock 18's with the continental contact extremes. Both TTR mounts the DDM works rear brace, M32 short throw with ddm shifter bushings. Trifecta custom tune with zzp intake and cat back exhaust. Ran 59/86 total cars at my local autocross two weeks ago. Ready to go to the next level and get some ultra aggressive 200 treadwear tires soon as I finish these stock continental xtreme all seasons off!!!

Your situation looks exciting! I'll be staying in HS this year, thank you very much. How is your season looking so far? Are you done with the Contis yet? There is some amazing new 200 tires out this year. The BF Goodrich Rival S and Bridgestone RE-71Rs are two examples. Please tell us about your exploits!

 

[Topaz blue turbo]

Continentals almost done. I got maybe one more trackday left on them then im ready for new meats. Car is handling amazing and still has alot left in it. Would still like to upgrade the front sway bar the car is pulling a rear tire off the ground pretty signigicantly on the tighter fast turns. Overall couldnt be more pleased. With less motor than almost everyone at these events im running in the top two thirds overall and most people think its pretty unbelievable that gm builds a car like the dusk edition sonic and that it performs this well.

 

[2013RS]

Best HS Setup

Now that we're well into the autocross season, what is the ultimate setup for HS?
Any conclusions on the new 200 tread wear tires?
What is the best drop in air filter?

I ordered a ZZP rear sway bar, and it helped quite a bit. I actually have a MPfab intake that I love, but I take it off to stay in HS. I think another set of wheels, and some autocross only tires will be the next step.

 

[4Flattires]

Not Sure About the Best, But Here's My Latests . . .

Now that we're well into the autocross season, what is the ultimate setup for HS?
Any conclusions on the new 200 tread wear tires?
What is the best drop in air filter?

I ordered a ZZP rear sway bar, and it helped quite a bit. I actually have a MPfab intake that I love, but I take it off to stay in HS. I think another set of wheels, and some autocross only tires will be the next step.

Hi, '13RS!

This is my 6th year autocrossing. The 13RSM6 is new to me this year, but it is serving well. Regional HS victories and top 10 index finishes in four out of my six events so far this year.

Like you, mine has the ZZP rear sway. An ultimate setup would seem to involve Penske coil-overs, but I put my dough where I thought it would do better. For tires we put Bridgestone RE-71Rs onto the only 16 x 6.5 wheel Tire Rack listed this spring. The tires are 225 50 16s. Custom alignment provided -2.2 degrees of camber up front using Chevy crash bolts. So I am legal to my knowledge. I have also kept all my documentation for nationals this year.

The new tires and alignment were tried out for the first time at a Saturday/Sunday doubleheader at Grissom Air Force Base two weeks ago. My first three runs on Saturday were in monsoon rain! Headlights, front and rear wipers going. I indexed 8th that day. Sunday was very damp, but no standing water on the course. I managed to index 6th. The RE-71Rs stick like glue, but are not likely to last long. The treads wore noticeably on a Saturday despite heavy rain, standing water, and and hydroplaning slightly on the flowing water parts of the course. On of my colleagues referred to them as "HoosierStones"! They did bite the concrete very nicely through the water film in areas without river-like flow though.

I'll be using up the Pilot Super Sports to the bitter end this summer in an effort to keep the Bridgestones fresh for nationals. There is not much left though. All four are almost to the wear bars.

 

[jledford]

Started doing some auto-x in my Sonic LTZ Hatchback this year while building up a 350Z for STU competition. I thought I'd add my setup to this thread:

• DDM 5mm wheel spacers
• DDM rear torsion bar
• GM OEM crash bolts (~ -2.1 camber in front)
• Extra stock LTZ 17" wheels with 215/45 RE71R tires
• Shocks from an RS model

The first local event (which was actually a no points test n' tune) I ended up 13th RAW and 2nd PAX :banana: More of a write up on that here: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/motorsports-forum/19877-auto-crossed-my-ltz.html

Also planning my first national event in May with it: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/motorsports-forum/20153-bristol-match-tour-im-going.html

I've got one local before that event but it's on concrete so that'll be different. I'll post a thread up after that event.

That's my setup, hope it helps someone out! Any questions feel free to ask or PM me.

 

[Shaguardriver]

Did my first autocross in the Sonic last weekend. Just as fun as I remembered.

I have an LT 1.4 6mt, my summer wheels are the LTZ 17 wheels and tires. I have a few mods but nothing too fun yet.

My set up was stock suspension and alignment. Front tires 44.5 and rears 37psi.

I did not get put in a class since it was a Porsche event.

My video is posted in the pictures section. My Son was my video guy for the event.

Now come the questions:

I will need new tires these are bad!!!! My debate is this do I go down wheel size and lower the gear ratios so 3rd gear becomes useful in an autocross.

I do commute in the car so I may be a little less aggressive with the camber 1.2 may eat the tire too fast for me.

Also I was going to wait on a new ZZP spring but I think I may go with the elibrach.

I am not setting this up to be competitive in a class I am am just looking for more fun and better handling.

I will be doing a few track days here and there since I have 3 tracks new my home.

Also is anyone using magnet numbers or am I dating myself....





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shaguardriver]

Did my first autocross in the Sonic last weekend. Just as fun as I remembered.

I have an LT 1.4 6mt, my summer wheels are the LTZ 17 wheels and tires. I have a few mods but nothing too fun yet.

My set up was stock suspension and alignment. Front tires 44.5 and rears 37psi.

I did not get put in a class since it was a Porsche event.

My video is posted in the pictures section. My Son was my video guy for the event.

Now come the questions:

I will need new tires these are bad!!!! My debate is this do I go down wheel size and lower the gear ratios so 3rd gear becomes useful in an autocross.

I do commute in the car so I may be a little less aggressive with the camber 1.2 may eat the tire too fast for me.

Also I was going to wait on a new ZZP spring but I think I may go with the elibrach.

I am not setting this up to be competitive in a class I am am just looking for more fun and better handling.

I will be doing a few track days here and there since I have 3 tracks new my home.

Also is anyone using magnet numbers or am I dating myself....





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rear tire

Front tire

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jledford]

I use magnet numbers on mine, simplest and easiest way to get numbers on the car.

I would get a rear bar and then springs if you want them. The rear bar made a huge difference on my car, rotation is much better.

I'm running the Bridgestone RE71R 215/45 on my 17" LTZ wheels. It's good enough to keep in 2nd for local auto-x courses down here. I get close to the limiter but have never hit it (and these are courses where STR prepped S2000s are banging off the rev limit). The Sonic just isn't fast enough to get to the rev limit in the same amount of space.

 

[Shaguardriver]

Are you running the stock alignment? Do you ever do a track day?

 

[jledford]

Are you running the stock alignment? Do you ever do a track day?

The front toe is stock, close to 0 but a little toe in, like 0.05 deg. The camber is not stock. I put in the GM crash bolts and got 1.8 deg camber in the front. The rear isn't adjustable so it just is what it is from the factory.