What is the best autocross suspension?

[cbonespeed]

I was thinking about using Eibach Sportline Suspension kit. Any ideas and also could I see some pics of this kit. I would like to see the stance of this kit makes. Thank you very much.

[the gob]

GC coilover kit, with the 450lb springs and what ever struts suit your pretty lil fancy i run this setup with everything painted flat black(grill paint) and adjusted to stock SVTf ride height so SCCA doesnt know dick about it

[SVTADAM]

^^wow...way to compete on the fair side.

Non-coilover probably would be HR race with the Koni sport combo.

As for coilovers, I cant say since Ive not used them yet. I would like to try Ground controls setup, but I would prefer a true kit with shortened dampers. Helper springs are a handy option for adjusting height, and you cant beat damper adjustablity.

HTP just got in some nice looking coilovers. I havent inquired how much, but Brian was trying to sell me on them.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

H&R Race/Koni is tried-and-true. Add in some camber plates (LCR), a 22-24mm RSB and maybe bushings all-around, and you have a very good basic setup, that if driven well can easily run with a coilover shod car.

Anything much less than that is just a lowering spring...and leaves alot tp be desired on course. The one exception that has had some success is the Steeda/Koni combo--but the Steedas are progressive whereas the H&Rs are linear and are a fair bit stiffer.

[cbonespeed]

Thanks for the help, I think I might go for the whole H&R race/Koni setup since that seems to be the best setup. I don't when I'll buy this setup but I'll let you guys know cause I'm trying to build the best STS class Focus ZX3 ever but will see.

[CyrusCarleton]

I recommend H&R Race/Koni is tried-and-true. Add in some camber plates (LCR), a 22-24mm RSB and maybe bushings all-around, and you have a very good basic setup, that if driven well can easily run with a coilover shod car.

[1-ST]

I'm one of the handful that use the Steeda/Koni setup. Compared to other progressive springs, they aren't very progressive. Any compression from ride height is basically the higher rate, and the rest of the spring is coil bound. If I wasn't daily driving my autocross car, I'd go with H&R race. Steeda gives me enough ride height to clear steep driveways and (very slowly) climb up over a curb if I need to.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by the gob

GC coilover kit, with the 450lb springs and what ever struts suit your pretty lil fancy i run this setup with everything painted flat black(grill paint) and adjusted to stock SVTf ride height so SCCA doesnt know dick about it

What class?
If you're running stock class, not only is that being a jerk, but either the folks in your region are idiots OR you're not competitive enough for them to care.

If you're running any class other than stock, you're legal anyway, so what's the point of the paint and the rude comment?

BTW, "Whatever Struts" is not very cool to say either, since MOST struts are not going to work right with 450 lb/" springs.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by cbonespeed

I was thinking about using Eibach Sportline Suspension kit. Any ideas and also could I see some pics of this kit. I would like to see the stance of this kit makes. Thank you very much.

Heavens No.
The Sportline combo is WAY too Soft for its Height if you're doing anything other than "Cruising".
I'm an H&R "Race Springs" + Koni Yellows guy running in STS.
I have custom swaybars from Auto-X-ZTS as well.
I wouldn't mind going stiffer on the springs, but there's nothing stiffer shy of going with coilovers with custom springs, and that's out of my budget. Honestly to do coilovers correctly, you need proper length dampers too, such as custom Koni's or H&R, or Bilstein. having Stiff Springs and adjustable height isn't worth jack if your dampers (Struts and Shocks) are not up to the task.
The REAL question, is How much can you Spend?
That's Followed by, How Serious Are You?
I'd also like to ask how much experience you have.
Since you're thinking of springs, you're obviously thinking of at least STS and not Stock class, so you have a handful of options depending on the answers to the above questions.
BEST? That's hard to say, but I'd say most people here would be hard pressed to afford what is ACTUALLY THE "Best".
You can get within a few percent though with the H&R Race + Koni combo plus one of Auto-X-ZTS's 24mm 3-way adjustable Rear Swaybars.

[svtf02red]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

Heavens No.
The Sportline combo is WAY too Soft for its Height if you're doing anything other than "Cruising".
I'm an H&R "Race Springs" + Koni Yellows guy running in STS.
I have custom swaybars from Auto-X-ZTS as well.
I wouldn't mind going stiffer on the springs, but there's nothing stiffer shy of going with coilovers with custom springs, and that's out of my budget. Honestly to do coilovers correctly, you need proper length dampers too, such as custom Koni's or H&R, or Bilstein. having Stiff Springs and adjustable height isn't worth jack if your dampers (Struts and Shocks) are not up to the task.
The REAL question, is How much can you Spend?
That's Followed by, How Serious Are You?
I'd also like to ask how much experience you have.
Since you're thinking of springs, you're obviously thinking of at least STS and not Stock class, so you have a handful of options depending on the answers to the above questions.
BEST? That's hard to say, but I'd say most people here would be hard pressed to afford what is ACTUALLY THE "Best".
You can get within a few percent though with the H&R Race + Koni combo plus one of Auto-X-ZTS's 24mm 3-way adjustable Rear Swaybars.

Listen, learn. Observe the Michael, respect the Michael. That avatar is creeping me out, dude.

[MichaelXi]

It's Just Li'l ol' Me....

Oh, Thank You too.
It's Nice to have a little Respect.
There are probably 3-5 people on the board that have some Beef for some reason, (), but I'm actually a pretty good guy, and in the world of Auto-X and Suspension, I have learned from some VERY Smart people and have co-'Jetter's who have taught me much and some who certainly know more than I do. You'll know it when they speak...
Generally they're either Nationals-level Auto-X'ers or Engineers, or Both.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Yeah, please don't "judge Michael's book by it's cover". While some may consider his fashion and appaerance to be, shall we say, "unconventional"--it's pretty damned easy to get past that once you talk and get to know him. He indeed is more than a "pretty good guy" and I am prouud to consider him among my friends...and for our purposes here, he certainly knows his stuff on Focus tuning for autocrossing.

[OmniFocus]

Michael is an awesome guy, that's for sure.

I'd echo the H&R Race Spring / Koni combo... one of my favorites, and just about the best "still streetable" setups you can buy.

[MichaelXi]

Thank You guys, and a to Both of YOU two.

[ChesterFool]

I hate to hijack a thread...oh well...it is a very related question.

I started auto-xing a couple years ago and this summer I installed H&R springs and Koni Yellows. Since the install the car has been very prone to lift off over steer. What I'm looking for is some input on how best to setup the dampers?! Nothing I've tried seems to help with this...and yes I know...left foot braking helps and I have been doing it

thanx
ChesterFool

[MichaelXi]

The car is very capable of throttle lift oversteer in stock form. Most of us strive to setup the car to get it to have even more rotation.
Of course, the faster you're going, the more pronounced the effect, but typically we adapt our driving so as to keep from "looping it". If you would like to try something different set-up-wise, you can try running your rear dampers on the softer side and raising your front tire pressure a tick?
That's a toughie, because typically for Auto-X we strive for MORE rotation, not less.

[ChesterFool]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

The car is very capable of throttle lift oversteer in stock form. Most of us strive to setup the car to get it to have even more rotation.
Of course, the faster you're going, the more pronounced the effect, but typically we adapt our driving so as to keep from "looping it". If you would like to try something different set-up-wise, you can try running your rear dampers on the softer side and raising your front tire pressure a tick?
That's a toughie, because typically for Auto-X we strive for MORE rotation, not less.

I was thinking that was the response that I was going to get...basicly I need to tighten up the nut behind the wheel!!!

Thanx for the input Michael!

Cheers
ChesterFool

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Lower rear tire pressure...smaller RSB...rear toe-in...more rear -camber...soften rear dampers...

Tell us more about the setup...tires/wheels/sways etc.

[MichaelXi]

Derrrr
I should have thought about alignment too. I was tired when I typed up my last response. Alignment won't be a cure all, but with some rear camber bolts, you can make the adjustments recommended above as part of the combo along with the aforementioned "Nut".

[cbonespeed]

Wow, thanks for the help Micheal. Well I did my research by answering most of your questions. I'm defitently going for the H&R race and Koni setup. I wanted more street friendly ride cause this is my daily car.

But I do have one more question, might be stupid but where do you get Auto-X-ZTS's 24mm 3-way adjustable Rear Swaybars.

[Ataru]

Easy. Send Auto-X-ZTS on here a PM about getting one.

[OmniFocus]

...and if you do, PLAY with it.

Change the settings between runs just for the hell of it. The difference between hard/medium/soft is HUGE.

...same with his front bar.

You can even have a "first run, cold tires" setting and then a normal setting. Freakin' awesome piece of equipment.

[Ataru]

Yeah, definitely change it up. I always left mine in the middle setting and never moved it because it felt like it worked so well. Now, a few years later the endlink bolts are seized in the swaybar and I can't adjust it until I remove the swaybar and press out the bolts.

[ChesterFool]

Originally Posted by Auto-X-ZTS

Lower rear tire pressure...smaller RSB...rear toe-in...more rear -camber...soften rear dampers...

Tell us more about the setup...tires/wheels/sways etc.

Tire pressures are 38 front and 30 rear. Sway bars are stock...so what ever came on a 2000 ZX3. Camber is at -1.5 front and -2.0 rear. I don't know what the toe is set to on the rear...so I'd guess the shop would have set it to spec. Wheels are 17" OZ superleggeras with 215/45 with Kuhmo RT615's. Dampers I've tried lots of combos of harder/softer front and rear. Wow...start and list this stuff out and there is a fair bit of it

It's sounding like I should be going hard front and soft rear?

[OmniFocus]

With that setup, if it isn't excessive rear toe-out, then it might be the nut behind the wheel.... most of that looks fairly tame.