hellaflushedstanced car and handling, can I achieve best of both worlds?

[Dark Anghell1]

I don't consider my car to be "stanced" or whatever kids call it this week. I am low, lower than what most would choose for track or autocross setup (tire is in line or slightly below the fender). At the moment I feel like my car's handling is alright, but I wonder if I can do better?

My goal is to have a car that's:
1) pleasing to my eye (so I'm not raising it)
2) fast (K04 in near future)
3) handles the best it can given #1.

So far my suspension consists of Ultralow coilovers and Unibrace UB and XB braces. I ordered Whiteline WALK kit, front control arm burshing, and rear trailing arm bushing. I think that getting their bump kit would also help since car is lowered. What about rear sway bar or both? Would those improve handling? I don't plan on tracking the car, but I do love twisty roads, freeway onramps, etc.

For example, this morning while taking an onramp, car felt unbalanced. I brake early, position the car through the apex and then gradually get on the throttle. I can feel a lot of understeer, but also it seems like weight gets shifted constantly...car just doesn't feel stable at all.

Couple of local shops that do allignment have also begun to corner weight cars, so I plan on doing that after WALK kit and the bushings are fitted.

At the moment I have 215/225 tire combo, but eventually I'd like to switch to a square setup with 225s all around.

Anything else I can do to improve handling?

Thank you in advance and please keep "hellaflushstanced cars can't handle" talk to a minimum. If you have a suggestion, post it, if you have a strong opinon, keep it to yourself.

 

[maxtdi]

raise it and put the stock suspension on.

If you have no damping your car won't handle any better with stiffer roll bars.

 

[zee]

Any pic of said car? Are you able to match the speed you took with stock setup?

I think you'll have to raise it up a little, swap back to 225 and you'll probably need dampers stiffer than the ultra low. I hear they are very comfortable..ie plush.

 

[plac]

no. you can't achieve the best of both worlds.

/endthread

 

[Dark Anghell1]

Any pic of said car? Are you able to match the speed you took with stock setup?

I think you'll have to raise it up a little, swap back to 225 and you'll probably need dampers stiffer than the ultra low. I hear they are very comfortable..ie plush.

This is the car and it's current height. I am on my winter setup right now, stock wheels and stock 225 tires. I know I tend to get more understeer when running 215s in the front. At the moment I can't do much with the tire setup because I'd have to change the wheels, so this will have to wait until next winter.

Ultralows are not too stiff that's for sure. Although I've noticed that going up about 16 threads didn't raise the car by much, but definately made it stiffer. So I might play around with that a bit. Having some background with mountain bikes I know that compressing the spring on rear shock essentially changes it's spring rate making the shock/spring setup feel stiffer...that's how I adjusted my rear suspension for various terrains. Perhaps it's the same idea with ultralows or other coilovers?

 

[mkvince]

Well, looks like you didn't get sway bars yet so get that and test it out if you're happy with it. You're low but not that low actually so you're still on the performance side lol.

 

[Dark Anghell1]

Got my WALK kit and front bushing over the weekend. I think I will hold off on the install until I get bump steer kit to go along with it.

Seems like 24 or 25mm solid swaybar is the best way to go.

 

[DarkCloak]

Definately switch to 225s all around. What type of tires are on the 225? If they are a performance summer, consider putting them on the rear with an even higher performing tire in the front. this will aid in rotation in front end grip. If the 225 sucks replace it with performance summer all around. I rec.d the Michelin Pilot SS if treadwear is a concern.. If all out grip is wanted and you do not care about treadwear get a tire such as the Dunlop Direzza or Contis witha 140ish rating. Tirerack.com will list what tire is currently the highest performing.

Yes sway bars will help. I really need this upgrade. I will go with the APR tubular. Another good upgrade is the Stern rear subframe brace. it is $150 and installs in less time then it takes you to jack up the rear end. It makes a big difference though, especially for the price and esy install.

Also, if you are buying tires now this might be a good time to do the wheels as well because you are already shelling out for the tires. For performance if money is not that big of a deal and you have to have the best get Rays or Work.

If you do not want to break the bank get the Neuspeed wheels. They look really baller, are direct fit with no silly rings or spacers needed and are a great deal at $300.00. And Made in USA. They are also 19lbs and strong.

 

[Dark Anghell1]

I already have Unibrace underbrace. I would assume Stern can stiffen things up a bit, but I wonder by how much.

Right now I am running stock tires that came on Detroits. Otherwise in the summer I run Blitz wheels with Falken FK452s. I haven't decided on my next wheelset, probably stick with 18. Ideally I want to fit 225 tires all around on 9.5 wheels...gives them a slight stretch, but not enought to look weird. But who knows.

I think I'll get bump steer kit first, get that installed, dial-in my coils, get them cornerbalanced, alignment done. Then see how the car performs...doubt getting new swaybar after allignment will throw off any allignment specs.

 

[Mr.Alex]

Let me know what you think of the white line bump steer kit.

 

[Dark Anghell1]

Let me know what you think of the white line bump steer kit.

Will do!

 

[DarkCloak]

I already have Unibrace underbrace. I would assume Stern can stiffen things up a bit, but I wonder by how much.

Right now I am running stock tires that came on Detroits. Otherwise in the summer I run Blitz wheels with Falken FK452s. I haven't decided on my next wheelset, probably stick with 18. Ideally I want to fit 225 tires all around on 9.5 wheels...gives them a slight stretch, but not enought to look weird. But who knows.

I think I'll get bump steer kit first, get that installed, dial-in my coils, get them cornerbalanced, alignment done. Then see how the car performs...doubt getting new swaybar after allignment will throw off any allignment specs.

If I am not mistaken an alignment is needed after replacing the front bar? Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[confuc1ous]

I already have Unibrace underbrace. I would assume Stern can stiffen things up a bit, but I wonder by how much.

Right now I am running stock tires that came on Detroits. Otherwise in the summer I run Blitz wheels with Falken FK452s. I haven't decided on my next wheelset, probably stick with 18. Ideally I want to fit 225 tires all around on 9.5 wheels...gives them a slight stretch, but not enought to look weird. But who knows.

I think I'll get bump steer kit first, get that installed, dial-in my coils, get them cornerbalanced, alignment done. Then see how the car performs...doubt getting new swaybar after allignment will throw off any allignment specs.

RIght now I have the Stern and the Unibrace XB, it stiffens things up a lot when having both but most of this is because of the Unibrace more than the Stern.

 

[DarkCloak]

RIght now I have the Stern and the Unibrace XB, it stiffens things up a lot when having both but most of this is because of the Unibrace more than the Stern.

Did you install them at the same time? I am not anti-XB and will probably buy it along with the UB. I am wondering how you know which stiffened the most.

 

[confuc1ous]

I installed them at different times, first the Stern brace which helped the car feel slightly tighter, then the XB which created a world of difference.