AutoX Project, My First Project Car, Help Appreciated. Options

[Racer Chris]

Chris, I received all the parts i ordered from you the other week.
...

Oh... that was you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol.gif)
I couldn't tell from the name on the Paypal receipt.

[Racer Chris]

I have heard form a large number of 914 racers that for your first year with the car, keeping the suspension close to stock is a good game plan,

Apart from budgetary constraints, that doesn't make much sense to me at all.
The stock suspension is waay tooo soofft for racing.
Sounds more like someone who wants to make sure you're slower than they are.

There are a few tried and true combinations which aren't too expensive but are so much better than using the stock pieces.
For instance, the Boge shocks are excellent for a street 914 but not much good in a race car.
The damping is too soft, and being unpressurized, the shock oil will turn to foam quickly and they'll lose effectiveness as they get hot.

For a track car I would change the springs/torsion bars, add a big front A/S bar, replace the rubber bushings with hard bushings, and install Koni or Bilstein shocks - right away, before ever turning a wheel.
It doesn't matter what your ultimate setup will be in the future. It doesn't matter if you need to upgrade within a year.
The parts are all bolt on and used parts are often available from someone going to the next level.

[jhadler]

I pretty much agree with Chris...

Make one -big- change. Then leave it the heck alone. Learn the car with the newer suspension. Don't go full-race, but don't leave it soggy and squishy stock. You want it responsive without swapping ends on you at the drop of a pin.

I'd say stock t-bars, 150# coils, konis or similar at all four corners, and big adjustable front sway bar. Make sure your bushings are in good condition, and get a good alignment.

The most important thing is to not muck with the set-up once you start. You'll be busy enough learning how the car behaves, and how to drive it. Don't introduce even more variables.

-Josh

[dbfelzer]

Those are very helpful tips guys, thanks. I will be taking all those pointers into consideration in the next few weeks when i am order all the suspension components. As for the braking, since i am going 911 5-lug struts i have the option of putting the vented rotors and 911 m-calipers on. Do you think this step up will be very advantageous?

Thanks,
david

[Racer Chris]

There's a trade-off to going with bigger brakes - unspring weight goes up.
With up to 205 tires, the stock brake calipers work pretty well with the right pads and a properly adjusted proportioning valve.
A flared car with wider tires will have shorter stopping distances with the 911 brakes.

[dbfelzer]

Ok, thats a good point. I will be starting off with 205 tires, since i have 15X6 porsche rims i plan on using. But since i could eventually go wider i am thinking i will go with the 911 brake set up!

Whats a good range for rear spring rate?? for a 1.7 semi track car...?

[Racer Chris]

140-180