Ok, as some may know, my tC will serve as a decent test car for what results will be for bolt on suspension upgrades, as well as tires. I have equipped my tC with an Apexi RSM-GP. It tells you HP, F-R, and R-L G's, speed, rpms etc... I also equipped it with the Apexi G-sensor system which has been calibrated so on a level surface it sits at dead 0.

I will be putting the tC through series of tests. I'll use this thread to log what I get for results, as well as condition, speed, throttle position, mods, tires etc...

Stock tC skidpad according to R&T: .82g

Fixed Conditions: 160lb driver, 3/4 tank gas, 1 10" sub in trunk.

TEST 1:
**Condition: Dry, somewhat salted roads, 32*F, 5 PM.
**Mods: Stock wheels and tires, 32psi front, 29back. Stock sway bars. H&R springs, stock struts. Hotchkis front upper strut bar. Drop was done, and no alignment yet.
**Technique: Approx 38mph, 3rd gear, 60% throttle, sharp left turn.
**Results: .82g!!! Same as stock. This shows how accurate the g-sensor is. I also got moderate understeer as depicted in the review in R&T as well. The inside tire was chirping the whole time. Initial turn in response was as expected, nimble but not harsh at all.
**Verdict: I will try a more clean road (less whiteness to it, salt), and attempt again. I will also attempt the same turn, but with 0% throttle and see how much it takes to max the car out. Stiffer sway bars should also help improve the turn in response.

TEST 2: 2/20/2005
**Condition: Dry, somewhat salted roads, 26*F, 10:30AM
**Mods: Stock wheels and tires, 32psi front, 29back. Stock sway bars. H&R springs, stock struts. Hotchkis front upper strut bar. Drop was done, and no alignment yet.
**Technique: Approx 48mph, 3rd gear, 5-10%% throttle, sharp left turn.
**Results: .89g!!! I'm starting to feel more and more comfortable with the handling. Once the 18x8s are on, I should be able to pull over a G with just H&R springs and nice tires.
**Verdict: Without provoking oversteer and attempting to get the car to grip as hard as possible, it's very easy to get a little more traction up front. The car felt very neutral on the corner followed by moderate understeer once again upon leaving the turn under greater throttle pressure. 18x8s with the better tires should help me pull over a G. If I can find a better ramp (possibly tomorrow, (with passenger though), then I can log with higher traction.

Expect more in this write up to come. It should also serve as a great guide for future modders out there.

Anyone have any specific tests they want done to give a better understanding of what mods do what?

Examples: I plan on testing at various speeds. Also want to test a "Snap" turn in and see what I can peak the g's at to measure how hard the sway bars kick.

 

thanks for the info.... looking forward to more test

 

I'm working on gathering a few pics right now to show the setup. If anyone would like these parts, I'll sell them together as a package, and include shipping.

 

I added the Apexi stuff, the pedals, the XM MyFi system, and a custom 30A relay system...

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/704420/4

Feel free to link these if you want, I didn't have much luck. Thanks to anyone who does.

 

I'd be really interested in your results with better tires and some better brake pads.

chris

 

I guess I can post a thread on Negative Gs as well. I'll do it with stock brakes, stock tires, and slam the brakes. I'll log that result.

Then same test but with the 18x8s with Hankook tires that go on next week. Then with the AEM/Powerslot front and rear big brake kits.

 

do you think you could try it with the stock rotors but upgraded pads before you put on the BBK?

chris

 

interesting....

 

That's rough, I'd like to break in the pads with the new discs and it would save a drastic amount of time. I know I'm changing 2 variables at once but I need to be realistic. If I have much more time on my hands (which I may when I finish college next month), then I'll attempt to get that in depth. We shall see though.

 

just a suggestion, would you get the hotchkis sway bars and test those? I have them already, and can tell a difference, but would like to know how much of a gain they are actually giving me. (btw i have them both on the race setting)

 

If that's the path I take yes. Hotchkis is great, but I'm still working with Progress on some race stuff.

The Progress full coil-over system has it all compared to the other companies. And if Progress releases a front bar to accompany the back, or a better back with front combo, it'd be hard to go elsewhere.

If i get the bars, definately expect a post on it. BTW - I should be able to run more tests on Wednesday, possibly sooner.

 

New results are in guys...
TEST 2: 2/20/2005
**Condition: Dry, somewhat salted roads, 26*F, 10:30AM
**Mods: Stock wheels and tires, 32psi front, 29back. Stock sway bars. H&R springs, stock struts. Hotchkis front upper strut bar. Drop was done, and no alignment yet.
**Technique: Approx 48mph, 3rd gear, 5-10%% throttle, sharp left turn.
**Results: .89g!!! I'm starting to feel more and more comfortable with the handling. Once the 18x8s are on, I should be able to pull over a G with just H&R springs and nice tires.
**Verdict: Without provoking oversteer and attempting to get the car to grip as hard as possible, it's very easy to get a little more traction up front. The car felt very neutral on the corner followed by moderate understeer once again upon leaving the turn under greater throttle pressure. 18x8s with the better tires should help me pull over a G. If I can find a better ramp (possibly tomorrow, (with passenger though), then I can log with higher traction.

 

Testing is going to be postponed guys sorry... We just got a snow storm up here so no hard driving for me for a while.

 

perfect time to throw in some other variables, get some snow numbers.

chris

 

Yeah that'd be the day haha...

"Ok guys, I found out it takes .42g's to get the tC sideways and into the trees when at 15% throttle." Lol.... what a post that would be...