Well I just finished my first weekend of autocrossing ever, and it went great. I was pretty outclassed though. I ran sts because of my cold air intake. I recently bought the car, and it came with it. A few of the instructors suggested I swap it out with the original airbox. We have a street tire stock class, and they thought I would be more competitive in that than sts. I have stock springs and struts so I am very outgunned in sts. One of the instructors drove the car with me and he loved it. He didn't know of the power, and spun the wheels like mad on launch. He said it had great balance, but lots of body roll which led to poor steering response. I have no idea how old the shocks and struts are, and I'm considering replacing them. What would be a good replacement to run in the stock class? Can I use a front strut tower brace in the stock class to help the steering response? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. - Jamie

Lots of people use the KYB AGX shocks. They are adjustable, and work well with the stock springs (I autocrossed for a year on stock springs and these shocks). This will keep you in stock class, but adding a front strut tower bar will move you to street prepared or sts.

Aaron

I'm getting my AGX's put in tomorrow morning, and I have my second points event on Sunday in STS. I don't know if I just don't have the same level of competition down here in Charleston, but I'm pretty competitive in STS and I only have a 1.6L. So far this season I've taken a first place and a second. I was in the same situation as you were, the intake bumped me up a class, well, the wheels did too, but now that I know what each class is, STS is great because you can do just about any suspension modification you want , you just can't get as much power, which is what I really need.

There is mad competition here in Milwaukee. There are some very good drivers. I just don't want to spend the money on bigger wheels and a good suspension that lowers the car. I think I would rather run stock and just learn how to drive better. Where didyou get the KYB AGX shocks? Can I get just any oem replacement springs or are some better than others? Thanks again. - Jamie

If you really want to learn to autocross well, and want to stay in stock, then do this:

Sell the CAI.

Buy KYB AGXs and good street tires.

Drive like hell in the Street Tire class for at least a season.

When you feel like you are good enough, buy another set of wheels, and put race tires on your stockers. Start running the open Stock class.

Resist the tempation to get race tires right away. Yes, they will take ~2 seconds off your times immediately. No, they won't help you drive any better. Street tires are less forgiving and require more precision which will improve your driving.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? A beginner autocrosser who actually thinks he has to improve the driver 1st. What is this world coming to????

OK, a bit over the top but your attitude is rare. I applaud it. I too am a beginner. I purchased a WRX last November which leaves the SE-R as the spare car. So I figured it would make the perfect autocross car to learn on. Anyway, I also run STS due to a K&N cone filter. I have finished mid pack or so but no where near the front because I have some of the top drivers in my region. I figure that's OK. In Novice, I have finished in 2nd twice. I like that more.

Anyway, I am in on the B13 Spring Deal above. I have had this car for over 6 years and have done no mods. Basically, I am satisfying a long term itch but it will also make me more competative. I also bought used 14x5.5 wheels and Falken Azenis tires.

Once the springs are ready, I will have several more autox's under my belt and then I can buy AGXs and install the whole thing at once. Hopefully I will be ready for the evolution at that time.

Anyway, good luck to you.

Mean

Anyone know where I can get an original air box for the classic? Thanks for all the great input you guys are giving me. I really appreciate it.

Originally posted by autocrosser
There is mad competition here in Milwaukee. There are some very good drivers. I just don't want to spend the money on bigger wheels and a good suspension that lowers the car. I think I would rather run stock and just learn how to drive better. Where didyou get the KYB AGX shocks? Can I get just any oem replacement springs or are some better than others? Thanks again. - Jamie

I got mine from www.p-s-t.com for $389 shipped to my door, I ordered them last monday and got them on friday. On their web site they don't have a listing for the b13, but they do have them in stock, so you just have to call them.

I've been autoxing my stock SE-R (with KYB AGXs) in stock class (ES,GS) for about a year and a half. I definitely agree with the whole "street tires for a year" thing. I did that and I definitely think I was better for it.

As for the SE-R's competitiveness in stock class, I *THINK* the car itself is competitive on a national level. Maybe not capable of winning but probably top 10. It's definitely competitive locally and regionally. It's a GREAT car to start to learn autocross on. And a hell of a lot of fun.

I got my AGXs from Cox Imports (coximport.com) in NC. Slightly less than $400, IIRC.

Andy

Also, your current springs are fine. Springs don't "wear out".

I have 213,000 miles on the classic. You're telling me that springs don't soften up after time?

Coil springs really don't get soft. Leaf springs will sag, but not coils. They're fine. Just get some AGXs and some 195/55/14 Dunlop SP8000s. You'll rule street tire class.

I have a stock air box sitting in my garage I'll trade you straight up for the CAI :D

you should definately go to stock class, cause like you said if you have pretty stiff competition in Milwaukee than STS is not the class for you.
Adam the only reason you're competitive in STS in SC is because you only have two other cars in your class. Not to say you couldn't beat them, but in order to say you are really competitive is to have a bunch of guys in your class who know what they're doing.

Here's an inspiring thread. At least it was for me.

http://www.sr20deforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10988&highlight=azenis+autocross

Mean

Originally posted by DTyne
you should definately go to stock class, cause like you said if you have pretty stiff competition in Milwaukee than STS is not the class for you.
Adam the only reason you're competitive in STS in SC is because you only have two other cars in your class. Not to say you couldn't beat them, but in order to say you are really competitive is to have a bunch of guys in your class who know what they're doing.

Being able to win with my car is a pretty big accomplishment though. Especially when I've been in the top 20 at the last two events. I have always had the least powerful car in STS, and my main competition is an SVT contour with at least a 90 hp advantage, and who knows how much torque. Why don't you quit being a woman and actually race the SE-R?:)

Two cars! There were almost 300 cars entered on Sunday in Milwaukee. I bet almost 75 of them were in sts. I posted in couple of spots that I'm looking for a stock airbox. I bet I received 50 emails last night of people selling them. Too funny.

Originally posted by autocrosser
Two cars!

Hey, there were at least 3! It's all just for fun anyway.

Anyone know what rims the stock class drivers are using? Volk seems to be the only company I can find that sells 14x5.5. Only $215 a piece. Gaack! - Jamie

Originally posted by autocrosser
Anyone know what rims the stock class drivers are using?

Buy yourself a set of aftermarket wheels for the street and use your stockers for racing.

Guys this may be the wrong thread, but I got some questions on the Auto-X rules.

The only Auto-X I've done has been in my lightning, which is modded, I told them that and they put me into the a modded class. But what keeps it stock????

I haven't taken my classic up yet to race, but would all mods put me out of stock or would some still keep it in there. More specifically I have a set of SS brake lines, Axis MM pads and ES bushing kit that I haven't installed yet. Would any of those push me out of stock?

And soon I will have to replace tires and shocks. Would after market shocks knock you out of stock? I'm pretty sure aftermarket rims would.

Sorry for the questions but I don't know much about the rules. I've went a few times in my Lightning with a mustang group, but aside from that I know anything.

or a good website that I could go read on would be great to.