Serious Autocrossers?

[ozmdd]

Not to suggest that you must be "serious" to enjoy autoX, but I'm looking for anyone who is/has also preparing their Yaris for SCCA classing beyond H-Stock.
I'm planning on running in ST all next year, and would like to run some regional events, maybe even Nationals, so proper prep is critical.

I can't do much else HP-wise, but I will be looking at class-legal chassis bracing and more suspension tuning/upgrades.

I'd like to start by getting your feedback about alignment specs that you've tried on the autoX track. Particularly the rear. I know many people like to run negative camber in the rear, but this would reduce rotation, which increases understeer, so not sure it is useful. What about rear toe settings?

I'm currently at -2.25 camber in front (each side) and zero toe. Thinking about trying a bit more, and maybe 1/16" toe-out. This car has to stay daily-driver -friendly.

After that, what ST-legal bracing options can anyone suggest or give feedback about?
While the Yaris is definitley not a class-killer in ST, I think it can be a competitive car. I ran less than 1.5 seconds behind a fully-prepped Focus SVT whose driver has placed at Nationals in that car before, so I dont' think we're out of the running completely.

[Tamago]

no "bracing" is legal in ST or even FSP classes.

front strut tower bar is your limit. skip that useless rear "strut" tower "bar" as it does nothing but weigh your car down.

alignment, if you want to help with rotation, throw a Penguin Garage camber shim under the front lower bolt on either side of the rear hubs. that'll give you a bit of camber, but more importantly dial-out some of the aggressive toe-in that occurs (and worsens with lowering of the car)

[mikenacarato]

Originally Posted by Tamago

no "bracing" is legal in ST or even FSP classes.

front strut tower bar is your limit. skip that useless rear "strut" tower "bar" as it does nothing but weigh your car down.

an scca official classed me in FSP with my xbar, room bar, and under bars.

[ozmdd]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

an scca official classed me in FSP with my xbar, room bar, and under bars.

That may be correct, but I do know that "odd"vehicles often get thrown into the SP or SM classes at our SCCA events, since they aren't likely to be protested there. Not planning to X-brace, so should be safe there. Thanks.

[RHDVIPbB]

Tires. A rear sway bar helps. But setup is key. I run a slight bit of camber in the rear. Noticed a difference in rear grip.

[ozmdd]

Originally Posted by RHDVIPbB

Tires. A rear sway bar helps. But setup is key. I run a slight bit of camber in the rear. Noticed a difference in rear grip.

Yeah, got all that. Kumho Ecsta XS 205/50/15 on 15x7 Volk TE37's, TRD rear sway.

When you say "rear camber" do you mean positive or negative, and do you know how much? How about toe? Thx!

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

an scca official classed me in FSP with my xbar, room bar, and under bars.

you should be in a prepared class.

no TRIANGULATION is allowed.

[mikenacarato]

Originally Posted by Tamago

you should be in a prepared class.

no TRIANGULATION is allowed.

fsp is prepared.

[anonymous user]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

fsp is prepared.

F- STREET PREPARED is not prepared (eg.- FP,/EP/BP, etc.)

Prepared classes are where you would be with the gt-spec under bars.
And a yaris has no place in ANY prepared classes. Go look up what runs in prepared classes.

[lilredrocket]

You want to give some info on what your setup that you have now. I will give what I have picked up at different events and from other reliable sources.

A little toe out in the rear will help your car rotate more. Might want to think about getting some stiffer springs than your NF210's you already have a good wheel and tire setup. Lots of track time is one of the best things you can do.

[ozmdd]

Thx. I misspoke with the "bracing" term. My overall impression of the front strut tower bar is that it doesn't offer much improvement on our cars, due to the 1-bolt strut top design and the towers being attached to the firewall. Any mounts out there that actually tie the strut tops, and wouldn't that put a strain on the center shaft?

[lilredrocket]

Ummm... The weight of an 18" wheel would kill a Yaris at auto-x. A front sway bar is going to cause more inside wheel spin. Check out this thread about the front sway bar.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20049

[ozmdd]

Oh... adjustable shocks are legal, but not lowering springs (in HS).
Anyway...back to the original thread...

[Yaris-x]

My car is completely legal all I have is a TRD Rear Sway bar(factory option) and sport exhaust which is allowed

[ozmdd]

Originally Posted by Yaris-x

My car is completely legal all I have is a TRD Rear Sway bar(factory option) and sport exhaust which is allowed

That is not correct. Again, not trying to bust on you, but you should read the SCCA rules. Your car was not available from the factory with that part, therefore it is not class-legal. Just because Toyota sells it through their dealers doesn't make it legal. TRD also sells lowering springs and a CAI. It must have been produced at the factory in that configuration, in that model year, in the package you own. So, even if they start making the rear sway standard on the 2011 "S" package, you can't run it, because you dont; have that year/model.
Same thing goes for your 6.5" wide wheels.

Stock class is extremely strict, specifically because the cars are carefully class to be competitive. You are currently being given the most generous PAX index of any car in autocross, but your car has been given a significant handling improvement over your HS competitiors and the rest of the feild by way of your PAX. You wanna win that trophy fair-and-square, right?
If you doubt me, post the question on your local SCCA forum.

[toad]

Originally Posted by ozmdd

That is not correct. Again, not trying to bust on you, but you should read the SCCA rules. Your car was not available from the factory with that part, therefore it is not class-legal. Just because Toyota sells it through their dealers doesn't make it legal. TRD also sells lowering springs and a CAI. It must have been produced at the factory in that configuration, in that model year, in the package you own. So, even if they start making the rear sway standard on the 2011 "S" package, you can't run it, because you dont; have that year/model.
Same thing goes for your 6.5" wide wheels.

Stock class is extremely strict, specifically because the cars are carefully class to be competitive. You are currently being given the most generous PAX index of any car in autocross, but your car has been given a significant handling improvement over your HS competitiors and the rest of the feild by way of your PAX. You wanna win that trophy fair-and-square, right?
If you doubt me, post the question on your local SCCA forum.

i thought - and i could very well be wrong - there was a little loop-hole called 'port installed option' that allows the trd rear anti-sway bar on models/years that had that option available? again, i don't autox(yet), but i've done a fair bit of reading on the matter of hs prep and i think there's nothing wrong with taking every LEGAL advantage you can.

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by toad

i thought - and i could very well be wrong - there was a little loop-hole called 'port installed option' that allows the trd rear anti-sway bar on models/years that had that option available? again, i don't autox(yet), but i've done a fair bit of reading on the matter of hs prep and i think there's nothing wrong with taking every LEGAL advantage you can.

well, it's only illegal if you get contested. and when a yaris starts whipping up on 1990 honda civics in H stock, then the civics will take notice. however, a yaris on street tires is NEVER going to be whupping up on ANYTHING in h stock..

[anonymous user]

If i could add to this topic. I've been solo-ing for 4 years. And in subarus, now that i've blown a motor, i've been racing the yaris for a few events. I plan to run it for the rest of this season, and possibly for the next.

With that said, I now know why Yaris-x is soo fast in his class. His car should be classed in Street touring. In hawaii region, as per scca classing, NO rear sway-bar allowed, as well as aftermarket spring/struts. You can replace your strut, but stock springs must be used. There are a few modifications to be done in H-Stock, and are mostly small bolt-on stuff like axleback exhaust, a front swaybar may also be added or removed. And R-comps (tires) are allowed. That's mostly it.

Here's my mods, and it's crappy, but i'm in ST because of them. Blitz intake, TWM SSK/shifter bushings, ultra room bar, and TRD swaybar. THAT'S IT!!
I am currently on hankook rs-2's in the front, and primewell's in the rear. I can kick out the rear and spin this car like no ones business!
I am getting smoked right now by 2 honda fits, a maxima, and a few other cars in ST. Mods would help i would think, but i'm trying to improve myself as a driver (although to be honest i'm pretty good w/ AWD) trying to learn FWD.

Yeah, good tires would help, maybe 20 more HP, some neg. camber upfront and a smidge in the rear. Some toe-out in the rear. But i can't see this car competing against miatas, esp. on tighter courses, which we run in our region a lot.

But i guess i will be the only one racing, as you guys will have winter break soon, so i'll post up my results.