Suspension help. Ordering a 2011 and need advice.

[Towelly]

Right on.. I do not yet have that luxury.. I was just curious. Was going to ask you if you ran your track tires on the road on the way... But no worries. Thanks!

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

Right on.. I do not yet have that luxury.. I was just curious. Was going to ask you if you ran your track tires on the road on the way... But no worries. Thanks!

You do have another good option to get your track wheels/tires to the road course (along with some tools and supplies). Check out this thread. There are some DOT street legal tires that perform exceptionally well on the road courses so you can drive there and back. Check out the Falken AZENIS RT-615K, Ecsta XS KU36, Nitto NT05, Nitto NT-01, and Yokohama ADVAN Sport.

Check out the "Hidden Hitch" Class I Trailer Hitch 1 1/4" Receiver with Drawbar #60809 for $125.00 from E-trailers. The hitch ball doesn't have to stay connected and the hitch frame is mostly hidden from view. Great design! In fact, you can connect a tow hook in place of the hitch ball while on the track.

 

[Chris B.]

There are some DOT street legal tires that perform exceptionally well on the road courses so you can drive there and back. Check out the Falken AZENIS RT-615K, Ecsta XS KU36, Nitto NT05, Nitto NT-01, and Yokohama ADVAN Sport.

I personally would skip the Advan Sport and go with the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08. They replaced the AD07. The Advan Sport is an expensive street tire that overheats a little too quickly on the track. The AD08 is meant for track day and autoX use just like the Kumo Ecsta XS, Bridgestone RE-11, and Dunlop Direzza. My AD08's lasted me a season of track days and worked well in the rain.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/advan_ad08.aspx

 

[Sleeper_08]

another alternative is to put your track wheels/tires and tools into the car and drive it to the track on the street tires and then swap out for the track tires at the track.

If you go with something like an R-comp you will quickly wear them to the point that if it rains driving the car home on them in the rain gets really risky. Mine are now down to the point where they only have two small longitudinal grooves - pretty well almost slicks.

The trick to getting 4 tires and a full complement of tools into the car is to replace the spare with one of your track wheels.

Another alternative is to get a small trailer for the wheels/tires and tools. If you have a safe place to store the trailer this is a good alternative.

 

[Towelly]

Thanks guys... The more I think about it the more and more I am thinking about getting a little trailer... My friends dad does that with his Cobra. Where does one find the tow hooks like you have on the front of Grey Ghosts car and for the hidden hitch?

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

I updated my post above to provide you the link to the hidden hitch and tow hook for the rear (very inexpensive). The screw in receiver tow hook I use on the front and rear of my car was mounted by a custom fabrication shop.

 

[Towelly]

Thanks for all the help guys. Really appreciate it. I think I finally have my mod path lined out. Hopefully be finished with the first stage by summer 2012. Suspension by the beginning of this summer. Which is the following:

Suspension:
Source: Stranoparts.com
Koni Sport Dampers: $750
Strano Sways: $380
Steeda Sport Springs: $250
UMI On car+ Single adj. PHB (Poly/Rod End model): $130
Total:$1507
*************************************************
Track wheels/Tires:
Wheels:
18x9 2010 GT500's x 4: $552
Source: Tousley Ford
Tires:
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 265/35/18 x 4: $1040
Source:tirerack.com
Total: $1592
************************************************
Engine:
Steeda CAI: $390
Source:http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-intake-manual-2011gt.html
SCT XCal III:$380
Sourcce:http://dagostinoracing.com/index.ph...Path=2678_41952_42117_42118&products_id=15681
SCT Pro Tuner Package:$350
Source:http://dagostinoracing.com/index.ph...cPath=2678_41952_42117_42118&products_id=9630
NGK AFX WBO2 w/ NTK Sensor: $260
Source:http://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/357
Bassani 3" Offroad X-Pipe back exhaust system: $1050
Source:http://www.lethalperformance.com/20...gt-catback-with-high-flow-x-crossover-p-34859
Total:$2430

Totals are without shipping. Keep in mind, I am a SCT "Calibrator" level tuner and took the training down in Florida with Greg Banish. Thats why the X-Cal III and Pro Tuner software instead of the standard intake/tune package. I already have the LCA's I'm going to use as well.

I plan on running the stock car at least for the first two events just to get a handle on it. I hope to have tires/wheels by the 3rd event and have put together a list of what I need for a trailer so I can run to and from events on the stock wheels/tires. Engine/HP stuff won't come until 2012 or until I master the car with the stock level of power. Master being a relative term. LoL

Opinions?

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

You've done your homework and came up with a great setup! Good luck - it's going to be one helluva ride. I see you plan to buy the 2010 GT500 wheels from Tousley Ford - take a look at the 2011 model wheels (personal preference - I have one set of each; 2010 with Hoosiers and 2011 with street tires). Mike

 

[Towelly]

You've done your homework and came up with a great setup! Good luck - it's going to be one helluva ride. I see you plan to buy the 2010 GT500 wheels from Tousley Ford - take a look at the 2011 model wheels (personal preference - I have one set of each; 2010 with Hoosiers and 2011 with street tires). Mike

What is the difference?

I thought these were stock on both? Do you mean the "SVT package" wheels?

From what I understand these are from the "SVT Package". If I can get them at near the same price I can get the 2010's then I will be all over it:

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

I meant to say 2009 vs. 2010 wheels when they changed the style - the newer style is AWESOME!

These are the 2010-2011 GT500 wheels.

These are the 2005-2009 GT500 wheels (they changed the style in 2010)

 

[Towelly]

Yeah.. Ok. Thats what I thought. Yeah. I want the 2010's for sure. 18x9 at all four corners.. Unless I can find someone that has tried the 18x10's at all four...

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

18x9 at all four corners.. Unless I can find someone that has tried the 18x10's at all four...

They're 18x9.5

 

[Towelly]

They're 18x9.5

No shit! Perfect.. I was looking at American muscle and they said 18x9... Sweet... Perfect.

 

[Sam Strano]

Thanks for all the help guys. Really appreciate it. I think I finally have my mod path lined out. Hopefully be finished with the first stage by summer 2012. Suspension by the beginning of this summer. Which is the following:

Suspension:
Source: Stranoparts.com
Koni Sport Dampers: $750
Strano Sways: $380
Steeda Sport Springs: $250
UMI On car+ Single adj. PHB (Poly/Rod End model): $130
Total:$1507
*************************************************
Track wheels/Tires:
Wheels:
18x9 2010 GT500's x 4: $552
Source: Tousley Ford
Tires:
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 265/35/18 x 4: $1040
Source:tirerack.com
Total: $1592
************************************************
Engine:
Steeda CAI: $390
Source:http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-intake-manual-2011gt.html
SCT XCal III:$380
Sourcce:http://dagostinoracing.com/index.ph...Path=2678_41952_42117_42118&products_id=15681
SCT Pro Tuner Package:$350
Source:http://dagostinoracing.com/index.ph...cPath=2678_41952_42117_42118&products_id=9630
NGK AFX WBO2 w/ NTK Sensor: $260
Source:http://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/357
Bassani 3" Offroad X-Pipe back exhaust system: $1050
Source:http://www.lethalperformance.com/20...gt-catback-with-high-flow-x-crossover-p-34859
Total:$2430

Totals are without shipping. Keep in mind, I am a SCT "Calibrator" level tuner and took the training down in Florida with Greg Banish. Thats why the X-Cal III and Pro Tuner software instead of the standard intake/tune package. I already have the LCA's I'm going to use as well.

I plan on running the stock car at least for the first two events just to get a handle on it. I hope to have tires/wheels by the 3rd event and have put together a list of what I need for a trailer so I can run to and from events on the stock wheels/tires. Engine/HP stuff won't come until 2012 or until I master the car with the stock level of power. Master being a relative term. LoL

Opinions?

I know that I am missing some parts from the website. But I am a full Steeda WD, which means I have the things like the air intake (sorry, not on the site--only so much time in the day, but I'll work on it).

I just added the intakes for the 2011's... $369.99 for the Steeda Pro-Flow...

Basically, please ask if you don't see something. I can't do everything on your list, but I have some of the other stuff like the intake (and might be able to help with exhaust stuff as well).

 

[Towelly]

I know that I am missing some parts from the website. But I am a full Steeda WD, which means I have the things like the air intake (sorry, not on the site--only so much time in the day, but I'll work on it).

I just added the intakes for the 2011's... $369.99 for the Steeda Pro-Flow...

Basically, please ask if you don't see something. I can't do everything on your list, but I have some of the other stuff like the intake (and might be able to help with exhaust stuff as well).

I planned on calling you before I order anything anyway as suspension will be my first step in any case. I appreciate the advice a lot and my dollar will go to you before it goes to anyone else. You have my word on that.

 

[HareBrained]

No shit! Perfect.. I was looking at American muscle and they said 18x9... Sweet... Perfect.

You do realize that 9.5" will take you out of STX as max allowable width is 9". Everything else is STX legal. Hate to think you'd end up in ESP with street tires because of half-an-inch.

 

[Towelly]

You do realize that 9.5" will take you out of STX as max allowable width is 9". Everything else is STX legal. Hate to think you'd end up in ESP with street tires because of half-an-inch.

I don't think tech is going to measure my rims as long as I don't go over 265 with my rubber.. Plus I'm a newbie and I doubt I'll be competing near the top enough for them to look at me hard in STX. Thats all up in the air anyway. I won't order rubber or wheels for the first couple events at least. I'll feel tech out then and decide what I can get away with and what I can't. Thanks for lookin' out though.

 

[Towelly]

So out of boredom I went and priced Yokahama AD08 Neova's in 19" and I can get 18" Neova's AND wheels for $200 more than the 19" tire alone... Damn...

 

[HareBrained]

So out of boredom I went and priced Yokahama AD08 Neova's in 19" and I can get 18" Neova's AND wheels for $200 more than the 19" tire alone... Damn...

Is this taking into account the cost to mount and balance the tires on your wheels? You don't really want the extra weight of the 19's either. In the first installment of the GRM MX5 STR build, they found that the 17" in a 245 width was significantly faster (~0.5 sec on 60 sec course) than the 18"/255 combo. Going with an 18x9 should be better all the way round.

 

[Vapour Trails]

another alternative is to put your track wheels/tires and tools into the car and drive it to the track on the street tires and then swap out for the track tires at the track.

If you go with something like an R-comp you will quickly wear them to the point that if it rains driving the car home on them in the rain gets really risky. Mine are now down to the point where they only have two small longitudinal grooves - pretty well almost slicks.

The trick to getting 4 tires and a full complement of tools into the car is to replace the spare with one of your track wheels.

This is what I do.

However, there is another reason to not drive to events on R-compounds, you don't want to heat cycle them any more than necessary. After a certain amount of cycles they are junk more matter how much tread remains.