*The FL5 Track Junkie Thread*

[Rexpelagi]

I'm curious about your thoughts on sway bar links. When setting up Spec Miatas it is standard practice to use adjustable end links. Disconnect before corner balancing/aligning. Then hook up and adjust length at the end to avoid any preload on the bar. Think it would be worth anything on the FL5?

In all my years of racing (15+) I've never once zeroed-out endlink preload on any car, ever.

Is that the right call? No idea. Do I think preloaded bars matter? No.

Now, cars like Miatae where the OE designs the suspension with bushing bind as part of the spring rate is a different discussion (but that relates to bushing torquing not endlinks preload) but generally I don't think swaybar preload matters.

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[BigBird]

The Redshift setup is divorced by default. I know Fortune Auto runs a coilover (and maybe others) but I've also heard (not first hand mind you) there are issues with that because the loading is a lot different through the shock mount (ie, there's potential for failure, and I think FA has had cracking issues on their top mounts and has had to make revisions).

I didn't have the option with Redshift but I'd have stuck with the divorced setup anyway just to avoid potential issues.

Conversion on some cars can work - on my RC-F people ran coils without issues (and I did as well) when converting from the OE divorced setup, but as another example on S550 mustangs it can be problematic because the shock mount bolts connect to the chassis laterally not vertically, so the bolts take all the load in single vertical shear (which isn't good), and the chassis takes no direct loading, so sometimes it can work and sometimes it doesn't. The Civic isn't S550 bad obviously because the shock load still goes directly into the chassis, but the the spring load is far more significant and Honda didn't intend it to go into the shock mount.

glad you finally got your setup!

The AST/Moton that I bought are true coilover, so not sure how that's going to work, but they said A OK with OEM mounts.

 

[siwelnosaj]

glad you finally got your setup!

The AST/Moton that I bought are true coilover, so not sure how that's going to work, but they said A OK with OEM mounts.

I got mine a couple weeks ago and am looking forward to testing on track soon

 

[BigBird]

I got mine a couple weeks ago and am looking forward to testing on track soon

I got the poors spec, Street version, since I daily this like everyday.

You have the real deal track version! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

 

[Rexpelagi]

I got mine a couple weeks ago and am looking forward to testing on track soon

Do you race on a golf course ?

 

[Rexpelagi]

Finished up the fronts today, did a rough ride height set (since nothing is settled yet), quick alignment, and drove it 5mi, so I guess I'm good? I hate feeling rushed like this but it's just how it worked out. The fronts seemed more painful this time vs. when I did the springs - I was really fighting with getting the struts far enough out of the knuckle to pop them out - not sure why. Thankfully getting the Redshifts in was easy since they are quite a bit shorter.

I'll probably do a re-check on heights and alignments at CMP.

 

[BigBird]

just make sure to check your axles out the trans and not leaking, especially the pass side

 

[Rexpelagi]

just make sure to check your axles out the trans and not leaking, especially the pass side

Yep, I'll check that, thanks! I did have the driver's side pop out but that seemed easy enough to pop back in - didn't seem like there was much of a c-clip or anything. I actually had more of an issue with the driver's side anyway for whatever reason.

Btw, with these coils Rex-spec wheels are extremely close to the ears on the strut at full lock, so just FYI on that. They clear but with basically 0 margin (not that you'd be at full lock often). I did have to move the wheel weights outboard though because they definitely would have gotten knocked off.

 

[siwelnosaj]

Yep, I'll check that, thanks! I did have the driver's side pop out but that seemed easy enough to pop back in - didn't seem like there was much of a c-clip or anything. I actually had more of an issue with the driver's side anyway for whatever reason.

Btw, with these coils Rex-spec wheels are extremely close to the ears on the strut at full lock, so just FYI on that. They clear but with basically 0 margin (not that you'd be at full lock often). I did have to move the wheel weights outboard though because they definitely would have gotten knocked off.

You might consider adding a wheel spacer

 

[Rexpelagi]

You might consider adding a wheel spacer

I could, but the 11s are already a bit pokey (although maybe less-so now with ~-3.5° camber from the coilovers, vs. the -2.5° I had before), so not sure if it will be viable. I haven't put those wheels on yet though with the car on the ground.

 

[BigBird]

One "positive" is that McPherson doesn't gain camber on compression, so whatever it is, it is.

 

[Rexpelagi]

just make sure to check your axles out the trans and not leaking, especially the pass side

I pulled the metal splash panel (side note - I'm so sick of those stupid bolts so the new one from @siwelnosaj can't come soon enough lol), and took a look, and I see no signs of any leakage so hopefully all good there. I'm surprised the passenger side can pop out as I was thinking there was a carrier bearing that was bolted to the block but maybe it just looks that way. I can definitely see how the driver's side can pop out easily.

 

[BigBird]

I pulled the metal splash panel (side note - I'm so sick of those stupid bolts so the new one from @siwelnosaj can't come soon enough lol), and took a look, and I see no signs of any leakage so hopefully all good there. I'm surprised the passenger side can pop out as I was thinking there was a carrier bearing that was bolted to the block but maybe it just looks that way. I can definitely see how the driver's side can pop out easily.

Very good then.

I bought extra seals as so many others have had issues. I was ok when I did my springs, we'll see when I get to the coils

 

[PointByPatrol]

The event brah - GL at CMP!

I'm just hoping I don't need to be emo at the Saturday emo night...

If anyone local wants a crew pass let me know - I think I can get them (for a fee), although bare with me because I'm new to all this hypetrain stuff.

I may be there John! I've got an in with Mike from Stanceworks! Still deciding if I want to make the drive!

 

[Rexpelagi]

I may be there John! I've got an in with Mike from Stanceworks! Still deciding if I want to make the drive!

Oh awesome, that would be cool! Let me know!

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