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I've read dozens of posts about CRX suspension on this, and other forums. Everyone and their mom has a question about it, because it's a very complex subject. But I've yet to find a good answer for my unique situation and question. So here goes...
I daily drive a wonderful '88 Rio Red DX with a DOHC ZC, I/H/E, and 15" Rota Slips wrapped in Falken Ziex (unpredictable rain and snow force me to use all-seasons over the Azenis)
Installing the ZC and other goodies has bumped me all the way from stock into SM2 this year. But in the craziest twist of fate, there is only one other competitor in my class. That competitor happens to drive a '90 Rio Red DX with a DOHC ZC, I/H/E, and 15" Rota Grids wrapped in sporty all-season tires. If I was superstitious, this kind of thing would keep me up at night!
The first event of the year was last weekend, and the two of us ran within 3 tenths of a second all day long.
With all that in mind... I can't think of a single better way to benchmark upgrades to my driving ability (BMWCCA Driving school this summer) and to my car.
I come up with a basic list of components and pieces and brands of suspension parts I'd like to buy, but I don't want to run out and just through it all on my car at once in some vain effort to "win" the season. Instead, I think this is absolutely the perfect opportunity to learn more about how each piece is effecting the ride of the car, and learn how to adjust it, and how adjustments effect other things.
I'd like to add one piece at a time over the course of the season, but I'm not sure if I need to do it in a certain order, or if it's even possible. Here's what I was planning if I wind up living in Perfect Life Land:
Stock Shocks upgrade to Koni Yellows
Install all new bushings
Run an event or two
Stock Springs upgrade to GC Coilovers
Run an event or two
Add Camber kit
Run an event or two
Add/Change/Remove Sway and/or Strut Tower bars
Finish Season
So... can I upgrade the shocks without doing anything to the springs? Or, conversly, could I upgrade to the GC's without changing shocks? Is this a good order for upgrading? Or should a camber kit come before the car is lowered by the springs? At which point would installing a complete bushing kit make the most sense?
Again, I'm not really running to "win"... more like, I'm running to learn more about myself and my car.
I daily drive a wonderful '88 Rio Red DX with a DOHC ZC, I/H/E, and 15" Rota Slips wrapped in Falken Ziex (unpredictable rain and snow force me to use all-seasons over the Azenis)
Installing the ZC and other goodies has bumped me all the way from stock into SM2 this year. But in the craziest twist of fate, there is only one other competitor in my class. That competitor happens to drive a '90 Rio Red DX with a DOHC ZC, I/H/E, and 15" Rota Grids wrapped in sporty all-season tires. If I was superstitious, this kind of thing would keep me up at night!
The first event of the year was last weekend, and the two of us ran within 3 tenths of a second all day long.
With all that in mind... I can't think of a single better way to benchmark upgrades to my driving ability (BMWCCA Driving school this summer) and to my car.
I come up with a basic list of components and pieces and brands of suspension parts I'd like to buy, but I don't want to run out and just through it all on my car at once in some vain effort to "win" the season. Instead, I think this is absolutely the perfect opportunity to learn more about how each piece is effecting the ride of the car, and learn how to adjust it, and how adjustments effect other things.
I'd like to add one piece at a time over the course of the season, but I'm not sure if I need to do it in a certain order, or if it's even possible. Here's what I was planning if I wind up living in Perfect Life Land:
Stock Shocks upgrade to Koni Yellows
Install all new bushings
Run an event or two
Stock Springs upgrade to GC Coilovers
Run an event or two
Add Camber kit
Run an event or two
Add/Change/Remove Sway and/or Strut Tower bars
Finish Season
So... can I upgrade the shocks without doing anything to the springs? Or, conversly, could I upgrade to the GC's without changing shocks? Is this a good order for upgrading? Or should a camber kit come before the car is lowered by the springs? At which point would installing a complete bushing kit make the most sense?
Again, I'm not really running to "win"... more like, I'm running to learn more about myself and my car.
