Since the last autocross I went to last month, i've made a number of changes on the setup of the car that had what I feel was a positive effect on autocrossing the maxima:

1. my stock muffler rusted through, so I added the frankencar rear section. It's definitely a bit heavier and obviously it provides no extra power. I just got it because it's stainless and quiet....I already had the FC b-pipe.

2. cattman ypipe installed. This is the "old generation" cattman (the original), and I had the flex section replaced on it once it was on the car, just to make sure it was getting maximum flow and the original flex wouldn't fail. Impressions: alot more exhaust noise (bordering on a drone and a bit too loud for what the police like around here), and a negligible increase in power on the butt-dyno. This was a bit disappointing.

3. took off the frankencar intake. Just got tired of the "whistle" and noise from the engine bay, especially now that the exhaust could be heard as well. i must be getting old. Put the factory air box back on but added an additional home-made intake scoop (not to get "cold" air necessarily, but just to get "MORE" air). Surprisingly, my low end was back more than ever and I don't feel any significant losses up high. And, it's nice and quiet. Also seems to have quieted the exhaust.

Needless to say, getting the low-mid end back is nice for autocross....

4. Installed ES poly lower control arm bushings a few weeks ago....

5. Don't ask me why (I have a "plan" ...or maybe I'm just stupid), but I cut my stage 2 LTB in half. Now it's a stage 1. At first when driving I was missing the stability the stage 2 provided, especially on hard sweepers. But upon autocrossing, I was happy to feel significantly improved turn-in on tight areas. I think this was definitely a handling improvement this month for autocross, though I would much rather have the stage 2 on there for road racing (next season)......and for general summer driving.....

6. Toyed with tire pressures and setup. The 17x8 rims went to the front (17x7.5 to the back), and I dropped front pressure to 39lbs cold to get a better contact patch on braking.....the ABS has been a bit twitchy on recent courses and I've had to be careful in stop boxes to not come in as "hot" as usual. I really don't feel like the 225 width tires are enough, and I might go up to a 245 on 17x8 or 17x8.5 lightweigh wheel next year, even though it will bump me to STX. Also brought the rear illuminas up to a 5 setting and rear tire pressure up to 36lbs cold.

I don't know what use any of this is to anyone except me, but thought I'd share...

 

Yeah, I hear ya on tires too. I'm pretty sick of 225's overall. Heck, GRM is running their old Sentra on 245's.

Today's event I couldn't get steering response or braking outta my Hankooks. The front's didn't even feel sticky compared to someone else's. I've been having very clean runs all season til today. 2 penalty runs, 2 DNF's outta 6 total. I think it has to do somewhat with ride height (3.8" lower than stock) and associated alignment issues when braking and the fact the control arms and axles are pointed up.

I'll replace my drivers side axle this week (CV leaking for a month) and pack the KD's for Topeka instead of the Kooks. I feel more comfortable with them.

 

Cool updates.