Ok, so my plan for a built motor is on hold for now. Trust me, I'm happy with an 11 second car, but we always want more....right?

Anyway, so I decided to go another route for my winter project, and I feel as if I could get better all-around performance this way then just "adding more power". I'm on a quest to improve street-strip-track performance without pissing off my wife on road-trips. Said, I'm looking into light-weight (yet stronger) suspension components that won't severely affect ride comfort. I know just about everything in life is give-take, so I won't be turning my car into a lexus. Current mods in my sig plus Hawk track pads. Don't have any hidden mods like aftermarket bushings, etc.

I am trying to REDUCE body weight, too. A major factor in any race is weight. I know I can improve straight-line and track performance if I can shave some weight. I know one part that saves a couple pounds isn't much, but coupled with other strong, weight-reducing pieces can make the difference between winning and losing.

So, I have four objectives here:

1. Improve handling ( duh =) ) as outlined above

2. Reduce overall body weight

3. Because I'm not hard-core like some of ya'll, I'm trying to stay away from a watts link

4. Don't **** off the wife on road trips

Stickier rubber going on when it warms up, and I have a shaftmasters DS that I'm trying to find a day to install, so that's going to do some positive things for me.

I was looking at a light-weight radiator mount, control arms and new sway-bars. I gave some thought to a tubular k-member, but a very respected board-member cautioned me against them because they can twist and bend under intense cornering, so I'll stay away.

Also staying away from a big-brake kit because of the added weight and decided to stick with my track-pads and fabricate cooling ducts.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

Why are you trying to stay away from a Watts link? It will only help you.

 

I'm not ready for that. yet. Don't want a hardcore setup, but still want to have some fun.

 

A Watts link is hardcore? How you are eyeing to reduce weight is just about as radical (or more) as putting in a watts link

 

So maybe I shouldn't have used the term hardcore. People will interpret things differently. I guess my whole thing is that I'm not quite ready to introduce a different suspension piece to my car when I already have an aftermarket piece (although inferior to the watts link) in it's place. I don't track my car that often, but when I do, it's primarily for fun.

'Pologize for the term.

And it's not like I'm gutting my car. I'm looking for some replacement pieces that are lighter in weight, yet still as strong. I wouldn't call that radical.

Then again, maybe because I have no hands-on familiarity with the watts link, that's what is really keeping me away.

 

If you are serious about driving your car hard on a road course then a Watt's link is something you should seriously consider. The improvement you get in terms of handling and and feeling in control of the back of the car is well worth the small increase in NVH.

Also if you are thinking about tubular front lower control arms then do your research carefully. A lot of them are not designed for road course work and some specifically say they are not to be used on road courses.

With your power level weight is much less of a concern and unless you have a lot of track experience or a natural then seat time will probably be of the biggest benefits to getting your lap times down.

Look at Sam's adjustable bars.

http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...200&ModelID=35

I run my rear LCA's slightly down at the back to improve traction coming out of the corners but it does induce some power on oversteer at times.

By switching from D Specs to Koni Yellows I improved the feel of the car on the road, as they are less harsh, and the performance on the track.