Catback thingies?

[S2kreno]

Trying to figure out what exhaust system I should get for the S to get the most power. Looked at tons of them online and jeez, diameter? tip size? I'm trying to buy car parts not condoms. If anyone can tell me what I should be looking for I'd muchly appreciate it. Money is not the issue but some did say they are designed to be installed at home which would be cool.:~:

[dknv]

...I'm trying to buy car parts not condoms. :lol:

Have you checked around to see what other racers with your car are using?

When I got a replacement catback for my wrx, I had it done by Sid. When I first got my blue RX-8, Racing Beat (I think) was one of few companies making catbacks for my car so I bought one of those - but I don't think it was an improvement over stock.

A larger diameter may be helpful (although too big tips is just going to look stupid), but other factors, i.e., the muffler(s) that's attached, or how many bends the tube takes, will affect overall power gains. That's why I was wondering if you've checked with other racers who have your kind of car (and possibly have already done this homework).

Finally, just food for thought - is 2-5hp increase worth the money? Or is the weight savings from a lighter catback worth the money?

[S2kreno]

:lol:

Finally, just food for thought - is 2-5hp increase worth the money? Or is the weight savings from a lighter catback worth the money?

Well, there's also the cool sound....and thanks for the info :)

[solonut]

throw your money at yourself...not the car.....
http://www.evoschool.com/

[zpeed]

Many said single outlet 70mm exhaust make the most power also the loudest. You can listen to my single exhaust 70mm before you buy one. It's loud but sweet sound when V-TEC open. Titanium also the lightest but you pay a lot extra $$ for it. Gina give me a call 830-4624.

[dknv]

Just don't get too loud - Reno SCCA will monitor sound at Solo this season.

I forgot to mention - while a catback may be installable at home, you'll need tools, mechanical inclination, and some muscle power. Some stock and/or replacement catbacks are heavy, on the order of 40 lbs or more. Then if you run into a step de-installing the stock one where something gets hung up, and it's not in the instructions, you may have to call in help. Maybe I'm a wimp, but I'd have it done by someone else.

[S2kreno]

I took auto shop last year :) And, more importantly one of my neighbors is the shop teacher at Galena HS and said he'd help me. Would really like to do it myself, trying to overcome being intimidated by car things.

[zpeed]

If you have access to a lift is much easier than 4 little jack stand. Air tool will help take out that rusted bolts too.

[Cody]

Not sure how old your car is, Gina, but soak all nuts/bolts in PB Blaster (available at most auto parts stores) for a good 10 minutes before going at it. This will decrease the chance of you breaking something with those big muscles of yours. :P

[AlexR]

Have Ansel make you one! Support the local economy!

[dsmith]

I have to echo what Debbie said: is it worth the money and time? I've put catbacks on both the RX7 and the Miata, and while they are pretty and made the cars louder I can't say they did anything for better performance or times, about the same difference as adding a K&M air filter or going on a diet and losing 10 pounds. And neither was exactly cheap. The RX7's was a very simple DIY job that I did with the car on ramps, the Miata's had to be taken to a muffler shop where they had to remove bolts with a cutting torch, your mileage may vary.

[vic]

Hi Gina,
As cool as it is to have a loud sports car it is a waste of money to put on a cat back unless you have done everything else. I believe you can do a header back if the car is 7years or older witch means a high flow cat. That being said, spend your money on suspension to the limmit of the rules to improve the handling first then look at HP improvements. More expensive but worth it.

[S2kreno]

Car is ten years old. For suspension I think all I can do is replace shocks and front sway bar. Getting an alignment too. Would just like to get the old S to handle at least as well as the '06 S did. Best place for suspension work?

[AlexR]

I think there's some guy @ fat cat motorsports (in the bay i he came up one, forgot his name)who can revalve stock struts for autocross . and whiteline makes FSB's .

Where does Cody get his alignments... Rusty at some place.. C&C?

Alignment is *CRITICAL* to handling!! And i don't really know what your alignment range is and what's optimal for an S2000. who ever Cody goes to is really good. I've gone to Cory @ Nisan a few times . and other cheap places or try to do it myself sometimes... (Doesn't end well)

Tires RE-11 !
Alignment
Suspension (struts & fsb)
Catty Back (or header back / full if rules allow it)

[zpeed]

Alignment for S2000 in autocross
Front toe - 0" to 1/8" toe out
Front camber - maximum available (generally between -1.5 to -1.8 degrees)
Rear toe - 1/16" to 1/4" toe in
Rear camber - -0.2 to -0.5 degrees more than the front camber

I just max out the front and rear camber available.

Shocks
Koni Yellows can now be revalved to autocross-specific specs by Koni North America (http://www.koniracing.com/services.cfm)

[vic]

RWD alignment rule of thumb Solo
rear= 1/32 or 2/32 toe out = quik rotation
rear= max -camber per class rules or adjustment= lateral grip
rear= soft shock ajustment if possible = foward bite

front= toe out 1/32= quik rotation
front= - camber for grip and rotation
front= soft =lateral grip more roll maybe
front = stiff = less roll less lateral grip maybe


The key is to find the best balance f to r that suits your driving style and tires or drive your car to it's set up. Don't t be afraid to try different set up's untill you find something that feels good and is fast. Comfortable gives you confidence and makes you fast. Talk to Debbie B-stock national champ.

[S2kreno]

Wow, thanks everyone. I feel much better about this; will call C and C right away.

[dknv]

Until Vic mentioned it above, I had forgotten about one of the two most dramatic changes I felt autocrossing in my own car, early on - that was replacing my stock shocks with performance shocks. Are yours still stock? If so, are they high performance shocks already, and can you adjust compression or rebound? If not, perhaps you want to explore getting performance shocks, and then having an alignment done with the shock install.

[Cody]

Definitely do the alignment after any suspension mods (like shocks), though I'm fairly sure installation of swaybars won't change the alignment so you can always add a front later.

Rusty @ C&C was the best alignment guy ever, but he moved away. :( I haven't been to C&C since they moved, but they have a nice rack and I'm sure somebody else there is comparable to Rusty. Let me know if not!

[Kevin M]

Cory can and will give a performance alignment to your specs on pretty much any vehicle. Just make an appointment for him at Nissan.

[MPREZIV]

...Rusty @ C&C was the best alignment guy ever...

Hey! F You too pal!


:lol: I kid, I kid!

Cory can and will give a performance alignment to your specs on pretty much any vehicle. Just make an appointment for him at Nissan.

This.

Doesn't matter the vehicle make, I can get it set up.

[zpeed]

Many track S2000 use KW V3 or Club Sport. It's not legal in BS.

[AlexR]

Hey! F You too pal!

:lol: I kid, I kid!

This.

Doesn't matter the vehicle make, I can get it set up.

Cory has been the ONLY fricken alignment person to actually align my rear toe in my rally car. Everyone else sees a bent track arm and decides they don't need to try to align it. but Cory actually got it aligned straight for me!!

+1

[sperry]

Cory has been the ONLY fricken alignment person to actually align my rear toe in my rally car. Everyone else sees a bent track arm and decides they don't need to try to align it. but Cory actually got it aligned straight for me!!

+1
I don't know why you bother... I mean, you're just gonna bend it again on a rock or something 0:30 into the stage anyway. :P :lol:

[AlexR]

Actually i bent it by trying to pull it out of the snow (parking lot) with my STI and didn't have room to atatch the toe line anywhere else, and didn't know it was okay to tie the tow strap into a knot. :oops:


.. but at least the car will look good for the initial park expose right? :lol: