What is the best bang for my buck to get better handling? I have a 07' 6spd -MC Sport with 16" stock tires (No LSD). I don't need more power, I want more grip! I especially notice this when accelerating from 1st - second gear. If I get on it, and he steering wheel is not exactly straight, it chirps, loses contact and this drives me nuts. B/C of this I am afraid to go into a on ramp/off ramp hot.

*With my old 99' 996 Carrera I could throtle stear my way in and out of the turns with ease. Unfortunatley I am used to a wider footprint and RWD.

Please advise?

DOC

 

More grip=get rid of your stock tires!

 

Ok, with the porsche the winning tires were always the Pilot Sports... What is the best tire and size for the MCS on 16" stocks rims? Or will I have to go to a different rim?

DOC

 

If you don't care about treadwear, I'm running Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs in 205/50-16 sizes which was recently rated as #1 in Car and Driver as best bang for your buck for tires on a budget. They're about $98 at Tire Rack in that particular size and offer alot more grip than the stock Dunlop runflats.

 

Rear sway bar is cheaper that new tires!!!

 

They'll give you the best grip you can find. I find them a bit noisy for everyday use, Michellin Pilot Exalto PE2s are my current favorite street tire, very quiet and almost as much grip as the Dunlops. (Pilot Sports are not available in 16".)

 

Not sure I quite understand your question.

Your first sentence you are asking about better handling - bang for the buck mod.....then you start describing a traction issue.

Are you looking for more traction or better handling in the twisties ?

 

dunlop sportmaxx's are pretty good too, better tread wear then the direzzas, still pretty good grip, and great rain traction.

I'd recommend dropping the car, or putting in a rear sway.

 

_________
First better grip/traction in gear #1-2...So that I have the confidence to push it in the twisties .... In the old days it was simple with RWD to compensate (Throttle stear)... but w/ FWD I am a little hesitated to push it on the street.

DOC

 

Also, I'd get some camber plates. I've always been a fan of getting camber plates first, then the rear swaybar. The mini's front camber is pathetic.

Tires are a must. Get the Direzzas, they're awesome.

 

or move to 17in or 18in wheels and tires

 

BMW safety skills course. That is the best mod for the money.

 

Go for a rear swaybar.

 

Tires above all else. That's the single thing that connects your car to the ground. Star Specs are definitely the star of this season. If you don't want to spend that much, you can try Yokohama S.Drive for a bit less money and a bit less performance.

 

Tires should be obvious. You get more grip from a grippier tire. Nuff said.

Step 2 could be a couple different things.

Option 1: free camber mod + alignment and rear swaybar
Option 2: rear swaybar only
Option 3: camber plates + alignment only
Option 4: camber plates + alignment and rear swaybar

#4 would be the best and most expensive, but still plenty of bang for the buck if you go with IE fixed plates and a 19mm rear bar.

IMO the free camber mod is a "must do" if you want better handling, and it should actually extend tire life. Getting just a rear sway will help, but do the free camber mod unless you get camber plates.

- Andrew

 

kumho ecsta XS is the way to go for bang for your buck grip, i went with 225/45/17 and have been loving them, the lateral grip is amazing and the lack of a LSD is not nearly as noticeable. BTW going from a 996 to a MCS i would suggest getting on a skid pad to learn how a FWD car handles as opposed to the power on steering of a Porsche.

ooo btw swaybar after tires.

 

The free camber mod you talk about.... is that adusting the front camber to the negative limit (-.6 ) ?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...djustment.html

 

Good directions in the thread provided. Inside it, one poster said to torque the nuts on the strut to 25 ftlbs. This does not seem like it would be tight enough for a suspension part. Is the torque setting correct?

 

The 3 top nuts right? They're just locator studs....they're not seeing much load. I wouldn't put too much torque on them. I've seen them snap on other cars when people put too much torque on them.

- Andrew

 

Thanks... I've got them at 25 ftlbs each. I'll watch them this week and during my autocross next weekend to make sure they have not slipped.

 

I'd probably put a dab of paint/nail polish on the top of the stud. If the paint cracks...it moved!

 

Hi Doc, I race my 964C2 and this is what i have on my 07' R56S:

Koni Sport w/ NM Springs (fr @ mid setting/ / rr @ 2 clicks from hardest), 22mm NM Spwaybar w/ shorter adjustable links at stiffest hole, Toyo RA1 on stock 17".

The wife hates the ride but this gives me smile when i go through Malibu Canyon. The throttle steer is not as pronounced as your 996 but with this setting you might want to avoid 'letting go' at the turn. Haven't got the chance to track test tho.

 

19mm rear swaybar is about $300 installed. Most bang for the buck imo. Tires are second.

 

Get some track tires