mazdaspeedwest

sweet!

Holy Crap, DUDE! you got a rear bumper!!!

is it a complete bumper or a peice molded on? Looks nice with no spoiler.

JJB

I agree! Nice to see that someone put some effort into a car and did not automatically go with the wing approach. Good lookin' ride

Bizob

It's a full bumper. Custom made flexiglass Black Widow with a single exhaust hole.

And believe it or not, I actually paid 250$ to have the spoiler removed (the 9 holes had to be filled in...)

Here is another picture that shows the rear bumper a bit better...


I know it needs a grill in there, but I'm having the car re-painted anyways, so I'll just put it in then...

NegatiZE

Did someone say Federal tire?



I've done 4 autocrosses so far with these tires. They are holding up alright. One year old. The above pic was when they were brand new. If anyone wants a pic of what they look like now, I will snap a new pic.

They grip real well but I have no experience with any other tire but the stock Firestones on my Protege and it's MUCH MUCH better than those as far as grip.

Bizob

Yeah, the Federals are nuts.

Five times grippier than the Paradas and 10 times grippier than the A520s.

I've only tried Yokohamas to compare them to but they are seriously impressive.

I tried squealing my tires today and I revved it up the way I normally would but the Federals did'nt brake loose as easily as the Paradas used to so I just smoked my clutch instead. I've been driving them very hard trying to test them over the last few days, and I have'nt been able to make them break loose even on curves. It's been completely dry, so I'll have to wait and see how they perform in the rain.

NegatiZE

Here's a pic taken yesterday of my driver's side front tire.



Tires are one year old with four autocrosses so far on them.

Bizob

Big D

I really like the looks of you car and what you have done, but when you posted a new pic, it looked exactly like your previous pictures. And I must say the new wheels don't look all that different from the previous ones, they look nice just not sure why you changed?

cjstringer

Just a note, but dont try and put Hoosiers on a stock Protege of any sort. They require at least -2.5 deg camber, and you can't get that stock. The Kuhmo V700s or victoracers are your only options in stock form.
Just wanted to add a note.
I run the V700s on ASA JS1 wheels, 17x7, 205/40/17. Works great. Won region 64 class (GS) and overall last year, and am currently in the lead in both region 64 and region 13 overall and class. (Columbus, IN and Indianapolis, IN)
If I can't sell the car, I may be selling the ASAs and getting 15x7s to go either to STS or STX, depending on if I throw in a Quaiffe or not.

Bizob

This might help to see the difference:

Before:


After:



The reason I got new wheels is that I found the RS6 too over-cladded with those useless bolts around the lip. Also, the spoke didn't go right to the edge of the lip which made them look smaller. They stick out, so they are too easy to catch on a sidewalk (notice the big scuff...). Also, my tires were shot and it was time for a change anyways. I like the new ones better.

mazdaspeedwest

ya, the new ones look like dubs!!!

they look sweet, nice and clean. Remind me of the old school Borbet Type C.

Big D

Yes that helps much, I too like things very clean and that is certainly an improvement.

LD
Big D Racing

dmitrik4

running 205/45/16 Ecsta V700s on stock '02 ES rims. love 'em...i ran this weekend on my Dunlops -- lost by 1.8 seconds on a 30 second course to a guy who i'm usually w/in .2 seconds of on the same length course.

all good steet tires (and better on the street than Azenis, i'd say), but not the equals of the Azenis in autoX. no way...there's a reaosn they are pretty much thoe ONLY tire run by competitive STS/X'ers. people who buy $3000 coilovers wouldn't skimp on the tires.

Jas00x

I'm going to guess you never drove your car on Hoosiers. Everyone that drives them LOVES them- they feel better, have better utimate grip, and just the fact that they are faster on them.

The Kumho tires "require" just as much camber as Hoosiers. I have run Hoosiers, Kumhos, and Falkens. The Hoosiers were fastest by far, but for a price. I ran 225's up front with 205's in the back. The 225's wore fairly evenly (with toe out in front), but the rears- the outside shoulder wore much quicker than the inside (with zero toe). This was true for both Kumho and Hoosier. Yes, the Hoosiers like more camber, but in autocross, ALL TIRES like more camber!!
Locally, a good driver on Kumhos can win- Jesse's been winning locally in his E-stock MR2 on Street Tires!! But when you go to National events and everyone's a good driver- you better have a good car to back up your skills and you'll want the extra .5 sec the Hoosiers will get you.

Bottom line- Hoosiers are the fastest tire and have the best feel- but they cost a pretty penny.

Big D

Could someone please give some specific advise on tires that will fit my stock P5 in H-STOCK for auto-x. I called TireRack and they said they did not have anything that would fit 16x6. Vendor and sizes that you know will fit or you are running currently would help. I am soooo tired of running my street tires.

Thanks
Big D