engine and drivetrain Observations - Falken 615K's Ie Suspension And Stainess Brake Lines

[gliding_serpent2]

Upgrades are coming fast and furious on my Tii and I have a few observations...

New Falken azenis 615K's in 195/60/14 on e30 bottlecaps (14x6 et 35) give a far more comfortable ride than my coker xas on original alloys despite having less sidewall. No loss of steering feel. Victory for modern tire design. They do rub a bit on the engine side of the wheel well on the drivers side under full lock. That being said, who uses full lock? I have 4.5mm spacers, but likely will not bother as I suspect protecting my fenders will be more relevant. Update: on the track with the suspension below they were a dream. No rollover, up to speed quick, and they held and held with no greasiness for hard, edge of your seat 3 wheel driving in 25-30 minute lapping sessions.

Lowering my car with IE stage 1 springs, removing the original front spacer, adding in a 1/4th spacer and IE fixed camber plates combined with cutting my two-dot rear upper spring pad gives a nice ride height. One inch higher in the rear... a setup advised by Jeff Mulcahey. Rear camber is now -0.25, and front (with the plates) is -0.5 degrees, down from 0. Rear toe and caster changed from stock, but not enough to be of concern. Front toe changed, but was adjusted back to stock specs. Update: a dream on the track with the above tires. No rubbing on very hard cornering with stock unrolled fenders. Great on the road also.

New stainless brake lines led to some initial clutch issues (i.e soft and not working). A second bleed improved things but the brake pedal and clutch still feel a bit soft to me (at first I was bad with my shifts, and I have NEVER missed a shift on this car... well maybe once early on). With use it improved however. I am still not sure if the difference is from the new lines, or if there is still air in the lines.

Edited August 25, 2013 by gliding_serpent

[roadhog0]

I think you got air in the lines. My stainless lines are VERY firm and my brake feel is awesome! Same with the clutch feel.

[M3M3M3]

probably air in the lines, but stainless lines generally make nearly zero change in pedal feel compared to new oem rubber lines.  most folks claim big differences, but the reality is they are comparing to old dead rubber lines, they usually put new brake pads in at the same time, maybe installed rebuilt calipers, possibly put new bushings in the pedal box and they have to do a fluid flush to do the lines.  all of those other changes will result in a huge change in pedal feel.  so the comparison is apples to steak, not valid.

Edited August 23, 2013 by mlytle

[Rocan]

Also, no matter how good your lines are, if your pads and rotors are old, your brakes will never feel very sharp. 

[gliding_serpent2]

It was air in the lines. i am glad i had them bled a 3rd time. Brakes about 2 years old with 5k on them. Felt solid on the track.

Edited August 25, 2013 by gliding_serpent

[M3M3M3]

yeah!  simple solutions are best.  have a great second track day!