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Posted by: countryboy Mar 1 2014, 04:42 AM

Can anyone here help me class my car and give me advice on further mods?


my car

01 elantra gls
5 speed
rear drum brakes

mods done:

sonata 11" drilled and sloted rotors
eibach 1" springs w/ sensen struts
short ram intake

mods in the works:

custom exhaust (2.25") is this too big?
tib 19mm swaybar

wheels / tires:

17 x 7.5 focal f 16
tires to be determined (any ideas here)

mods I'm considering: (ya or nay and short answer of why)

home made power steering cooler + synthetic fluid
oil cooler
braided brake lines
custom long ram intake
short throw shifter
diy engine mounts

any ideas for other mods would be very helpful
thanks in advance

- Andrew

Posted by: trololololo Mar 1 2014, 09:14 AM

Those are mostly common mods i've seen ppl run STS.. What changes were made?

Im sure bob and some others can give u a more direct answer

Posted by: RPW00Mirage Mar 1 2014, 09:51 AM

sounds like a street prepared car to me. now is it D or F ? hmm...

Posted by: bhorste Mar 1 2014, 10:02 AM

http://www.scca.com/assets/2014%20Solo%20Rules%20Book%207%20w%20cover%20and%20links.pdf

Posted by: countryboy Mar 1 2014, 10:38 PM

So what size tires should I run and any thoughts on brands?

Posted by: RPW00Mirage Mar 2 2014, 08:45 AM

If you're going to be in SP may as well run R comps. Just get something that will fit your OEM wheel at its widest.

Posted by: Bobzilla Mar 2 2014, 10:58 AM

Unfortunately/Fortuntely the brakes bump you out of ST classes. That puts you into FSP or SMF, both of which are R-comp tire classes. It's also fortunate because the Elantra is still classed in STC, also known as spec-89 civic. The Elantra can't even get close to competing with that car. I know.... I've driven both in anger

Worthwhile mods that you NEED are #1, rear sway bar. #2, smaller, wider, lighter wheels and a 225 width tire. The Elantra is heavy. One could almost call it "porky" So as much tire as you can stuff under it, the better. The rear wheel wells aren't going to let much more than a 225 out back.

The sensen struts and eibachs will be, well, worthless on an auto-x course. The rear shocks are way under damped and the eibach springs just don't have the spring rate that a heavy car like the elantra needs.

In all honesty, the Elantra is a terrible platform to start with in Solo. It has terrible classing, it's over weight and under powered. The suspension you need to make it moderately competitive makes it completely unroadworthy.

Now, with all that said, it's also a lot of fun. No, you won't win your class, but you get the chance to find out what the car can and cannot do. You will always surprise people with how quick i can be etc. It's a great starter car IF you can get over the fact that you'll never win in it.

Now... if I was to start over with the Elantra, I think I'd prep it for track days. That's where I think that platform can shine. I'd run Tib struts with Koni Sports yellow inserts. Ground Control coilover sleeves frt/rr with 600 frt springs and 750 rears. I'd run the 22mm Whiteline RSB and do a 5-lug swap with the rear tib brakes. This will allow you to use Hawk pads front/rear and give you more braking power. Engine would get cams and a stand-alone ecu (mega squirt), catless header and 2.5" catback. She'll make ~170hp at the front wheels and handle like a demon while stopping on a dime, giving 7 cents change.

As for wheels/tires.... the lighter the better. You can get some 15x8's with a 40 offset that should fit a 225/50/15 very well. Problem is there's not much in options for that size anymore. You can run the 16x7.5/8 and a 225/50/16 Rival. That would be a good compromise and give you a better top end.

There are a lot of options for what direction you can go with this car. The nice thing is there are easy upgrades because of Hyundai platform sharing. Any of the GK Tib suspension bits work on the car and there are a lot of aftermarket options for it.

Posted by: countryboy Mar 2 2014, 11:30 AM

That being said, this is my daily driver and I would love to track it but I don't know of any tracks here in NW Pa. This whole idea of autocross for me was to have some fun with my family and make some new friends. I have been combing over this forum for a while and realize that I would be more or less competing with myself and working on improving my own skills rather than taking trophies.

Posted by: slowgls Mar 2 2014, 11:40 AM

The cars can be fun, no competitive.

Posted by: Bobzilla Mar 2 2014, 01:20 PM

QUOTE (countryboy @ Mar 2 2014, 11:30 AM)

Posted by: bhorste Mar 2 2014, 10:21 PM

Don't let 'em cowing you into thinking you can't win, either. You're talking to the guy who did this:



I also won 2 regional championships in the now-defunct H Stock class in that very car, and it was almost as stock as the day is long. It had a Supertrapp and heavy old 13x5.5 wheels with 185/60R13 sticky tires.

Go out, find out what you and the car can do and have an absolute blast. You'll be quicker than you think. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask the regulars questions. It's the best way to learn, and anyone that blows you off isn't worth your time anyway.