Less motor, more suspension and tire.

Id have to learn more about the xidas before I went to something that big. If they can handle crappy roads then I don't see why its not an option, its just a hell of a lot of suspension for a toy.

are they just that much better than anything fcm or stewart development can put out?

Have you read Hustler's build thread or any of the discussion about track time improvements from just swapping to xidas? It's all on this forum somewhere.

Negative ghost rider. Ill get on it though. There's always too much bs on this forum to find what I'm looking for with the time I've got these days.

Lots of money either way.

I don't have Xidas, I have old-design 5100 fronts with crappy emulsion rears...but they're damn good. Xidas are superior.

Were these an old design but the same manufacturer/company or just similar? External resevoirs and etc or what? Know of anyone running xidas in a car you've driven? I figure id probably like them the more I learn, they seem to be adaptable to a lot of situations, basically. What sort of rates would I be looking? I figure 700/500 would be a good start?

** I also like this review. The guy is a very respectable driver/person. ok.. maybe I need to change direction on the car. Or just do both, its not that much money in the end.
http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/in...html#msg237940

What is your planned usage?
What are you looking for in the suspension?

Planned useage is track days 1-2 times a month, with room to grow over the next year or two. Not a daily driver, weekend driver/when I'm bored car now. I may have more money than brains, this is always a factor...

I'm not a great driver. I'm capable, and looking to get better, been through a performance driving course and a few track days, trying to get more into the sport, but the time commitment is the main issue.

I like the idea of the full Xida coilovers the more I find out about them, but even the Xida-s would be more than I can handle. it seems, however, they are really compliant in all conditions, which was counter to what I thought. Typically I think high-end or race-ready and figure the coilovers will give up roadability or ride quality. Looks like that's not an issue with the xidas... I know a number of people have mentioned their fatcats, bilstein coilovers, etc improve ride quality on the street, its just hard to accept that fact in my head, but I guess that's what R&D and lots of money gets you.

So, whats your opinion on the subject?

FCMs or Xida-S sound like a good fit, with 400 to 500 lb/in front spring rates.

sounds like a good answer. I guess the extra initial cost will be no big deal considering it should be the last setup I'll ever need..

You want Xidas. I could daily my track car if it had AC on the 700/400 springs, the valving is awesome. The fastest suspension has the tire on the ground more than the competition, this is also the most comfortable typically. If the valving were too stiff in highspeed the car would bounce and skip.

I bought old stuff AST had lying on the shelf. I'd slap external cans on the rear but I'd take too many points in NASA, so I'll end up putting my current AST's on and buy Xidas eventually, but even the emulsion rears feel awesome from the driver's seat. I recently ran the 3.1 at MSR and everyone warned us and stayed away from the dreaded "triangle bump" on the transition. It was pretty funny to kareem through it, watch cars like E90 M3's, Vettes, , and Porsches bounce off it, my car is unphased over it.

That's super dumbing it down, but at the end of the day I guess that's all one needs to realize. So you've got a product formed by the same company who made the Xida's, just a predecessor right? Sounds like a good setup, Sonny said similar things, it just flys over bumps, which is one of the biggest aspects I'd be looking for.

For the external piston setup, is there going to be a ton to gain there, or are we talking about the last step in perfecting a set up car? I.E. not something I'd need in any way, or would it offer some benefit for a car like mine? I don't think so, and am leaning towards the xida-s, but would like to fully understand the options here.

Nick

Suspension technology and the math behind it is way over my head. I can grab huge curbs and the car doesn't bounce. Typically the better the damper, the smoother the ride because the tire is planted as the car floats in a sense.

The external canisters hold fluid and a gas valve, not a piston. Ask 949 these questions, not me, I don't know what I'm talking about. The extent of my knowledge is basically rooted in seat-of-the-pants opinion. If this were a simple and straight forward science, every shock company would do it. Go to AST-USA's facebook page, you'll learn a lot.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3865316_n.jpg

Nom Nom Nom.

nah, this is what you want, it's the good shit:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4146066_n.jpg

yea dude, that's some gorgeous lookin car porn. Wow. I'm gonna have to do some talking with a few of the guys who make these things and see what I actually need. Thanks for the tips and learnings.

WTF is there to talk about? 949 has threads on it and he's answered every question you can think of.

I guess I can try and get it figured out before i go back to work monday. I pretty much am never on this/any car website for a long time when I work. I get one or two hrs a day free to myself, and the girlfriend is a bit more important than my car. I know, I know, blasphemy...

I'll see what's said about them, but I think i kinda know what I'll do. I do have some sanity left in me afterall.

Stop being a pussy.

Different people have different priorities. My job is by far number one. then probably house/girlfriend tie for number 2. No, Money number two, then them, car might come in 5th if its lucky.

Just how it is. Happiness can take a back seat to future success in the end.


I think I got a good idea of what I want now, on this car. Should make for a nice toy. Which is all it is, a fun, ridiculously expensive toy, which will hopefully be pretty capable..