Track Virgin No more.

[nurburgring]

Finally. Some track time.

Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres I was running was phenomenal. Extremely good grip in the dry. The Yaris was extremely grippy, but on the track, I wished for coilovers rather than NF210s I'm running. Way too soft. Harder shocks and springs would have made the car corner flatter and more predictably.
The balance of the car was quite neutral, the rear felt very planted, no fears for oversteer at all.

The engine, was pathetic. As expected. Definitely needing more power.




Pictures courtesy of Leong.

[kurokoma-kun]

Hee! I can see your co-pilot gripping the "oh shit handle" pretty tight must have been a big corner coming up...

So you don't like the NF210's for this purpose? Those are the ones I have been planning to get, but I would be auto-x only, no high speed tracks... also I'm wondering if you have sway bar on there...

[cleong]

I think its a pretty well-established fact that lowering springs are mostly aesthetic improvements and less about handling improvements. They don't change the damping rate of the shocks to cope with bumps of higher speed and frequency like a set of coilovers can.

It can get rather choppy in the bends when the car starts hopping sideways over undulations.

The car felt neutral and balanced because you weren't going fast enough, Marc.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by nurburgring

The engine, was pathetic.

I know what you mean. Toyota put a 1.5L engine in there when all we really needed was 700-750cc. Our efficiency isn't what it could and should be because of this.

Originally Posted by nurburgring

Definitely needing more power.

For what? It only takes 1 humanpower to pick up groceries. ;)

[kurokoma-kun]

Originally Posted by cleong

I think its a pretty well-established fact that lowering springs are mostly aesthetic improvements and less about handling improvements. They don't change the damping rate of the shocks to cope with bumps of higher speed and frequency like a set of coilovers can.

It can get rather choppy in the bends when the car starts hopping sideways over undulations.

I am thinking more about center of gravity... guess I try the NFs, not that expensive, though I know I'm gonna want the coilovers eventually...

[kurokoma-kun]

Originally Posted by BailOut

...all we really needed was 700-750cc.

Who's "we"?

[cleong]

Originally Posted by BailOut

I know what you mean. Toyota put a 1.5L engine in there when all we really needed was 700-750cc. Our efficiency isn't what it could and should be because of this.


For what? It only takes 1 humanpower to pick up groceries. ;)

Its a pity you can't get the 1 litre Vitz because you might actually get 55 MPG as a hypermiler.

But then again, all we really need is an oxcart to get around. Or better yet, since we've evolved legs and feet, we should all be just walking and running around.

If you're talking about need, a human being needs very little, just air, water, shelter and food. All the rest are wants.

[cleong]

Originally Posted by kurokoma-kun

I am thinking more about center of gravity... guess I try the NFs, not that expensive, though I know I'm gonna want the coilovers eventually...

Yes I forgot about that. You will get a lower CG, the lowered springs are stiffer so they'll also resist roll a little better.

[Thotprawsis]

Originally Posted by nurburgring

Finally. Some track time.

I wished for coilovers rather than NF210s I'm running. Way too soft.

Want to sell them?

ps

[cleong]

Originally Posted by kurokoma-kun

Hee! I can see your co-pilot gripping the "oh shit handle" pretty tight must have been a big corner coming up...

Look carefully, he's grabbing on to the door/roof frame...... its a sharp corner after the start and finish straight.

[cleong]

Originally Posted by Thotprawsis

Want to sell them?

ps

It would be cheaper for you to buy them new, it would cost a bomb to ship it from Asia to where you are.

[Thotprawsis]

Good point! Well if you are ever in my neighborhood and change your mind...

[driver centric]

Very cool. I've thought about taking mine to a road course just for kicks.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

cool. i want to run on a track...=\

[Safariworld]

Even with a lower centre of gravity, the roadholding would not be so great with just lowering springs. The damping rate of the stock shock absorbers may not match the new springs resulting in choppiness. Still, unless you truly intend to keep adjusting your suspension settings every month or so, coilovers may be overkill due to the high price.

Cleong, SG club running in Pasir Gudang?

[cleong]

Yup, this coming weekend, just trying out our cars (we know that they're slow). But at least it validates some of the mods that have been performed on each car as compared to stock.

Some of us should be there, maybe around 5 or 6 Yaris. A mix of autos and manuals is possible, and there should be a JDM Vitz 1.3 also.

[nurburgring]

I beg to differ when cleong says.... springs are only meant for aesthetics.

I love my NF210s on the road. Its supple enough, yet... it gives me alot better handling compared to stock. Turn in improves, car feels so much more direct.

I wouldnt even go near the track with stock suspension. THe NFs are pretty soft, so the stock dampers does an acceptable job calming things down. I love to take the NFs over undulating country roads with real world ridges, bumps and what have you.

However, if you're installing stiff springs on stock dampers, it would feel crappy. I have driven cars which felt like they have no damping because of the springs. CHoppy. Harsh.

On the track however, G forces are consistently high over sustained periods. That is when I felt I needed stiffer dampers and springs. But seriously, how often do I drive on the track ?

You may get 2 second faster lap times for the occasional track session, but I believe it will rattle the shit out of you on a poorly maintained roads. IN fact, you'll probably be so much slower on the road... trying to avoid bumps, manholes, etc etc.
I think the NFs and stock dampers are good for the road, realist

[kurokoma-kun]

Originally Posted by nurburgring

I beg to differ when cleong says.... springs are only meant for aesthetics.

I love my NF210s on the road. Its supple enough, yet... it gives me alot better handling compared to stock. Turn in improves, car feels so much more direct.

I wouldnt even go near the track with stock suspension. THe NFs are pretty soft, so the stock dampers does an acceptable job calming things down. I love to take the NFs over undulating country roads with real world ridges, bumps and what have you.

However, if you're installing stiff springs on stock dampers, it would feel crappy. I have driven cars which felt like they have no damping because of the springs. CHoppy. Harsh.

On the track however, G forces are consistently high over sustained periods. That is when I felt I needed stiffer dampers and springs. But seriously, how often do I drive on the track ?

You may get 2 second faster lap times for the occasional track session, but I believe it will rattle the shit out of you on a poorly maintained roads. IN fact, you'll probably be so much slower on the road... trying to avoid bumps, manholes, etc etc.
I think the NFs and stock dampers are good for the road, realist

Thanks for the insight! I am looking for a solution that will feel comfy enough on daily drive in "pothole rich environment" and bumpy back roads, but give me a bit more stability on low speed auto-x maneuvers (mine are pretty low speed anyway ).

Right now I thinking I will replace springs, then shocks, then maybe add rear sway once I see how much more body roll I want to dial out.