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the apex files

@theapexfiles

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the art and science of motorsport
from @racecompengineering
podcast on YouTube

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"The only part of your car that touches the ground is your tires." It's a cliché and ignores what happens after I catch some sweet air, but it's still pretty valid.

Tires are incredibly complicated, but even just knowing the basics will help you get more out of your car. Does size matter? Should I daily drive Hoosier R7s in the winter? What do all those numbers mean?

This is just the simple stuff...we'll talk pressures, slip angles, staggered fitments, heat cycling, and a lot more soon. But if I had a nickel for every time I see a BRZ with crap 245/45/17 all seasons that are too tall...I'd have a lot of nickels. So yeah, this intro article is necessary.

#yokohama #bridgestone #michelin #falken #toyo #pirelli #goodyear #tires #arbys #kevinjames #stretched #slammed #stance #stancenation #grip #racecar #tech #subaru #subarubrz #subaruwrx #wheels #meat by @theapexfiles

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3 years ago

We're back to nerd tech stuff today with the next entry in our series on dampers!

So critical damping...what is it? Right, you got digressive coilovers and I'm here to tell you that doesn't make them great. What's really important is the actual damper forces. This post will tell you a little bit about over damped, under damped, and critically damped suspension systems. Just the basics here, no heavy math. We'll save that for later.

#suspension #coilovers #racecar #technology #slammed #subaru #brz #gr86 #wrx #sti #toyota #stance #400z #nissan #toyota #art #cars #carsofinstagram #stancenation #stance #arbys #carphotography #automotivedaily #carinstagram
#jdmgram #instacars #automotivelifestyle #superstreetme #stancenation #handling #stanced #coils by @theapexfiles

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4 years ago

It might kill us all, but in the meantime AI can do some really cool stuff. It's just not going to do everything for you. Like any tool, there are limitations...some of which are your own. This is a big topic and I think we're going to see a huge change in the aftermarket and the types of tools that grassroots motorsports enthusiasts are using in the next year. by @theapexfiles

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2 days ago

Instead of adding a bunch of power parts and pushing your motor's reliability...you could add better dampers and go faster. Most people are so focused on power when quality suspension is a much easier way to find time at the track. Read on to find out how that's possible.

#suspension #coilovers #racecar #subaru #timeattack by @theapexfiles

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5 months ago

It's never been easier to make your own parts. Almost everyone has a 3d printer, desktop CNC machines are getting cheaper, and there are a lot of services out there that will machine or print your designs.

But you still have to know what you're doing and choosing the right material to work with is crucial. Read on for some basics... this series will get a lot deeper.

#suspension #coilovers #racecar #technology #subaru #brz #gr86 #wrx #sti #toyota #stance #nissan #toyota #cars #carsofinstagram #stancenation #stance #carphotography #automotivedaily #carinstagram #jdmgram #instacars #automotivelifestyle #superstreetme #handling #stanced #coils by @theapexfiles

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9 months ago

I'm obviously a big fan of adjustable coilovers, especially 2 and 3 way damping adjustable versions. The extra control can really help dial in the handling and ride characteristics of a car.

But those compression and rebound knobs are not the answer to every handling problem. Even the compression knob can't fix everything.

Swipe to read about 3 "small but actually really big" things we commonly see people overlook on their car.

#suspension #coilovers #racecar #technology #subaru #brz #gr86 #wrx #sti #toyota #stance #nissan #toyota #cars #carsofinstagram #stancenation #stance #carphotography #automotivedaily #carinstagram
#jdmgram #instacars #automotivelifestyle #superstreetme #handling #stanced #coils by @theapexfiles

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10 months ago

What are we looking at here folks? Is this a design exercise? A functional prototype? A Crosstrek with a body kit?

We still have a lot of questions about the Subarus STI Performance-B concept, but we are cautiously optimistic. Read on to see what we're thinking about the next STI and let us know in the comments what you think is coming... eventually.

#subaru #sti #wrx #carnews #grcorolla #sema #carshow #toyota #subaruwrx #subarusti #racing #brz #gr86 #supra #civictyper by @theapexfiles

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a year ago

Have you ever had a little bit of rain ruin your track day or a race? Or did you make the most of it and smash some higher horsepower cars? It feels like there's rarely a weekend these days without at least the threat of rain. If you're racing, that can be a blessing in disguise...as long as you're prepared.

Swipe for some quick basic tips on how to approach a day at the track (HPDE, time trial, whatever) when the weather isn't cooperating. There's a lot that's car and driver specific, but some simple guidelines can help you assess the situation and make better choices.

We'll do a follow up soon that gets a little more into the driving side of things and the wet line.

#tires #arbys #stretched #slammed #stance #stancenation #grip #racecar #tech #subaru #subarubrz #subaruwrx #wheels #racing #wet #motorsports #nasaracing #racecompengineering #kwequipped #brz #gr86 #trackday #wheel2wheel by @theapexfiles

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a year ago

What do you think about the Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy concept? Do we need an AWD turbocharged GR86?

I was actually a rally champion in the 90's...in Sega Rally 2 on Dreamcast...so yeah I'm very into this car. It's not going to happen, at least not like this. But even I am wondering if there's something here that could hint at a future Toyota product. We'll see.

#toyota #toyotagt86 #toyotagr86 #gr86 #brz #rallycar #subaru #subarusti #scionfrs #subarubrz #carnews #rally #rallybrz #sema #sema2024 #subaruwrx by @theapexfiles

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2 years ago

A few more basics on dampers, shocks, and coilovers. We're talking about monotubes, twintubes, and other ways to put together a shock. Remember though, it's not the bells and whistles that make a coilover good, it's the quality of the valving, the set up, and the support from your suspension tuner.

Much more to come.

Swipe, subscribe, and share for more content from @theapexfiles! by @theapexfiles

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Shocks, struts, coilovers, dampers...what's the difference? Just the basics for part 1 of our tech series on dampers.

Quick tip: stop saying "dampeners" please.

We're updating and reposting some of our earlier tech articles with better pictures and more info. Stay tuned for more!

#suspension #coilovers #supra #toyota #mkvsupra #a90supra #a91supra #subaru #handling #racecar #brz #gr86 #gt86 #wrx #subarusti by @theapexfiles

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2 years ago