Questions about Koguchi's 180sx setup

[bustav13t]

here's the translated version of his page showing the specs of his 180sx
http://translate.google.com/translat...&hl=en&ie=UTF8

As you may know, his car is awesome.. period. how?
-EDIT it's also mainly the driver, but the car is still awesome

QUESTIONS:
1. From just looking at his suspension setup, would it be more in tuned for grip or drift?

2. "Wheels
NISMO LM GT 418 inch 10.5J OFF +15
NISMO LM GT 418 inch 10.5J OFF +15

Tire
F: FALKEN ST115 AZENIS 265/35/18
R: FALKEN ST115 AZENIS 265/35/18"

I usually see narrower front wheels and wider rear wheels, but his setup for the wheels are equal front and rear, what effect would that have by making the front wheels and big/wide as the rears. which is similar to jgtc car setups too.

3. "Suspension: Endless function D F10kg R11kg"

Yet again, I usually see a stiffer front than rear setup, like a 8/6 or a 10/8 from the box. his setup is stiffer in the rear than the fronts, what effect would that have in relation to his wheel setup.

[McRussellPants]

The man knows what he likes.

Thats a personal preference setup, mainly for drifting... it looks like he was just going for mega quick reaction setup... the spring rate also might have something to do with controlling the roll from that added track width (he runs a 40mm bolt on spacer in the rear and a similarly large one on the front)

Some magazine article somewhere said he was complaining about adapting to the HPI car's setup...

[bustav13t]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM6DP...ch=option%2034

in this video on youtube, i noticed how smooth but sharp his car runs compared to taniguchi's car, build up video

[lumbo007]

if you ever look at his cars, his weight balance is 50/50. he actually shifted his motor back a few inches to get better weight balance. you won't be able to analyze his setup and copy it because of that...

[SoSideways]

Originally Posted by lumbo007

if you ever look at his cars, his weight balance is 50/50. he actually shifted his motor back a few inches to get better weight balance. you won't be able to analyze his setup and copy it because of that...

He did that on his street driven black 180sx too?

I thought he only did that on his race cars?

And yes, he runs some serious spacers, as his over fenders are 50mm front and 70mm rear.

In either case, it's no good trying to copy his setup because what's good for him might not be good for you. Judging from what's on paper though, it sounds like his setup favors oversteer at the limit, but should be pretty neutral in handling. The high spring rate in the rear helps the car rotate in a corner at the expense of mechanical grip.

What I typed is just what I've read and what I think will be the result after all that I've read.

[yudalicious]

Originally Posted by bustav13t

As you may know, his car is awesome.. period. how?

it's not his car that is awesome, it's him as a driver knowing what he wants out of his car and how to control it. the same tires front/back and higher spring rates in the rear makes the car more oversteer prone than the normal
wider tires in the back/more spring in the front set up.

[NI_YON_Zenki]

I can't believe there is talk of people trying to copy someone else's setup to begin with. .. .

you need this information in order to learn how to make your own progress better, not the same as someone else, especially koguchi San, this man is an idol to me, I know that his car has been the same since that video eveyone has of himself w/ the 180 in black running 18's from Blitz.

He doesn't have track/ street cars, all the "cars" you see him in is the same one going thru multiple stages of development as he gets better.

Koguchi is an original man of drift, he does not make flashy his priority, thats what comes of his understanding, its so simple to him, its flashy.

His drift style has been disrupted since his sign with Falken tires. .. .i know HPI hasn't really pushed his enthusiasm any higher, but he's making the money he needs to keep his POWER alive. and I am proud to say I knew about his realm before alot of driftings US debut.

Cause back in the day, these videos were not that easy to locate.

[bustav13t]

i'm sorry if i gave the wrong impression, but i was just wondering what kind of characteristics would his setup give to the car. it's very different from the traditional setups and it had me thinking, so i just had to ask.

[peoplerfoolz]

i want headlights like his