How good or bad is SST?

[Aj82]

Sounds like I'm gonna have to give both a good road test and see how I get on in either.
What mods can be done to strengthen the SST? Iv heard of dodson upgrade? What is this and what does it do? How much can the SST Box realistically handle?

Cheers Aj

[Aidy]

SST will take about 400lb torque standard, there are upgrades that'll take it to 600lbs of torque if you want, so more than enough.

https://indigo-gt.com/brands/Dodson-Motorsport.html

Just a clutch upgrade is fine for the road, but if you wanted to seriously track it you might need an oil cooler upgrade too.

[stu8]

I actually feel where you want a 10 to end up is a major factor in the decision. If you want over 400, the sst adds to the overall cost substantially

If you are just looking at stage 1, then the SST is a good choice, but for bigger power, the manual is the cheaper easier option

Stu

[plip1953]

I could write pages and pages about my experience with X SSTs, but won't bore everyone with them. I've had 4 of them and the variations in in how they drove and in particular the operation of the gearbox was massive. So the first thing to be aware of when buying one is that what you actually experience on a test drive may not be at all typical - for better or worse.

Aidy's views on the subject are of course valid, but when he says he's not heard of failures he is either deaf of has his head buried in the sand! Kikiturbo's view are always to be respected and offer imo a balanced view. Similarly Stu8s.

With my last SST I went down the clutch upgrade path and in the immediate aftermath there were all kinds of issues. Finally these were fully resolved and the car drove fantastically, and on that basis I would claim it to have been as least as good, and probably better, than any that ever left the Mitsi factory.

But I sold the car anyway because I felt that the only direction from there would be downhill and I didn't have the stomach to go through a period of further toing and froing to get things right again. I sold the car in absolute good faith and I believe it continued to run well for a number of months, but then had gearbox issues! I don't know if these were resolved and/or what it took to get to that point.

I now have a X RS, but don't enjoy driving it anything like as much as my last SST. But at least I'm not concerned that it will break.

[Kieran_X]

I have had manuals all my 15 years of driving inc many fast cars & i was unsure with getting the SST as i love changing gears myself. My mate was selling his Evo X when i was wanting to buy one & once i drove it i fell in love & i do not miss manual like i thought i would.

[Aidy]

Bless, plip1953 is feeling a little butthurt

Originally Posted by plip1953

I could write pages and pages about my experience with X SSTs, but won't bore everyone with them.

Please do, we'd love to hear the experiences the people you pay to drive your cars in anger have had.

Originally Posted by plip1953

when he says he's not heard of failures he is either deaf of has his head buried in the sand!

Quote me where I said I haven't heard of failures or admit that is a strawman argument.

Originally Posted by plip1953

Kikiturbo's view are always to be respected and offer imo a balanced view. Similarly Stu8s.

If you want balanced views then go to them for sure, but come to me when you want the truth

[Sephiro]

I had the same dilemma when I bought my X SST thinking that losing the manual would remove some of the fun of driving, however like many have already mentioned it's had the opposite effect as blipping up/down the gears through the bends is great fun, plus it lets me focus more on my line through the corner and throttle control so I don't think I could go back now.

On the flip side repairs/upgrades for the SST can be pricey, however I'm pretty sure it's easier to trash the manual box and that wouldn't exactly be cheap to repair either. I had the Dodson super stock clutches fitted and the box serviced by IGT three years ago and I haven't had any problems since.

[Steve mr375]

I have a FQ440MR with the sst and with no problems, I always select the sport modes so much smoother drive.

[plip1953]

Originally Posted by Steve mr375

I have a FQ440MR with the sst and with no problems, I always select the sport modes so much smoother drive.

So what is it about the other modes that isn't "smooth"? My experience is more the opposite, but I fully accept the S and SS have their place depending on your driving style and intentions.

[plip1953]

Originally Posted by Aidy

Bless, plip1953 is feeling a little butthurt



Please do, we'd love to hear the experiences the people you pay to drive your cars in anger have had.



Quote me where I said I haven't heard of failures or admit that is a strawman argument.



If you want balanced views then go to them for sure, but come to me when you want the truth

I see that got your attention lol

[Aidy]

Originally Posted by Aidy

Quote me where I said I haven't heard of failures or admit that is a strawman argument.

Thought as much.

[plip1953]

Originally Posted by Aidy

Thought as much.

Posts 2 and 4. Explain "horror stories" and "not prone to failures"!

[Foxxy2020]

No idea about problems, but to drive, between what myself and dad have its what id choose to drive every time, this balls about manuals being "a drivers car" really is balls.

We have a 6 RS 450/450, X sst 400/400, Ferrari 355, ultima can-am 540/540, 964 turbo 450/400, jaguar etype v12, X5 v8, its the sst every time for me if i had to choose.

Drive a few as well treated will be alot better, autos complete **** but why use it, seems to drag the changes out which cant be good for clutch wear, normals ok, just stick it in sport or supersport great to drive.

[dessimpson]

I had the Torque damper go on my SST. It drove fine but rattled like buggery when stationary.
Cost just shy of £3k to replace it as you have to buy the whole clutch pack to get one.

As far as the gearbox goes. I grew to hate "normal" mode. Ended up driving everywhere in sport. Not being able to select "Super Sport" when on the move is pretty annoying too!

[ClunValleyEvo]

To many people the problem is not the SST box but the car it’s attached to.