Originally Posted by chimchim
I'm stuck in a position where my car needed a new suspension because the stock one wore out. Since I was replacing the worn out stuff, I went with a mild upgrade with aftermarket parts: H&R OE springs with KYB AGX's (set at 1/4 and 2/8). I've had an AEM CAI too. Now that I'm looking into autocross, my CAI definitely bumps me out of the stock category. But if I put my stock intake back on, I'm wondering I'm not sure if my suspension still bumps me out of stock. My goal at the time was to improve daily driving handling but NOT turn it into a race suspension.
But looks likes I've screwed myself into STS... where I have no intention of doing the mods necessary to max out that class.
As you've figured out, technically with the H&R OE springs you're not legal for stock classes. Are you on stock wheels or not? If not, there's another reason you wouldn't be legal for a stock class.
I scanned through some of your other posts, but I can't figure out if you've actually every participated in an autocross or not.
If not, just pick a class (either stock or STS) and see if you enjoy it enough to pursue it more seriously. With your current set-up, I doubt you'll be anywhere close to competitive in either class (STS cars get to run unlimited stiffness springs, swaybars, and shocks; Stock class cars can run unlimited stiffness shocks with DOT R-compound tires), so don't worry about "breaking the rules."
If you decide you like it, then you need to decide what class you want to be in. If you're willing to get a dedicated set of race tires/wheels, you should go for stock class - although IMO, the AGX's are too soft/weak to be competitive against the best drivers in stock - the Koni Sports (yellow) would be a better but more expensive choice.
If you want to continue "building" your street car and improve its handling overall (stiffer/lower springs, add swaybars, add a strut tower brace), or want to add a header, catback exhaust, or keep your intake on fulltime, you will need to up the ante and go STS - and commit to running a competitive STS tire, like the Kuhmo MX or Falken Azenis - on your regular wheels, or buy a set of wheels for those as well.