Tracking G's, List Your Suspension Mods
 

On our thread for best track times I noticed people wanting info on brakes and suspension. Here is a thread where we can give input on how suspension, wheel and brake mods have been working on the track.

Yesterday I went to Robispec and got my car cornerbalanced and aligned. I asked "Robi" for a moderate set up for daily and track driving. I now have 1.3 camber in the rear, 1.9 up front, zero toe all the way around. Approx. 6 caster. I have KWV'3s. If you have sways, he recommended full stiff in the front and the softest setting in the rear. He actually took off his rear sway on his time attack 370z. We should definately have more camber in the front with these cars for the track.

I kept the 19" wheel and went with SSR type F's. 9.5 in the rear and 9.0 in the front. I'm running 275/35 in the rear and 245/35 front. Robi actually recommended 275 to 285 on all four corners.

Befor my new set up I had ToNs of oversteer. I'll post up how this set up goes next track day.

Good to see someone with aftermarket coils putting them to use!

In for updates

What was your setup before?

No toe in the rear is kinda scary in terms of stability; you already don't have downforce as it is. Combined with full stiff and full soft in the rears, it sounds like he's trying to make up for incorrect rates on the sways; you should never be at the max/min on your coils, as that means it's probably still the wrong setup, and you're doing the best you can to 'fix' it without quite being able to completely.

Keep in mind Robi's strength is in AWD cars (Subi/Mitsu), not 2WD, where its impossible to get the rear end to come out at all (nanny in the case of the EVO, massive understeer in the case of the STI). (This is somewhat manifested in the huge downforce his Z is generating)

IMO, your money would be better spent buying a probe type pyrometer, and adjusting your camber based on tire temp readings, rather than going with what someone feels is a "decent setup". That way, you are adusting the car to your driving habits, instead of changing your driving style to suit the car.

Robi's Z runs a 2:00.5 at Buttonwillow, which isn't terribly impressive.
Results from the Super Lap Battle Finals 2009 | Super Lap Battle Time Attack

Great FAQ on adjusting camber based on tire temp:

Pyrometer Tips

I guess a better question to ask right now is, are you wearing your tires to the markers on each side? (the tiny triangle)

Now that I think about it, I think you're at the point where getting a Datalogger would be pretty helpful in improving your times as well.

Ya I would definately like to get a data logger soon. I'll post up how the setup goes sometime in April when I have one or two track days with this new set up.

Oh ya, I forgot to list that I have SPC camber kits for the front and rear. I went through two sets of SPL camber arms for the rear but they were making a crazy "creeking" noise and I couldn't stand them. So far, no complaints from the SPC kits.

Those specs sound almost like what my STi is setup as except for the full stiff/soft on coil settings... I would go to Darin @ West End. He ran a 2:01 @ buttonwillow in a stripped down civic.

Ya I heard that dude knows whats up....this is all a learning process for me so I hope others who track will post up how different set ups worked for them and then go to the track times thread and post up their times.

Dustin,

Last minute Palomar tonight if you want to join. Give me a call for details.

+1 for the pyrometer. its the most accurate way to determine camber settings at each individual track.

and how do you like the kw3s on the track? they're progressive so im looking more towards a linear set of coils.

I like the KW's for the track but you are right, they are more of a daily driving/weekend track warrior type of set up.

Isn't that perfect for your use? :)

IMO, it's still a better setup for learning suspension setup, as its 2 way adjustable as opposed to the 1 way of most setups on the market. You can always replace the springs.