j9fd3s

ok i did a track day tuesday in the track ***** (85 gsl-se), and its always a blast. this time there were 15 cars so we ran until we were too tired to run anymore.



so the car has mystery springs, tokiko illuminas, a big front sway bar, no rear bar for mods. it handles pretty well its well balanced, and a lot of fun to drive. the thing it needs is a little more turn in, corner exit is fine, but it doesnt want to go in as well as id like, it understeers a bit. what can i do to improve that without ruining the balance and funness of the car?



stiffer rear springs? camber plates?



mike

howracer

turn in has to do w the front end. i would run a few laps and check all 4 tires w a pyrometer. based upon the readings i would adjust tire pressure, camber or toe. any or all could be a key factor. obviously spring rates, shock settings, bar rates and corner weights might also be addressed but most likely you just need to adjust camber, tire pressure or toe. let me know how it works out please.

howard coleman

Ranzo

Before you run out and buy that pyrometer I would look into why the front sway bar is bigger and why there is not one on the back. If you just put a normal bar on the back it would help I think. You said the car was balanced well but I am not sure what that means.



Balance means to me a level of suspension that corresponds with the amount of power your engine has and intergating the drivers ability to use the two together.



In my experience a larger front sway bar will make inital movements and line adjustmens easier and quicker but when the full weight transfers and you attempt to maintain your line the stiffer front end forces understeer and in your case with no rear sway bar the rear wheels are not being forced to stay on the ground causing traction loss and the roll center to change causing more understeer.



another thing you can do it look at the line you are running. Some people try to start turning in to late and run to close to the inside when entering a corner trying a Out in Out method might help. Of course you will look at the normal things like alignment, tire pressure and so on. This is just what I have noticed from my experiences take it or leave it no problems here

j9fd3s

well its a first gen, they like a small rear bar or none at all



i agree with you guys its prolly an alignment/camber thing.



let me restate the "problem" and see if it helps.



the car is running a large front bar, tokikos 5 ways, stock alignment (0 camber, stock toe). corner exit is perfect, it comes out and you control the attitude of the car with the throttle, more gas and it will tighten up, less gas and it will understeer. drop throttle ive never tried past the apex.



entry is the part that i would like to improve, it seems like going from turn in to the apex is hard. it doesnt want to rotate into the turn. it seems like i'm fighting the car, it wants to go straight.



mike

Robbomaz

Dr Robs starter prescription:



More stiffness in the rear, preferably by small bar. Weld on some adjustment plates for tweaking. Maybe less stiff in the front as well.

Gotta have front neg! The most your tyres can deal with. That in itself will be a very marked improvement.

Also like 70's Escorts, a lot of guys here found Gen 1 turned best when 8-10mm lower at the rear

We ran a very winning 13B PP Gen 1 for ages prior to going FD. I can't remember the setup details, but I can look them up for you i do remember we never fiddled too much because once sorted the little sucker had near perfect balance.

It turned in like a ****, and gas was on well before the apex! Won shitloads of events and trophies, none with me at the wheel tho

I'll just stick to sweeping the floor............

j9fd3s

yeah mines a lot of fun, so i'm hesitant to make changes.



mike

Apex13B

Honestly mike...dont **** with the setup if its fun





nick

l8t apex

Camber -1.5 to -2.0, rear -1.0 (heat axle). Toe OUT 1/8th.Caster +4 to+5

Ajust shocks by softning rear/ tighting front. Spring are probably good because of description but can be harder in front if really a major problem.Pushing probably occurs from a slow tight turn (under 55MPH and braking to early and over driving turn).

Air pressure is usally around 21lbs to 28lbs front, 21 to 26 lbs rear base on tire make and pyro reading.

This is a real good point to start.