An open letter to sponsored and experienced racers
02-04-2012, 11:49 AM
#1
An open letter to sponsored and experienced racers
First of all hello to everyone.
My thought is to ask you, to educate the less...experienced drivers. Using myself as an example I will try to explain what I mean. I believe there are quite a few out there like me,and also many will benefit by the information that will be provided.
I’m not an experienced racer. I’m not a youngster (I’m 52) and do not have the time needed to devote to my hobby. Besides the time spent at home wrenching, I can only spare one race day per month at a local track. This does not give me the chance to practice, experiment, and learn things by trial and error. Copying someone’s setup is not the answer because conditions are different, driving skills differ, equipment differ. I believe one needs a guidance to put you on the right trackand teach you understand how things work .
I, as many of us, do read forums, guides, magazines, so as to understand how to set up my car correctly. But the information is so much that is overwhelming when you need it. Especially on race day!! Besides most of it is provided in a manner that explains each single aspect separately and isolated from everything else. For example you read in a magazine what is and does toe, or camper, ride height, or diff setting.
When you face a particular behavior with your car, all of the above each and by itself don’t help you much even if you remember them especially between heats.
So my idea is to create a list or database of situations (scenarios) one may be faced with. For example : my car is pushing exiting corners, or traction rolls, or flies nose down on jumps,or is loose when braking etc,etc... scenarios that many of us will identify having faced/or are facing .
Now from this data base everyone who believes that can give a correct solid guidance as to what one should do on any particular scenario, the principle steps, that do NOT require specifics as to what car you are driving or what is your present set up will go ahead and write these steps.
We all know that there are more than one way to solve a problem and that every change has an impact on something else, it’s a matter of balance. But this short list of possible steps will be much more helpful to set upones car than all the bibliography that exists. By saying EDUCATE I mean that one can also write if he so wishes, what and why the changes recommended will influence.
Similar as to what I propose is “THE GUIDE” by JQ which is narrowed to fewer situations we are faced with, and the XXXMain setup book which is though for on road cars. Steps proposed can be listed as to the most effective and/or less influential to other behaviors of the car.
Those of you who read this letter, please write your thoughts about it and mostly how the idea can be improved so it will be MORE beneficial to ALL.
Thanks for reading but mostly for any replies.
Diamantis.
(Greece)
My thought is to ask you, to educate the less...experienced drivers. Using myself as an example I will try to explain what I mean. I believe there are quite a few out there like me,and also many will benefit by the information that will be provided.
I’m not an experienced racer. I’m not a youngster (I’m 52) and do not have the time needed to devote to my hobby. Besides the time spent at home wrenching, I can only spare one race day per month at a local track. This does not give me the chance to practice, experiment, and learn things by trial and error. Copying someone’s setup is not the answer because conditions are different, driving skills differ, equipment differ. I believe one needs a guidance to put you on the right trackand teach you understand how things work .
I, as many of us, do read forums, guides, magazines, so as to understand how to set up my car correctly. But the information is so much that is overwhelming when you need it. Especially on race day!! Besides most of it is provided in a manner that explains each single aspect separately and isolated from everything else. For example you read in a magazine what is and does toe, or camper, ride height, or diff setting.
When you face a particular behavior with your car, all of the above each and by itself don’t help you much even if you remember them especially between heats.
So my idea is to create a list or database of situations (scenarios) one may be faced with. For example : my car is pushing exiting corners, or traction rolls, or flies nose down on jumps,or is loose when braking etc,etc... scenarios that many of us will identify having faced/or are facing .
Now from this data base everyone who believes that can give a correct solid guidance as to what one should do on any particular scenario, the principle steps, that do NOT require specifics as to what car you are driving or what is your present set up will go ahead and write these steps.
We all know that there are more than one way to solve a problem and that every change has an impact on something else, it’s a matter of balance. But this short list of possible steps will be much more helpful to set upones car than all the bibliography that exists. By saying EDUCATE I mean that one can also write if he so wishes, what and why the changes recommended will influence.
Similar as to what I propose is “THE GUIDE” by JQ which is narrowed to fewer situations we are faced with, and the XXXMain setup book which is though for on road cars. Steps proposed can be listed as to the most effective and/or less influential to other behaviors of the car.
Those of you who read this letter, please write your thoughts about it and mostly how the idea can be improved so it will be MORE beneficial to ALL.
Thanks for reading but mostly for any replies.
Diamantis.
(Greece)
02-04-2012, 12:18 PM
#2
Tech Rookie
I think that this is a great idea. I run a website that is intended for news reviews and tutorials. I think that I may try and add a section about what you were talking about. That would help a lot of people like yourself. I know there are guides out there for such topics but can be hard to find. I'll see what I can find and post it here as on my site. Great topic here can't wait to see the replies
02-04-2012, 02:02 PM
#4
Tech Master
More Overall Steering:
Lower shock mounting in on arm.
Thinner oil in front shocks.
Softer front springs
Stiffer rear springs
Short rear upper link
Longer front upper link
Thinner or no front swaybar
Less rear toe in
Short Ackermann plate
More Steering Into the Corner:
Thinner oil in front diff
Less caster
Stand up front shocks on tower
Front upper link down on tower
Short ackermann plate
Steering link back on Ackermann plate
Thinner rear swaybar
Lean rear shocks down on tower
More Steering Mid-to-Exit of the Corner and On-Power:
Thicker oil in Front diff
More caster
Lean front shocks down on tower
Thicker rear swaybar
Stand up rear shocks on tower
Less Overall Steering:
Front shock out on arm
Thicker front shock oil
Stiffer front spring
Thicker oil in front diff
Thicker front swaybar
More rear toe-in
Long rear ipper link
Raise front upper link on tower
Better Jumping Ability:
Stand up shocks
Stiffer shock springs
Thicker shock oil
Smaller piston holes
More anti-sqat
More downtravel (specially front)
More kickup
More Rear Traction:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
Lower complete lower link
More rear toe-in
Thinner diff oils
Lean rear shocks over on tower
Larger holes, or more holes in piston
Better Bump Handling:
Adjust shock oil (usually thinner, check shock absorbers advice)
Lean shocks over on tower
thinner diffs
More rideheight
More downtravel
Cut tyres inside and outside
More acceleration and forward bite:
Thicker oil in diffs
Long upper links
Smaller clutchbell, larger main gear
Thicker clutchsprings
More stability in long sweeping corners:
Stiffer front springs
Stiffer swaybars
Thicker oils in diffs
What to do first on a high traction track:
Front shock out on arm
Stiffer swaybars
Less rideheight
Smaller piston holes or thicker shockoil
What to do first on a low traction track:
Lean shocks over
Larger piston holes, or thinner oil
Long upper links
More rideheight
Lower shock mounting in on arm.
Thinner oil in front shocks.
Softer front springs
Stiffer rear springs
Short rear upper link
Longer front upper link
Thinner or no front swaybar
Less rear toe in
Short Ackermann plate
More Steering Into the Corner:
Thinner oil in front diff
Less caster
Stand up front shocks on tower
Front upper link down on tower
Short ackermann plate
Steering link back on Ackermann plate
Thinner rear swaybar
Lean rear shocks down on tower
More Steering Mid-to-Exit of the Corner and On-Power:
Thicker oil in Front diff
More caster
Lean front shocks down on tower
Thicker rear swaybar
Stand up rear shocks on tower
Less Overall Steering:
Front shock out on arm
Thicker front shock oil
Stiffer front spring
Thicker oil in front diff
Thicker front swaybar
More rear toe-in
Long rear ipper link
Raise front upper link on tower
Better Jumping Ability:
Stand up shocks
Stiffer shock springs
Thicker shock oil
Smaller piston holes
More anti-sqat
More downtravel (specially front)
More kickup
More Rear Traction:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
Lower complete lower link
More rear toe-in
Thinner diff oils
Lean rear shocks over on tower
Larger holes, or more holes in piston
Better Bump Handling:
Adjust shock oil (usually thinner, check shock absorbers advice)
Lean shocks over on tower
thinner diffs
More rideheight
More downtravel
Cut tyres inside and outside
More acceleration and forward bite:
Thicker oil in diffs
Long upper links
Smaller clutchbell, larger main gear
Thicker clutchsprings
More stability in long sweeping corners:
Stiffer front springs
Stiffer swaybars
Thicker oils in diffs
What to do first on a high traction track:
Front shock out on arm
Stiffer swaybars
Less rideheight
Smaller piston holes or thicker shockoil
What to do first on a low traction track:
Lean shocks over
Larger piston holes, or thinner oil
Long upper links
More rideheight
02-04-2012, 02:55 PM
#5
This is awesome information. Joey are you going to be at the pit next weekend???/
JQ really does some good things for this hobby. I really like the 60 seconds tips and help he offers to people. Big thumbs up to him
JQ really does some good things for this hobby. I really like the 60 seconds tips and help he offers to people. Big thumbs up to him
02-04-2012, 03:11 PM
#6
Tech Rookie
I have found and posted a bunch of setup info on my website. http://jpeasey.com/Rc_Setup_s.html
Feel free to check it out and hope it help's.
Feel free to check it out and hope it help's.
02-04-2012, 05:34 PM
#7
This thread is a great idea. i've read a lot of stuff on setting up your car and most of them don't explain it in a way i can understand. or is that in-depth it's useless.
i just need to know what setting to adjust to alleviate a problem.
i just need to know what setting to adjust to alleviate a problem.
02-04-2012, 06:36 PM
#8
Yep put it in englisg instead of all that to advanced stuff
02-04-2012, 06:45 PM
#9
JQs list is good but there are similar lists all over the web. A casual racer with not much time will not want to change diff oils due to the time it takes and if you don't like it you spend ages changing it back again.
If I read the O.P's post right, what he means is a shorter list.
That is, what is the main change you should make first (preferably one that does not affect other things too much) to correct a handling problem?
For example, I reckon my rear end is a bit loose at the moment and there is no way I will change diff oil or shock pistons at the track when we only race for couple of hours once a month - what do I change first, what is easiest and most effective? Go down in shock oil weight is easy and fast, but is toe-in more effective?
Further, on JQ's list it says:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
One reduces camber the other increases it which could be a bit confusing to some people
If I read the O.P's post right, what he means is a shorter list.
That is, what is the main change you should make first (preferably one that does not affect other things too much) to correct a handling problem?
For example, I reckon my rear end is a bit loose at the moment and there is no way I will change diff oil or shock pistons at the track when we only race for couple of hours once a month - what do I change first, what is easiest and most effective? Go down in shock oil weight is easy and fast, but is toe-in more effective?
Further, on JQ's list it says:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
One reduces camber the other increases it which could be a bit confusing to some people
02-04-2012, 08:10 PM
#10
xray has a guide like that...i always keep it in the pit just in case..
02-04-2012, 08:19 PM
#11
02-04-2012, 08:40 PM
#12
JQs list is good but there are similar lists all over the web. A casual racer with not much time will not want to change diff oils due to the time it takes and if you don't like it you spend ages changing it back again.
If I read the O.P's post right, what he means is a shorter list.
That is, what is the main change you should make first (preferably one that does not affect other things too much) to correct a handling problem?
For example, I reckon my rear end is a bit loose at the moment and there is no way I will change diff oil or shock pistons at the track when we only race for couple of hours once a month - what do I change first, what is easiest and most effective? Go down in shock oil weight is easy and fast, but is toe-in more effective?
Further, on JQ's list it says:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
One reduces camber the other increases it which could be a bit confusing to some people
If I read the O.P's post right, what he means is a shorter list.
That is, what is the main change you should make first (preferably one that does not affect other things too much) to correct a handling problem?
For example, I reckon my rear end is a bit loose at the moment and there is no way I will change diff oil or shock pistons at the track when we only race for couple of hours once a month - what do I change first, what is easiest and most effective? Go down in shock oil weight is easy and fast, but is toe-in more effective?
Further, on JQ's list it says:
Long rear upper link
Raise upper link on tower compared to hub
One reduces camber the other increases it which could be a bit confusing to some people
That's how I understand the thread toppic to mean too.
What is the one or two EASIEST things I should do first for each handling problem.
Great Thread Idea
02-04-2012, 08:55 PM
#13
The hudy touring car setup manual on the very last page has a chart already covering most of the topics needed. I can't find a pdf online which has the chart and I only ever recall seeing the chart in the paper edition. The same principals apply from on-road to off-road in most cases. I found the pdf now at http://www.hudy.net/xhudy/showfile.p...252739b1ad8c24 Use the quick reference chart at the end of the guide on page 54.
02-04-2012, 09:30 PM
#14
The hudy touring car setup manual on the very last page has a chart already covering most of the topics needed. I can't find a pdf online which has the chart and I only ever recall seeing the chart in the paper edition. The same principals apply from on-road to off-road in most cases. I found the pdf now at http://www.hudy.net/xhudy/showfile.p...252739b1ad8c24 Use the quick reference chart at the end of the guide on page 54.
