Hey all, I just got back from my first autoX event of this year. I was very impressed with my car overall. The RB spring/Koni strut combination helped out quite a bit. That being said, I want to stiffen the front of the car some more to combat some understeer experienced during turn-in.

Are we really sure that setting the strut top with the arrow facing back and in produces negative camber? It sure didn't look that way when I set it up. The strut top was all the way outside and forward, indicating positive camber.

What are your suggestions for reducing understeer without shelling out the dough? I can't afford a front bar right now, so that's out.

 

Arrow? My strut tops have no arrows. To get negative camber look straight down on the strut top, you will see the nut is offset. Just put it so the nut is facing the inner corner of the strut tower. This gives you negative camber. Hope that explination helps, I don't have any pics right now, if you need one I can get one.

 

oh yea, I see you don't have the money right now, but you should really try to get some and buy a RB front sway bar asap, that made a huge difference on my car, it'll feel like a new car. After shipping its like $160 from mazdatrix.

 

That's like a million Canuck bucks.

I did a schwack of work to my car this spring, including the RB springs, Magnaflow, Koni struts and all new tie rods/idler arms to get the steering back to a nice tight feel. On top of that I was in Europe for two weeks.

The cupboard is kinda bare.

 

Increase oversteer. Bigger/connect rear sway bar, higher rear tire pressure.

You actually want to soften the front of the car to remove understeer. Go nuts and disconnect the front sway bar, or find a softer one in a yard.

 

take out the struts, replace them with steel beams, weld then in there and thats as stiff as you can get.. hahaha

im playing, and you know thisssss maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

 

I've got an '81 rear bar that I could use...

I guess I'd better get cracking on RX7Carl's suspension mod first to ensure that I get decent non-binding action from the rear suspension.

 

How bout CP racings strut tower bar. Makes a huge difference on an autox car. Not too $$ either. And if its legal, go for the triangulated flavor.

 

yea the strut bar makes quite a difference, i forgot to mention that.

 

What is your wheel/tire size and brand? Adjust the tire pressure a bit more. If you still have the stock rear sway bar, tighten it up a little.
Perhaps braking more and not turning in as sharply might help as well.

 

Don't you mean lower rear pressure? I dropped my rear tires to 40psi once (with 44 in the front) and it was oversteering all over the place.

 

you stiffen the end of the car you want to kick out. stiffen up the rearend and you get more oversteer (more like ***-happiness am i rite).

jeffraider - you're on somethingawful forums aren't you? i post as clutchpuck there.

 

something awful is the funniest site int the world. period.

 

dp

 

A little more toe out (or less toe in) at the front will aid turn in as well. It will **** all over straight line stability, but it will aid turn in.

 

if you want cheap, try duct tape

 

put better tires in the front than rear.
or

run lower tire pressure in the front higher pressure in the rear.

if your sturts are adjustable soften the front struts up and stiffen the rears.

All of the above will allow more weight transfer to the front tires. When that happens the rear tires will slide easier. Fiddle with it till both ends slide at nearly the same time.

also dont break as hard while turning. brake up to the turn and let off the brakes somewhat so you can turn without plowing thru it.