2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Understeer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-10-03, 11:26 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
kitchen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Grand Blanc MI
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Understeer

I'm running into some pretty intense understeer during autocross.

Any easy ways to get the car more neutral without buying parts? I've removed more weight from the rear than the front. That may play a part (I would expect the opposite effect though).

I was running 40 psi all around (street tires), I'm thinking I should try less pressure in the fronts and more in the rear.

Any suggestions?
Old 08-10-03, 11:37 PM
  #2  
I dont know a damn thing

iTrader: (1)
 
Rotorific's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Evans, Ga
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
If you dont have good tires then that will affect it majorly...yes try letting some air out the front.
Old 08-10-03, 11:38 PM
  #3  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
87RXGhey7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what gear are you running in most the time?
Old 08-10-03, 11:41 PM
  #4  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
kitchen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Grand Blanc MI
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2nd gear whole course (minus launch).
Old 08-11-03, 03:27 AM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
andrew lohaus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: fl
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yeah, ive noticed that my car fc tends to understeer more with the spare out and 1/4 tank than with the spare and a full tank. matbe battery relocation to the passenger side storage bin to move some more weight to the back without puting more weight in altogether.
Old 08-11-03, 09:36 AM
  #6  
Looking for TII

 
JagdStealth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aside from changing parts you can:

A) Work on picking up your speed. The car will have less of a tendency to understeer at higher speeds.

B) Hard late braking. Hitting the brakes hard at the last possible second (followed by some gas) will help to transfer weight forward and bring the rear end around (depends on what type of turns you are getting understeer)

C) Lower front tire pressure to help with traction

D) Slight faint (going the opposite way from the turn, then jerking the car back around).

More than likely it has to do with what tires you are running and your driving style

Maybe take an instructor out ont he course and have him watch you as you drive? When I first started racing in SCCA events and NASA HDPE I had some issues that I didn't understand. I was paying attention to driving so much that I missed a few simple things, having someone along to point them out and give me some tips, then a little practice, and it's all cleared up.
Old 08-11-03, 10:27 AM
  #7  
Zoom Zoom Boom!

 
Dan H's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How are your struts/springs? Sagging rear struts/springs will cause understeer.
Old 08-11-03, 10:31 AM
  #8  
Looking for TII

 
JagdStealth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very true...my advice is assuming that your suspension is all stock and in good order...
Old 08-11-03, 10:50 AM
  #9  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
87RXGhey7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
buy a cheap strut bar for 25 bucks off of ebay.
Old 08-11-03, 11:02 AM
  #10  
OC_
I'm bastardizing my car!

 
OC_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Naperville, IL.
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
do you have high or low profile tires?

if you have high (like 15" wheels) try 35 in the front and less in the rear. maybe like 32. A lot a people think you just add air to the rears and they will slide. This is true to a point, and i with my new low profile tires i slide around everwhere if i even have just a little too much air.
But when i ran my 60 series tires, the side that had a few more pounds of air was the side that stuck.
of course theres and exception to this, if you put 60psi in any of your tires, im sure those tires are going to slide.

im pretty much known as the drift king at my autoX, im not proud of it though.
Old 08-11-03, 11:26 AM
  #11  
FTD Wanna Be

 
Zach McAfee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Shouldn't you drop pressure until the tires start to roll over, and then go up in air for more bite and down for less?
Old 08-11-03, 12:33 PM
  #12  
Senior Member

 
JGard18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Somerville MA
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When I autocrossed my old Subaru 2.5RS, it liked to understeer at the limit, too.

I found myself regularly running 40psi front and 44psi rear, and that let me oversteer without even having to put effort into it.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Spirit Rx-7
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
6
03-14-16 12:36 PM
kitchen
Race Car Tech
11
10-26-11 12:58 PM
Infini IV
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
9
01-22-03 07:58 PM
Manolis_D
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
19
08-28-02 08:06 AM
Perry Gehenna
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
10
11-20-01 05:24 PM



Quick Reply: Understeer



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:11 PM.