Hey guys.
So my Emod Seven has seen five or six autoX events now. I'm still learning to drive it, but I'm fairly certain it could use some swaybars and other improvements to handling. Thing is I do not have enough experience chassis tuning to say what it needs, and my inconsistent driving/lines make it tough to sort things out. Also due to some health problems, my head is too fuzzy to focus well. I'm trying to figure out what the next step is, but I am struggling. So I am just going to spout some things out and hope for some help from you Gents.
Car is:
-SLA front, live axle 3link+panhard rear.
-1850lbs w/driver and fuel
-~50/50 weight bias
-no sway bars, fairly soft sprung (spring rate does feel about right).
-205/50r15 Rcomp tires
-250hp/lbsft (large displacement/weight engine which creates a LOT of engine braking)
-increased F shock stiffness to max, R to min = better
So there seems to be oversteer from the back. I would say most notable at mid corner. Only at higher loads and does not occur during wet events. Possible jacking effect? On throttle the car is very stable, even if oversteering I can just let go of steering wheel and stomp throttle to get settled. Engine braking/ lift off oversteer is very noticeable in this car. This is always going to be a thing in this car. I'm learning to be much smoother coming off throttle in corners. Car will understeer at times, but I don't know what conditions. I would guess I need some more camber up front to maximize grip. I have had a more skilled driver do a few runs in it and he felt the same dynamics so it's not just my driving.
So I guess my first question is: what's the best way to diagnose this? We don't have any test n tune autox days. Car is not stable enough for a serious track day, but I am thinking maybe I should do one, just take it easy and treat it as a test n tune? That is next year though, and I'd like to have something done over winter. Next question is: How do I decide what size swaybar(s) to install? With the 3link, the rear has basically no roll resistance. Body roll feels like it comes from the rear mostly.
I don't think I have any of my chassis measurements due to a harddrive failure. I'll have to remeasure to check if there is any jacking effect (right?).
Thanks for any help. Sorry I can't be more precise/learned in my post; I just can't remember my chassis theory well enough anymore.
Cheers,
Cory
Some videos here:
Probably shows body roll the best. Was focusing on controlling engine braking on this run. Grip was mostly too low to cause oversteer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wm1YklFYVIA lot of bad lines, and this course was punishing to oversteering cars due to location of crests. Even Miatas were getting loose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aET6285xONgI don't think much to be figured from this one. Was on old tires and wet. Veeeery low grip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h17zHc9Q7zM