Serious race car suspension setup wanted

[xevo8]

http://www.typeoneracing.com/catalog...cat=136&page=1

Anyone try this yet?

[LucasBlack]

don't see what the difference between theirs and any other pre-built coilover setup offered might be...

...stickies for the win? ...again?

[MikeColangelo]

Originally Posted by aki

Given that you're using abstract impressions (eg not feeling planted) as opposed to specific criticisms (excessive transitional understeer, inadequate dampening, etc), I think you should get a feel more for what specifically you want and don't want from a setup before embarking on a race-dedicated setup.

Good point, Aki. This is what I experienced at Buttonwillow last Sunday: At turn-in, I'd feel a bit of understeer (but it wasn't too bad - the car rotated well) and by mid-turn body roll felt very pronounced. This much body roll is an unusual sensation for me as previous track experience includes driving Spec Miata and BMW E30 KP race cars which have much, much less body roll. By mid-turn, I also felt the onset of oversteer and felt that the car was near its limit. Honestly, the car felt like it wanted to spin off the track if I pushed it much further. If I tried to get on the gas aggressively before the apex like I do with the above track cars, the car would understeer and pull me off line. But that may be me trying to drive this car like a RWD car!

I'd like to have the car to the point where I can aggressively get on the gas before hitting apex and not feel like it wants to take me off line. Also, I'd like to have the car stay more balanced when going through the esses (series of S-turns).

Maybe I should just try the HFP suspension and better tires?

[Highrev1]

Mike remember that the Lsd will cause it to acutally create more understeer than without one.

Well you don't really want to be back on the throttle until apex, sure you are in the part throttle modulation mode before the the apex.

[MikeColangelo]

Originally Posted by Highrev1

Well you don't really want to be back on the throttle until apex, sure you are in the part throttle modulation mode before the the apex.

I've always been told (by instructors) to start rolling on the throttle just before apex and this has worked well in other cars. It helps make for a faster corner exit. In a RWD car it also helps with rotation, too. Admittedly, I may need to unlearn some RWD habits but I think getting on the throttle just before apex applies to FWD cars as well. But I could be wrong.

[Highrev1]

No you do want to to on the throttle before the the apex but more of a throttle modulation IMO to help keep the car stable and not unsettled and you def. do not want to be neutral, no gas or brakes.

[aki]

Originally Posted by MikeColangelo

Good point, Aki. This is what I experienced at Buttonwillow last Sunday: At turn-in, I'd feel a bit of understeer (but it wasn't too bad - the car rotated well) and by mid-turn body roll felt very pronounced. This much body roll is an unusual sensation for me as previous track experience includes driving Spec Miata and BMW E30 KP race cars which have much, much less body roll. By mid-turn, I also felt the onset of oversteer and felt that the car was near its limit. Honestly, the car felt like it wanted to spin off the track if I pushed it much further.

Oversteer? Dang I'm envious. I only get heavy, unbearable understeer here Oversteer can always be counterbalanced with throttle modulation to make it understeer on FWD.

If you're saying it's skittish, maybe there's too much toe-out on the rears?

For track, I have a feeling HFP wouldn't be aggressive enough, but I wouldn't know first-hand since I've never rode in a car with a set. A custom setup like Highrev suggested would probably ideal.

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by MikeColangelo

Yes, I was hoping for something off-the-shelf but I guess it's just too soon for 8th gen Civics. I'm hoping that suspension kits like those for Spec E30 and Spec Miata race cars will eventually be available for our cars. They are simple, affordable, and work quite well.

Those cars have been around a lot longer than our little FG/FAs have. Also, those 2 cars have a bigger hardcore racing following than our cars due. We just have to be patient.