saph in dorset

Hi well went to ford fair yesterday and had a great day with 2 track sessions, which were great fun but a little disappointing as i didn’t expect to have soooooo much understeer.

i am using Bilstein B6 shockers, eibach -25 springs, front and rear strut brace, front end fully poly bushed, was using goodyear F1 tyres so had good rubber.

the rear was well planted but the front just pushed on everywhere so couldn’t go too fast in the corners.

so now i need to decide what to do to improve the handling of the car.

to start with I’m thinking of getting a stage 2 6° adrenaline rear beam, and adjustable TCA, as have done some reading and these seem to have a good impact on the handling. But apart from these I don’t know what else i can do to improve the front end.

so any ideas would be much appreciated as i want to be able to have a good road car which is able to go on track and be usable.

Any input appreciated


Adam

RWD_cossie_wil

iTrader: (9)

Get a 6° rear beam with solid mounts.

Turbosystems

iTrader: (5)

2 or 4wd sapph
big difference in set up so what do you have

saph in dorset

i have a 2wd mate.

i take it the rear beam helps balance the car out more so doesnt push on so much?

Turbosystems

iTrader: (5)

rear beam and 3 door front hubs and tca,s and geometry set up

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

My 2WD turns in really well with 3 door hubs (there's a set on Ebay at the moment btw) on mostly standard front set-up. Standard ride height, Gaz coilovers, standard 3 door TCAs, standard rear beam, all poly bushed.

Did you check your tyre pressures and make any changes?

Charlie

saph in dorset

What is different about the 3 door hubs which makes it handle better? Are they a wider track width?
Apart from that not far off what I was thinking.
Is there any other jobs that can be done?

the original

was it ya driving style?.I find if I get aggressive and put the power on too early the rearward weight transfer makes the front too light, a little trail braking to just past the apex keeps the front planted

saph in dorset

Could you post the link to ebay as not 100% sure what I need.
I did check tyres after my 1st run and lowerd them to 27 when they were stil warm and that was abit better

Think I wil do the 3 door hubs and tca while saving for a rear beam

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

3 door hubs have different steering geometry due to the angle of the TCA connection on the hub.

The easy fix to encourage the car to turn in is to widen the toe in at the front by adjusting the steering arm connection to the hubs. Measure the front track so you know where it's set now, then loosen the steering arm nuts and lengthen the steering arms by a small amount, then go out and try the car again. This helps but isn't a great fix. Don't go mad - just do small amounts. I think my car had about 6mm of toe out when I first got it.

Charlie

saph in dorset

I wasnt putting the power down to early(i think) had it whist was trail braking aswell

saph in dorset

Thanks for that explaination I understand now.
Any luck with that link to ebay charlie

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3dr-cosworth-f...mZ220459350965

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

Summary:

Change tyre pressures
More toe out
3 door hubs + TCAs

saph in dorset

thanks for the link charlie understand exactly what i am looking at now. i assume the caliper mounts are the same on these hubs?

think i will be looking at changing the TCA and getting some 3 door hubs and getting them fitted.

what sort of tyre pressures would you recommend for track use as i didnt want to go down too low? i would think mine were about 25psi ish when cold for my second run.

saph in dorset

i presume that the hubs i need are not the same as the XR4i hubs?

were they only on the RS500 or all 3 door RS cosworths?

jammerrs

i presume if its a sierra and not the later saph (3 or 5 door regardless) then theyd be the upgraded ones,

dont quote me on that though

JamesH

iTrader: (21)

Charlie, I thought the front wants to be toeing IN?

Deffo get the 6° beam

I wouldn't bother fron front adjustable TCAs, get the beam and get it setup and see what you think The camber and castor was quite good on the front of ours standard! and obviously the toe is adjustable

plynchy

The only time i've ever experienced really bad understeer in my Saff was at Croft, running Colway Intermediates on the front (always use them on the back). Switched to Yoko road tyres (539's?) and the problem vanished.

I'm running Billy struts, lowered 30mm, fully poly bushed (inc top mounts) strut brace etc.

wildheart

iTrader: (4)

Would help to get different tyres too.

F1's are a good road tyre but awful on track!

Touring Car Spares

iTrader: (6)

Excactly , road tyres will not give you the grip youre looking for , forget all the other waffle until youve done this !

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

Caliper mounts are the same but 3 door Cossie hubs are more substantial in the rounded part than other 3 door non-Cossie Sierra hubs. The Ebay link above is the right type of hub.

Toe out is the cheapest way to get the car a bit more eager to turn in.

Tyre pressures - don't know what is right for your car or what tyres you have but worth adjusting to see how your car behaves.

Rear beam is probably a good upgrade but a pretty serious upgrade. I can't run one so I'm stuck with polybushed rear beam mounts and stiffer diff mount.

I don't have any understeer. In fact I'm struggling to control power-on oversteer and loose rear under braking at the moment.

Charlie

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

That too.


Charlie