SW20 suspension setup for trackracing

[Laurens PNut]

Hi guys,

I've been Googling my hands op but can't find the right info.
I used to be driving a FWD (front engine) on the track (Nurburgring, Zandvoort, Castle Combe, Hungaroring) and I know exactly what to do about the suspension setup to make those kind of cars work.

But my current project, the SW20, I'm a bit clueless.

Approaching the corner at high speed = understeer
Lifting the throttle to gain front traction = snap-oversteer
Braking during cornering = snap-oversteer

So, what are things we can do to minimise the high-speed cornering understeer (more negative camber?, more toe-out on the front?) and to minimise snap-oversteer? THicker rear sway bar?

Somebody who can enlighten me?

[ashley]

Trail braking

[HighwayStar]

Don't lift the throttle or brake mid corner you're upsetting both the drive and balance hence the oversteer. Remember it's rear drive so when you apply the opposite lock for the oversteer if you have to back off the throttle your drive to push the car back straight again following your steering input is being diminished... it's what makes them easy to lose if you're not quick initially with the steering. Go in slower but be on the throttle earlier right at the apex. Never put power on till you're sure you won't have to take it off again...

You could take out some understeer and balance the car better with geo (WIM in Chesham are great at race set ups etc) but those mid corner actions are always going to generate lift off oversteer if you persist (fun though I grant you).

R.

[MR2Pagey]

1) Take a different line through corners. You can't go through corners on the same line as you would a FWD car to a MERWD car.

2) Change the ARB's to the TRD or White line ones.

3) Either get some coilovers or at least make sure your shocks work and get some stiffer springs (Tein S-Tech work well).

4) Tyres are massively important, if not thee most important. Use 205/50/R15 on the front and 225/50/R15 on the rear. If your just doing track work I'd go for Toyo R88's or Khumo Ecsta V70's.

5) Get a decent 4 wheel alignment done (and I don't mean at Kwik Fit) but somewhere that knows MR2's. More negative cambe on the front helps a lot which you an get from different top mounts/ coil overs. You can get a small amount with the camber bolts as well.

[l1ca]

Can you recommend any places that know the MR2 well? im currently in the process of rebuilding my entire suspension set up, so this information would be invaluable when i come to get it all set up.

thanks

[Laurens PNut]

MR2Pagey:

How do the racinglines differ from FWD to MERWD?
And my UK imported MR2 (im from Holland) has TSW Pace wheels, 15 inch, but 6.5J all around.

It's currently on 225 50 15 in the rear but I think thats too wide for 6.5j.
Also it's nearly impossible to find any decent tires in that size.

I want to go with 195 50 15 up front and 205 50 15 in the rear as I can't afford a new set of wheels atm.

[MR2Pagey]

I believe Wheels in motion are very good from what I have read but I've never used them myself.

[HighwayStar]

If you want it to behave decently on track you'll want a 20-30mm stagger on the tyres .... much less and there will be more oversteer, much more and there will be more understeer. Maybe try a 195/215 r/f combo or pick up a set of cheap standard wheels with correct rubber for the track.

[Laurens PNut]

215/60/15 is the only common size but that makes it a huge balloon tire.
I will stick to 205/50 for now I think as trackracing won't be a short term high priority thing. I'd like to know the car first on a skid pan and during some advance driving courses.

[MR2Pagey]

MR2Pagey:

How do the racinglines differ from FWD to MERWD?

The racing lines for FWD an MERWD car are massively different because of where the weight is and where the power is put down.

And my UK imported MR2 (im from Holland) has TSW Pace wheels, 15 inch, but 6.5J all around.

It's currently on 225 50 15 in the rear but I think thats too wide for 6.5j.
Also it's nearly impossible to find any decent tires in that size.

I want to go with 195 50 15 up front and 205 50 15 in the rear as I can't afford a new set of wheels atm.

I'd get a set of standard MK2 wheels and get tyres for that. I've not used other sizes so I can't comment on what's the best. Tyres are ridiculously expensive, but I found they made the biggest difference out of everything else we did for our track cars. The R888's are superb.

[Tedtiler]

Are you using road tyres?

[Marf]

I believe Wheels in motion are very good from what I have read but I've never used them myself.

I'd recomend them. They setup my car and it was rock solid after Tony worked his magic on it.

Wheels - find a set of 16x7/8 and fit 205/50 and 225/45

Much wider selection of tyres for 16" wheels.

[jake]

MR2Pagey:
And my UK imported MR2 (im from Holland) has TSW Pace wheels, 15 inch, but 6.5J all around.

6.5j all round? That's standard for the front but the back should be 7j (or is it 7.5j?). Allows you to run a wider tyre,

J

[Laurens PNut]

Apparently the previous owner didn't know about different J-sizes.

Anyway, due to funds and availability I now have a set of 195/50/15 for the front and 205/50/15 for the rear.

Toyo R1R

I'm not going to take it out to the track very soon, want to get to know the car better.

When I need new tires again I will upgrade to 16 inch wheels I think.

[Marf]

Toyo R1R

They crack and degrade in temperatures below freezing. If you are storing the car/wheels somewhere that you can guarantee the tyres will not see below freezing temps fair enough. If not consider something else.


Better off with AD08, they're specced down to -10c

[Laurens PNut]

I know, thats being taken care off

[GreddyMR2]

I am now much more satisfied with my setup than when it was stock, so I though I will write it here.

195/50/16 fronts R888
225/45/17 rears R888 (I have 235/40/17 for the next season)
A massive rear wing (that made a noticeable improvement as I feel)
19mm stock ARB in front
17mm stock ARB in rear
Koni yellow shocks with weitec springs (ohlins inverted shock are waiting for next season, they should work much better than konis)

The wing lets me fell much more confident through the corners and on the braking zones.

With a wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjpjtndlpm8

Without it:
http://youtu.be/BPr8i5eEY9w

[Laurens PNut]

Cool, any pics of the wing? Mine is a 3SGE rev 2 N/A so I doubt if it could help me when I go trackracing again.

[GreddyMR2]

Cool, any pics of the wing? Mine is a 3SGE rev 2 N/A so I doubt if it could help me when I go trackracing again.

All the pics are here
http://drivingmr2.wordpress.com/2013/05 ... rear-wing/

I'm not sure if it's worth doing it on n/a though... Good suspension and tyres setup shoud do the job.