39 replies to this topic

[Tony H]

There wasn't many cars on at all.

 

A few failed the static test I hear.

[Tony H]

No amount of traffic could stop captain vimes leaving me in a different postcode

 

 

[Captain Vimes]

Some great footage. It's good to see my car from another perspective and it was great to get out on track with you guys. Very few cars on track so had space to just drive, which was nice. That Elise sounds great. The speed at the end of the straight (Speedo) looked the same as I was getting. Looking back at my data I was only hitting 116mph vs 122mph last time when ambient temps were more like 11c. The supercharger doesn't like heat.. I'll get some footage processed over the weekend but it's a bit blurry - I need to move the mount onto the harness bar so it's more secure than the rear window...

[Tony H]

Oh dear YouTube has made my video all wobbly. Brands hatch on lsd simulator.

[Captain Vimes]

Here's a couple of clearish laps from my last session running around in the mid 55's.

 

I'll dig out the more interesting footage (with you guys in it) over the weekend but it's all come out shaky so it might make you're eyes go funny...

 

[sworks]

Watching that certainly helps to show what these cars are capable of and where I'm lacking. Need more tuition and courage

[Tony H]

You must have been fastest of anything that evening. Chris have you tried paddock in 4th gear? Instructors got me staying in 4th I think it's better you can focus more on balancing the car and don't have to be as careful putting the power back on. In other news I just bought a trailer.

[sworks]

I have a couple of times, but don't have the bottle to carry enough speed through the corner which means im not high enough in the rev range to use 4 up the hill. I know I should be in 4, just need more confidence. Assume you got inside the thing weight then? Which trailer did you get?

[Tony H]

Brian James clubman. Don't know weight yet the plate is a bit odd. but im pretty sure I will be able to tow without test.

[sworks]

👍

[Captain Vimes]

A few slides and track limit flag..

 

[Tony H]

That first one at mclaren was scary! Good save.

 

Do you lift for surtees? I often see forum heroes saying its flat but don't think my car will. If I tried going flat and didn't get the turn in dead right I'd stuff it.

[Captain Vimes]

I do lift for surtees - maybe they have less power! I tried carrying more speed and got it sliding - it didn't feel good!

 

Ps. definitely 4th for paddock!.

[Captain Vimes]

With Tony and Sworks on track

 

[Firthy]

A few slides and track limit flag..  

Interesting watching your vids, especially after your comments regarding the handling on Thursday. As you know I always watch your vids, interesting to see at Rockingham that the Avons are giving you more front end grip. However the increased lateral grip is just causing the front suspension to fall over more than it was on the federals making the balance more extreme from understeer to snap over steer. I had a very similar slide at McLaren on my old set up, as you're fully aware the front suss is just falling over. Causing the right rear to unload then tip you into a spin! In my experience a 425 lb spring upwards will stop the front falling over so badly and restore the balance As you no doubt already know!

Edited by Firthy, 28 August 2016 - 05:17 PM.

[Captain Vimes]

Thanks Firthy. The input is really welcome. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to suspension setup but what you're saying makes sense. To move forward, I think it's all compromised by the street series dampers. I think it needs stiffer springs with helpers and dampers, re-valved accordingly (or replaced by NTR 40's) plus the bump steer sorting and more camber all round. All of that will make it worse on the road though... I'm trying to figure out what to do. It's a never ending cycle.

Edited by Captain Vimes, 28 August 2016 - 06:04 PM.

[Firthy]

Thanks Firthy. The input is really welcome. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to suspension setup but what you're saying makes sense. To move forward, I think it's all compromised by the street series dampers. I think it needs stiffer springs with helpers and dampers, re-valved accordingly (or replaced by NTR 40's) plus the bump steer sorting and more camber all round. All of that will make it worse on the road though... I'm trying to figure out what to do. It's a never ending cycle.

Yes it is a never ending cycle spot on about the dampers. I used to run front 375 rear 475 my best mate in his exige was running 425 - 550. We had Jake hill (now in touring cars) with us all day in both cars. Turn 1 at Snetterton he could feel the car just falling over. (It would have a spike of oversteer at the same time) My friend was quite a bit faster through the first turn. Now mine are at 450 it still rolls but it supports and doesn't collapse. Plus obviously the rear is much harder!

Edited by Firthy, 29 August 2016 - 04:31 PM.

[james_ly]

Watching the Brands video looks like you have a lot more understeer than last time, I remember it being very twitchy before. Maybe it's the difference between a 195 and 205 front tyre?

[Captain Vimes]

Watching the Brands video looks like you have a lot more understeer than last time, I remember it being very twitchy before. Maybe it's the difference between a 195 and 205 front tyre?

 

I increased the ARB to max (from mid) to try and dial out the excessive oversteer I had at Rockingham.

 

In terms of balance, I still had turn-in oversteer at most corners and was able to get the back rotating nicely under power coming out of Surtees and Graham Hill without it feeling like it was getting lairy. The exception is the slow speed druids where I have turn-in oversteer and exit understeer and the car felt messy, but apart from the tyre squeal it wasn't holding me back. Overall the balance wasn't bad (except the back stepping out in 4th while under power through Surtees).

 

I did use Tony's pyrometer after one of the sessions and the outer tyre edge was noticeably hotter than the inners so more camber is probably called for as a first port of call.

 

Ive already added enough video's but this one was from earlier in the day and is less blury so may be a better one to see the balance.

 

[Firthy]

Watching the Brands video looks like you have a lot more understeer than last time, I remember it being very twitchy before. Maybe it's the difference between a 195 and 205 front tyre?

  I increased the ARB to max (from mid) to try and dial out the excessive oversteer I had at Rockingham.   In terms of balance, I still had turn-in oversteer at most corners and was able to get the back rotating nicely under power coming out of Surtees and Graham Hill without it feeling like it was getting lairy. The exception is the slow speed druids where I have turn-in oversteer and exit understeer and the car felt messy, but apart from the tyre squeal it wasn't holding me back. Overall the balance wasn't bad (except the back stepping out in 4th while under power through Surtees).   I did use Tony's pyrometer after one of the sessions and the outer tyre edge was noticeably hotter than the inners so more camber is probably called for as a first port of call.   Ive already added enough video's but this one was from earlier in the day and is less blury so may be a better one to see the balance.  

Yes the car will be acting very weirdly with the roll bar on full stiff as it will make it understeer on exit, But won't compensate for the low Spring rate on entry so the front just falls over causing oversteer then understeer.....

Edited by Firthy, 31 August 2016 - 02:03 PM.