autocross shock tuning
08-30-2010, 09:21 PM
#1
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autocross shock tuning
Currently running Koni singles at about 2/3 stiff up front, 1/3 stiff in rear. Car is very balanced, with a tendency toward understeer actually except when under power. I would like it to respond quicker in transitions. I Google shock tuning and the first thing I read on Bob Tunnel's guide is
So that would suggest to turn the fronts up even MORE?
Clearly I suck at this, someone just tell me which knobby to turn in which direction and I'll try it.
3. Fix the end of the car that has the problem. If your car isn't turning in properly, don't adjust the rear of the car to try to make the front end work better. Conversely, if the car is extremely tail happy because of low rear grip, decreasing the front grip to compensate may make the car feel balanced, but it will ultimately make you slower. Often in Stock class autocrossing or road racing we're forced into adjusting the "wrong" end of the car because rules limit our ability to adjust properly, but these methods should be considered a last resort.
So that would suggest to turn the fronts up even MORE?
Clearly I suck at this, someone just tell me which knobby to turn in which direction and I'll try it.
08-30-2010, 09:44 PM
#2
Drifting
I run my front shocks at full stiff. The turn-in is very crisp, but you have to be careful when transitioning into braking, because the stuff compression damping can shock the front tires and prematurely put you into the ABS. STIFF front shocks are fast IF you're smooth too.
08-30-2010, 10:45 PM
#5
Drifting
Are you sure? Most single adjustable shocks adjust both compression and rebound damping together, so you're either stiffing the shock in both directions with a SINGLE adjustment, or you're softening.
The Koni singles I had on my C4 were compression and rebound damping both, just together.
The Koni singles I had on my C4 were compression and rebound damping both, just together.
08-30-2010, 10:55 PM
#6
Safety Car
The KONI singles in my RX7 are more like your C4, but still much greater range on the rebound than the bump side changes... I just figured they were older and had more "crosstalk" on the adjuster.
Pfadt, Tokico, KYB, etc do adjust both bump and rebound with the single adjuster...
08-30-2010, 11:45 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
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Are you sure? Most single adjustable shocks adjust both compression and rebound damping together, so you're either stiffing the shock in both directions with a SINGLE adjustment, or you're softening.
The Koni singles I had on my C4 were compression and rebound damping both, just together.
The Koni singles I had on my C4 were compression and rebound damping both, just together.
There is not a C4 Koni that does compression and rebound with one ****.
08-30-2010, 11:47 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Currently running Koni singles at about 2/3 stiff up front, 1/3 stiff in rear. Car is very balanced, with a tendency toward understeer actually except when under power. I would like it to respond quicker in transitions. I Google shock tuning and the first thing I read on Bob Tunnel's guide is
So that would suggest to turn the fronts up even MORE?
Clearly I suck at this, someone just tell me which knobby to turn in which direction and I'll try it.
So that would suggest to turn the fronts up even MORE?
Clearly I suck at this, someone just tell me which knobby to turn in which direction and I'll try it.
08-31-2010, 01:19 AM
#9
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I would think the first step would be to have your shocks dynoed just to see if they are all in the same ball park. Even new, the differences may dictate which corner of the car they should go on.
At least this way with the dyno numbers you will know exactly what the shocks are doing and at what settings.
Roy
At least this way with the dyno numbers you will know exactly what the shocks are doing and at what settings.
Roy
08-31-2010, 08:42 AM
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You can only do so much with shocks. They are not springs, and they aren't sway bars.
If you can't change bars and springs--you in Super Stock?--experiment with the front shocks, and be sure to try them also on softer settings. This may dial out your understeer, maybe at the expense of being more sluggish in slaloms. But try it both ways. See what makes you happiest. That's why God invented adjustable shocks.
If you can't change bars and springs--you in Super Stock?--experiment with the front shocks, and be sure to try them also on softer settings. This may dial out your understeer, maybe at the expense of being more sluggish in slaloms. But try it both ways. See what makes you happiest. That's why God invented adjustable shocks.
08-31-2010, 02:31 PM
#11
2/3 stiff on the front Koni is pretty typical. You could try more than that but the car will likely lose ultimate grip at the expense of faster transitions.
A bigger front bar or more front tire pressue may help.
A Z06 on Koni singles can win nationals, and it will have some understeer.
A bigger front bar or more front tire pressue may help.
A Z06 on Koni singles can win nationals, and it will have some understeer.
