Approx caster settings for autocross
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Approx caster settings for autocross
Not for a vette, but everyone everywhere says to run all the caster I can get. Sorry, no. Anyway, I'm not looking for an exact answer, just a decent place to start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (PylonBoy)
Sorry, no.
Exact caster settings vary from car model to car model, so there isn't much point to asking on this forum unless it's for a Vette....
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Larkspur CA
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (PylonBoy)
Jasons' right, every make/model of car out there will have different caster ranges/capabilities. This is primarily due to suspension design. Hell, there's even variances in the same model lines as well... Just look at Jasons' freak car with 8 degrees of caster (stock) to my 7.7 (with offset bushings!).... :D
In my eyes Camber takes priority in autocross, caster is secondary. After getting your desired camber settings then go after the max caster that you can get, but equal on both sides.
Nick
In my eyes Camber takes priority in autocross, caster is secondary. After getting your desired camber settings then go after the max caster that you can get, but equal on both sides.
Nick
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (Nick C)
I know it's different on every car, but vette people seemed to be more knowlegeable in a variety of cars on here. I figure I may be able to get a vauge number to begin with, and go from there.
And running all the caster you can get does not help you. It messes up cornerweights and causes more bumpsteer. That greatly outweighs any disadvantage.
And running all the caster you can get does not help you. It messes up cornerweights and causes more bumpsteer. That greatly outweighs any disadvantage.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: TX
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (PylonBoy)
General rules for autox alignment. Before I get flamed these are general and need to be fine tuned for individual cars and drivers. Caster is a good thing for the most part. A lot of caster will raise the front during a turn, but I would rather have the added negative camber.
Front:
Camber - as much negative as you can get, will eat tires if too much on a street car
Caster - as much positive as you can get without sacrificing neg camber
Toe - slight out, 1/16" - 1/8", do not go more unless it is a dedicated track car since toe out eats tires. Also harder to drive on street.
Rear:
Camber - usually a little less than front
Toe - 1/16" in for autox only car, 1/18" in for street or road race use
Front:
Camber - as much negative as you can get, will eat tires if too much on a street car
Caster - as much positive as you can get without sacrificing neg camber
Toe - slight out, 1/16" - 1/8", do not go more unless it is a dedicated track car since toe out eats tires. Also harder to drive on street.
Rear:
Camber - usually a little less than front
Toe - 1/16" in for autox only car, 1/18" in for street or road race use
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 109
From: Austin Texas
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (PylonBoy)
kkonen is right on this one.
When they told you as much caster as possible, they were correct. Caster gives you that "on-center" feel in the wheel. What it does even more is snap the wheel back to center faster when you let go of it. This gets your wheels pointing straight ahead faster, using the cars weight and suspension settings rather than you having to turn the wheel yourself.
My caster settings are at +7.8
When they told you as much caster as possible, they were correct. Caster gives you that "on-center" feel in the wheel. What it does even more is snap the wheel back to center faster when you let go of it. This gets your wheels pointing straight ahead faster, using the cars weight and suspension settings rather than you having to turn the wheel yourself.
My caster settings are at +7.8
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (PylonBoy)
Messes up cornerweights, that's a new one to me. Not sure where you came up with this theory.
Causes more bumpsteer, I disagree. I think more caster makes the car more stable, even over bumps (if I am reading Fred Puhn's book correctly, he agrees with me). Bumpsteer is more of a function of tie-rod placement/design. Someone can enlighten me if I'm wrong.
I like lots of caster, because the outside wheel gains lots of negative camber in turns.
Causes more bumpsteer, I disagree. I think more caster makes the car more stable, even over bumps (if I am reading Fred Puhn's book correctly, he agrees with me). Bumpsteer is more of a function of tie-rod placement/design. Someone can enlighten me if I'm wrong.
I like lots of caster, because the outside wheel gains lots of negative camber in turns.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (Joe90)
Joe90, are you saying you let go of the wheel during corner exit? I know it's not a recommended technique, but at least one local guy does that, and it seems to work really well for him so I can't really argue... :confused:
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 109
From: Austin Texas
Re: Approx caster settings for autocross (JasonL)
Not always, it depends on the corner and a lot of other variables. But the car actually centering itself helps you a lot when you are going through a course. You don't have to fight the wheel back to center.
I don't use a traditional hand-over-hand technique when I race. But I don't let go of the wheel very often either.
I don't use a traditional hand-over-hand technique when I race. But I don't let go of the wheel very often either.
