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Mallory Park (PPC) Sat 19 May 2012
- Thread starter Rob Gaskin
- Start date
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
The capri was a pure track car running a volvo engine and light wieght panels. The passed me last year and I wasnt going to let that happen this time. There were a couple of high spec high budget escorts running nicely detailed LS V8's. It was a great day and nice being able to hold my own with the new suspension, brakes and tyres working perfectly. It's all a learning process but I think I'm getting there. Can't wait untill Spa on Friday. Just a diff change and some suspension tweeks and I'm ready.
How did you get on with the set-up? What caster/camber/toe are you running? How are you getting on with the GAZ conversion?
Your car looks quite nippy!
johnymd
Club Member
I took the car into a friends garage and set the suspension using one of his guys and the geometry machine.
Whent for 1* toe in front and .5* rear.
2.5* front camber and1.5* rear ( I change this to zero for drag racing using the top camber plates as its really easy to do).
As much caster as I can without the wheels touching the leading edge of the arch.
Going to up the tyre pressures to 30 all round as the rears were rolling a bit and getting much hotter than the fronts.
I set the dampers to 8 clicks on the track which is good. May up this for spa. The great thing about the struts is when you turn it down to zero for the road, the ride is really smooth, dispite solid top mounts and full rose jointed suspension.
Basically, I'm really happy with the entire setup of the car.
Whent for 1* toe in front and .5* rear.
2.5* front camber and1.5* rear ( I change this to zero for drag racing using the top camber plates as its really easy to do).
As much caster as I can without the wheels touching the leading edge of the arch.
Going to up the tyre pressures to 30 all round as the rears were rolling a bit and getting much hotter than the fronts.
I set the dampers to 8 clicks on the track which is good. May up this for spa. The great thing about the struts is when you turn it down to zero for the road, the ride is really smooth, dispite solid top mounts and full rose jointed suspension.
Basically, I'm really happy with the entire setup of the car.
Great video John, your car is well set-up now and looks 'planted' on the track. Also I couldn't believe how quiet it was when watching that session with Mike B.
From the video it's so obvious that very few cars are a problem to you when trying to overtake. I often get frustrated by slow lappers who have the straight-line speed to hold me off.
I think there is more to come 'lap time' wise with a 'bigger picture' approach to circuits/corners. I was quite surprised by how early you apexed some of the corners but at least you kept it on the tarmac
From the video it's so obvious that very few cars are a problem to you when trying to overtake. I often get frustrated by slow lappers who have the straight-line speed to hold me off.
I think there is more to come 'lap time' wise with a 'bigger picture' approach to circuits/corners. I was quite surprised by how early you apexed some of the corners but at least you kept it on the tarmac
johnymd
Club Member
Thanks Rob.
I didn't fancy the grass, looked a bit too wet and I was hoping not to have to clean the car again. I did hear it wasn't all that grippy so I thought id give it a miss. You seamed to enjoy yourself on the green stuff though.
Early apexes - not being a natural I always find myself thinking "I cocked that one up" just about the same time that Matt say "you should be over there mate". I guess it will come with time and practice.
I didn't fancy the grass, looked a bit too wet and I was hoping not to have to clean the car again. I did hear it wasn't all that grippy so I thought id give it a miss. You seamed to enjoy yourself on the green stuff though.
Early apexes - not being a natural I always find myself thinking "I cocked that one up" just about the same time that Matt say "you should be over there mate". I guess it will come with time and practice.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
0.5 deg rear isn't much at all, your car looks quite stable still which is good news
I'm really wanting you to sell me on the GAZ conversion
Seems to be the best all round solution for the cash. What spring rates have you gone for? How much heavier is your car over a 'standard' 240z? Cheers for answering my questions.
johnymd
Club Member
I'm always open to advice on suspension tweaks. Conservative rate of 350 front, 250 rear. Matt suggested a stiffer back spring may help the rear grip in the dry. Untill I noticed I hadn't set the rear camber for track and was still set for drag.
Car weight is 1158kg with 1/3rd tank of fuel, and about 20kg of junk and tools. Not including me though. The scales at mallory come in handy.
Car weight is 1158kg with 1/3rd tank of fuel, and about 20kg of junk and tools. Not including me though. The scales at mallory come in handy.
We got some pics in this month's mag.
Not big pics however - one of Darren on track and one of John pumping up his tyres with my pump!
Not big pics however - one of Darren on track and one of John pumping up his tyres with my pump!
