I want to make an adjustment from medium/medium to stop the rear from squirting around too much on me (oversteer). I was going to move the rears to one notch softer but not on both sides. Any comments. I get so confused when I hear people with medium rear and soft front say they have neutral balance. ? Medium/Medium is too hard on the rear and causes oversteer so going softer up front would make that worse right? Also was considering going hard/medium as to effect the same result as medium/semi soft.

2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner

 

there are a lot of other variables, as you know, that determine under/oversteer. I was at medium front and soft rear. With my springs that transfer stiffness to the rear, I was at neutral with the tiniest hint of understeer at the limit.

Since I'm pretty much done tracking for the year, I left the rear at soft and then moved one side in the front to full soft (now at medium and soft). I think I notice a little more roll in the front now (could be psychosomatic) and I definitely notice less abruptness when I enter an inclined driveway (the whole front isn't affected when the first tire hits the driveway).

At medium/medium, you've transferred about 60% of stiffness to the rear. I'd try moving one side to full soft and see how that works for you. Going softer up front will make the oversteer increase.

 

YEah thats where I was headed since it's so much easier to get to the rears. More stiffness up front is prob unncessary at this point anyway - love the stifness there - just need to keep the rears planted better. There may be no better perf mod than these.

2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner

 

Using non-symetrical holes is fine, but try to go no more than 1 hole. For example, using the 1st hole at the left with 3rd hole at the right may (or may not ... I'd have check) put the endlinks out of it's range of motion, leading to premature wear of the ball joints (of the endlink).

Trying to duplicate other people's sway settings is not the best way to go about this. On top of varying setup for the particular car, everyone simply has their own interpretation of what's consider neutral and slight oversteer or understeer. Just play around w. the settings yourself and settle on something you like. Do take advantage of doing 'half adjustments' (that's what I call it, but it's not literally by half) for smaller increments of adjustment.

Good Luck!


Clint (THX723)

 

so....is medium front and soft rear the best settings for everyday (aggressive lol) driving?

what are people's opinions for different driving conditions and Hotchkis settings?

I'm installing mine next week and need to know. Was planning on doing the install myself ( i know it is easy) but I am doing the UR Pulley (i know, i know.....), Stillen exhaust, Hotchkis sport coils and the swaybars all at once.....

thanks,
doc

 

That's what I would try out first. It's all about what you prefer. That setting won't transfer too much stiffness to the rear so you won't have to worry about too much oversteer. Give it a shot.

 

thanks.

doc

 

I'm just making sure I'm heading in the right direction from where I describe. In almost every condition my car finds it self on the edge - it seems to bring the rear around a bit snappy like - not like traction loss oversteer where you slide - you just sense the rear tires losing traction MORE than the front.



2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner

 

You can do either of two things then. Kick down the rear 'half' a step or kick up the front 'half' a step.


Clint (THX723)

 

What's the condition of your tires? It might be that since you like driving the car hard you might need a new set.



<font color=blue>04 CB COUPE / WILLOW / PREM PACK</font color=blue>

 

I have 21k on them and they are rotated faithully and look new. They have more than enough tread per the penny test too. Now they are all seasons but the car was just upgraded to the hotchkis and so i am comparing recent and well remembered understeer from stock setup. I'm looking for neutral or bias to understeer SLIGHTLY in most conditions. No snappniess. I think softening the rear is a good idea so I'll report what happens then.

2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner