front wheels / steering feel

[stephen wilson]

I guess I'll have to try a larger change in raising the front tire pressures, and re-evaluate my results. I only tried 2 PSI changes, not feeling comfortable with less than 27 in the front.

I went up one size on the front, to 245/40 and 265/40, and it works wonders, while retaining a wear-friendly alignment. This is for street use, I don't track the car at this time.

[LAP1DOUG]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I guess I'll have to try a larger change in raising the front tire pressures, and re-evaluate my results. I only tried 2 PSI changes, not feeling comfortable with less than 27 in the front.

I went up one size on the front, to 245/40 and 265/40, and it works wonders, while retaining a wear-friendly alignment. This is for street use, I don't track the car at this time.

It sounds like you are definitely on the right path with decreasing the front to rear stagger.

Every tire has an ideal camber and pressure for optimum grip, and anything off of this can be used to adjust steer characteristics front to rear, but you should keep in mind that you are compromising ultimate grip for balance when you go that way. As Carroll Smith taught us, it's better to work on making the loose end grip, then trying to "unstick" the end that is working.

In my experience, for most street tires, the total range of pressure adjustment should be around 32 psig - 37 psig. Anything more or less than this is a big compromise in performance.

The alignment advice given above is very good for maximizing the stock suspension. After that, you need GT3 type front arms and sway bars to improve grip and balance. Welcome to the slippery slope...

[stephen wilson]

Originally Posted by LAP1DOUG

As Carroll Smith taught us, it's better to work on making the loose end grip, then trying to "unstick" the end that is working.

Agreed, that's why I adjusted the front pressures only, in an attemp to improve the end that's not working. Results can be more difficult to judge on the street, since there is only certain places where the balance can be "tested", and conditions vary from day to day. I may try a back-to-back test; run my favorite corner with high pressure, pull to the side to bleed some off, and try it again.

[jaykay]

Thanks all for the advice....I am missing out on track days this summer hopeful I will get back.....yes it's quite impossible to test without track time. I do feel the whole front end get way too light under acceleration out of an uphill turn. The steering gets twichty can the car can be upset with minor surface bumps. The front end feels like its rolling/floating too much such that can't feel it

I had though I was going too high at 33F cold but will try higher
I do feel the tread blocks starting to "mush" probably from heat rather than the tire folding under....more on the rear...not smooth slides but like the rubber giving up and recovering...very disconcerting

I am on pilot sports and stock alignment as I am still learning; the set up works in the rain but not high speed in the dry

Guess it is really about driver physche to a large degree

[stephen wilson]

Well, so much for my first tire pressure "test". I tried running 35/37, and the PSM kept killing the engine on every left-hand turn, as if I was losing traction. I guess the increased rolling radius with my larger diameter front tire is starting to confuse the traction control. I'll have to see if something like 32 all around will work, and not confuse my computers!

Adj. sway bars would be ideal, I just don't want to spend that money right now. Too many other projects....