I went to the track to see what i could get done in the car last weekend, i was hoping to lay down some good solid 10 second runs now that we have the car making good power. In this instance though i was not using BBG, as i was using this day to gather data to use it next time. I was also only on small slicks 13x23x8"

However when running the car up the strip it became very unstable once in 3rd and 4th gear. My question is, how do you guys set up the cars geometry? dead straight? as i think mine were toeing out on both sides.

Also in 3rd and 4th gear again, i felt what i can only describe as a "winding" sensation throguh the pedal, would this be the diff having a hard time? it is just an OEM diff in there, but ive never felt that before! The datalog showed that i was lifting a bit as well (probably due to self preservation) in 4th, so throttle postition was anywhere between 45 and 85%!

The point is that i was being pulled a lot to the right, so was thinking that the geometry/diff/tyres/torque steer are just making it difficult to drive, or is this normal?? should i expect to get pulled all over the track in a car this powerful?

Any help or insight as to a good solid setup would be useful.

As a result of this my best time was only 11.2 @ 136.4mph (138.6 best trap of the day still lifting before the beam though), abysmal 2.0 sec 60fts, but thats another story! I should also add that the car was not running at "full" power, which is at 2.5bar boost, this was at 1.9-2.0bar.

 

Sounds like you need an alignment.

 

I would probably start by checking alignment and any loose suspension components.

 

Is this the first time the car has been down the track before?

My car used to feel very unstable at the track because it always wanted to pull, then i put in a lsd and it fixed the issue. night and day difference.

Like others have suggested, check alignment or for anything loose but i wouldn't be too surprised if the open diff was the issue.

 

Check alignment and measure the roll out of each slick (circumference)

 

It wasn't it's first time at the strip no, but it was with this kind of power I think the there is a little but if everything at fault here so hopefully I can get a couple of them sorted for next time, starting with the alignment!

The rollout of the slicks was slightly different left to right, but next time I will be using my own slicks whic should be better all round anyway

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

Are you sure it just wasn't down to poor track conditions?

 

It may have been a small factor guy but I can't use that as an excuse when everyone else was fine....

I'm sure it's geo/tyre/diff related

 

sounds like alignment issue

 

Have you considered a Quaife?

 

Yes, but to be honest, im not that serious. The gearbox has already been built once so i dont want to disturb it now (unless the OEM one breaks of course).

Ill get the alignment done when i have "my" slicks on the car, and take it from there i think.

 

Also when you say everybody else was fine, did anyone else have your power?

 

well no, i guess they didnt!! I would expect the car to pull a little to the right simply due to the drivers side shaft being the shorter and the effect of torquesteer but just maybe not as apparent as it was.

As has been said perhaps the alignment was the biggest factor in this as the suspension etc has all been off more times than i care to remember, which hopefully going forward wont need to be the case.

 

For sure it's a given that the alignment should be correct, but it's worth considering the other points.

 

Limiting straps will help or even drag suspension.

My car was dead straight @500whp on Drag radials.

Whenever I came out on slicks and 600 it was all over the place.

 

although my car is not a Honda I had a similar issue when i was at the 500 whp range...in 3rd and 4th the damn thing was unstable and i'd have to lift. I got everything aligned etc...same issue. John from m&h suggested that the 23 inch slick was probably worn/or being overpowered or both and told me to go newer...so I switched to a 13x25x9 inch slick and the thing went straight as a arrow....no more unstable pull. 02 cents

 

Thanks, thats useful to hear too. My new slicks are 24.5x9.5x13 so maybe (although i will do the alignment also) this may help a little too!

 

There is no way you honestly expected that POS of yours to go down the track in a straight line did you?

Love Lou xxxxxxxxxxx

 

aww thanks sweetheart!

Love n hugs.

 

Teeheehee xx

The obvious points have been covered, allignment is probably your best bet, but i would also look at chassis strength.

Remember it's a Honda from the early 90's, you're making good power now and I know you have removed some weight, IMO you have lost alot of chassis strength at the back, that would definatley cause the car to move about up top.

If you want some allignment settings drop me a text, I'd be happy to give you a good starting point.

 

Cheers dude, Ill get the car back together with all the right bits and then go from there. Swapping back to the MFactory shafts as i bit the bullet and got some more karcept hubs...

 

on the front suspension give it some toe out no more then 1/8" and -1 degrees on camber so when the tires expand its -0+ play with the dampning and rebound, spring rates are a huge factor. scale the car use preload to move the weight around. the back of the car needs to be -0+ no toe or caster or the back of the car will hurt the setup all around if its not right. its easy to make big power but when it comes to the chassis thats a whole new game GL man

i run a spool in my trans and @ over 800whp im proud to say it doest move left or right unless i turn the wheel.

 

thanks buddy, ill bear that all in mind I am hoping that my new slicks will be here next week so that i can try to get the setup right before its next outing on the 12th