High Traction Clay Set-Up Help!!

[chrisreese]

I race in the states at an indoor track that is very high traction, almost tacky, wet clay ( it's almost like racing on Play-Dough). We actually grind our tires down to slicks and run with stiff foams. Anyway, I'm having a very hard time with the Predator X10. I can't keep the rear-end from wiping out on every turn, it's like I have no rear-end traction when turning. My Lazer runs great with the same tires and foams and can actually traction-roll if I'm not careful.

What am I doing wrong? I started with Tom Yardy's Kidderminster setup. I then tried moving the roll bar to the front (I have plenty of steering, I actually have to dial some out). That was no help at all. I also tried setting rear camber to it's max, that made it a little better, but still very lacking in rear traction.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[bigboss]

Hi Chrisreese
Any jumps on you track? If not or if there are only a few bumps on it I would say try to use lighter oil & softer spring on the rear.
If you can't do that for some reason put the rear camber back to zero or -1 and dial in a lot more rear toe in. This will settle the rear.

[Northy]

What is your current set-up?
If you post it I can help.

Cheers,

G

[chrisreese]

There are 2 corner table tops and 2 medium-sized doubles, other than that, the track is pretty smooth.

Here is my current setup...

Front:
Springs: 5.5t
Pistons: Hard/Valve opposite of stock, standard hole
Oil: Ass 40
Toe: 0
Camber: 1 degree
Clearance: 16mm
Roll Bar: Hard
Upper Wishbone: 3 shims
Tires: Panther Bobcats w/super firm inserts (ground to slicks)

Rear:
Springs: 6.5t
Pistons: Soft, standard hole
Oil: Ass 50
Toe: 2 degrees
Camber: Max
Clearance: 22mm
Roll Bar: None
Damper pickup point: Middle
Tires: Panther Slicks w/super firm inserts

Thanks!

[Northy]

Front.

Have you tried even thicker oil? Maybe 50wt or higher and no roll bar. I think a roll bar can give more 'turn in'.


Now the rear.

Which 6.5 turn springs do you have on? The 1.3mm or 1.4mm diameter? Need to know.

Try 45 or 40wt oil, still middle hole on the rocker.

Toe in, is that 2 degrees total or 2 degrees per side? I would add more toe-in, 3 degrees PER SIDE at least, maybe 4.


If that doesn't help, let me know and we can get more extreme, are you handy with the dremal? ;D

Hope that helps,

G

[chrisreese]

I have the silver 6.5 turn springs. I will try lighter springs in the back, maybe the 5.5 turn with lighter oil. I was running running 2 degrees toe in per side in the rear, I will try 3 degrees tonight at the track and post my findings.

I have to get this sorted out by tomorrow's race, I'd like to race the Pred instead of the Lazer. My track is letting 4WD buggies race for only $5 hoping to increase interest in the class, 4WD Buggy class is practically dead over here, I don't understand it.

Thanks.

[Northy]

The 6.5 turn silver springs are tooooo hard! I never used them at all this last year. I ran the 5.5 everywhere.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on. We can chat on msn if you need.

G

[bigboss]

I second what Northy said.
One thing to add only lose the rear pos camber, you're better off having none at all on a grippy surface. good luck racing tomorrow.

[Northy]

Oh, I forgot that. If your struggling for rear traction you want about -1 degree.

Also remembered something else, try raising the front ride height. Sounds daft, but try it. ;D

G

[Northy]

I might also try MORE -ve camber on the front, -2 or even more.

G

[chrisreese]

I guess I should have been more clear, I'm running negative degree camber front and rear. Sorry about that. I was running -1 degree in the front and -2 degree in the back.

[Northy]

Any improvement Chris?

G

[chrisreese]

Yes, things went better, here's the story...

Friday night practice went alot better with softer rear springs and no roll bar. However, once I got on the track today, the rear was all over the place again for the first heat. I tried increasing the rear toe-in to 3 degrees per side. That made it a little better for the next heat, but was still a little loose. For the 3rd heat I added 14 grams of weight to the rear and it was great. Finally for the main, I reduced the rear camber back to -2 degrees per side and it was dialed! I ended up finishing 3rd in the A-main!

Thanks for all your suggestions! I really like the Pred better than the Lazer when it is setup right. I also think it is more durable! I had a high-speed collision with a XXX-4 when a marshal dropped it in front of me going into a corner. I came through with no damage, but I killed the Losi!

[predatom]

chrisreese said:

I killed the Losi!

Well done for your race!! ;-))

About the Losi...........is anyone wants to have another proof of Pred's strengh?? lol

[Northy]

Great to hear your cars going better. Mine was also ace today ;D