Hi All,
I'm a new owner and am learning about my Roadster. I have done quite a few searches, but please bear with me on some of my questions. I know it is common knowledge that these Roadsters understeer quite a bit. I'm looking to see what I can do to alleviate that as much as I can. I'm looking to increase the tire size up front and dial in some more negative camber and max out the caster. Here's my plan and my questions...
- Put the rear 17x7.5 wheels up front with 205/40-17 tires. The stock 175's seem to be over worked. Actually, the 175 Yoko's are "pretty wide" for their nominal size...they actually seem to measure out to comparable 195/50's. So, I don't think putting new 195/50 (as opposed to the 175/55) will gain a whole lot. I am test fitting the rears now and so far so good.
- How can I increase the negative camber and max out the caster? I've read it is done with shims, but when I took off the front wheel, it did not seem obvious. I am a big advocate of DIY alignments with strings and measurements...worked good for me on my old 308. I would max out the caster first (as the only real drawback to that is heavier steering) and then dial in the negative camber balancing between understeer and tire wear.
- Why is there so much negative camber in the rear? IIRC, excessive rear negative camber provides good mechanical grip, up until you lose the grip, then it not a gradual transition (or was that excessive toe, can't remember).
- I am going to do the mods up front first and if there is still understeer, then maybe take some negative camber out of the rears. This may seem like going backwards, but I think having a more neutral handling car would be more fun, than ultimate grip on both ends but with understeer.
LMK what you all think...
Henry
I'm a new owner and am learning about my Roadster. I have done quite a few searches, but please bear with me on some of my questions. I know it is common knowledge that these Roadsters understeer quite a bit. I'm looking to see what I can do to alleviate that as much as I can. I'm looking to increase the tire size up front and dial in some more negative camber and max out the caster. Here's my plan and my questions...
- Put the rear 17x7.5 wheels up front with 205/40-17 tires. The stock 175's seem to be over worked. Actually, the 175 Yoko's are "pretty wide" for their nominal size...they actually seem to measure out to comparable 195/50's. So, I don't think putting new 195/50 (as opposed to the 175/55) will gain a whole lot. I am test fitting the rears now and so far so good.
- How can I increase the negative camber and max out the caster? I've read it is done with shims, but when I took off the front wheel, it did not seem obvious. I am a big advocate of DIY alignments with strings and measurements...worked good for me on my old 308. I would max out the caster first (as the only real drawback to that is heavier steering) and then dial in the negative camber balancing between understeer and tire wear.
- Why is there so much negative camber in the rear? IIRC, excessive rear negative camber provides good mechanical grip, up until you lose the grip, then it not a gradual transition (or was that excessive toe, can't remember).
- I am going to do the mods up front first and if there is still understeer, then maybe take some negative camber out of the rears. This may seem like going backwards, but I think having a more neutral handling car would be more fun, than ultimate grip on both ends but with understeer.
LMK what you all think...
Henry