Car suspension settings - doing it yourself?

[stef1808]

I was always very fond of the handling characteristics of my e92. Its basically got full bolt on parts - and ive just got it back now with up'd sway bars, control arms and links together with a new geo.

im really impressed with the front end turn in, its so much more responsive now - but the rear has become way too sorted - so much so it almost feels like traction control is interfering in when the rear tyres do find grip.

on the limit it feels more familiar with a mid engine car now with all 4 tyres sliding - before i could best describe it as the rear would rotate around, instead of the whole car moving from the middle (i hope that makes sense)

so i got thinking, this is prob due to running more negative rear camber and more toe. could i buy some tools and mess around in the garage myself? ive always heard suspension settings was one of those things is best to "use your guy" for

what a bout getting some car scales to get the weight balance sorted at least?

[stef1808]

yes i did m3 control arms front and rear also. i believe this is one of the main reasons of the increased rear grip.
i could be completely wrong though

[stef1808]

thanks for your reply everyone! seems to be a hassle indeed doing it yourself

so far the 50psi cheap rear tyres seems to be winning for me

otherwise, vs your normal average garage geo, is it worth spending that extra bit to get it done by a proper race team? its prob due time for a trip to team schimer in germany if you say so :P

[stef1808]

GreenV8S said:

Nope, no idea what you think is happening or what is wrong with that. I suggest you ought to be very clear in your own mind what you're trying to achieve, and understand enough about the theory of car handling to understand what options you have to achieve it, before you mess with the suspension settings of a car which is currently free of major handling vices.

Suspension adjustments are one of those funny areas where the changes are very easy to make - often only needing a couple of minutes with a spanner or screwdriver - and the hard part is working out how the car is actually handling and how that was affected by those changes.

your competently right and thanks for your reply. im going to start of stiffing the rear suspension and some more psi's at the rear. see if that helps

i still stand by what i said though: the handling characteristics with the m3 toe links, arms, sway bar etc is completely different now. about 15-20kmh faster corner speed/poised race car (with the sorted rear end) but not so much of a hoon machine anymore.

[stef1808]

GreenV8S said:

Of course the other way is to look at this as an excuse to add more power.

my mind has been blown

[stef1808]

GreenV8S said:

It sounds as if you've had a handling upgrade which has worked (more grip and better handling balance) but you decided you preferred the old tail-happy oversteering characteristics

this, but, im very happy with the front grip now. its miles better, just not happy with the rear

[stef1808]

quick update:
put a a few more psi's at the rear, and put the rear rebound (ohlines) on the stiffest setting (not recommenced/safe!!)
but.... I havnt giggled in my car like that since i was 17 and got my first rwd car - and ive driven some cool stuff also since then :P
the rears light up in any gear when on the boost