Suspension setup
Discussion
Right I'm going to setup my friends caterham and check corner weights and such. My questions is what is a good setup for these cars? It's used mostly on the roads and some track days.
What ride heights/ camber/ toe front and rear are people running?
Is the caster adjustable at all or is this fixed?
Any advice appreciated.
What ride heights/ camber/ toe front and rear are people running?
Is the caster adjustable at all or is this fixed?
Any advice appreciated.
AlfaSpider said:
Right I'm going to setup my friends caterham and check corner weights and such. My questions is what is a good setup for these cars? It's used mostly on the roads and some track days.
What ride heights/ camber/ toe front and rear are people running?
Is the caster adjustable at all or is this fixed?
Any advice appreciated.
I will probably get flamed for this but wouldn't it be best and do your mate a favour tell them you dont know how to do it and send him/ her to a workshop that has expertise in this area......I will now run for the door. What ride heights/ camber/ toe front and rear are people running?
Is the caster adjustable at all or is this fixed?
Any advice appreciated.
Toaster said:
I will probably get flamed for this but wouldn't it be best and do your mate a favour tell them you dont know how to do it and send him/ her to a workshop that has expertise in this area......I will now run for the door.
Like a professional race mechanic? One with race car expirence should know the ins and outs of setting up a car. That's who they should go to! Don't you agree Toaster....Gingerbread Man said:
Like a professional race mechanic? One with race car expirence should know the ins and outs of setting up a car. That's who they should go to! Don't you agree Toaster....
Well Alfaspider may well be that man and don't want to do him a disservice but asking that question on a forum like this makes me think he may not be and as most know the car's are pretty well set up for road and occasional track use so why fiddle unless you know what you are changing and the effect its going to make. No that's fine you've probably got a point! 
but I'm a race mechanic and know just a thing or two about setup. It's only the cars I normally work on are slightly different and everything is adjustable!
I'm unfamiliar with the caterham, all I'm after is some figures if anyone has them to hand.
but I'm a race mechanic and know just a thing or two about setup. It's only the cars I normally work on are slightly different and everything is adjustable! I'm unfamiliar with the caterham, all I'm after is some figures if anyone has them to hand.
AlfaSpider said:
No that's fine you've probably got a point! but I'm a race mechanic and know just a thing or two about setup. It's only the cars I normally work on are slightly different and everything is adjustable!
I'm unfamiliar with the caterham, all I'm after is some figures if anyone has them to hand.
Try Techtalk on Blatchat you may find something there or EFA on here I am sure Arnie would help but I'm a race mechanic and know just a thing or two about setup. It's only the cars I normally work on are slightly different and everything is adjustable! I'm unfamiliar with the caterham, all I'm after is some figures if anyone has them to hand.
Some general ideas to start you off;
-120mm front ride height, measured from ground to lower chassis rail where the wishbone goes through the sideskin
-135mm rear height, from ground to lower chassis rail near leading edge of rear wing
-Toe Parallel +/- 0.20. Toe in for road, out for track.
-5-6 deg positive castor
-1.5 deg front negative camber for radial tyres.
-120mm front ride height, measured from ground to lower chassis rail where the wishbone goes through the sideskin
-135mm rear height, from ground to lower chassis rail near leading edge of rear wing
-Toe Parallel +/- 0.20. Toe in for road, out for track.
-5-6 deg positive castor
-1.5 deg front negative camber for radial tyres.
The car has the de-Dion rear end is this adjustable at the hub carrier with shims or is it fixed? I could look and figure it out but I reckon its best to ask than guess! It's running Yokohama 21rs at the monent these are ok with 1.5 negative at the front? Basically I'm not trying to change anything just check the corner weights are good and that the setup is still as it should be.
The CSR is pretty much the same as the advice above and here also page 187 in the assembly guide
Steve
Steve
AlfaSpider said:
Thanks very much for the info that's more than enough to get things pointing in the right direction. I'm curious to know where people go for setting up this kind of car properly? There can't be many people around with a good set up patch and the know how?
Most of the caterham race teams spy or Macmillan for example will flat floor your car for you in fact even caterham will do it. Thing is how many drivers on trackdays are consistent enough over several laps to be able to notice or measure the difference as a result of any changes they have made.AlfaSpider said:
Thanks very much for the info that's more than enough to get things pointing in the right direction. I'm curious to know where people go for setting up this kind of car properly? There can't be many people around with a good set up patch and the know how?
Most of the caterham race teams spy or Macmillan for example will flat floor your car for you in fact even caterham will do it. Thing is how many drivers on trackdays are consistent enough over several laps to be able to notice or measure the difference as a result of any changes they have made.Had my car second hand from caterham. The handling was 'interesting' especially in wet.Initially thought this was normal until I did a trackday. Car was transformed after stuart at fauldsport set it up. He also pointed out and corrected one or two other issues.Hoping to see what it is like on track this weekend.
hodgre said:
Had my car second hand from caterham. The handling was 'interesting' especially in wet.Initially thought this was normal until I did a trackday. Car was transformed after stuart at fauldsport set it up. He also pointed out and corrected one or two other issues.Hoping to see what it is like on track this weekend.
Any update at all? Be interested to find out your thoughts as I'm not entirely happy with my setup.Forums | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff