Case for asymmetric setups?
Discussion
Given that the vast majority of race circuits are right-handed, and I can't offhand think of a single one in the UK that isn't, I'm surprised I've never seen any discussion here on asmmetric setups.
The car on whose behalf I'm enquiring is a Mk 1 MX-5, lowered on coilovers which is going to need a geometry check before its next trackday. It's never used on the road other than driving to and from circuits.
Would any ill-effects result from having different cambers left and right, especially as the difference would probably be less than 1 degree anyway?
The car on whose behalf I'm enquiring is a Mk 1 MX-5, lowered on coilovers which is going to need a geometry check before its next trackday. It's never used on the road other than driving to and from circuits.
Would any ill-effects result from having different cambers left and right, especially as the difference would probably be less than 1 degree anyway?
thegreenhell said:
Wouldn't it pull to one side, especially under braking?
Most likely this. Adding camber limits the tyres ability to grip when accelerating and braking in a straight line. Different cambers would result in different levels of grip meaning the car wouldn't be stable under braking.It's not going to kill you, but as others have said it's not really worth it. If there was time to be had, racers would do it.
Asymmetrical setups are surely commonplace in the higher racing categories. Less so in lower categories where track time is short.
Remember a car is never truly in a symmetrical setup because the balance starts to change front to back, and left to right, as temps develop after a few laps. Teams will seek to achieve optimal temperature and contact patches at each corner regardless of what side it's on. Often the unloaded tyre may not be hugely relevant either - right up to stiffly sprung F1 cars where you sometimes see the tyre wobbling mid-air.
Having said that... ruining the setup of my car at a trackday isn't my idea of fun but I no doubt there are plenty of guys that love this sort of thing. Of course, it will be of dubious value at the next event you attend at a different circuit.
Remember a car is never truly in a symmetrical setup because the balance starts to change front to back, and left to right, as temps develop after a few laps. Teams will seek to achieve optimal temperature and contact patches at each corner regardless of what side it's on. Often the unloaded tyre may not be hugely relevant either - right up to stiffly sprung F1 cars where you sometimes see the tyre wobbling mid-air.
Having said that... ruining the setup of my car at a trackday isn't my idea of fun but I no doubt there are plenty of guys that love this sort of thing. Of course, it will be of dubious value at the next event you attend at a different circuit.
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