Life110 Geometry. Experience, Advice and where to get done
Discussion
I'm interested how the camber is adjusted on these cars... I can see where the front lower wishbone bolts to the body there are height adjustable bolts which could adjust camber quite easily. As long as the place you use has accurate measurements I can't see this being a very difficult job to dial in. I've yet to find a decent picture of the rear suspension but am guessing it is a similar adjustment.
Edited by 7en on Sunday 7th May 14:37
I’ve downloaded the life 110 standard suspension details. I suppose I was expecting “tweaks” the the standard, but it looks completely different, presumably a different approach. I won’t pretend to understand this, so would appreciate if anyone is anyone able to explain the principles leading to the differences.
Colin P said:
I’ve downloaded the life 110 standard suspension details. I suppose I was expecting “tweaks” the the standard, but it looks completely different, presumably a different approach. I won’t pretend to understand this, so would appreciate if anyone is anyone able to explain the principles leading to the differences.
There are various interviews and podcasts with David Pook where he explains (not in great detail, but somewhat) his logic behind the geometry. Iirc he found Alpine's setup a bit puzzling and set them up in what he felt was a more standard way for a RWD sports car.Rob_RCF said:
There are various interviews and podcasts with David Pook where he explains (not in great detail, but somewhat) his logic behind the geometry. Iirc he found Alpine's setup a bit puzzling and set them up in what he felt was a more standard way for a RWD sports car.
Would love to know a list of cars he has set up before because he's clearly good at it.Rob_RCF said:
There are various interviews and podcasts with David Pook where he explains (not in great detail, but somewhat) his logic behind the geometry. Iirc he found Alpine's setup a bit puzzling and set them up in what he felt was a more standard way for a RWD sports car.
Normally FWD cars are set up with a bit of toe out at the front, RWD toe in. The A110 has toe out. Alpine are not alone in doing that - I believe Ferrari do too, and can come in for some criticism in that regard too. A common complaint on the A110 is straight line stability - particularly in side winds, and the toe out is cited as the reason. Personally it's not an issue for me with the standard geometry - but would agree that stability is not as absolute as in a Cayman.The second issue is that, on the limit the rear end is too mobile for some - a bit too flighty. The life110 set up aims to alleviate that with stiffer springs and more rear negative camber.
The third is that outright grip is sacrificed by not having enough negative camber either front or rear - and the life110 settings add a little negative camber both front and rear.
I think one of things that makes the A110 fun to drive is that it is NOT as planted as most of the opposition, so I wouldn't want much more grip - but I have yet to try Life110 settings to see if the compromise he strikes suits me better.
My apologies to David if I've got that wrong, but I think that is the gist of what he has written.
Rob_RCF said:
There are various interviews and podcasts with David Pook where he explains (not in great detail, but somewhat) his logic behind the geometry. Iirc he found Alpine's setup a bit puzzling and set them up in what he felt was a more standard way for a RWD sports car.
Thanks. For others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV2tC4KEDRw
AlexNJ89 said:
Would love to know a list of cars he has set up before because he's clearly good at it.
Good article here with a lot of info on his background:https://www.evo.co.uk/features/205308/my-life-cars...
So had the Life 110 standard suspension setup put on the car this morning.
Car only done 1100 miles and the geo was bang on factory spec.
Took the long way home on some roads I know.
Big difference on 70mph roads, especially ones in poor condition or rutted. Must surer footed no wandering, huge improvement.
Fast roundabouts and tighter corners. Handling similar, but I always felt it was too pointy and sometimes felt that the rear end would happily swap ends (bit like a go kart). I prefer a more balanced car, prefer understeer to oversteer. It’s now more balanced, not night and day but does give more confidence to me and is preferable to me.
A good way to spend £90 (which I felt was very reasonable, was expecting £150+).
Merrow tyre Farnham for people looking for somewhere. Looks like a standard tyre shop until you dig a bit, brilliant local reputation and consequently they are busy. On digging deeper let’s just say the Alpine is low end against some of the local cars they have done, it seems that the owner does them and leaves the tyres to his staff.
Car only done 1100 miles and the geo was bang on factory spec.
Took the long way home on some roads I know.
Big difference on 70mph roads, especially ones in poor condition or rutted. Must surer footed no wandering, huge improvement.
Fast roundabouts and tighter corners. Handling similar, but I always felt it was too pointy and sometimes felt that the rear end would happily swap ends (bit like a go kart). I prefer a more balanced car, prefer understeer to oversteer. It’s now more balanced, not night and day but does give more confidence to me and is preferable to me.
A good way to spend £90 (which I felt was very reasonable, was expecting £150+).
Merrow tyre Farnham for people looking for somewhere. Looks like a standard tyre shop until you dig a bit, brilliant local reputation and consequently they are busy. On digging deeper let’s just say the Alpine is low end against some of the local cars they have done, it seems that the owner does them and leaves the tyres to his staff.
Edited by Colin P on Thursday 15th June 13:34
Colin P said:
So had the Life 110 standard suspension setup put on the car this morning.
Car only done 1100 miles and the geo was bang on factory spec.
Took the long way home on some roads I know.
Big difference on 70mph roads, especially ones in poor condition or rutted. Must surer footed no wandering, huge improvement.
Fast roundabouts and tighter corners. Handling similar, but I always felt it was too pointy and sometimes felt that the rear end would happily swap ends (bit like a go kart). I prefer a more balanced car, prefer understeer to oversteer. It’s now more balanced, not night and day but does give more confidence to me and is preferable to me.
A good way to spend £90 (which I felt was very reasonable, was expecting £150+).
Merrow tyre Farnham for people looking for somewhere. Looks like a standard tyre shop until you dig a bit, brilliant local reputation and consequently they are busy. On digging deeper let’s just say the Alpine is low end against some of the local cars they have done, it seems that the owner does them and leaves the tyres to his staff.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll keep this place in mind, it's only 15 mins from me!Car only done 1100 miles and the geo was bang on factory spec.
Took the long way home on some roads I know.
Big difference on 70mph roads, especially ones in poor condition or rutted. Must surer footed no wandering, huge improvement.
Fast roundabouts and tighter corners. Handling similar, but I always felt it was too pointy and sometimes felt that the rear end would happily swap ends (bit like a go kart). I prefer a more balanced car, prefer understeer to oversteer. It’s now more balanced, not night and day but does give more confidence to me and is preferable to me.
A good way to spend £90 (which I felt was very reasonable, was expecting £150+).
Merrow tyre Farnham for people looking for somewhere. Looks like a standard tyre shop until you dig a bit, brilliant local reputation and consequently they are busy. On digging deeper let’s just say the Alpine is low end against some of the local cars they have done, it seems that the owner does them and leaves the tyres to his staff.
Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff