Whats your ride height?
Discussion
I've decided it's time to do something about the rear nearside bottoming out all the time, and also the underside of the motor seems to be spending far too much time in contact with the road these days.
So, I think it's time to raise the ride height a little.
On mine, theres about an inch or so between the edge of the tyre and the nearest point on the wing at the top. This seems a little close to me, if I push the back end of the car down then the tyre comes to within 1cm of the wheel arch, so god know how close it is when I hit the bottom of a hill at speed, probably touching. The tyres are the 245/45/16's by the way.
The Chim is fitted with adjustable Leda suspension, and there's only about 2cm of thread showing beneath the sping seats. There's about another 6-8cm spare I reckon, so plenty to play with.
I was wondering what kind of wheel clearance and ride height the rest of you chaps have?
I like the car being reasonable low, but it's just a bit much how it is right now.
Also, if I do adjust the ride height by 1-2cm will this cause any problems with the general setup, i.e. toe-in, camber etc??
I also think I should stiffen up the rear dampers a little, maybe this will help a little, I think I have them all set to 10 clicks (out of 24) away from soft.
Any comments, advice much appreciated.
Cheers
Dan
So, I think it's time to raise the ride height a little.
On mine, theres about an inch or so between the edge of the tyre and the nearest point on the wing at the top. This seems a little close to me, if I push the back end of the car down then the tyre comes to within 1cm of the wheel arch, so god know how close it is when I hit the bottom of a hill at speed, probably touching. The tyres are the 245/45/16's by the way.
The Chim is fitted with adjustable Leda suspension, and there's only about 2cm of thread showing beneath the sping seats. There's about another 6-8cm spare I reckon, so plenty to play with.
I was wondering what kind of wheel clearance and ride height the rest of you chaps have?
I like the car being reasonable low, but it's just a bit much how it is right now.
Also, if I do adjust the ride height by 1-2cm will this cause any problems with the general setup, i.e. toe-in, camber etc??
I also think I should stiffen up the rear dampers a little, maybe this will help a little, I think I have them all set to 10 clicks (out of 24) away from soft.
Any comments, advice much appreciated.
Cheers
Dan If you change the ride height the suspension should be checked as it can change toe out etc.
The amount of thread left is more a factor of the spring length and how strong it is. A weaker spring will compress more and generally the platform will need raising more as a result.
You can raise the height by simply raising the platform appropriately but this will change the weight distribution as well. Not a real issue but it will be worth getting the car corner weighted. Yes I have become a bit evangelistic about it but the differences it has made on my cars is staggering. If you have gone to expense of a fully adjustable suspension, worth getting it set up correctly. Not essential for Le Mans but worth considering afterwards.
Where the suspension is lowered it also ensures that you don't have a weak corner and thus increase the tendancy to roll and rub on the bodywork.
The amount of thread left is more a factor of the spring length and how strong it is. A weaker spring will compress more and generally the platform will need raising more as a result.
You can raise the height by simply raising the platform appropriately but this will change the weight distribution as well. Not a real issue but it will be worth getting the car corner weighted. Yes I have become a bit evangelistic about it but the differences it has made on my cars is staggering. If you have gone to expense of a fully adjustable suspension, worth getting it set up correctly. Not essential for Le Mans but worth considering afterwards.
Where the suspension is lowered it also ensures that you don't have a weak corner and thus increase the tendancy to roll and rub on the bodywork.
shpub said:
Not a real issue but it will be worth getting the car corner weighted. Yes I have become a bit evangelistic about it but the differences it has made on my cars is staggering.
What next? Strict diet, pee pills, and lycra suits? SH_pub Work Out video on the way?
Sorry, couldnt resist.... No more doughnuts for me this year :-(
Dave
I don't know what you are complaining about. I am forever being drawn to the efforts I have made to reduce weight on the 520 and the fact that the driver could probably loose the same amount of weight a lot easier. I maintain that I am moveable balast!
Work out video for TVRs? Hmmm now there is an idea.
However the thought of most TVR owners in leggings/leotards is causing me to feel ill and need a lie down...
Work out video for TVRs? Hmmm now there is an idea.
However the thought of most TVR owners in leggings/leotards is causing me to feel ill and need a lie down...
shpub said:
Work out video for TVRs? Hmmm now there is an idea.
However the thought of most TVR owners in leggings/leotards is causing me to feel ill and need a lie down...
Had the same repulsive vision at time of writing, was excellent incentive to go do something to keep my mind off it.
On second thoughts tho the way bling bling is creeping in everywhere.. you might be on to winner. Chameleon colour co-ordinated sparkly strech body suits, DVD in the dash pounding out "Push it Good" by SH Pub & the Tower View MAdams (obligatory sparkly Leds secreted around the bodywork & other cavities). Think Ive had Too Much sun!
I guess I had better contribute something useful... Joolz told me rough guide is lower wishbones level with chassis IIRC. Mine was Ok ride height but tyres just catching arches, so raised it slightly.
I set the ride height higher when getting laser alignment, figured dropping height later gives more camber which I could live with.
I count the turns on the platforms, rear right is 1 pitch higher than left, front right is set 1/2 turn higher than left. Always set grub screw to inside of car (except on 1/2 turn LFront). I try to set the car as low as possible, without fowling arches or grounding excessively. This seems to work for me, but others will be different dependant on car / driving style. I have a nice test route round the Peak District I use to evaluate each change. An intact chin spoiler reduces the urge to lower the car too far - my bit of gutter gives loud warnings (scares the sh*t out of pedestrians :-) of low ride height.
Whatever you do, have a plan so that you can measure / adjust / recreate, it has to be a re-iterative process - thats 1/2 the fun of adjustable platforms!.
Seen quoted figures here of chassis 4 1/2" / 5" (f/r), Wheel arch 620/630 f - 665 r - no idea if there any good.
HTH, Dave
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