mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 10, 2010 18:28:56 GMT
Today’s mod report Bump steer check I had not felt any discernable bump steer at all, but I was a little concerned that I had just bolted the steering rack to the steering rack mounts with very little checking. So one of the jobs for the winter was to check this area of the car. A friend had done his Westfield and said it made a massive difference. He also gave me a hand to check mine. I was fully expecting half a day of messing around with adjustment after adjustment but in the end there was so little movement I did not change a thing. I put the car back on the platforms I have been using to get the car flat and level. Then I held the car at that level and removed a road wheel and a suspension strut, holding the upright on another jack. I clamped a straight edge to the disk and jacked the hub through its full range of travel. With a plumb bob I marked the angle of the disk at every height from full droop to full compression. The plumb bob hardly moved at all, so I left the rack well alone. I am impressed that the rocket has got this aspect so right. Testament to the quality of the kit. I felt it was another check worth doing. Only an hours work, using no special test equipment and gives me more confidence that the car will go were I point it. Another mod tomorrow. Cheers Mattsmev
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 10, 2010 18:36:19 GMT
Thanks Nigel
When I have finished posting my mods I'll put a edited set in the technical area, or if you (as moderator) prefer I'll move the thread now?
Would love to have a play with your cannards, i can always spray them to match. Why are you taking them off?
Cheers
Mattsmev
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boom
Newbie
Posts: 19
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Post by boom on Mar 10, 2010 19:51:08 GMT
Good work. Just goes to show you don't need fancy laser alignment equipment to check this kind of stuff.
From my (limited) understanding, if the rack is in the middle of the wishbones (height wise) and the flexible bit on the end is roughly the same length as the wishbones, the bump steer should be minumal. You get big problems when the rack is much higher as it doesn't match the arc made by the suspension as it moves up and down.
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 11, 2010 16:48:53 GMT
Today’s mod report Adjustable brake balance control As I used the Willwood pedal box I have an adjustable brake balance bar, and although this was locked for the SVA test the locking pin appears to have fallen out so now I can fit an adjuster to it. Regular readers may have noted my angst when I shattered a clutch plate at a track day last year. The Colerne track has two big stops each lap and I had developed a bad habit of lifting the clutch in each gear as I went down through the box at each of these stops. Many times while I am hard on the brakes and lifting the clutch I was locking the rear wheels on the down shift. I think I need to move the brake bias further back and do less engine braking to save my clutch. I have fitted the Willwood adjuster and fitted it as shown below. I have made a bracket from ally and covered it with carbon look sheet. Unfortunately the stuff I have bought from ebay is a bit bling, especially under the camera flash, honest it’s OK in normal light. I have not had the car out on track yet, but when I do I’ll soon figure out where the balance bar should be so both axels lock at about the same time. I hope this, and some better clutch behaviour from me, will mean I don’t break a clutch again. I have also fitted a stronger clutch plate. Does any one have any advice on setting up a brake balance bars? Cheers, another mod tomorrow Mattsmev
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 12, 2010 17:38:29 GMT
Today’s modification report Front suspension brace Just a quick report today – while I was at the Exeter show Stuart gave me a brace to strengthen the front suspension. I would love to know the details of the incident that has caused the mod to be developed but it’s operation is simple. When this brace is fitted it transfers load from one side of the front suspension to the other, or in braking because it is on the front mounts it is in tension. This will reduce the chances of a front suspension mount failure. The mod was simple to fit and can be seen below. I did not feel nervous without it, but since it was given to me it seamed foolish to leave it off the car. Hopefully another modification report tomorrow. Cheers Mattsmev
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Post by r16 on Mar 12, 2010 18:54:51 GMT
love this thread mate :-) top work!
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 13, 2010 10:05:40 GMT
Thanks R16 Today’s mod report Sticky tires To get round a corner quickly, I figure sticky tires must help. I have already broken with convention by using different wheel size to most people. I am running 195/50R15 for my road tyres and I kept this size for my track day wheels as well. This has two advantages. For track day tires I can buy TOYO R888 this size for £70 a corner, and with such a high profile tyre I can run them very soft, especially at the front. I wanted a new set of wheels and eventually found a set of 15” wolf race pro sprints (I think) for £60, but they were in poor condition. I spent ages in front of the telly with abrasive paper rubbing them down and then lacquered them. The finished result is passable enough for track day wheels I have not used the R888s yet, so I’ll post about them later, but last year I ran my TOYO Proxes at 18 or less psi at the front and 20-22 psi at the rear. These tyres are great, giving loads of feel and I have always managed to catch any slide before it gets nasty. I am looking forward to using the R888s this year. I have also got a trailer for the Rocket, so when I go on a track day, I don’t need to drive there (or back) with my track day tyres. One more report tomorrow
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Post by tr1kerfozzy on Mar 13, 2010 11:54:21 GMT
195/50s for my tR1ke too, good price for the R888s
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Post by nigel on Mar 13, 2010 12:48:46 GMT
Outstanding Matt I'm starting to get butterfly's about appearing on the same track as you Mind you I could always bring a rope and have you tow me round That way you wont be able to get away and make me look bad I just wonder what tomorrows mod is going to be a set of strap on go faster 'Rockets' by any chance nigel
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 14, 2010 21:46:56 GMT
Mattsmev’s final winter mod report My final mod report relates to a non handling mod, although it is to help me on track days. I have a standard 1.6 engine, with the original ECU. This limits the revs to 6750, at which point the revs die and it gets just plain slow. Change up too early and I have not developed peak power, change up too late and I am loosing power with the rev limiter. I know the vapour dash has a rev counter and shift lights, but they are difficult to see in my car as I have mounted the dash in the middle. My solution is the OMEX sequential shift light. Not very cheap, but I do like the unit a lot. It was really easy to fit and has worked really well so far. I have fitted it in front of the sterring wheel, in another oval piece of (plastic) carbon fibre, to match the existing dash under the bonnet it is fitted at the far side, in front of the passenger No more mod reports, my car is all ready for the 2010 season Cheers, Mattsmev
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Post by drhunter on Mar 24, 2010 23:01:25 GMT
Today’s modification report Front suspension brace Just a quick report today – while I was at the Exeter show Stuart gave me a brace to strengthen the front suspension. At first I thought that was an Anti-Roll Bar, to stop the inside wheel lifting when cornering. Interesting!
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mattsmev
Senior
It's only Rocket science...
Posts: 726
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Post by mattsmev on Mar 25, 2010 17:51:50 GMT
Dr Hunter
No, it's not an anti role bar, just a brace. It transfers the load from one side to another in corners and will be under tension under braking. It's just to strengthen the front suspension up. I am not sure i will be able to feel the difference or that with my engine was even putting the mounts under that much load, but as Stuart provided the bar i thought i should fit it
Cheers
Mattsmev
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Post by Andy Patey on Apr 19, 2010 17:24:10 GMT
Hi mate thanks for that yes it is coming on Andy
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