SM Suspension: What Would You Change?
#1
Posted 02-01-2011 10:57 AM
That said, I am curious what SM racers could change in this package in the way of spring and damping rates, adjust ability, etc, if they had their choice. I've read some forum posts in the past saying that this package is over sprung and under damped, and compared to my street car's Flyin' Miata 2.5 kit I can totally see that point. Wonder if others agree (again, strictly out of curiosity).
Rich Hoyer
SSM #47 WDCR SCCA
SM #45 NASA Mid Atlantic Region
#2
Posted 02-01-2011 03:10 PM
First off, to be clear I am not agitating for an expensive rules change, given that I just purchased the full Mazdaspeed Spec Miata suspension for my SSM build and so am vested in the rules stay as they are.
That said, I am curious what SM racers could change in this package in the way of spring and damping rates, adjust ability, etc, if they had their choice. I've read some forum posts in the past saying that this package is over sprung and under damped, and compared to my street car's Flyin' Miata 2.5 kit I can totally see that point. Wonder if others agree (again, strictly out of curiosity).
Larger bars for body roll, smaller spring rates for undulation handling and a shock with a bit more dampening is my vote.
What we have today was a guess that got so huge it could not be corrected. The huge part is my fault so not much I can say.
VERY glad is was a good guess.
"Never Stop Challenging"
Jim Daniels
Auto Sports Consulting / Coaching
#3
Posted 02-01-2011 03:20 PM
Larger bars for body roll, smaller spring rates for undulation handling and a shock with a bit more dampening is my vote.
What we have today was a guess that got so huge it could not be corrected. The huge part is my fault so not much I can say.
VERY glad is was a good guess.
It was a damn good guess! What kind of development were you able to go through to come to these spring and damping rates? Did you have an opportunity to test many different variations?
Rich Hoyer
SSM #47 WDCR SCCA
SM #45 NASA Mid Atlantic Region
#4
Posted 02-01-2011 04:22 PM
In our free class we run about the same spring rates (730/500 personally) but then it's a lot about the bar/shock settings (more than one sweetspot and we don't have 1k drivers as a development platsform).
#5
Posted 02-01-2011 05:05 PM
Wouldn't shorter shock bodies (more travel) be very high up on the list?
In our free class we run about the same spring rates (730/500 personally) but then it's a lot about the bar/shock settings (more than one sweetspot and we don't have 1k drivers as a development platsform).
OOooooooo yeah, after setting ride heights yesterday I see what you mean about shorter shock bodies. With those spring rates, how do your damping rates change?
Rich Hoyer
SSM #47 WDCR SCCA
SM #45 NASA Mid Atlantic Region
#6
Posted 02-01-2011 07:40 PM
Larger bars for body roll, smaller spring rates for undulation handling and a shock with a bit more dampening is my vote.
What we have today was a guess that got so huge it could not be corrected. The huge part is my fault so not much I can say.
VERY glad is was a good guess.
Only been around a short while so I'm just going by what I've heard and not experienced. But it seems the bigger bar required for the 1.8(27mm)up until this year has been very unpopular? Been told it is just to stiff...are you saying JD that you prefer this over the 24mm and maybe even a stiffer bar? Or is this only if you could change spring rate and the dampening at the same time.
On a separate rules related note...the NA 1.8 can now use the 24mm bar from what I've read. Is this also true for the NB?
Ron
RAmotorsports
#7
Posted 02-01-2011 07:46 PM
#8
Posted 02-02-2011 10:00 AM
OTOOooooooo yeah, after setting ride heights yesterday I see what you mean about shorter shock bodies. With those spring rates, how do your damping rates change?
Custom built (non-adjustable CUP) Bilsteins so I don't have a clue how they compare to the ones you use. I also have a bit (too) harsh low speep compression currently so don't use my values as any indicator (I don't even know if I got the final numbers from my shock builder). I've registered LazyRacing.se for a reason
#9
Posted 02-02-2011 10:19 AM
What's an NA, and NB?Only been around a short while so I'm just going by what I've heard and not experienced. But it seems the bigger bar required for the 1.8(27mm)up until this year has been very unpopular? Been told it is just to stiff...are you saying JD that you prefer this over the 24mm and maybe even a stiffer bar? Or is this only if you could change spring rate and the dampening at the same time.
On a separate rules related note...the NA 1.8 can now use the 24mm bar from what I've read. Is this also true for the NB?
#10
Posted 02-02-2011 11:09 AM
What's an NA, and NB?
Really?? NA...1st generation Miata 90-97 NB...2nd generation 99-2005 NC...3rd generation 2006-present.
Anybody have a answer to my original question?
Ron
RAmotorsports
#11
Posted 02-02-2011 12:47 PM
Only been around a short while so I'm just going by what I've heard and not experienced. But it seems the bigger bar required for the 1.8(27mm)up until this year has been very unpopular? Been told it is just to stiff...are you saying JD that you prefer this over the 24mm and maybe even a stiffer bar? Or is this only if you could change spring rate and the dampening at the same time.
On a separate rules related note...the NA 1.8 can now use the 24mm bar from what I've read. Is this also true for the NB?
Kind following the NASCAR set-ups. Softer springs with BIGGER bars, watch the cars entering/exiting the straight aways, they have several inches of travel now!
Glenn Murphey, Crew Chief
Owner Crew Chief Services The Pinnacle of Excellence, Contract Crew Services for the racing community.
Soon to be back in the club racing scene for good
#12
Posted 02-04-2011 12:52 PM
Sounds very close to what I'm doing for a " budget " ITA conversion :
- softer front spring rate
- ISC Shock Hats with no bump stops
- Bernie doing me a set of shocks
- Trying to figure out which sways ( ISC has one that looks good but $$$ )
Time will tell how it works out
#13
Posted 02-04-2011 01:12 PM
On a separate rules related note...the NA 1.8 can now use the 24mm bar from what I've read. Is this also true for the NB?
Short answer: No, must use 27 mm
Wiseass answer: It's in the rulebooks - look it up.
#14
Posted 02-05-2011 12:11 AM
Short answer: No, must use 27 mm
Wiseass answer: It's in the rulebooks - look it up.
I figured with not many people here yet I could get away with it
DM 1 RA 0
Ron
RAmotorsports
#15
Posted 02-05-2011 12:13 AM
#16
Posted 02-05-2011 12:15 AM
#17
Posted 02-05-2011 12:10 PM
I figured with not many people here yet I could get away with it
DM 1 RA 0
Perhaps we should use the reputation buttons for this keeping of score?
-tch
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