Auto Racing: need some input on my set up, Race car, handling

Question
QUESTION: we have a ford tauras with a v-6   3.0 and run it on a flat .5 mile track.i need some starting point for setting this thing up to handle a bit better in and off the corners...any suggestions??? to view the so called rules visit spencerspeedway.org and under rules you will find super six...thats what i have

i hope you can help me with a starting point

jeff

ANSWER: OK  Jeff :

While I'm looking at the rules, how about  telling ME what the car is doing now.  

Generally they push something awful, but does it start to push as soon as you turn, or mid way and off- - -where ?  

Normally you turn in, add throttle, and then have to wait for it to gain some grip.  Where does this happen in the corner ?

Some more questions:  Do you have a rear sway bar?
         Do you have a front sway bar ?
         Do you know your corner weights ?
         What are they  ?
         Have you taken tire temperatures ?
         What do they tell you ?

I can give you better advice once I have a "feel" for it

Thanks

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: mid way on through the rest of the turn as far as weights and tire temps i will get my hands on a pyrometer this friday and will let you know i have been told by the last years champ in the six class that corner weights are nothing to worry about...how did i know thats just a crock...lol...i will get back to you this saturday since we run friday nights...thanks for your help so far

jeff

Answer
OK  

I've looked at your rules.  There are a couple of things you can do to stiffen it up some.  I'm certain that the car came with a front sway bar and that it has rubber or neoprene bushings at the ends of each link. Make a solid replacement, perhaps out of a piece of aluminum bar stock with a hole drilled in it. Then paint them so they aren't obvious. Now, here's the tricky part.  Make the ones for the RF a little longer. like maybe 3/8" longer, then make the ones for the LF a bit shorter, putting a twist in the bar and stiffening the RF some.

Replace your lower control arm bushings with solid hunks of aluminum bar stock as well, be sure to get the size right and make sure they have the same shape as the original rubber part, paint these too. This will take 'compliance' out of the suspension, increase the noise level inside, and make the suspension stiffer again.  You'll probably need a friend with a lathe for this stuff.   

Go to a parts house and ask to dig through the MOOG book on replacement coil springs.  See if you can find one the same diameter and free length but stiffer. The 'wire diameter' will be a bit thicker to accomplish this. You're looking for an exact match that is about 50 to 60 Lbs. stiffer. This kind of thing can take a long time and lots of research, but it will also win races. Yes, it's cheating.

Be sure and set the camber as per your rules, if you can't get the 3 degrees they allow in the RF, call the Track Director and find out what you're allowed to do to accomplish it.  If he says you're stuck with it, write me back.

Finally, re-set the toe in - -  -set it to toe OUT about 1/8" total.  Try 3/16", and go back as far as 1/16" but always toe out a little.If the car has a rack and pinion steering set up, you want the excess toe on the RF.  Perhaps 1/32" on the LF, and 3/32" on the RF.

Lemmie know about your tire temps and anything else you find over the weekend, and good luck !!

Dan Liddy