[Fot] Fwd: Hmod Handling question for your entertainment and my assistance

[Bill Babcock]

I never saw this show up. I don't think it's too long. is something busted? 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bill Babcock <billb at bnj.com>
> Date: April 13, 2010 8:59:51 AM HST
> To: <dos_gusanos at msn.com>
> Cc: fot <fot at autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re: [Fot] Hmod Handling question for your entertainment and my assistance
> 
> I'd try every suspension tuning trick before cutting anything, unless you really are going to do the cut anyway, then I'd do all the tweaking after that. Shortening your rear springs would have stiffened them, and that generally REDUCES understeer. For some reason your car went the other way, so I'd guess there's something else going on. You are right in thinking shortening the front springs should increase understeer, but something is wrong somewhere, so if your determined to lower the ride height, get that done and start tuning. 
> 
> The list starts with tire pressure. find a place you can use as a skid pad or a track with minimal straights (skid pad is better). Run the car around until tire temps settle and then get a reading. You want center temp the same as outer or inner (usually inner, though if your camber is really screwed it could be either). See what that gets you, might be all you need. 
> 
> Then set your camber. On a skid pad you want even temps across the tire, on a track you'll probably be happy with inner and center the same, outer a bit cooler since it gets more cooling in the straights. 
> 
> Adjust your roll bar--softer reduces understeer. 
> 
> For sure check your bump steer, sometimes sudden onset understeer is caused by roll-induced bump steer.