TD in DC

I soon will have adjustable shocks (triples) installed on my car with a whole new suspension.

I may have to drive the car for the first time at a race.

Does anyone have tips for safely acclimating oneself to a new suspension in a car and systematically getting it tuned in under competition conditions?

Yes, I know I can search but I am sick of the GR stuff and want to focus on anything else.

Greg Fishman

Look at the penske shock website, they have details on their shocks and give some good info on set up.

Veloce Raptor

Todd, there was an interesting article about this 6-9 months ago in Grassroots Motorsports, IIRC. Although they recommended not setting things up in a race setting!

mitch236

Mark seems to have a handle on shock setup. I can tell you two things, first it is easier to figure out what different settings are doing if you have data aquisition. In fact, it would be almost impossible to do a good job without one. Second, you need to do it during a test and tune because you want to change something, do a handful of laps and come in and analyze the data. Otherwise, even with lap timing, you are guessing to a large extent.

SundayDriver

Doing this in a race setting is tough as you don't have much of a chance to make a quick change and test. That said, here is what I focus on for double adjustables:

Stiffen compression until the car is harsh then back off until it is not harsh.
Stiffen rebound until you have trouble getting the power down - either corner exit or bumps. Then back off until you can get on the throttle where you want.
Find a section with a few transitions, like esses. Stiffen rebound until you feel like you are waiting for the car to settle and come back to you before you can change direction. Soften until that feeling is gone.

If you can get those things working for you, then you will be very close to optimum and they are pretty easy to focus on and feel. I have never played with triples, so I can't add anything there.

TD in DC

Thanks Mark.

I am hoping the car is ready by VIR Zone 2 DE so that I can test and tune there. We shall see . . .

TD

Larry Herman

Good advice about the test and tune. I think that the former owner found the perfect setup for a smooth track, and it took me a whole weekend to modify those settings to get something that worked well at Summit Point (very bumpy). But with that in hand, it should be easier to tweak things for certain tracks.

richard glickel.

Todd,

Silly question, but which of the 944 classes are you competing in this year?

Effective June or July of '07, the rules concerning the 944 Cup (SP1) spec are really restrictive. Have you double checked to make sure that remote adjustible shocks are permitted in your class? I know they (the JRZ's) ain't cheap.

I'm kind of busy now, but when I get home, I will try to drop you a PM this evening about how I've gone about trying to "dial-in" the Motons.

Ciao.

TD in DC

Hey Richard,

I appreciated your last pm and want to talk with you more. I will be in SP2 and running with '44 cup. I should be ok with both.

I really appreciate the help. Are you planning on going to the Watkins Glen CR this year? I am thinking about it.

TD

993944S2

Any opportunity to keep the suggestions in the open forum would be appreciated. I understand if Richard heasitates. I'm an F'er also. I'm tuning a new suspension this year also. Actually a whole new car.

TD. The club race at the Glen is great!

richard glickel.

Don,

Not hesitant at all. Actually, I plan to run SP3 this season. But, even were I in "F", I would always try to help you and Todd too . . . IMHO you can't meet nicer guys to run with than you two.

TD in DC

Thanks Richard and the feeling is mutual.

richard glickel.

P.M.'s to both you and Don.