Could probably bring your front toe to zero, not hurt your turn in, and be easier on your tires.

note: to some of the other posters the Federal FZ 201 is R compound tire, not all-season tire.

 

Thanks Martin,

Your links were great - and provided a wealth of information.

Any input on the rear toe?

 

Toe is a bit dependent on preference. Here out in SoCal, people run anywhere from 1/16" total toe in to 3/16" total toe in. This is measured on 255/40/17 rear tires, and varies slightly from car to car if converted into a degree measurement. There are a few who run more or less, but the range generally covers the majority that are looking for quick lap times, with less toe for a looser rear and more toe to keep it a little more planted.

 

Where does the car not handle well? Or where to other cars gain time on you? Entry? Mid corner or exit? Does it oversteer, understeer at the limit? If it's not any of these things, then perhaps you're just low on grip. Get better tires.

 

Sorry I if I missed it, but what track are you talking about?

 

Ah, sorry, I missed the following post with the tire type.

18kg does not seem too stiff for a R-compound. I have a friend running 14kg on street tires. Your compression damping may be too stiff though, but we'll assume the shocks were properly valved.

As for your camber and toe. In general, I would say most people run less front camber than the rear; roughly a difference of 0.5-0.8 degrees less camber on the front than the rear. Also, I would say that most people run 0 degrees of toe on the front. There's no doubt the toe-out is helping your turn-in, but it may be the cause of your low mechanical grip. It may also hurt your topend speed and braking. Considering the relatively high spring rate you're running, you may have too much front camber. With that much static camber on the front, you may be reducing the grip of the inside front tire with the result being understeer.

In my opinion, I would try 0 toe on the front and reduce front camber to -2.0 degrees.

You may also want to read through this suspension and hanlding series at MotoIQ.com to see if you find anything that applies to your situation.

http://www.motoiq.com/tech/the_ultim..._handling.aspx

 

Just surprised no one has mentioned it, but it seems most of the guys recommend a nonstaggered setup with 255/40/17 (or wider) all around. Have you considered switching your wheel setup? I know you said body work must remain stock, but if you get a 17x9 +60 or 17x9 +63 up setup you don't need to touch your fenders. Or, if you want to stay staggered, I would recommend the SSR Type C or Type F wheels..they are about 16 lbs if I recall and you could run a 17x8.5 +58 up front with a 245/40 and a 17x9.5 +65 in the rear with a 275/40. Another option would be the Volk CE28N in 17x9 +63 and 17x10 +70.

I posted this list on another forum of good options:

-6ULR 17x9 +63 (Discontinued till next year)
-TR Motorsports C3 17x9 +63 (Only find on Tire Rack...cheapest option)
-Enkei PF01 17x9 +60 (Come in black or silver)
-TSW Interlagos 17x9 +63 (Black or machined)
-TSW Nurburgring 17x9 +63 (Bronze, gunmetal, and machined/gunmetal)
-Advan RG-D 17x9 +60 (Black, gold, and silver)
-Volk CE28N 17x9 +63 (Bronze, silver, Genesis edition)
-Volk RE-30 17x9 +63
-Buddy Club P1 - 17x9 +63
-Rays G07WT - 17x9 +63
-Volk TE37 Seibon Edition - 17x9 +65 (Black/red time attack look. Usually sold as staggered set but may be able to ask seller for nonstaggered)
-Spoon Racing Wheel 17x9.5 +63 or 17x8.5 +53
-SSR Type C or Type F - 17x8.5 +58
-SSR Type C or Type F - 17x9.5 +65
-OZ Allegerita - 17x8.5 +59
-Volk CE28N - 17x9 +54

 

Hi guys Thanks for all your replies. I appreciate it.

1. On handling - the car "handles" great, abit of oversteer on the initial if you turn in but is planted on the way out. I think we've got the balance right here but mechanical grip just seems low, i am concerned that we may be currently sacrificing grip for handling.

2. The staggered setup is a legacy issue - we already have too many wheels in that configuration to move to a non staggered setup. Is the disadvantage apparent?

3. Im from Asia so i doubt you would be familiar with the tracks here. But it is a long one - 3.4 miles long.

4. On toe, thanks for the input - i'd be trying zero toe for the front and perhaps 3.5mm in the rear? (halfway between the recommended 2-5mm toe in)

Thanks again for the input

 

You STILL haven't mentioned what tires you're using...

 

Here you go