AboutDan Liddy Expertise Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior
Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding,
fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design.
Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.
Experience I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !
Question we have a 1983 mustang dirt car it is pushing bad in the cornor on the front we have LS spring 850# RS 950# on the rear on LR 200# AND RR 175# we run hoosier tires RC-4 with air presure of RF 18# RR 16# LR 14# LF !2#
Answer I think you have the front way too heavily sprung- - -but you don't tell me anything about sway bars. Type of front suspension, whether it's adjustable , coil over - - -what ?? You also haven't mentioned camber and caster settings. Tell me your corner weights too.
Here are a few things to start with.
RF camber neg. 4 to 5 deg.
LF camber pos. 2 deg.
Front toe out about 1/8" total to as much as 1/4"
If you are not using a sway bar, or are using the stock one , you should change to about a 1" diameter adjustable. Look for Ground Control Suspensions on the web. Also a company named Afco I believe.
The real key to this is to make ONE change at a time and record the results. Both lap times, and driver comments, plus any visual input from experienced observers. Be sure and write EVERYthing down. One full page for each change, include the date, track conditions, air temp and so forth.
Finally get the book: "Hot To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn. Bookstores have it or can order in a few days, it's about $16.00 and has a goldmine of info within.
Be sure and write back both with more info, and any success stories you'd like to share.
