Camber with treaded Avons

[Earley Motorsports]

Hi all. I have just bought some new treaded Avon tires and would like to know what sort of camber I should start off with. I have read 2 degrees on all four wheels and have also read run neutral. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[scott fairchild]

We run -0.5 to -0.7 degrees front, and 0.0 to -0.2 rear. Same settings as the Dunlops. Adjust from there based on temps

[Albatross]

I generally used -0.7 in the fronts and 0.25 in the rears for my Crossle 20F as Scott suggests and then do some testing, setting tire pressures by getting tire temperatures HOT off the track. Don't be driving through the paddock and taking time coming to a stop for the temps. With the tire temps adjust the pressures accordingly. Getting the temps immediately off the track after several high speed run laps is imperative. Generally best accomplished during a test and tune day at your favorite course or relying on a couple of practice sessions. Adjusting tire pressures accordingly is every bit as important as camber, tow in/out and springs. And each affects the other. GL

[marty7]

Hi Graeme,

Are these the ACB9 Avons? If so then I would suggest the following ......

From memory your car isn't wide track, that is narrow wishbones. The ACB9 is a soft compound tyre.

I aim around 18psi Hot all round - when you come in post race. I find they are pressure sensitive. 2 psi is massive, you will feel a 1 psi difference.

Camber - this will depend on how much castor you are running but, as a general rule start at 1 degree at the front, 0.5 degree at the back. Toe in at back, toe out at front. Depends on your philosophy.

Then start looking at the tyre. You are after even wear across the full tyre width. I have used a paint pen marker on the side walls to assist with confirming how much of the tyre is being used. Adjust camber to suit until you get even tyre wear. If you aren't using all the tyre then you are giving away grip.

Martin

[Earley Motorsports]

Great And thanks for the replies. I have 5 degrees castor on the front and 2.8 on the rear. Is this about right? 1/8" toe on front combined and 3/16" combined on rear. Thanks again.

[scott fairchild]

1-2/32" total toe out at the front, 1-2/32" total toe in at the rear works well for us

[johncg]

tire temps are, of course, critical to set up. However, I'd like to hear what folks think about what the target is for both of the following:
1) max tire temps for best traction (obviously various with weather but what is considered best for this compound)
2) temperature distribution across inside, middle and outside of tire. is the goal having these be the same or slightly off from this? is it the same target for front and rear?

I'll chime in here to say that I have heard some vintage FF racers (w/ Dunlops FF tires) recommend that the insides ought to be 10-15 degrees warmer than the rest of the tire.

thoughts?

[Earley Motorsports]

1-2/32" total toe out at the front, 1-2/32" total toe in at the rear works well for us

Is this total toe in and out or per side? Thanks for the help

[scott fairchild]

Is this total toe in and out or per side? Thanks for the help

Total toe

[Earley Motorsports]

Thanks Scott.

[Garey Guzman]

Hopefully I'll have time at Barber to take temps for you! And hopefully you can do the same for me!

[tstrong]

Titan mk6- camber .3-.7 front, 0-.3 rear. total toe 0 front, 1/8 in rear. caster 3-5 front, approx 1-1.5 rear to minimize bump steer. These setting have worked great for years with both the avons and dunlops. Tires are not that sensitive to camber changes. Running more camber just wears out the inside of the tire even faster. As to the guy who mentioned tire temps. Although it is difficult to get reading quick enough to make detail;ed conclusions we typically end up with the inside of tire being about 10 deg hotter than the outside with the center right in the middle. Todd

[Earley Motorsports]

Thanks for all the replies. I have reset all the alignment and hopefully we should be good to go. This is a fantastic site with such a wealth of knowledge.

[Albatross]

Graham, yes, Apexspeed is a fantastic site with much good knowledge passed along. Now, you have the basic settings. Use them, and live with them for a while to get the feeling for the car. Recheck them at home between race weekends. Don't be tinkering with the settings until you get some time in the car more than a mere weekend or even just a few. There is a learning curve from which you will acquire a sixth sense of what the car is doing or perhaps should be doing. Racing at speed is a skill that is developed. Use good equipment-only. Don't plan on trying to develop the car and your skills using old tires. Fortunately, a new set of Avons should give you a good number of weekends before they're no longer good enough. That sounds a bit vague, but you'll know, feel or learn when they're not doing you any good. Yet, still showing adequate tread. Time then, only to use them for just the warmup session-no qualifying or racing. When I and some of my knowledgable friends get serious about the race. We set the cars out in the sun about an hour to get the pressures up for the race rather than let the car just sit under the canopy, then going out with cold tires. Have a friend set the final pressures on pre-grid when five minutes has been announced. Get heat in the tires and the brakes on the parade lap behind the pace car is a must. Scrubb the tires in good and get the brakes hot! During the race be checking your mirrors and your gauges while on the straights. Have fun, avoid putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Waking up Monday morning to look at a wreck is not fun. GL

[Earley Motorsports]

Some great advice^^, thank you. I can't wait.