early 90's VD set-up guide

[troyt]

I'm looking for a good '90-'95 VD set-up guide, discussing proper adjusting techniques for the suspension and steering. I've found a couple good ones for the '98-on chassis, but there are quite a few differences with the earlier chassis. I've received some good spec numbers from experienced racers on this forum (ride height, camber/castor/toe, gear ratios, tire pressures), just looking for as complete a "Guide for Dummies" as possible.
Thanks

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Not sure about a guide for dummies but Rick Kirchner has shared his extensive documentation in the past. I learn a lot from his posts and documents.

I have a copy of his start from scratch setup guide and would share it with his permission.

[drdestructo]

Send me a PM with your email address and i'll send you a spreadsheet with setup data for an RF95 with Penske 2 ways.

Russ

[Rick Kirchner]

I thought I sent that stuff to troy. Now I need to look in my sent file.

[troyt]

Rick, you sent me your gearing spreadsheets, but not any set-up manuals/how-to's.

[Rick Iverson]

PM me

[Josh_Kimble]

Send me a PM with your email address and i'll send you a spreadsheet with setup data for an RF95 with Penske 2 ways.

Russ

Can you shoot me this info as well please!

[MotorCade]

I'd be interested as well! Thanks

[Buc01]

Hoosier 35B

Camber Front 1.5 neg
Camber Rear .5 neg
Toe Front 1-2 mm out per side
Toe Rear 1 mm in per side

Have Penske 8100 2 ways. Don't remember them or the ride height right now. PM me and I will be glad to share the rest. Car used to understeer in mid/high speed. Get great advice from several people on forum. Car handles like dream now. 1991 VD FC. Glad to share the rest of the setup (just have to go home look at the last setup sheet).

Setup is for Hallett (low speed tight twisty 1.8 mile 11 turn course)

Aaron

[Spengo]

I've found a couple good ones for the '98-on chassis

This is relevant to my interests. Care to post what you found?

[troyt]

Spengo, checked my notes and I didn't keep any later model VD stuff, but it's out there. I was looking for early model stuff.

I'm new to the FC game, so take all this with a grain of salt, I'm just sharing what I found and what I started with. I never found a "guide for dummies" but came across many different set-up sheets by different shops and drivers for '90-'95 VD FC cars, most saying their technique and specs were the best ;-) But they had common techniques and ranges, so here's the basics I started with:

1. Square up the wishbones, rods, etc with a rod ruler if you can
2. Preload front springs 2-4 turns, zero load on rear springs, Penske 2-ways at 200psi, disconnect sways, tires 18-20psi, driver weight in car
3. Set ride height using pushrods
4. Set corner weights using rear spring perches (some say start with the pushrods)
5. Set camber, then caster, then toe, then go back and check all
6. Recheck corner weights
Head to track - Set sways/shocks on soft, fresh bias ply tires at 14 cold, and go test and tune for yourself ;-) I've always wanted to spend more time in the seat than in the shop, so my set-up may be a bit abbreviated compared to some.

Suspension arm dimensions from a Van Diemen spec sheet floating around, got mine (and lots more) from Brad at Primus.
Front springs 350-500 pounds, rear 750-1000 (I'm using 450/900)
Front ride height 1.25-1.5", rear 1.5-2.0", rake .25-.50" (I'm using 1.5/2.0)
Front camber -1.0 - -1.5, rear -0.4 - -1.0 (I'm using -1.0/-0.7)
Front toe 0 to 1.5mm out, rear 0 to 1mm in (I'm using 0/ 1/16" in)
(I'm using - sways: soft rear bar setting, medium front bar. shocks: soft compression, medium rebound, and tuning from there)

This got me out to the track to get started using Avon A11s. I'm sure the faster/senior members will chime in with help.

[Spengo]

How are you measuring ride height? The manual says to measure from the top of the things that hold the upper control arms to the chassis.

[troyt]

"Manual"??? You've got a manual? That's what I was originally looking for... whatcha got?

For the front corners, I just measure from the bottom of the frame rails, or the belly pan if it's not too bent up, in the vertical plane of the front hubs. For the rear I use basically the bottom of the bell housing for just a center measurement. Raise the whole car if you're dragging stuff, lower it if you're not. Add rake if it's pushing, take some out if it's loose. Again, just my shade tree techniques...

[Spengo]

Yeah, but it's for an RF98. VD98.pdf

[Buc01]

Front springs 350-500 pounds, rear 750-1000 (I'm using 450/900)

I was using 450 on front and always had push on medium/high speed corners.
Switched to 400, push gone.

Aaron

[troyt]

What rears are those 400 fronts paired with?

[Buc01]

Troy,

Sorry I keep forgetting to scan you my latest setup page. I believe the rears are 900.

Will make note to myself to scan the latest setup page and send to you.

I ran my 1991 VD FC about 5 years ago and it always pushed in mid-high speed corners (that was with a tired SCCA legal Pinto). When I rebuilt the car from the ground up I asked around to some people I trusted and used their advice on my latest setup. Car handles absolutely great now (and this is with a fresh 197hp non-SCCA legal engine).

Biggest change was to the front spring (450 to 400), more front toe out, and shock setting (can't remember if it was the setting on the canister or shock itself - Penske 8100).

Aaron

[Buc01]

Rears are 1032 (yes I know it sounds strange, just going off the markings on the spring).

Probably some notes on the attached sheet you may not understand. Let me know which notes and I will explain.

Aaron