Tuning questions / clarifications

[luv2drive]

So I've been spending some time experimenting with tuning lately, and doing quite a bit of reading of some of the tuning guides and posts in this forum.

I'm still left with some questions and need some clarifications if you all wouldn't mind lending your vast expertise.

1) Dampers - I (think I) understand the basics concept that front stiffer = more understeer and rear stiffer = more oversteer. I also understand that relative to absorbing bumps in the road, on a flat course you can keep comp closer to ext (ie. equal or +1 difference) and you increase the difference to +1 or +2 on bumpy courses. But I'm still mostly confused about the separation between compression and extension.

a) Why would you aver want something like comp=8 ext=2? What does this large separation accomplish

b) Why would you ever want compression lower than extension, like comp=2, ext=4?


2) LSD vs. suspension tuning - I have been mostly trying to understand the effects of the different suspension tuning elements (springs, roll bars, dampers, etc.) on the car's handling so I've stayed away from LSD tuning for the most part. In Hami's tuning guide he calls the LSD tuning a "super tune" and says he always starts with that and then adjusts the suspension later? Is there general agreement on this or is this just more a matter of personal style? I've been taking the approach of trying to get the handling where I want it with suspension and then adjusting the LSD only if nothing else works.. but I'm new and clueless so I'd love some direction in this area?

3) Brake Balance - I'm still fairly confused about how/when to tune this? I think I understand the basic physics concept, but I simply don't understand how it fits into the overall tuning process and where it fits in? I haven't noticed much difference when changing these settings and usually adopt middle of the road values. Again, I'm not sure what a setting of say 7/2 accomplishes as opposed to 4/6


Thanks in advance for any advice or clarification you can give!

 

[Onboy123]

I can't answer 1 or 2…since I tune dampers by random, pretty much, and the LSD vs Suspension just screws with me, hence I'd just tune by guess work then straighten out the rough edges.

3 though, it's rather simple…I think.

Low/high setting helps turn in, so a "👍" for when tuning FF cars and nose-heavy stuff like Supras/GTRs.

High/low settings are for more stability when you brake, so…I guess for snappy cars like a MR.

In a nutshell. For me, anyway.

 

[krenkme]

It is about weight transfer. If you want the car to turn under braking, having the front compress quicker(3) and the rear extend quicker(3) will help this. If you keep the compression high for the rear, the front will stay planted longer thus making it turn better.

Rear compression will lift the nose of the car quicker and make turning harder, but will help with rear traction.

Hope that helps a little ...

 

[SolidSnake7735]

there's a hierarchy which i follow when tuning

1. LSD
2. suspension

a. springs
b. dampers
c. anti-roll bars
d. camber
e. toe​

3. transmission

the LSD is THE MOST significant part that affects the car's general handling dynamic, then the suspension.

 

[MrGrado]

a) Why would you aver want something like comp=8 ext=2? What does this large separation accomplish

Low EXT will dampen the spring less as it returns after being compressed, your wheels will get airborne less (because your wheel follows the contour of the ground better) and your wheels return to the ground faster if they do get airborne (doesn't really apply if you get completely launched going over a crest with excessive speed). Your car performs better with all it's wheels in contact with the ground.

b) Why would you ever want compression lower than extension, like comp=2, ext=4?

I almost never use very low comp values, so try look at this from another angle: why would you want EXT higher than comp? High ext can be used to effect weight transfer while keeping comp at regular values for some stability with bumps. Sometimes setups are like this just because it seems to make the car better to drive when nothing else seems to be working.