Ride height is adjusted by the preload of consistent results.

E
the spring collars. Same goes for measuring the rear ride

ON Winding them down will raise the ride

PART
height.
height, while winding them up will decrease You will want to find a spot towards the
the ride height. rear of the chassis that doesn’t wear on the
It is important to note that adjusting the track heavily, such as under the rear arms.
spring collars does not alter the stiffness of
A good starting point is 5 - 5.5mm of
the springs; it is used only for adjusting ride
ride height.
height.
This can be slightly lowered on smooth
Ride height is easily measured with a
ride height gauge such as the one that comes tracks and raised on bumpy tracks.
with the Hudy setup system. Running a stagger in the ride height, by
When measuring front ride height, running half a millimetre more ride height
you will want to pick a spot at the front in the rear than the front, can help the car
of the car, such as under the front arms turn and hold into a corner better.
where there is no heavy chassis wear, for

DROOP
DROOP IS a measurement of how much
down travel the suspension has, or how
much up travel the chassis has before the
wheels leave the ground.
This is a powerful setting, as it controls
weight transfer as the car pitches and rolls.
Droop is adjusted by screwing the droop
screws in the arms in for less droop or out
for more droop.
This is best measured with a droop
gauge, such as the one that comes with the
Hudy setup system.
A droop gauge measures the height of
the outside of each arm in relation to the
chassis, with a higher value indicating less
actual droop and a lower value indicating
more actual droop, as the arms hang closer
to level with the chassis. Typically it will be within a range of 4

ON ROAD SETUP GUIDE

The ideal amount of droop will change
– 7mm on the gauges.
depending on the size of the tyres you use,
It is important to set the droop equally
how much ride height you are running and
also varies from brand to brand, so check from left to right, however it is not
your car’s manual for a suggested starting uncommon to use a different value on the
point. front to the rear.
Commencing the first installment of the On Road Setup Guide by ANTHONY ATACK. Although the model used is
an XRAY T3, the principles remain the same for almost all on road cars. FRONT DROOP
More front droop Lower value on droop blocks • Increases weight transfer to rear
Droop screw is backed out on-power
• Smoother steering reaction
RIDE HEIGHT low, the car will bottom out on the track,
unsettling the car.
• Better on bumpy tracks
• Decreases high speed steering
RIDE HEIGHT is a measurement of how
much clearance there is from the bottom of While if it is too high, it can cause the
Less front droop Higher value on droop blocks • Decreses weight transfer to rear
the chassis to the track surface. car to roll excessively and not handle to its Droop screw is wound in on-power
It is an important setting, as if it is too full potential. • More responsive steering reaction
• Better on smooth tracks
RIDE HEIGHT • Increases high speed steering

Lower ride height Wind the spring collars up • Better on smooth tracks REAR DROOP
• Car reacts faster
More rear droop Lower value on droop blocks • Increases weight transfer to front
• More overall grip
Droop screw is backed out under brakes
• Better on bumpy tracks
Higher ride height Wind the spring collars down • Better on bumpy track • Car reacts more smoothly
• Car reacts slower • More steering in tight corners
• Increased chassis roll
• Less overall grip Less rear droop Higher value on droop blocks • Decreases weight transfer to front
Droop screw is wound in under brakes
Staggered ride height Adjust collars so that rear • Increased steering into corner • Better on smooth tracks
ride height is 0.5mm higher • Car holds into corner better • Car reacts quicker
than the front • Increased oversteer on-power • More stable under braking

52 NEXT ISSUE OUT 18 FEBRUARY 2011 FEBRUARY 2011 53

CAMBER A negative value is always used, with
-1° to -2° camber proving optimal on most
shortening the upper camber link, while
lengthening the link will reduce the amount
CAMBER REFERS to the angle of the of negative camber.
tracks.
wheel in relation to the track.
The best way to measure and adjust
At 0° the wheel is perpendicular with the
track. camber is with a setup station or camber
A negative value has the top of the gauge while the car is resting at ride height
wheel leaning in towards the centre line with everything mounted in it, as if it is
of the chassis, while a positive value has ready to run.
the top of the wheel leaning away from the Increasing the amount of negative
centre line of the chassis. camber will generally result in more grip at
Camber is typically adjusted to achieve that end of the car in corners, as the side-
an even wear pattern across the contact bite of the tire is increased.
patch of the tire. More negative camber is gained by

FRONT CAMBER
More negative camber Shorten the front upper • Increased steering
camber link

Less negative camber Lengthen the front upper • Decreased steering–easier to drive
camber link

REAR CAMBER
More negative camber Shorten the rear upper • Increased grip and stability in
camber link corners
• Decreased high speed stability

Less negative camber Lengthen the rear upper • Decreased grip and stability
camber link

TOE and left steering links equal to each other,

shortening them will give more toe-out,
This is commonly adjusted within a
range of -2° and -3.5° toe-in, by either
TOE DEPICTS the parallel relationship while lengthening them will give more toe- adding/removing shims or using aftermarket
between the left and right hand tyres at each in. toe blocks to change the angle of the arms.
end of the car. An optimal setting on most cars is Increasing the rear toe-in increases the
When viewed from above, the wheels somewhere between +1° toe-out and -1° grip and stability of the rear end; while
have toe-in when the front of both wheels toe-in. reducing the amount of toe-in frees the car
angle inwards to a point in front of the car, Front toe-out will make the car easier up, allowing it to rotate more in corners.
while toe-out has the front of both wheels to drive down the straights and can make
angling outwards. the car more settled in high speed sweepers,
On the front end, toe is most accurately with more overall steering.
adjusted by using a setup station with Toe-in often has the opposite effect on
the car ready to run (minus the shell) and the car.
resting at its ride height. On the rear end, toe is controlled by the
While being careful to keep the right toe blocks.

FRONT TOE
More toe-in Lengthen the front steering • More nervous off centre
link • Car wanders more on straights
• Decreases overall steering
• Makes the car more difficult
to drive

More toe-out Shorten the front steering link • Car track straighter
• More stable in high speed
sweepers
• Increased overall steering
• Makes the car easier to drive

REAR TOE
More toe-in Decreases the spacing at the • Increased rear grip
front of arms • Increased stability
Increase the spacing at the • Increased understeer
rear of arms

Less Toe-in Increase the spacing at the • Decreased rear grip

front of arms • Reduced stability
Decrease the spacing at the • More rotation, decreased understeer
rear of arms

54 NEXT ISSUE OUT 18 FEBRUARY 2011

 GEAR RATIOS the fast guys at your local track
what a good starting point
FINDING THE ideal gear would be.
ratio is all about keeping the This will help you avoid
motor running in its optimum damaging your motor, as
range for as much of the lap as running incorrect gearing can
possible. cause it to build up heat very
This will vary from track quickly.
to track, as a bigger track with The most common
longer straights will require you measurement of gear ratio is
to ‘gear up’ so that the motor
O
Final Drive Ratio (FDR).

T T W isn’t reaching full RPM too This is calculated by

PAR
early on the straight. dividing the number of teeth on
While on smaller tracks, the spur (S) by the number of
you will need to ‘gear down’ to teeth on the pinion (P) and then
ensure the motor is able to rev multiplying that by the car’s
out and not be stifled by trying internal drive ratio (I) which
to push too big of a gear. is usually found in the back of
This is something that your car’s manual. (S / P * I).
becomes easier with experience. Increasing the size of the
Different motors, even pinion is often referred to as
of the same wind, produce gearing up.
different power bands so the Resulting in a ‘taller’ gear
starting ratio for each motor ratio as the FDR is a smaller
will be different. number, meaning the wheels
It is, therefore, best to turns over closer to 1:1 with the is commonly referred to as meaning the motor has to
consult the manufactures’ motor. gearing down and results in turn over more times for each
recommended ratios and ask Going to a smaller pinion a FDR of a higher number, revolution of the wheels.

GEAR RATIOS
Gear up – “taller ratio” Use a bigger pinion or smaller • For longer tracks
FDR of a lower value spur gear • Motor takes longer to reach full RPM, with
increased top speed.

Gear down – “shorter ratio” User a smaller pinion or • For shorter tracks
FDR of a higher value bigger spur gear • Motor accelerates to full RPM quicker, with
increased acceleration

diff, commonly referred to as a prove advantageous in the Stock be acting when the brakes are
spool. classes, especially on flowing applied.
This is because a spool tracks with no heavy braking This can cause the car to
makes the car more stable to zones, is the one-way. spin quite easily, if the brakes
drive than any of the other A one-way allows the front are applied, so a different

ON ROAD SETUP GUIDE

options, providing excellent wheels to free wheel off-power, driving style is required.
braking capabilities with all providing more steering and Ball differentials have
four wheels acting when the corner speed, while still driving long been the standard option
DIFFERENTIALS brakes are applied. all four wheels on-power to pull for the rear end, however gear
THE HIGH speeds in the The locked action then the car out of corners. differentials are now being
Continuing the On Road Setup Guide by ANTHONY ATACK. Although the model used is an XRAY T3, the modern EP Touring classes helps to pull the car out of the However, because the front explored as an option.
means most common choice corner on-power. wheels are disengaged off- With increased rotation
principles remain the same for almost all on road cars, EP or GP. of front differential is a locked The other option that may power, only the rear wheels will and on-power drive out of the
corners, gear differentials are
proving a useful tuning option
STEERING centre the steering, the next step
is to set the steering throw in
points slowly until the physical
steering throw on the car maxes
on smooth medium to high bite
tracks.
THROW & TRIM both directions.
This is best done on the
out, and then subtract a few
clicks to ensure the servo isn’t
On low grip tracks,
IN ORDER for your car to however, they can make the car
setup station, allowing you to trying to strain against the
be as easy to drive as possible, quite difficult to drive.
precisely measure the amount of steering beyond this point.
it’s important that it drives in a steering in degrees so that it is Once on the track, you
straight line when the steering equal in both directions. can turn the overall steering
wheel is centred. If, however, you don’t have percentage back until you
Equal turning circles at a setup station, this can be done achieve the desired amount
full lock in both directions will by eye and but you will need to of steering, which is purely
also ensure that the car is as measure out the turning circles personal preference.
predictable as possible in the in both directions on the track to
turns. ensure they are equal.
Once the steering trim has On most cars you will want
been adjusted on the radio to to increase the steering end

48 NEXT ISSUE OUT 18 MARCH 2011 MARCH 2011 49

ON ROAD SETUP GUIDE SHOCK OIL it can be beneficial to go for
thicker in oil on a hot day.
THE viscosity of shock oils The balance of the car can
is usually quantified by a also be changed by altering the
measurement of Wt. or cSt. stagger in shock oils from front
Continuing the On Road Setup Guide by ANTHONY In either case, the higher to rear.
the number, the thicker or For example, more steering
ATACK. This month Anthony concentrates on shock ‘heavier’ the shock oil will be, can be gained by increasing the
however it is important to note
absorbers, although not covering building and that this rating can vary from
stagger in oil from the front to
the rear, with heavier oil in the
maintenance of the shocks as signalled last issue. manufacturer to manufacturer, front shock and thinner oil in
so oils of the same brand
That will be the subject of a separate article soon. should be used for consistent
the rear shock

Although the model used is an XRAY T3, the principles adjustments and results.
Shock oils are usually
remain the same for almost all on road cars, EP or GP. adjusted to suit conditions with
grip and ambient temperature
being the main factors taken SHOCK OIL
SHOCK under consideration. Thinner oil Use shock oil of a lower weight in the • Car will react faster.
Thinner oils can help the
REBOUND car generate more traction
shocks. • Car will roll more, generating more grip.
• Can be advantageous in cold conditions.
REBOUND is a measurement when grip is low, while heavier
of how far your shocks push oils can increase corner speed, Thicker oil Use shock oil of a higher weight in • Car will feel smoother and more stable.
back out after being fully decrease traction rolling and the shocks. • Helps prevent the car from traction rolling in high
compressed (without springs).
T H R EE prevent tires from overheating grip conditions.

PART
This is controlled by the when grip is high. • Helps to prevent the tires from overheating.
All shock oils thin out in • Can be advantageous in hot conditions.
volume of oil in the shock when
• Car won’t handle bumpy tracks as well.
it is being assembled. high ambient temperatures so
The method for altering
rebound when building shocks results in a car that is more
may vary from car to car but the responsive and generates more
more oil that is bled from the grip, however it can become SHOCK
shock, the less rebound it will more upset when a curb is
have. touched. SPRINGS
Typically this is adjusted by Reducing rebound will SPRINGS are an important
how far the piston is pushed into make for a car that is smoother part of the car’s setup as they
the shock before the bladder is and more forgiving to drive, control weight transfer from
put in place and the shock is which can be ideal in high grip front to rear and side to side.
assembled. conditions. Conditions such as track
More rebound generally temperature and grip level, as
well as how open or technical
the layout is, will influence
spring selection.
Springs are cheap and
easy to change, so it can
be advantageous to have a
selection of springs within the
range you are likely to use.
Just be sure to re-set your
ride height when changing
between different springs.
Typically springs are FRONT SPRINGS
marked either numerically or Stiffer front springs Install a stiffer spring (higher rate) on • Increases initial steering into corner.
by colour codes to identify their the front shocks. • Decreases steering mid-corner and out.
rate. • Car more responsive, can become nervous
While different brands of off centre.
springs may be rated in different
units, a spring with a higher rate Softer front springs Install a softer spring (lower rate) on • Car will have less initial steering, especially under
value will be stiffer. the front shocks. braking.
• Car will have more steering through and out
It is important to note that
of corners.
adjusting the spring collars • Car will feel smoother.
REBOUND does not alter the stiffness of
More rebound Less oil is bled from the shock during • Car generates more grip. the springs–it is used only for
the building process. • Car is more responsive.
REAR SPRINGS
adjusting ride height.
• Car more easily upset by curbs/corner markers. Stiffer rear springs Install a stiffer spring (higher rate) on • Car will have less rear grip.
• Can cause car to traction roll in high grip situations. the rear shocks. • More steering, especially on power.

Less rebound More oil is bled from the shock during • Car generates less grip. Softer rear springs Install a softer spring (lower rate) on • Car will have more rear grip in all stages
the building process. • Car is smoother and more forgiving to drive. the rear shocks. of cornering.
• Can be useful in high grip conditions. • Car will feel smoother.

46 NEXT ISSUE OUT 15 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 47

 SHOCK FRONT SHOCK LOCATION
WHEELBASE

LOCATION
Shock
Longermore
wheelbase Move
Spacethe shock
arms awaylocation in on
from the the
centre • Car is smoother
Increased to drive.
stability.
inclined shock tower or out on the lower
of the chassis. • Car is more
Better on highconsistent.
speed, flowing tracks.
THE amount of leverage the suspension arm. • Less overallrotation
Decreased steering.in corners.
car has on the shocks can be • Can be useful on large, flowing tracks or in
altered by changing the location Shorter wheelbase Space arms towards the centre • high grip conditions.
Decreased stability.
that the shocks are mounted, of the chassis. • Better on tight, technical tracks.
Shock more Move the shock location out on • rotation in corners.
Increased responsiveness.
either on the shock tower or
upright the shock tower or in on the lower • More overall steering.
lower suspension arms.
suspension arm. • Increased on power grip and steering.
This is a quick adjustment • Can be useful on small, technical tracks or low
that can be easily be made at the grip conditions.
track and can have a noticeable
effect on the car’s handling. REAR SHOCK LOCATION
Changing the location on
Shock more Move the shock location in on the • Makes car smoother to drive.
the lower arms has a much more inclined shock tower or out on the lower • Increases rotation in corners.
profound effect, while changing suspension arm. • Decreases forward bite on-power.
the location on the shock tower • Can be useful on large, flowing tracks or in
gives a finer adjustment. high grip conditions.
It is important to remember
to re-check your ride heights Shock more Move the shock location out on • Makes car more responsive to drive.
after changing the shock upright the shock tower or in on the lower • Decreases rotation in corners.
location, as they may have suspension arm. • Increases forward bite on-power.
changed. • Can be useful on small, technical tracks or in
low grip conditions.
Leaning the shocks over on
more of an incline will make the
suspension softer initially, then
become progressively stiffer, as
it compresses.
This results in the car
having a smoother initial feel,
but less overall grip at that end
of the car.
Standing the shocks up
to be more upright makes the
suspension feel stiffer initially,
then staying more linear, as it
compresses.
This results in a more
responsive car, with more grip
at that end of the car.

48
50 NEXT ISSUE OUT 15
18 APRIL
MARCH 2011
2011 APRIL 2011
MARCH 49
51
 FRONT SWAY BAR
Heavier front Attach a thicker front sway bar. • Decreases chassis roll.
sway bar • Decreases off-power steering into corners.
• Decreases front grip in corners.
• Increases steering response.

FO UR
PART
Lighter front Attach a thinner front sway bar. • Increases chassis roll.
sway bar • Increases off-power steering into corner.
• Increases front grip in corners.
• Decreases steering response.

ON ROAD SETUP GUIDE

Continuing the On Road Setup Guide by ANTHONY ATACK. This month Anthony concentrates on shock absorbers,
REAR SWAY BAR
Heavier rear
sway bar
Attach a thicker rear sway bar. •
•
•
•
Decreases chassis roll.
Decreases rear grip in corners.
Increases on-power steering.
Car responds quicker in changes of direction.

although not covering building and maintenance of the shocks as signalled last issue. That will be the subject of Lighter rear Attach a thinner rear sway bar. • Increases chassis roll.
sway bar • Increases rear grip in corners.
a separate article soon. Although the model used is an XRAY T3, the principles remain the same for almost all on • Decreases on-power steering.
road cars, EP or GP. • Car responds more slowly in changes of direction.

SWAY BARS corners.

They do this by transferring

BODY AND WING PROTOform’s range of
bodyshells, which range from
SWAY bars or anti-roll bars are
the load from the outside wheel CHANGING the body shell the smooth handling Mazda 6
used to resist lateral roll in the to the inside wheel, keeping the can be a powerful adjustment shell, followed by the Speed
for changing the feel of the car. 6 and LTC-R which become
progressively sharper, to the
Some bodies smooth the R9-R shell which is extremely
car out, with less steering and aggressive.
a more planted rear end, while
others can increase steering, How the body and wing is
car flatter through the corner. of grip at that end of the car is especially in higher speed mounted also affects handling.
reduced. corners, but can make the car
However because the load is edgy to drive. The further forward a body
is mounted the more steering it
decreased on the outside wheel Changing sway bars is a
Take for example will have.
during cornering, the feeling quick and easy change that can

52 NEXT ISSUE OUT 20 MAY 2011 MAY 2011 53

 CHASSIS FLEX
SOME cars come with
different flex settings, simply
changed by adding or removing
screws in the top deck or main
chassis plate.

This can be a good

adjustment for attaining
the desired feel in different
conditions.

A softer flex setting can

help widen the car’s set up
window, helping it to generate
more grip and becoming more
forgiving to drive, which can be
useful in low to medium grip
conditions.

Too much flex however

can cause the car to become
unpredictable in the corners.

ACKERMANN Spacing the inner link

backwards has the opposite
THE Ackermann angle controls effect, increasing the
the difference in steering angles Ackermann effect and therefore
between the inside and outside increasing how much the inside
wheels during cornering. wheel turns in relation to the

Ackermann is commonly
adjusted by changing the angle
BUMP STEER
of the steering links, either by BUMP steer occurs when
an adjustable steering plate or the vertical angle of the
by adding shims behind the steering links causes the
inner steering link’s ball studs. Altering the angle of the On most cars spacing the front wheels to toe-in or
links this way changes the out as the suspension is
inner link forwards reduces the
Ackermann effect and will compressed.
Ackermann effect, so that the
increase or decrease how much
difference in steering throw In On Road this is
more the inside wheel turns in
between the inside and outside largely considered an
relation to the outside wheel
undesirable effect and
when steering through a corner. wheels is reduced.
most cars are best set to
have no bump steer.
ACKERMANN
More Ackermann Space the inside of the steering link • Inside wheel turns more in relation to outside wheel. Running bump-
effect more rearward. • If your car steers well off-power but pushes
(Straighter steering on-power, you can try more Ackermann effect
in reduces off-power
links) while reducing your steering end points on steering, however it can
your transmitter. result in the car feeling
inconsistent, while bump
Less Ackermann Space the inside of the steering link • Difference between steering throw of inside and
effect more forward. outside wheels is reduced. out can increase off-power
(More angled • If your car steergs well on-power but pushes steering.
steering links) off-power or if the inside wheel is chattering at
full lock on the track, you can try reducing the In most cases this
Ackermann effect while increasing your steering
end points on your transmitter. is adjusted by adding or

54 NEXT ISSUE OUT 20 MAY 2011 MAY 2011 55

 T FI VE
PAR

ON ROAD SETUP GUIDE

This month we conclude our On Road Setup Guide by ANTHONY ATACK. Our final topics in this five part series
deals with Dive and Squat, Diff Height and Belt Tension and like all our previous topics, to get top performance from
your car, it’s essential you get these areas right.

DIVE AND SQUAT

DIVE AND squat refer to
the angle of the hinge pin from
parallel with the chassis.

Most cars come standard

with level hinge pins front and
rear, however when this angle
is changed, it affects the way
weight is transferred as the car
accelerates and brakes.

JUNE 2011 43
 FRONT – DIVE BELT TENSION cause unnecessary binding in For faster motors a good
the drive train. setting is to be able to push the
Anti-dive Raise the rear of the hinge pin. • Front suspension resists compression, reducing
(Rear of the hinge Or lower the front of the hinge pin. steering on corner entry. IT IS important to have the belt
belt down around 3mm.
pin is higher than • Overall caster is reduced, giving less steering tension set correctly on your Most modern touring cars
the front) through and out corners.
car–too loose and they will skip use eccentric cams to adjust the
• Increased stability under brakes on smooth, With Stock motors you can
medium to high grip tracks. under acceleration and braking. belt’s tension, so always be sure
• Reduces car’s ability to handle bumpy track–can to have them set the same from go a tad looser to ensure the
Too tight and it will start to left to right. freest possible drive train.
Pro-dive (kick-up) Raise the front of the hinge pin. • Weight is transferred forward more easily,
(Front of the hinge Or lower the rear of the hinge pin. increasing steering into corners.
pin is higher than • Overall caster is increased, giving more steering
the rear) through the corner and out.
• Car is more forgiving to drive, especially on
bumpy tracks.

REAR – SQUAT
Anti-squat Raise the front of the hinge pin. • Rear suspension resists compression, increasing
(Front of the hinge Or lower the rear of the hinge pin. on-power steering.
pin is higher than • Increases the car’s ability to handle bumpy tracks.
the rear)

Pro-squat Raise the rear of the hinge pin. • Weight is transferred forward more easily off-power,
(Rear of the hinge Or lower the front of the hinge pin. increasing steering into and through the corner
pin is higher than until throttle is applied.
the front) • When throttle is applied, the weight transfers back
to the rear of the car more easily, resulting in more
on-power grip and less on-power steering.

cars that don’t. Anti-dive prevents weight tracks.

from transferring forward as
Dive is used to describe this easily, as the suspension resists The car will generally have
angle on the front end of the car, compression. more steering, especially on
corner entry.
with anti-dive being generated
This can help make the
when the rear of the front hinge On the rear end, squat is the
car more stable under brakes
pin is raised to be higher than term used to describe this angle.
on smooth tracks, however on
the front.
bumpy tracks, it can make the With anti-squat referring to
car quite hard to drive. a hinge pin that is higher in the
Pro-dive (also referred to
as kick-up) is generated by the front, while pro-squat describes
Kick-up on the other hand
a hinge pin that is lower in the
opposite, when the front of the can make the car more forgiving
front than the rear.
hinge pin is higher than the rear. to drive, particularly on bumpy

DIFF HEIGHT
SOME CARS give you the
ability to adjust diff height,
which can change the way the
car handles quite drastically.

This is because the angle of

the drive shaft influences how
easily the car rolls over as they
are spinning.

Running the diffs higher

will generate more overall grip
at that end of the car, giving a
more responsive feel with the
car staying flatter.
Running the diffs low will
44 NEXT ISSUE OUT 17 JUNE 2011 JUNE 2011 43
cause the car to roll more,
keeping it in the turn longer,
however the car will respond