Autocross understeer

[Swanpuppy 101]

Hello,

I am relatively new to autocross and have 3-4 events completed. I am running my 1996 talon tsi awd, stock suspension, with continental DWS tires. I know that these all seasons are a large contribution to my understeer, but I was hoping some of the more avid autocrossers could shed some light on my situation. I am running 48.5psi in the rears and 43psi on the fronts during competition, yet my car still plows into the corners like a drunken boat. What pressures do you guys run and what tweaks have you made to the set up to minimize the understeer? I plan to move on to adjustable shocks, a rear sway, and better tires in the future, but money is the limiting factor at this point.

Thanks for the help,

David

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Autocross.dsm.org - DSM Specific Autocross Tech Articles

Fallow depending on what class you will want to run. Seat time is the biggest part though.

 

[Swanpuppy 101]

Thanks for the link. I have been over that site quite a bit. I guess I should have stated that I am in SM currently due to the engine mods. I suppose I was looking to see what members are using for tire pressure differences or suggestions in weight transfer that is specific to the 2G's in hard cornering applications. I will rear over the ESP and SM info again, perhaps I missed something on tire PSI the first time through.

Thanks.

Sorry, I meant to say I will READ over not rear over. And for reference I am running 225 tires with 10mm spacers.

Thanks again for the link.

 

[snowborder714]

My tire pressures will vary a bit depending on the course, but lately I've been running high 20's in the front (26-28ish) and then mid to high 30's in the rear (34-38ish). This is usually where I start and then will adjust based on how the car handles after each run.

 

[Tyeler18]

My tire pressures will vary a bit depending on the course, but lately I've been running high 20's in the front (26-28ish) and then mid to high 30's in the rear (34-38ish). This is usually where I start and then will adjust based on how the car handles after each run.

That's it? What tires? My old nt5000s had huge sidewall rollover at anything less than 42psi. I usually run around 46psi all around.

I should have an evo 8 rear diff on the way that should help with my on power understeer.

 

[snowborder714]

Star Specs. The last event I ran was a really slow event (sometimes ran all in first gear). I believe I ran them a bit higher on a real autox layout, so my numbers may be a bit deceiving/off. And I don't remember the last time I put paint on the tires to see if/how far I was rolling over either. But I know when I had the front pressures above 34 or so during the last event I just wasn't getting any grip and was pushing like crazy.

 

[jtmcinder]

The OP is almost definitely entering corners too fast because everyone does this at first. Distracting him with tire-pressures will just delay his learning to drive.

 

[ileagleracing]

What jtmcinder said. Slow in, Fast out. Get an experienced driver to take your car out for a run with you shotgun.

Samuel Krauss
08 Expedition
04 S4
98 Talon
95 Talon

 

[ACM]

Double ditto !

Seat time and find a mentor to help you.

Charles

 

[theamsoilguy]

Probably going in to hot. Your pressures seem a bit high, but your thinking right with the difference between front\rear.

 

[bigdoug3022]

Use the instructors to your full advantage. I have a 97
Gs-t spyder that I auto crossed with that under steered pretty bad. Threw a thicker tanabe away at on the rear and got a set of 255/40 hankook rs-3's and now it tends to oversteer until my tires are warmed up

Rear swaybar*

 

[everbruin]

it'll be hard to reduce understeer on stock 2g; most 2g veteran autox'ers use much stiffer front than rear springs. More negative front camber like -2 or more will also help but would involve shorter upper arms, as offset bushings aren't enough.

 

[bigdoug3022]

good call everbruin. alignment also does play a huge roll.