I know we've discussed this before, but I find there's a significant difference in front end grip with increased pressures, provided the roads are smooth enough to not to induce even worse bump steer. In my opinion, higher pressures prevent quite so much sidewall flex which starts off the higher speed under steer. I guess in fact that with all these steering fixes now available, we might be able to lift pressures with less compromise. In Germany I ran 28psi for spirited driving, but had to go back to 22psi or lower when back on those dreadful Belgian roads.
I plan to try the Blockley front tyres next time, as I am told they improve grip. I might also experiment with rear tyre pressure in an attempt to reduce grip a little - that might redress the balance slightly?!
I took the car out yesterday to warm it up before parking up in the kitchen and the roads were quite wet. I had to take an acute right hand turn on a Y-junction to avoid a messy jam and it was clear that the rubbish steering lock would require a 5-point turn to get round. But on the slippery surface, a little assertiveness with clutch and throttle had the car spin in a satisfying 270deg arc (finished off with a dab of oppo.....!), proving the affectiveness of reduced grip at the back. Not really of relevance to the discussion, but reminds me why the car is so fun. Laughed out loud for the next 5 mins - can't do that in Vorsprung durch Technik!!!
I put the front pressures up to 1.9 bar (27.5 psi) and went for a blast on my ride-and-handling route, which takes about an hour and has a variety of surfaces from super-smooth to seriously b*ggered by tank transporters/frost/etc.
This is definitely an improvement, noticeably more neutral (and I think there is an improvement in steering feel), but understeer is still what the car wants to do. I certainly would not want to raise the pressures further, as there is already noticeably increased deflection over the rougher surfaces.
I shall wait until I have the steering kit on and then decide the next step after that: uprated Spax, super-Suplex, or Empire...
Before replacing my wishbones adjusted in order to hunt and camber I started to change my anchor rods directions. For shock I would replace when I would find that are adjustable in Hydraulically copression and relaxation with two separate style ATV wheels carcross. I do not think the origins soyent bad. I buy four ball pivot and two Unibal to the rack. The ball pivot left side are not the same make and manufacture the right side, it is so flexible that left all alone cahoutchout recovers the ball.
I made the centering cones for the front wheels balanced memes me my wheels. I'm thinking to make me a torque damper. The electrical connectors lights begin to melt. It will be well soon videos on youtube of people who repair their car with an ax as they do in Asia for some other brands.
Dan - are you going to get yourself a three wheeler, then? Been to sit in one? Had a go?
Steve, no I've not yet done a walkaround yet. I suspect that I'm going to fill up more than half the interior room.
I'm 5'-13" and long waisted. I sit in a vehicle abour like a 5'-15" guy might with a 50" chest. Are any of you guys about the same height and how do you sit? Do you see over the windscreen?
Dan - are you going to get yourself a three wheeler, then? Been to sit in one? Had a go?
Steve, no I've not yet done a walkaround yet. I suspect that I'm going to fill up more than half the interior room.
I'm 5'-13" and long waisted. I sit in a vehicle abour like a 5'-15" guy might with a 50" chest. Are any of you guys about the same height and how do you sit? Do you see over the windscreen?
Thanks.
What is this strange measurement system that you use? How tall is 5'-13" in feet and inches, centimetres, fractions of a furlong, cubits, or whatever?
I am about 6ft 3in tall and I fit into the M3W provided the pedals are set at the furthest-forward position. It is much better since I fitted a 50mm steering wheel spacer. Before that, my left hand, left knee and the steering wheel were arguing with the bodywork on lock. The only problem is lack of space to rest the clutch foot, but it's not too bad provided I do not put in much more than two hours behind the wheel.
As for the windscreen, well, it's below my line of vision.
