On the IRS...I'm sure an IRS could potentially offer some improvement, but I don't know a damn thing about what makes them tick. I need to optimize this setup and then educate myself about independent rearends. THEN I might consider a change. Not in the plans for this year at all. I'm going to play with shock valving and swaybars...then change over to our ShockWaves.
I'm always surprised at my car's personality change when I take off the hardtop. With it on, the look is sort of 'bad boy' while with it off it becomes 'Mr. Sportycar.' Seeing #007 next to RideTech's car really makes that a pronounced difference.
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Tom #007 Street Rod; #2911SP Challenge Racer (Sold, 06/2010) V.I.R.U.S. (Very Immature Racers of the United States)
Last edited by Tom Veale; 06-25-2012 at 12:49 PM..
Hi Geoff, I was surprised that the #093 car's ride height at the rear was essentially the same as my car. It was quite a bit lower at the firewall and nose, however. The front suspension and steering is very cool.
It also sounds fantastic!
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Tom #007 Street Rod; #2911SP Challenge Racer (Sold, 06/2010) V.I.R.U.S. (Very Immature Racers of the United States)
Yep, that's quite a project. Some neat stuff there.
With a 6" ride height, have you measured bump steer ? Living where I do, I might just raise mine a little as well. However, my Cobra is 4.75 and I haven't had any issues. Not on the road yet though.
The RideTech 33 did very well at Road America last week. I placed 3rd in the Autocross segment behind the Lingenfelter Gen5 Camaro and our own 48 Hour Camaro. I placed 5th in the Road course segment, and 4th in the overall standings. Not bad for a relatively new car and a clutch that was slipping badly. We have now rebuilt the clutch and are ready to go to the Columbus Goodguy autocross this coming weekend. After that we'll do the Motorstate Challenge which will include a road course segment and an autocorss segment. If the car and I stay together we should do well there. Gingerman is a track that I like and typically run well there.
No major changes planned...the spring rate, swaybars nad tires are working well together. I can tune the car nicely with shock settings and tire pressures. I'm still learning how much throttle is "too much" The brakes are just flat awesome...I was driving into the last brake marker at RA before murdering the brakes.
BTW...Tom's car is very cool! Very classy...subtle...a gentlemans' hotrod. It was a great contrast to the juvenile deliquent that my car is. Tom...thanks for posting the pictures and comments...great to meet you!
I'm an SCCA member (Indiana Northwest and South Bend Regions) and now that I know the RideTech 33 will be at Gingerman on 7/14, I plan to be there as a corner worker.
Maybe it will inspire me to get off my butt and get #99 finished.
Jees, an inch wider? What are those front tires? 295's? You don't think it will push? Inquiring minds want to know. I'm about to put 275s on the front (cause I got a good deal on some used NT05s).
18x12 Forgelines with 315/30R18 Falken 615K tires on all 4 corners...because there is no such thing as too much traction!
awesome, is this an intentional move from the staggered setup? any understeer from it? very interested to know as hot rod mag ended up going with same size all around as well, so im strongly considering doing the same from the get-go now
also are you all using the FF electric assisted steering setup? id assume something with that much rubber up front.. but mostly want to know what the steering feedback/response is like?
the black 5 spokes look sportingly devilish great call
The car was actually very neutral with the 275mm front tires, but I wanted even more front bite. In addition to going from an 11" wheel to a 12" wheel, we decreased the backspace by 1.5" to widen the front track to closer match the rear track width. This will also change the scrub radius from -.560" to a+1.5". This should give me a bit more steering feedback. I suspect that we will need to soften the rear sway bar and possibly increase the front spring rate to get the car neutral again. BUT...it should be even faster. I hope.
The steering system is completely fabricated from scratch using a Woodward front steer rack. Nothing of the FFR steering components was used except the spindles ( and I might change them yet). The FFR steering might be adequate for light street driving, but was totally inadequate for this size tire and driving style.
Keep in mind that this is a race car and as such, it is subject to all sorts of experiments. I would not necessarily draw any conclusions from the components I've used or any changes I've made. It is most definitely a work in progress!
The car was actually very neutral with the 275mm front tires, but I wanted even more front bite. In addition to going from an 11" wheel to a 12" wheel, we decreased the backspace by 1.5" to widen the front track to closer match the rear track width. This will also change the scrub radius from -.560" to a+1.5". This should give me a bit more steering feedback. I suspect that we will need to soften the rear sway bar and possibly increase the front spring rate to get the car neutral again. BUT...it should be even faster. I hope.
The steering system is completely fabricated from scratch using a Woodward front steer rack. Nothing of the FFR steering components was used except the spindles ( and I might change them yet). The FFR steering might be adequate for light street driving, but was totally inadequate for this size tire and driving style.
Keep in mind that this is a race car and as such, it is subject to all sorts of experiments. I would not necessarily draw any conclusions from the components I've used or any changes I've made. It is most definitely a work in progress!
oh wow, i somehow missed the switch to front steer. that is very cool. but if youre still using the FFR spindles, you swapped them left/right i can only imagine?? i realize its kind of a whole different deal with a different rack but did you notice any appreciable change in steering input by moving to front steer? its something ive pondered a lot but really didnt think there would be room. looks like yours is almost perfectly aligned, great job. i also see now the woodward uses a hydraulic system, i suppose thats what i was wondering.
also, last question (thats a lie haha) you said you kept the FFR front control arm mount points but what change did you make in the geometry?
im actually planning my build around track (road course) use as well but trying to figure out which of my desired changes i should do up front while everything is nice and accessible versus just getting it up and running in the interest of a) in case i have to move b) testing to see what really needs changing - so i really appreciate your input!
....... In addition to going from an 11" wheel to a 12" wheel, we decreased the backspace by 1.5" to widen the front track to closer match the rear track width. This will also change the scrub radius from -.560" to a+1.5".......
Brett, on 007 I, too, had the front rims built with less backspace. It helped make the front and rear track a little closer and also put the front calipers out 'in the wind' a bit more. On the recent track days with Northwoods Shelby Club I had no front brake fade at all once the pads were fully bedded in. Road America really works the brakes hard while dropping speeds from around 130MPH to around 45 mph for Turn 5 and similar for Canada Corner (Turn 12).
Your wide wheels probably shield the brake calipers more than 007's but those monster brakes should have no problem with fade anyway.
Best regards, Tom
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Tom #007 Street Rod; #2911SP Challenge Racer (Sold, 06/2010) V.I.R.U.S. (Very Immature Racers of the United States)
Your build is amazing! The amount of strategic planning, attention to detail (seen in the reminders), and intuitive modifications are "A" class. Thanks for sharing.
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The brakes are just flat awesome...I was driving into the last brake marker at RA before murdering the brakes. 
great call
Amazing
Excellent work as always. Do me a favor and keep adding weight where you can. 
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