Dialing out understeer in 4WD's

[sn00pie]

How do you guys dial out understeer in your 4WDs?

 

[vat_man]

One big thing I've found is setting a little bit of toe out (i.e. positive) at the rear - it really helps turn in.

Also, put a variable centre diff and allocate a bit more drive to the rear - I tend to run around 30-35% of drive to the front wheels.

I tend to set my 4WD vehicles in a similar manner to my RWD cars, in that they're a little bit softer springwise at the rear.

 

[sn00pie]

I always set my VCD as much to the rear as possible so say about 15% front distribution to -like you said- simulate RWD's, but when coming out of corners the nasty front wheels get a little too grippy for my liking, I'll try toe-ing out the back a bit like you said then...

 

[vat_man]

Okay, you might a little too soft at the back too.

Try this site - I have this troubleshooting guide next to the PS2.

http://home.att.net/~chmilnir/gt/guide.html

 

[Duke]

That's funny, I stiffen the rear shocks, particularly on rebound, in order to get the weight transferred forward again ASAP when accelerating. I typically soften the fronts a little.


EDIT: I haven't really fooled with spring rates much. I'm usually able to get the handling where I want it using the default spring rates, especially on the race or semi-race suspension. I don't believe in slamming the car down onto the bumpstops (except on the speedways), so I don't need to run incredibly high spring rates.

In general, for anything with an understeer problem, I set the front suspension to 25% firm, and the rear suspension to 75% firm. This keeps the weight on the front wheels, and allows them a little more compliance, for better grip.

Also, try 100% on the rear swaybar, and 50% on the front. HTH!

EDIT: This is for anything that understeers under acceleration.

FURTHER EDIT: Vat_man, that's a very well written website. Thanks for the link! Here is my contribution to the handling discussion: Suspension/handling tips from the Neon FAQ.

 

[alex_gt]

:thumbsup: Top guide there Vat_man :star:

Did a GTP member right that?

 

[alex_gt]

Oh yea, does anyone know any Wheelie settings :burnout:, I heard somewhere with the right settings you can get the front to lift up?

 

[Duke]

Please tell me you're joking? If not, look up about one inch (2.54 cm) on the index page.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by neon_duke
That's funny, I stiffen the rear shocks, particularly on rebound, in order to get the weight transferred forward again ASAP when accelerating. I typically soften the fronts a little.

That's for RWD - the idea is that under acceleration, the weight shifts from front to the rear, and the slightly softer rear springs accept the increase in weight and therefore increase available grip at the rear , giving rise to more traction under power at the rear!

 

[Duke]

Ummm, that's the problem - too much grip at the back, not enough at the front (understeer). That's why I stiffent the rears, to move weight forward and increase grip.

 

[vat_man]

Yeah - thought about that after I posted it - what I should have gone on to say was that you should then try to increase grip at the front via dampers and stabilisers, rather than using the springs.

 

[troy1]

Oversteer is usally not an option in 4wd cars until the end of a turn, thats when the power seems to kick in at the rear.

 

[sn00pie]

I think the massive power makes you skid i sideways instead of the traditional oversteer taking place there...

 

[troy1]

Originally posted by rufrgt_sn00pie2001
I think the massive power makes you skid i sideways instead of the traditional oversteer taking place there...

I've noticed that also, but as i said before at the end of the turn or i this case a skid, the car seems to oversteer...well atleast in my r34 GTR.

 

[sn00pie]

Buy a better R34 then!

 

[vat_man]

The R34s do seem to oversteer more than the other GT-R's - you might want to back off the drive to the rear.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by troy1
Oversteer is usally not an option in 4wd cars until the end of a turn, thats when the power seems to kick in at the rear.

Hmm, that's odd. Both my cranked-up Evo VI and my R32 Skyline are nice and loose under braking, but I have to get on the power carefully or they will understeer off the outside of the exit.

Well, they did that until I dinked with the handling a bit, anyway.