Ford Focus RS '02 transmission set-up advice.

XPOWER180 · May 22, 2012

Hi, I really like using my Focus RS '02 which handling wise I think I've just about perfected for my own personal preferances. It's at 531 PP and in rooms below and roughly up to that limit it's extremely competetive and regularly wins but it has one major problem; standing start acceleration. It bogs down so bad that having pole position becomes irrelevant as by the 1st corner everyone else has shot past! I use TC on 1 just to try to stop masses of wheel spin but I really don't want to go any higher. Does anyone have a good transmission tune that might help it sprint a bit harder whilst retaining a high top end (180 mph+) to keep me competetive on the tracks with longer straights?

Adrenaline · May 22, 2012

XPOWER180
standing start acceleration. It bogs down so bad ...I use TC on 1 just to try to stop masses of wheel spin but I really don't want to go any higher.

Does it bog down, or spin the tires? Your post is contradictory. What RPM does it make max power and max torque?

XPOWER180 · May 22, 2012

Adrenaline
Does it bog down, or spin the tires? Your post is contradictory. What RPM does it make max power and max torque?

Maybe contradictory in the US but it might have different meanings like so many other things divided by the pond! You see here when we talk of a car bogging down off the start line it means it's like it's wheels are stuck in a swampy bog and can't move off the line. So yes, it's bogging down (UK) and I use TC1 just to stop it spinning it's tyres furiously. Max bhp @6900 and max torque is 46kgfm (whatever that is - wish it would give a ib-ft rating!) @5900.

AstonMartinDBR9 · May 22, 2012

Bogging usually means no wheelspin and very slow accelaration, spinnig tyres is bouncing off the rev liiter or in very high revs, which one is it, both are slow starts, but they are different.

XPOWER180 · May 22, 2012

Have you read what I've put -I USE TC1 TO STOP WHEELSPIN. It's accelerating very slow but if I take off the TC it just spins and is even slower. I can't put it any clearer!!!!

CSLACR · May 22, 2012

XPOWER180
Have you read what I've put -I USE TC1 TO STOP WHEELSPIN. It's accelerating very slow but if I take off the TC it just spins and is even slower. I can't put it any clearer!!!!

So you mean the TCS is bogging it down.

"it has one major problem; standing start acceleration. It bogs down so bad that having pole position becomes irrelevant as by the 1st corner everyone else has shot past!"

This implies the wheel are not spinning, in both America and across the pond.

Turn the TCS off, and learn how to feather the throttle, that is the only option.

AstonMartinDBR9 · May 22, 2012

XPOWER180
Have you read what I've put -I USE TC1 TO STOP WHEELSPIN. It's accelerating very slow but if I take off the TC it just spins and is even slower. I can't put it any clearer!!!!

So there was wheelspin, you put TCS on 1 to stop it wheelspinning as much?

In that case, make your gearbox as normal for speed, but make sure the first gear is longer than normal, keep making it longer until you are satisfied with the launch.

XPOWER180 · May 22, 2012

I use the X button so it's not an option. Look, if everyone's going to question my phrases rather than offer advice to what the problem clearly is (slow acceleration) then politely, sod off!!!! If you've got nothing constructive to offer me then please, do one! All I'm after is advice on what settings for my transmission, not if my local dialect varies or your thoughts on what bogging down means compared with mine - the main problem is clearly highlighted.

Adrenaline · May 22, 2012

Deleted, not going to help someone acting like you.

CSLACR · May 22, 2012

XPOWER180
I use the X button so it's not an option. Look, if everyone's going to question my phrases rather than offer advice to what the problem clearly is (slow acceleration) then politely, sod off!!!! If you've got nothing constructive to offer me then please, do one! All I'm after is advice on what settings for my transmission, not if my local dialect varies or your thoughts on what bogging down means compared with mine - the main problem is clearly highlighted.

The problem isn't "slow acceleration". :lol:

But I will sod off without explaining it to you now.👍

IDK Adrenaline, I think that was in-depth enough he'd be lost. I assumed you were being clever getting that technical.

Adrenaline · May 22, 2012

CSLACR
IDK Adrenaline, I think that was in-depth enough he'd be lost. I assumed you were being clever getting that technical.

Not entirely. Because it's how I would have done it, if I were the one tuning the tranny. So, it was accurate and true, but not dumbed-down enough for a first timer like the OP to follow. I'm not gunna hold someone's hand through the entire process if they haven't proven to me they're worth my effort to do so.

AstonMartinDBR9 · May 22, 2012

AstonMartinDBR9
In that case, make your gearbox as normal for speed, but make sure the first gear is longer than normal, keep making it longer until you are satisfied with the launch.

Bump

CSLACR · May 22, 2012

Adrenaline
Not entirely. Because it's how I would have done it, if I were the one tuning the tranny. So, it was accurate and true, but not dumbed-down enough for a first timer like the OP to follow. I'm not gunna hold someone's hand through the entire process if they haven't proven to me they're worth my effort to do so.

Agreed.
The gearing still isn't the real problem though, gearing to control wheel-spin is really a band-aid.
I have and continue to use it, of course, because it'd be stupid not to, but it doesn't fix the problem.

Adrenaline · May 22, 2012

CSLACR
The gearing still isn't the real problem though, gearing to control wheel-spin is really a band-aid.

I'm not sure I follow what you mean. In this instance we're talking about off the line acceleration and nothing else. In which case, we can't tweak the suspension, because it would effect the cars handling, which I think we want to avoid, given the assumption he's happy with it where it's at. So, I would say gearing is not a band-aid at all, but the true fix for this specific problem. What did you have in mind, outside of gearing to fix this? Feathering the throttle could be fine, but there's no reason why you can't set up the tranny to launch at max (tq?) and get the gears to handle that most effectively(and consistently)... is there?

dr_slump · May 22, 2012

XPOWER180
Have you read what I've put -I USE TC1 TO STOP WHEELSPIN. It's accelerating very slow but if I take off the TC it just spins and is even slower. I can't put it any clearer!!!!

It definitely accelerates better without tcs.

CSLACR · May 25, 2012

Adrenaline
I'm not sure I follow what you mean. In this instance we're talking about off the line acceleration and nothing else. In which case, we can't tweak the suspension, because it would effect the cars handling, which I think we want to avoid, given the assumption he's happy with it where it's at. So, I would say gearing is not a band-aid at all, but the true fix for this specific problem. What did you have in mind, outside of gearing to fix this? Feathering the throttle could be fine, but there's no reason why you can't set up the tranny to launch at max (tq?) and get the gears to handle that most effectively(and consistently)... is there?

No, I'm just saying that using gears/gearing to control wheel-spin is used as a band-aid,(when used properly) that can cost time over more practiced and precise throttle control.

It really depends on the severity of the gearing. The worse the throttle control, the more severe the gearing "fix" will need to be. The more severe the gearing increase, the less available power(engine peak) will be available.
For example a 65mph 2nd gear might cause wheel-spin on this Focus RS while turning, but will gain full traction in a straight line, making second so long it can't spin while cornering will hurt some corner exits compared to the quicker gear.