View Full Version : basics of fwd driving and set up?
krizzy
17-07-2011, 01:45 AM
ok so im new to the whole fwd thing and am looking at getting a cheep civic hatch for $300 mk4 body 1988 (if that helps) to try and beat my mates shitty 86 rolla with worked suspension
ok so here come the N00b questions:
have minimal exp with pushing a FWD set up what should i watch for other than under steer though corners?
what size rubber should i have on front and back?
what can i do to reduce weight?
what other models can i use parts from?
and if i do end up deciding it's fun to drive what fits on the factory engine mounts (gearbox and engine)
chears / soz for being a noob at hondas
Indie
17-07-2011, 04:17 AM
Where will you be racing him?
First step would be ripping out the rear seats and all of the trim, as far as weight-reduction goes. Bit of a no-brainer, I guess.
When in doubt, accelerate....
krizzy
17-07-2011, 12:15 PM
ill probs go for a track day at Calder Park a month after i get this one or another cheap.
accelerate?(not doubting) thought it would just cause more under steer or will it drag the back back in? on that subject got a mate that says to use the hand break :p is he pulling my leg?
Lukey
17-07-2011, 12:17 PM
is it school holidays?
krizzy
17-07-2011, 12:21 PM
1 week left :p shame im not at school
Take Civic to SIMS metal = win :thumbsup:
crobaa
19-07-2011, 08:22 AM
Can anybody confirm how much weight is lost from gutting the rear? I bet it's 20kg max, especially in a 88 civic. It looks cool but I doubt it makes much difference at all. It might sound louder thus giving the illusion of more speed. Also weight distribution is already ****ed in fwd cars so it's only going to become worse wouldn't it? For drag racing, some minimal gain, track who knows. My eg rear seat is basically a piece of foam, plastics don't weigh anything, spare tyre and tools weigh a bit, seat belts.
GSi_PSi
19-07-2011, 08:52 AM
every kg counts
NightKids
20-07-2011, 10:48 AM
Ask any ricer, any real ricer. Doesn't matter if it's 1 gram or 1 tonne. Reduction is reduction
lsvtec
20-07-2011, 11:00 AM
LOL true
JUST VTEC
20-07-2011, 11:04 AM
lol nice quote my friend
mugen_ctr
20-07-2011, 11:41 AM
easy, spend over 100k on it, an u will have a absolute warrior, im talking about 9sec setup
1. Run mickey Thompson drag slicks or Hoosiers???
2. Rubber size, depends on what rims u run, if its anything like 15 by 12, than i wouldnt know, cause thats drag slicks turf.........
3. as for weight reduction, easy, scrap it, and run a tubular framed chassis with the shell of the car, sleeper! Ofcourse this does mean sticking to the Sports Compact Andra Rules, http://www.jamboree.com.au/pdfs/2010%20SCG%20PT.pdf
4. other parts? its all new parts LOL
5. Since ur gonna be buying a new engine, it depends really, Might as well be a stroked out K24 to K26 with a big turbo
Hope that answers ur question :D:D:D:D
And also, whats ur budget? LOL
GU357
20-07-2011, 05:48 PM
try left foot braking to control understeer.
harder suspension on the back compared to front will help to make the back less grippy and combat understeer too.
rip out all furnishings inside, ie: the doors, back seats, carpet, radio, dash board, center console, front seats (aslong as u replace the driver side with a light bucket seat)
take out the mudguards, put on steel rims that have a large diameter (15" steelies should be ok i think).
see what u can do about the muffler to lighten it up ie take it off and put something else there or leave it off.
after this it will be pretty light u could also replace the wind up windows for a plastic substitute or the wrapp stuff u see them use in nascar.
and after this ur car will also be illegal onroad seeing as the back seats are removed.
dtrang
20-07-2011, 10:20 PM
not sure if jk or srs thread...
autocross fwd set up
http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets10.html
Mikecivic78
22-07-2011, 10:21 PM
When in doubt, accelerate....
I like to say, when you go into a corner, you've got to commit to it.
If you lift off and the rear tries to comes out, then yea, I recommend acceleration.
Jccck
23-07-2011, 06:00 PM
I like to say, when you go into a corner, you've got to commit to it.
If you lift off and the rear tries to comes out, then yea, I recommend acceleration.
Just hit the corner so fast, that it comes a straight.. I think this is how the sport of Rally came about
sunnaye
24-07-2011, 11:07 AM
best option take everything out of ur car including ur chairs , and all u need to do is just step on the accelerator ;)
H-old
O-n
N-ot
D-one
A-ccelerating
Zilli
24-07-2011, 12:12 PM
enough bullshit in here or im gonna shut it down...
Mate my advice is to do some research... google FWD characteristics... its too long a post for anyone to put up here unfortunately... would love too but i dont have the time today. So some short points for you
1) Remember that a FWD platform is a compromise because you are using your front wheels to transfer power from your motor, and to steer, so their doing twice the work
2) Remember that most of the weight in your car is over the front axles... add that to point 1 above and you got a recipe for plow understeer
3) Read up on the basics of weight shift/transfer, as this is what you need to understand and harness when trying to get through corners etc
4) lightiening your car ys, is a good idea, but the weight is coming off the back... so your adding more weight distribution to the front
Look, i could probably go on above, but the reality is, take your car to the track, have some fun in it stock, and learn about it... if you read up on the above points you will understand how it all works, then you can set about making improvements, but the first and most important thing is to get out there and learn your car...
Also, if you are paying $300 for it... bear in mind you may need to pay a lot more than that to have it towed home from the track if something breaks... DO a basic service on it before you go out
Zilli
24-07-2011, 12:14 PM
also a warning to the bored people, any more non useful threads here will result in an infraction
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