I have been racing spitfires since the early 70's in the CenDiv of SCCA.
Back then when the rules were much like autox today, I used a rear swaybar
in the shape of a "Z" with a stock rear spring with two leafs removed and
the ends rolled to get more rear camber. The real reason you get oversteer
in a spit is due to the swing axles which generates huge jacking forces.
This is what takes the car from understeer to oversteer in the middle of a
corner very quickly. What I used was a 1" bar up front and 1/2" Z-bar in
the rear, solid bushings everywhere, and shortened spit or GT6 springs to
lower and stiffen the spring rates. The front bar actually controls the
body roll and the rear bar adds a little to the inside front wheel in a
corner - keeping it from lifting off the ground.
Depending on the chassis stiffness (rollcage vs. single roll hoop). If the
chassis has not been stiffened(the top of all 4 shocks tied together through
the roll cage) use a camber compensator. If the chassis is stiff use
swaybars.
Hard fact is with swing axles you get jacking forces and ultimately
oversteer. Both of the above modifications only delays or raises the point
at which it will occur.
Ron - ReK Racing
----- Original Message -----
From: nikolai jaremka <njaremka@yahoo.com>
To: <Spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 11:55 AM
Subject: Re: Camber compensator or rear sway bar.
>
>
> well, i don't auto-x, but i do have a rear sway bar. i do know
> that it was a little difficult to attach it the way i wanted it,
> but it does signifigantly reduce body roll, and it looks like it
> performs the same functions as joe's camber compensator. other
> things to note: stock front suspension setup and poly bushings
> all around, other than that, stock suspension. the most notable
> change i noticed was a greater tendancy towards oversteer.
>
>
> --- "Mostrom, Paul" <Mostrom.Paul@principal.com> wrote:
> >
> > Listers,
> >
> > I am looking to modify the rear suspension of my '77 1500 to
> > improve it's
> > handling for auto-x. I would like some help or sugestions
> > from those racers
> > out there on whether it would help the roll/oversteer that I
> > experience while
> > powering through a curve to put a rear sway bar on my Spit or
> > if a camber
> > compensator would be a better choice.
> >
> > Or have I missed the point of the camber compensator all
> > together?
> >
> > So far the modifications I have done to the suspension are:
> >
> > poly bushings
> > rear air shocks (more to level the car than to stiffen the
> > suspension)
> > realignment to -3/4 camber on front
> >
> > Any other sugestions would be very welcome.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Paul Mostrom
> > '77 Spitfire 1500
> >
> >
> > 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to
> > use the internet
> > and he won't bother you for weeks!'
> >
>
>
> =====
> nikolai jaremka
> 72 spitfire mkIV
> east aurora, new york
>
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