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Posted

I have a question about caster settings, what exactly does it do for you? I have a 89 z-28 and I know that it has a lot of positive caster to begin with but for racing purposes, what would be the benefit of increasing the caster setting versus just leaving it at the factory setting? Any help would be appreciated thanx.

Posted

I can't tell you about the theory of why but you always want maximum caster possible (6deg range) and about 2deg neg camber.....

 

 

-Ed

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Posted

6 deg range??? Must be nice! Last time I measured mine I could barely get 4 deg. Anyway...

 

Caster makes the wheel gain camber as you turn it. If you had 0 caster, your camber would not change as you turn the wheel. The more caster you have, the more camber you gain as you turn the wheel (not direct 1 to 1 relationship though).

 

The theory is that as you turn the wheel you want to gain camber to offset the body lean (which reduces camber) and to aid the wheel to evenly load (since the outside sidewall will flex under more load, causing more load on the outside tread area than the inside). An additional benefit is caster tends to push the wheels straight, so the car is more stable at speed in the straights.

 

So, as Ed said, you usually just want all you can get. Factory settings are conservative. They don't expect you to go ripping corners at the limit of adhesion all afternoon long.

Posted

Caster affects steering in addition to the camber relation Al mentioned.

 

Think of a shopping cart - the way the front wheels are - that's negative caster. The wheels track well, but would be 'behind' if you tried to steer with them, instead of turning the cart.

 

A motorcycle fork is positive caster, much better for steering, but can get 'wobbly' at speed. So a chopper would be more positive caster. Not great for slow speeds, but great on long high speed straights.

Posted

The caster/camber plates we put on allowed up to 7 degrees positive caster, and 3 degrees negative camber, and really helped. Be sure to reset set your toe after you make any changes to Caster/Camber as they usually impact that one, as well. Most racecars run a little "toe out", which is harder on tires than the rear drive recommendation of a "little toe" in for the street, but helps the car "turn in" as well.

 

 

Did you ever notice that racecar spelled backwards is racecar?

Posted

Talkin TOE did anyone see Per's TOE stickin out of his driving shoe ? apparently he injured it the other day and it's the size of a gear shift knob

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