Stock Foci and bad body roll. Pics and Vids.

100mphclub.com · Jul 25, 2008

Well, the Mustang was down, so I took the DD to our local Auto-X this past w/e.

This was only the second time I've ever auto-x (in 4+ years).

Check out the back turn on run 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcN5codS31Y

OmniFocus · Jul 25, 2008

That is an unfortunate side effect of Ford's decontenting. Without the proper 21mm front / 20mm rear bar combo, the car just doesn't have enough spring rate to operate properly.

For comparison, this is what a stock 2000 ZX3 looks like with super sticky Hoosiers and the original 21/20 bar combo.

100mphclub.com · Jul 25, 2008

I think some sway bars are definitely in order. :lol:

Reza · Jul 25, 2008

what size tire is that?

OmniFocus · Jul 26, 2008

That was a 205/50-15 that year.

Reza · Jul 26, 2008

^^^ which one did worked the best for you on the 15" wheels?

205/50/15's 225/50/15's, or 225/45/15's?

qqqq · Jul 26, 2008

The roll center of a stock Focus is sky high. Even with better bars you are going to have a tippy car on sticky rubber.
Drop the car 2" or more on race springs and it is a different story.
Of course mama ain't gonna like the ride to the grocery store much...

ladybug04 · Jul 27, 2008

2" or more? gggg, sorry, but the best suspension set-ups w/o coilovers for the focus is about a 1.5" drop, or have you forgot about the dynamic camber aspect of our cars? right now im on the cup kit, which is a 2.5" drop, and i lose camber in the corners, the goal is to drop the COG a little bit, but make it so that it doesnt roll quite as bad, yet still gain cambr in the corners. 2" drop is just rediculous for an actual perf application on the focus. dropping these cars is not the end all be all of performance driving, actually, with how much people decrease roll, drop the car and what not, a properly set-up focus will be faster

bryan

brads03zx3 · Jul 27, 2008

careful ladybug04 with your absolutes. The H&R Race/Koni combo is one of the best OTS setups on the market for our cars. I very much understand the MacStrut compromise. A 2" drop is far from ridiculous.

OmniFocus · Jul 27, 2008

...and honestly, an H Stock Focus is a lot of fun.

As hypocritical as it may sound coming from me, you don't have to throw assloads of money at a Focus to enjoy it.

ladybug04 · Jul 27, 2008

^true. i know from experience.

rollin on the 14's all seasons, and rollin like im gonna tip it lmao, so much fun..

but its better now with the mods

bryan

qqqq · Jul 28, 2008

I disagree.My car handles beautifully with a 2" drop on H&R race springs.(AGX struts)I actually backed off the sway bars (H&R) strongest settings as it was lifting the inside tires too much.It now feels just right,with minimal lift..I run 1.5 neg camber frt. and 3 neg rear with excellent results.(1/16" toe in frt and rear)I race on 215/40/16 Kumho V710's (22.4" tall),so the car is low. I am going to Mont Tremblant next weekend for a two day TT event and will see how it feels at warp speed!
Everyones driving needs are different.I have tried mine with various setups and this is by far the most satisfying I have come across and my lap times show this to be true.

Reza · Jul 28, 2008

lowering the focus more than 1.5" is just dump IMHO.

I have tired so many heights 2.5". 2.0", 1.8" and now 1.4". I had the best front grip with the 1.4" same spring rates.

brads03zx3 · Jul 28, 2008

Reza, were you adjusting your camber at each of those ride heights? What did your tire temps look like at each setting? We have done this testing with the scion and found a benefit with going lower. It shares the same front macstrut setup.

ladybug04 · Jul 28, 2008

well, im just saying that with the mac strut set up, the lowest that would still be neficial, would be where the lower control arms are level, once they star going past that point, you just end up loosing camber, im not saying the @" is tooooo much, just that it isnt exactly ideal. and also the fact that alot of people think roll is one of the worst things handling wise.

a reduction of roll is usually a good thing, but going too far can harm the overall performance of the car. nad yes i know that the h&r race is one of the best options of OTS non-coiover setups, i was actually going to go with it myself, IMO it is a great setup. but seeing as how around me all i really have is auto-x, and i dont care about having a really stiff car, i was thinking of going with a custom spring rate on re-valved konis, with about a 1.5" drop over stock(basically raise my car up about an inch). im sorry if my facts semm a little strange or what-not right now, but i have been going through a hella stressful time.

bryan

qqqq · Jul 28, 2008

This winter I am lowering my Focus even more. My goal is to have the rockers off the track about 2-3" tops.I plan on channeling the suspension or possibly going to a tube frame.Not practical if you use the car for street driving.If you think lowering a cars CG does not help with handling you don't watch or participate in motorsports much.

sleeperlove · Jul 28, 2008

qqqq said:
This winter I am lowering my Focus even more. My goal is to have the rockers off the track about 2-3" tops.I plan on channeling the suspension or possibly going to a tube frame.Not practical if you use the car for street driving.If you think lowering a cars CG does not help with handling you don't watch or participate in motorsports much.

They aren't saying it doesn't help, they are saying that at a certain point with out suspension geometry it becomes less beneficial to lower the center of gravity because you start losing camber. Low center of gravity isn't worth anything if there is a lot less contact patch.

qqqq · Jul 28, 2008

I certainly do understand all about camber.If you remove the spring from the Mac strut and lower the car to the bump stops,you will still have the abilty to dial in 3 degrees of negative camber. I have done it. No,you would not want to drive the car set up like that,however my point is at 2" of drop, the suspension is more than capable of placing the contact patch of your tire 100% on the track,properly adjusted for the ride height,with suspension travel to spare. Using the H&R race springs,the suspension does not move much anyways.Tire wear is even across the crown of the tire and with no adverse effects. Lowering the CG is paramount to good handling. Ask any formula 1 driver.

Stock Foci and bad body roll. Pics and Vids.

100mphclub.com

OmniFocus

100mphclub.com

Reza

OmniFocus

Reza

qqqq

ladybug04

brads03zx3

OmniFocus

ladybug04

qqqq

Reza

brads03zx3

ladybug04

qqqq

sleeperlove

qqqq

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