How to make Vtr handle better?

5th April 2009, 15:39

(this isn't on main roads) Ok when cornering fast or under breaking the rear is very unstable and likes to step out quite a bit at the back oversteering. Used to drive very hard in my Fiesta and that thing would stick to the road. 100% and never usually any problems.

It is currently standard fwiw. Obviously getting stiffer springs and dampers and lowering would help but would strut braces make that much difference? I currently have nearly new tyres that are very good Kumyo tyres that are worn in.

Basically I just want to try and get rid of the oversteer as much as I can and seeing what people have done and what has worked if they have had problems and if strut braces etc and lower stiffer suspension made which improvements?

Thanks in advance..

5th April 2009, 15:43

To correct typo obs kumho) and i checked the tracking and it is fine.

5th April 2009, 16:30

Has it got the std rear arb?

If its a thicker one then it will oversteer more.

Is the rear susp in good condition?

Other than that, stiffening up the front will help balance the car more.

Start with braces, the lower does more than the top, but together theyre good, and cheap.

Then look at some decent lowering springs and matched shocks. Dont bother with just springs imo.

The faulkners and billie b8s from kam racing are on mine and im pleased with it.

5th April 2009, 16:34

either losen the rear up or stiffen up the front to induce abit of understeer

5th April 2009, 18:36

As Said above.

Upgrade springs and dampers
Lower car 40mm all round
Lower OMP Strut Brace

5th April 2009, 19:01

being that FWD hatches with the weight bias on the front have a natural tendancy to understeer makes me think that you need to change your driving style.

Lift of in these hatches and you will induce oversteer. but if you are on the power it should understeer every time

5th April 2009, 19:05

As said, sounds like lift-off oversteer. These cars are well known for being able to induce it, just don't brake or lift off in the corner, get it all done before.

5th April 2009, 19:13

i just drive like a girl. no under or oversteer that way lol

5th April 2009, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukeyyyyyyy21

(this isn't on main roads) Ok when cornering fast or under breaking the rear is very unstable and likes to step out quite a bit at the back oversteering. Used to drive very hard in my Fiesta and that thing would stick to the road. 100% and never usually any problems.

It is currently standard fwiw. Obviously getting stiffer springs and dampers and lowering would help but would strut braces make that much difference? I currently have nearly new tyres that are very good Kumyo tyres that are worn in.

Basically I just want to try and get rid of the oversteer as much as I can and seeing what people have done and what has worked if they have had problems and if strut braces etc and lower stiffer suspension made which improvements?

Thanks in advance..

There all backend lively imo especially when standard.

If you have the cash and just going to use it on the road, cant go wrong with bilstein b8's and some Faulkner 45mm 155lb springs.

I have the group N's and it handles a lot better then the likes of spax and koni.

But if you dont have the cash, you cant go wrong with spax etc.
Most people get the apex kit from kam racing these days.

But as other people have said, it sounds more like a problem with your driving.

5th April 2009, 19:22

+1 for that Billie and Faulkner combo,
B8's were perfect for me,
Id like to try a car with Grp. N's tho.

6th April 2009, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

+1 for that Billie and Faulkner combo,
B8's were perfect for me,
Id like to try a car with Grp. N's tho.

if i ever meet you, you can have a go of mine.....
Very firm for normal road use

grips really well even with shit tyres in the wet.

6th April 2009, 09:12

ive gotta say even as standard the vtr/vts' handle like crazy...aslong as you respect it...lifting of accellerator or braking on corners IS A BIG BIG NO NO! lol...if u start to feel it go accellerate haha

11th April 2009, 12:46

Thanks to everyone that replied....

I wouldn't say it was my driving so much, I don't break in corners and I'm smooth with the peddals...was breaking a bit hard though not that hard but a bit at the approach to a round a bout (very slight steering to the left) that is not 100% straight and it's slightly curved and the back end must have stepped out on me by half a foot..

Another of was after I had done my braking and I had then turned in and wasn't too fast or anything and I had to apply opposite lock really wasn't fast at all. My friend who I used to race karts with who now races in Formula Ford said bloody hell almost feels as though your back wheel is coming off. Obviously checked and it isn't..

So basically just accept it that Saxo's as standard are tail happy, respect it and you have to make sure you brake in a straight line and on the throttle if you're in a corner and changing direction a few times...Just bit weird though as in my Fiesta that had standard suspension I could go twice as fast. Makes it the more fun though this way and saxo beats it in all the other areas.

First thing I'll do once I get some money is lower and strut braces..

I've found though that the front handles very well, so I'll prolly just sort the rear out by strut braces at the rear and go with an all round stiffer and lower drop..

11th April 2009, 15:28

the fiesta is more forgiving but doesn't handle better

Learn to drive the saxo well and it will reward you with better performance for sure.
Go on a track day where you can get a better feel for the car without risking going backwards into roadside furniture. With the lively rear you can change the handling from understeer to oversteer and anywhere in between just with some good throttle control

11th April 2009, 15:29

I've never had the rear step out on me in all the saxo's 106's I've drove

Two things you must consider is A)driving style, B)the road conditions, the roads are greasy at present due to damp whether these last few days after having gorgeous sunshine beforehand.

Strut braces for the rear are not present buddy, take a look at lower strut braces, and if you're on a budget like most take a look at spax, I currently have them on my car the spring rate isn't much greater than standard but they handle sufficiently better (I am using spax dampers aswell and brand new rubber and as of this evening a thicker rear torsion).

Spax springs sell for cheap on the bay nowadays but take a look at some eibach springs if you're willing to stretch your pockets a bit more along with koni.

I find that as standard the sax/106 handles incredibly well, just got to know the cars limits.

Just don't lift off midcorner

11th April 2009, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamRacing

being that FWD hatches with the weight bias on the front have a natural tendancy to understeer makes me think that you need to change your driving style.

Agree 100% with what Kam said. If you can afford it best thing is to get a instructor to help you. No matter how much you think you know about driving there is always some one who knows a hell of a lot more.

12th April 2009, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukeyyyyyyy21

I'll prolly just sort the rear out by strut braces at the rear and go with an all round stiffer and lower drop..

As said, dont bother with a rear brace, there is no rear struts, so the only thing it'll do is stiffen the chassis, and not even a great deal then.

12th April 2009, 08:55

I remember posting a very similar thread when I went out for my first proper drive.

Needless to say I experienced the same, just brake before the corner.