XRAY - Model racing cars

Hi folks

I've been running 14 degree plastic caster blocks pretty much from day one with my 808, based on typical setups I'd seen when building mine from team drivers racing at the tracks I run in the UK (Clanfield, Slough, Dartford etc)

I've also noticed that you can now get 16 degree ali caster blocks with no plastic equivalent available.

Last time I raced at Slough I was suffering from a lack of pace through some of the tighter sections of the track - now I've had a chance to go over the car, the fact I managed to knock 1 side of the car from 2 degree camber to parallel probably explains the majority of that!

It did get me thinking about setup changes I could try but reading up on the theory, if anything I probably want to drop to 12 degree caster as an experiment to get through the tight stuff quicker?

So $20m question - when would you opt to run the 16 degree caster blocks? If they turn out to be too much can some of the additional caster be tuned out using the ISS settings to get the same overall caster, and does how you achieve your total caster value (blocks plus ISS) matter?

I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket that I was going to use to buy these, but now wandering if I'd be better getting ali 14 degree, or just not bothering with them at all!

Cheers

Adrian

Hello Adrian

I would suggest the ali caster blocks & hubs as they give more lock. The Ali caster blocks produce an instant feel to the steering compared to the composite version. 10 deg is std & will give more initial steering but will then push coming out of the turn where the other end of the range 16 deg will push going in but then have lots of mid & exiting.
The range i use is 12 & 14 which covers most areas i need. Yes you could use 16 & lower it by the iss inserts but that is then altering other aspects of the car so would advice & caster block change.

your $20 million question 14 deg ali gets my vote.

Bren

Cheers dude

Did also wonder if the ali would allow more lock as there's less material there. I was planning on sticking with the composite hubs for now but can see your point ref steering response and lock.

Since I'm suffering a bit of corner entry push I think you've convinced me the 16 degree wouldn't be the way to go!

Coming from Hong Nor kits where you really only have 2 options for total caster (A or B blocks) with plastic or alloy hubs with slightly different caster angle there's a whole lot more to consider on the BOB!

Adrian