XRAY - Model racing cars

Hi Alex,

why did you use the ECS driveshafts as well in the rear?
What difference does it make?

Olaf

Hi Olaf,

The ECS shaft doesn't bind up the suspension as much during cornering which allows the rear to work more freely. The rotation and on-power steering will be increased. Forward traction will be decreased, also as a result of the larger rotating mass on the rear axle.

Hi Alex.

I have been using the shims under the top of the front shocks and can feel the difference etc. Does putting the shim under the rear shocks have the same effect, or just increase the effect of the shims at the front?

I'm trying to understand how to use them, and when.

Thanks
Skiddins

With a standard wheelbase I use 2mm top front shims behind the shock to have it mounted in a perfect perpendicular angle. At the rear, again with a standard wheelbase, this is normally not necessary. So in the setup sheet, 2mm means 2mm in addition to that 2mm behind the top mounting of the front shock, whereas at the rear, 2mm means 2mm both at the top and bottom. Sorry for the confusion.

However, I do sometimes shim out the shock both at the top and bottom with a 2mm shim, also at the rear of the car. The change in leverage of the shock towards the shock tower will actually decrease lateral grip at that end of the car. So for instance, if the front shocks are spaced out 2mm, this will have a similar effect to standing up the front shocks. The car will have less initial steering, but will also be smoother to drive. If this is done both in the front and rear at the same time, the main benefit seems to be; more overall corner speed, as the car is freer through turns. The lateral grip is decreased slightly, but the smoother feeling and the increased high speed steering are both great benefits, especially for high grip tracks.

So adding the shims to the top of the rear shock can actually free up the rear of the car.
Adding them at the front makes it easier to drive.

Thanks