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How to Set up your RC Model Car
(Like the Top Professionals)


How to Use this Setup Chart.

    Car setup is essentially about how the car enters and exits a corner.

    After your practice run you should have some idea how the car handles and if the car Under steers (tends to slide towards the outside of the corner) or Over steers (turns in towards the inside of the corner) into the corners, through the corners and as you exit the corners.

    Remember: The faster you can enter a corner, maintaining traction and control through the corner, the faster you can exit and get up to top speed on the straights.

    Use the table below to correct the problems, starting with suggestion "A" then if you need more include "B" and so on.

CAR DOES'NT TURN-IN QUICK ENOUGH.

A/ Lighten front shock oil, or increase the number of holes in the pistons.
B/ Thicken rear shock oil, or decrease the number of holes in the pistons.
C/ Lower the ride height slightly at the front.
D/ Raise the ride height slightly at the rear.
E/ Move shocks out on front shock tower. (2WD)
F/ Longer wheel base rear wishbones.
G/ Raise lower pivot ball in front hub carrier. (4WD)

TURNS IN OK BUT UNDERSTEERS THROUGH THE CORNER.

A/ Stiffen rear springs.
B/ Soften front springs.
C/ Reposition inboard rear camber link to more outboard position, shorter link.
D/ Increase caster.
E/ Fit rear anti roll bar.

OVERSTEER ON CORNER EXIT.

A/ Stiffen front springs.
B/ Soften rear springs.
C/ Decrease caster.
D/ Increase rear toe-in.
E/ Increase anti-squat (this will lose you some throttle traction.)
F/ Raise front ride height.
G/ Lower rear ride height.
H/ Increase rear wing angle.
I/ Reposition inboard rear camber link more inboard, giving longer link.
J/ Shorten wheelbase.

CAR TURNS IN TOO QUICKLY.

A/ Stiffer front oil.
B/ Lighter rear oil.
C/ Raise ride height slightly at front.
D/ Lower ride height slightly at rear.

TURNS IN OK BUT OVERSTEERS THROUGH CORNER.

A/ Soften rear springs.
B/ Harden front springs.
C/ Remove rear anti-roll bar.
D/ Decrease caster.

UNDERSTEER ON CORNER EXIT.

A/ Soften front springs.
B/ Harden rear springs.
C/ Increase caster.
D/ Decrease rear toe-in.
E/ Lower front ride height.
F/ Raise rear ride height.
G/ Decrease rear wing angle.
H/ Decrease anti-squat, this will increase some throttle traction.
=============================

These guidelines assume that the best combination of tires has already been established.

For off Road cars, set slipper (if fitted) to slip for approximately 0.5m at full throttle from a standstill on high traction surfaces. On low traction surfaces set so that tires only just spin, Once the car is moving this will not be noticeable and will protect belts and differentials from shock damage (i.e. slipping) when landing off bumps and jumps. It will also make the car easier to drive especially through bumpy areas.

Set damping as light (low oil value) as the track will allow, big bumps don't necessarily mean you should have heavy damping as this can cause the suspension to react very slowly, this compromises traction and stability especially when landing from jumps.





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