![]() Many car builders/chassis guys recommend more bump out and the amount you run is fine as long as it is repeatable and you understand what happens to the car under varying conditions. It is okay if you use different numbers but because I chose to run a very small amount I made sure it was right and kept working until I hit those numbers exactly. 005 out on the left which is not much so I spend the time to get it right. When weight is applied I’d get close to my 1/32 of toe out. I re-check the toe after I put the weight on the car and if I move the toe I re-check the bump steer. With the toe set, I would get going on the bump steer. From experience I would set the toe 1/16th in while on set up blocks because when weight was applied it seemed to come out about right. I then set my camber and adjust the toe with the car up on set up stands. I then set the caster at the top as it seems most late models have the a-plates moved back to allow for adjusting on caster at the A-arm. I set the lower control arms perpendicular to the frame and make sure there is a straight line that runs from the outer lower ball joints through the inner pivots. You may have another type of car but the concepts likely to be similar if compensate for your specific kind of racing. I perform the set up process the same way each time and the car doesn’t leave the shop until my numbers are exactly right and written down. Here is how I go about setting up an Asphalt Late Model in the order that I feel is best. It takes only seconds to loosen bolts/nuts and all measurements need to be taken with your components wrench tight. When bolts/jamb nuts are tightened they can move rendering your measurements useless. At times crews measure with jamb nuts or bolts loose to speed the measuring process. I make sure everything is wrench tight before I take any measurements. Race ready means just that – ready to race. All fabrication projects are done and all projects are finished. When you reach the track it is ready to roll out of the hauler and onto the track. Basically – after you finish the set up routine, the car goes in the hauler. Full of fuel, everything done, full of oil, lead bolted down. In order to perform the set up routine the car needs to be completely ready to race. Plan to win in a repeatable fashion.Ī set up plan will help you to build a race winning effort. Keep the monkey off your back by understanding your chassis decisions. Understanding your choices creates long term successes whereas winning by accident is like putting a monkey at a type writer until he spells a word. We have all seen a one hit wonder and it is likely that those teams didn’t take the time to answer Jim’s question. Jim’s message was to enjoy success in the short term while understanding the adjustments and set ups allowing you to win again. Jim taught me that having a plan that is sustainable is the way to increase the learning curve and was the key to ongoing success. What Jim meant was that while it is great to celebrate a win, “do you know how you won and could you repeat the steps necessary to do it again?” His simple question had a profound effect on me and I continue to learn from the question in the racing arena, in business and life in general. Do you really know how you did it?” Jim asked me this at the point in my career where I was starting to see success and was eager to learn. Having the car set up with your numbers recorded is a needed part of your team’s efforts to build more speed each week and over the course of the season.Īfter a dominating performance in Phoenix, regarded engine guru Jim McFarland asked me, “So Jeff – your team just won the race. Completing every adjustment to your specs gives you the confidence to change wedge, stagger, shocks and springs without worrying if the car is loose because the rear end is crooked. When you get to the track your car should be prepared. I imagine the car will be erratic and it is likely it will feel different every time you get close to a corner. When adjustments in your car are not right – there is no way to predict what will happen. Often I am asked what will happen if the rear end is out of square or if the bump steer is out of whack. Pointing all four wheels the same direction is the way to find consistency and speed.
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