Greets,

Recently I installed the RDR camber plates (love them, BTW) and I'm still trying to find the ideal setting for Street and occasional autocross. I run a -1.5 in the rear with a 1/16th toe out and a -2.2 in the front with a 1/16 toe out.

I run 17" Kosei K1's mated with Goodyear Eagle F1's 215/40-17 for the street and 15" Konig Heliums mated with Falken Azenis 205/50-15 for autocross. I have lowered the car with HSport (wheee!) springs and have the Madness rear anti-swaybar.

I've been talking to a coupla guys here about it (Minihume) and I've run 3 autocross events. I've noticed just a bit of wear on the inside of my streets so that has me a bit concerned. As far as the autocross - call me crazy but I swear that I have less braking ability. It also tends to spin more under hard throttle. (Even with LSD) Not night and day but noticeable. Also, when I'm going onto a long onramp or in a wide sweeping curve the car is unbelieveable. It sticks like glue and can almost give you a nosebleed.
But on TIGHT hairpins it honestly feels a bit looser.

Am I crazy to think that this setting has reduced my contact patch enough on the inside wheel to make this happen? Or am I simply driving harder because subconsciously I think I can?

I'm considering changing to a -1.5, 1.7, whatever... with 1/16 out on the front.

Thoughts - comments - laughter?

Thanks and regards,

-Jim

 

I'm going to suggest zero'ing out your rear toe, and adjust the front camber to -1.7 That will help stabilize both in cornering and braking.

 

Thanks Rye,

You still like 1/16 out front and -1.5 camber for the rear?

-J

 

Yes, good plan ryephile. even 2* in front would work

 

The bit of toe-out in front is fine; it will help quicken turn-in at the expense of a touch of tendency to wander. I run my mostly-street setup with zero toe in front.

The rear camber is spot on. Any more and you'll cone your rear tires, any less and you'll lose contact patch in corners. My car has -1.6 in back, which is just a whiff too much for highway.

 

Jim- I would suggest buying a 1/10th scale RC car and fiddle around with toe
and camber settings along with caster and roll center to learn how it all works. :smile:

 

For autocross I have:
Front camber -2.2 degrees
Front toe 1/16th out (can also approach zero is OK)
Rear camber -1.2 degrees (a difference of +1 degree front to rear is good)
Rear toe 1/16th in (can approach zero is OK)

With competition tires like Hoosiers and Kumho V700 front camber is recommended to be between -2.0 and -3.0 degrees. MINIs can approach -3 degrees but it depends on the suspension and which camber plates are used. Autocross MINI drivers have reported using -2.0 to -2.4 degrees with good results for front camber. I don't find -2.2 degrees to be excessive for street driving and my street tire wear is fine. In the rear -1.0 to -1.5 degrees should be OK assuming front camber is between -2.0 and -2.5 degrees approx.

How you drive and your tire pressure can also make a big difference in how your MINI handles on a given course.