This is what happens when you suck at driving

The Dark Side of Will · Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:12 am

Lowering the back end of the Fiero doesn't help much, especially with a DOHC engine.

People on the Fiero Racing List (like George Ryan) are actually having good results with '88 rear suspension at nearly stock ride height with *raised* roll centers... or did I tell you that before?

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:46 pm

The Dark Side of Will wrote:Lowering the back end of the Fiero doesn't help much, especially with a DOHC engine.

People on the Fiero Racing List (like George Ryan) are actually having good results with '88 rear suspension at nearly stock ride height with *raised* roll centers... or did I tell you that before?

Yeah, I'm aware of the issue. I am going to raise the rear roll center as high as I can get it without running the inner pivots into the transaxle (ARGH, it's the only thing in the way and just in the way of a single pivot). If I make up the adapter plate we were talking about before, that rotates the transaxle with respect to the block, that would really help, but thats a summer or winter project..
To be honest, the only reason my car is lowered is for appearance. I have adjustable coilovers in the back so I coouullddd put the rear back up to stock ride height, but it's already raked as it is due to the 225-60-15s on the back..
Any idea how much the Fiero Racing List guy(s) are raising the inner pivots? I tried to find the messages on the List regarding that mod but only saw mention of the mod itself, no details.

BigRedDeckSpoiler · Post by **BigRedDeckSpoiler** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:04 pm

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but have you tried setting up the rear for a **slight** toe-in? I've heard that even a degree can make a drastic difference, and still not chew up your tires.
I'm surprised you spun that easily. I've done some really stupid shit in mine (coupe converted to 3.4 Formula) and have never gotten so far out of shape that I couldn't recover it.
Then again, I'm probably not driving as hard as you, or else it's pure dumb luck.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:56 pm

BigRedDeckSpoiler wrote:I'm sure you've already thought of this, but have you tried setting up the rear for a **slight** toe-in? I've heard that even a degree can make a drastic difference, and still not chew up your tires.
I'm surprised you spun that easily. I've done some really stupid shit in mine (coupe converted to 3.4 Formula) and have never gotten so far out of shape that I couldn't recover it.
Then again, I'm probably not driving as hard as you, or else it's pure dumb luck.

Ack! I totally forgot about the toe aspect of the rear end alignment! All I did is set the camber. I haven't had it aligned or even checked since I put in the poly bushings and the toe could be out or neutral now, which could suck. That would be why its more stable when I get on the gas; the toe increases slightly because of the wheels pulling forward. It doesn't really explain why disconnecting the rear swaybar makes the car so much more stable though.

whipped · Post by **whipped** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:17 pm

Series8217 wrote: Ack! I totally forgot about the toe aspect of the rear end alignment! All I did is set the camber. I haven't had it aligned or even checked since I put in the poly bushings and the toe could be out or neutral now, which could suck.

toe out = teh suck.

After my swap I drove it about 2 miles to get it aligned... I couldn't go faster than 20mph or I would start to fishtail. Everyone else on the road probably thought I was drunk, driving 20mph and swerving like I were riding a unicycle :rotflmao:

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:21 pm

whipped wrote:
Series8217 wrote: Ack! I totally forgot about the toe aspect of the rear end alignment! All I did is set the camber. I haven't had it aligned or even checked since I put in the poly bushings and the toe could be out or neutral now, which could suck.
toe out = teh suck.

After my swap I drove it about 2 miles to get it aligned... I couldn't go faster than 20mph or I would start to fishtail. Everyone else on the road probably thought I was drunk, driving 20mph and swerving like I were riding a unicycle :rotflmao:

Nice!

I have driven mine 125mph with the current alignment settings and it was stable as a rock, so the toe probably isnt out, then. It just may not be enough in.

z.MacK · Post by **z.MacK** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:32 pm

Looks like you droped it down hard. Span out before the turn?
Real killer sounding engine you have.