how much caster is too much caster? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

hurleyboi514 · 06-16-2002, 02:55 PM

just curious.  i plan on getting those adjustable tension bars, and i konw they allow you to adjust caster which is good.  but how much caster can i run?  reason i ask is b/c i found an old ad for whiteline stuff and it had a little phrase under a set of bushings for the 180sx that said:  "there is no such thing as too much positive caster.  it improves response and handleing w/ no adverse effects on tyres."  so can anyone help me out?

*sykikchimp* · 06-16-2002, 11:36 PM

the adverse effects are sluggish response and extra stress on the strut towers.  There is no need to add caster.  The 240sx has a factory setting of 6-7 degrees..  thats a lot.  one of the main reasons it's such a great drift car.  just cause something give you the ability to adjust it doesn't mean you have too..  The main reason I bought those kind of T/C rods was for the Pillowball Bushing..  adds a lot of steering feel.

silk · 06-17-2002, 12:52 AM

just for reference, if you can get your hands on the may issue of Sport Compact Car, theres an article or two on what they call the "dave point". basically just their reasoning and explination of caster and its affects on steering and drifting. (At least thats what i got out of it)

HippoSleek · 06-17-2002, 06:39 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (sykikchimp @ June 17 2002,12:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">the adverse effects are sluggish response and extra stress on the strut towers. There is no need to add caster. The 240sx has a factory setting of 6-7 degrees.. thats a lot. one of the main reasons it's such a great drift car. just cause something give you the ability to adjust it doesn't mean you have too.. The main reason I bought those kind of T/C rods was for the Pillowball Bushing.. adds a lot of steering feel.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Agreed - except about the drift thing.  Quick turn/ nimbleness is valuable on any car in any driving.  I just installed a set this weekend and it is amazing how much feel that bushing absorbs!  It feels like I added about 8 lbs. of air to my tires (quicker, lighter feel, but much more road harshness - review/install coming soon).

As for how much...

I just installed a set and was planning on getting the car up on a rack this weekend.  It didn't work out (plus I noticed that I should get new tie-rod ends, too).  I am going to a place that does set ups for many of the local race cars, so I plan on taking some time and getting the best setting I can.  Remind me in a few weeks and I'll let you know.

06-16-2002, 02:55 PM	#1
hurleyboi514 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Fort Posts: 905 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just curious.  i plan on getting those adjustable tension bars, and i konw they allow you to adjust caster which is good.  but how much caster can i run?  reason i ask is b/c i found an old ad for whiteline stuff and it had a little phrase under a set of bushings for the 180sx that said:  "there is no such thing as too much positive caster.  it improves response and handleing w/ no adverse effects on tyres."  so can anyone help me out? __________________ HighTach Motorsports

06-16-2002, 11:36 PM	#2
sykikchimp WOW addicted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the moon Age: 44 Posts: 6,525 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the adverse effects are sluggish response and extra stress on the strut towers.  There is no need to add caster.  The 240sx has a factory setting of 6-7 degrees..  thats a lot.  one of the main reasons it's such a great drift car.  just cause something give you the ability to adjust it doesn't mean you have too..  The main reason I bought those kind of T/C rods was for the Pillowball Bushing..  adds a lot of steering feel. __________________

06-17-2002, 12:52 AM	#3
silk Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 76 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just for reference, if you can get your hands on the may issue of Sport Compact Car, theres an article or two on what they call the "dave point". basically just their reasoning and explination of caster and its affects on steering and drifting. (At least thats what i got out of it) __________________ Be Original...And dont let anyone tell you its a bad thing. [br]Age: 17[br]Ride: '97 240SX LE

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06-17-2002, 06:39 AM	#4
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (sykikchimp @ June 17 2002,12:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">the adverse effects are sluggish response and extra stress on the strut towers. There is no need to add caster. The 240sx has a factory setting of 6-7 degrees.. thats a lot. one of the main reasons it's such a great drift car. just cause something give you the ability to adjust it doesn't mean you have too.. The main reason I bought those kind of T/C rods was for the Pillowball Bushing.. adds a lot of steering feel.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Agreed - except about the drift thing.  Quick turn/ nimbleness is valuable on any car in any driving.  I just installed a set this weekend and it is amazing how much feel that bushing absorbs!  It feels like I added about 8 lbs. of air to my tires (quicker, lighter feel, but much more road harshness - review/install coming soon). As for how much... I just installed a set and was planning on getting the car up on a rack this weekend.  It didn't work out (plus I noticed that I should get new tie-rod ends, too).  I am going to a place that does set ups for many of the local race cars, so I plan on taking some time and getting the best setting I can.  Remind me in a few weeks and I'll let you know.