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View Full Version : Suspension Upgrade Update - Mark Dougherty's suggestions and work is spot on!



Chepsk8
03-31-2012, 09:41 AM
Finally got my FFR on a track yesterday to check out how the winter upgrades worked. :cool:

If you remember, I tore the suspension apart, and found MANY problems, things done wrong, and just wrong stuff - http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/284393-everybody-should-take-thier-car-back-apart-least-once.html

And then after, I took it to Mark Dougherty's shop, and we did a full suspension set-up and track alignment - http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/284906-all-corner-wieghed-after-suspension-upgrades-thanks-mark-dougherty.html

As well, I also:
Sorted the carb & engine, very strong now
areo work - new front spoiler, fender vents
steering work - replaced all shafts, bearings, and added racing wheel and coupler
General going over of car - nut & bolt check, fluids, etc

It has all paid off incredibly well!!!! The car was immediately much better behaved on the track, no more darting right when re-settling on the suspension, now turns into the corners with no understeer and I can use much more throttle while turning. The areo seems to help a little, as the car was solid and planted at high speed. Made for an incredibly fun day at the track, able to carry so much more speed, chase and pass more cars, and just get into an attack mode.

Mark's suggestions for alignment, spring rates, and his work ar balancing the car were definitely a major part of the updates, and his work has resulted in a FFR that has fantastic track manners, easy to drive at speed, in track traffic, and rips through corners about as well as a full race car now.

So, a BIG thanks you to Mark, and a successful Winter upgrade program, time to have some fun with the car!

Dan

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/DansCobraatMMNJMPMarch2012.jpg

Chepsk8
03-31-2012, 09:50 AM
Also, I did incorporate Mark's trick of adding a piece of plastc from a soda can inbetween the springs and shocks to make less rubbing and shock body wear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/Plasticinnersleeve.jpg

Mark Dougherty
04-01-2012, 07:15 AM
Dan
this is awsome news.
You think what we did this year was big. Ha Ha. ( it was )
save your pennys for the FFR new front spindles and pbr brakes. Then throw a set of the FFR regular Koni shocks. ( dont waste your money on double adjustable if you are never going to adjust them). Wow again.
you will be running at the front of the pack overall.
Later and enjoy the new setup.
Mark D