Payback on the Scales.... - Lateral-g Forums

Vegas69 · #1 09-26-2010, 07:56 PM

I've always wanted to get my car on the scales. I agreed to show my car two night for the SCCA. I got paid back with a member lending me his Longacre scales. Not a bad deal.

The first thing I did was measure the track width and length so I could find the best spots on my garage floor. Once I did that I then placed the scales and oriented the scales so they set as level as possible. I then headed to the gas station and topped off the car. I always race as close to a full tank as possible. I took all the loose belongings out of the car to simulate race trim. Next, I took the shocks down to 0 compression setting. I jounced the car on both ends and made sure it simulated my normal ride height.

She's not super model skinny at 3574 lbs.

Keep in mind that's full of gas, AC, dynamat, heat wave pro, sub box, accumulator, etc. I was pleasantly surprised with the results with a big block. 52/48 with a cross weight of 49%. The biggest discrepancy is 55 extra pounds on the RR from the LR. At least half must be the battery. When I built the car, I tried to keep the weight fairly similar side to side with components. I'm not expert, but the RR isn't a bad place to have a little to much weight.

Since I clearly don't race with a remote contol in the pits, I got my fat ass in the car next. It pegged me at 199lbs. I guess I've been drinking a few to many beers lately and spending a little to much time using my new gym at the house.

Anyway, the balance actually improved with a little extra rear weight. The LF did get a little heavy with an extra 72 lbs vs. the RF. The rear looks great.

When it's nice, Kelli comes with me and rides shotgun. I get a ton of ride alongs as well. She'll never disclose what she weighs so I tricked her into it.

Seriously, the car really looks good on the scales with her in the car. In her defense, I think the scales are about 4-5 lbs off. I tested them before I started and it had me at 195.

I guess the moral of the story is that a good stance should mean a reasonable race set up as long as the car is built trying to maintain some type of balance. While she's up on the scales, I'm open to criticism and ideas from the racers on the site.

Roadbuster · #2 09-26-2010, 08:21 PM

That is very cool. Are you planning to adjust anything to shift the balance? I think you have it very close right out of the box!

Jon

Track Junky · #3 09-26-2010, 08:52 PM

3773 lbs with you in the car? Did you say race car? I thought you said '69 Camaro's didn't make good race cars. You got me confused.

Any how, if your looking for advise, put that thing on a diet.

Vegas69 · #4 09-26-2010, 09:12 PM

Gaetano, this is a pro touring website, it's not roadracing.com. My goal is to make the best of what I have. My point was simply that building a 69 Camaro wasn't the easiest or most econonical way to go fast. Last time I checked, I was a pretty big Camaro fan.

I'm going to concentrate on my readings with me in the car. I'll start with raising the LF a little and try to get my cross weights as close to 50 as possible. Have you scaled you car? I'm looking for advice.

Track Junky · #5 09-26-2010, 09:42 PM

LOL, just had to give you a hard time. Call it "Pay Back"

Anyhow, my car weights in at 3050 lbs and is 50/50 across. IMO everything boils down to weight and tires. Since you auto cross guys are stuck with 200 tread wear you are a bit challenged. Set up is everything.

If I was building an autocross car, due to the slower speeds and tighter turns I would want it to roll like Bad Penny. I imagine soft springs up front would be a benefiet, along with adjustable shocks and sway bars.

You know as well as I do, its all trial and error.

Vegas69 · #6 09-26-2010, 10:20 PM

I was going to say, I have a small fortune in this thing and use it.

I think you'll be surprised how well this haas performs when I finally quit making excuses and meet you. I do plan to buy another set of rims and put a set of A6's on for autocross. I've still got the R888's I can throw on for road racing and have it dialed in pretty well in that trim. I want to get the balance right with these BFG's and then go to the A6's. I'll have all my notes and I'll adapt to the circumstances.

There is a december event at Spring Mountain in December with my SCCA. You should come over.