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This document is released into the public domain and may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety so long as all 
credit to Jim Daniels remains. If you find this guide helpful please consider donating a small fee via the links located at
http://www.specmiata.com.  

   

Setup Guide and Chassis Tuning Tips 

 

(

simple version

 

By Jim Daniels   

   

As promised the following is a walk through of how I setup my SM with a list of tuning tips I 
use at the track.    Many have theories, thoughts and ingrained ideas on setup and tuning.   
I’m not trying to change any of that, I’m simply providing you with what I use on this type of 
racecar.    I hope that you use this guide as a source to further your racing program and setup
abilities.    I welcome any suggestions you have, send them to me at 

[email protected]

.  

This guide will be placed in the FAQ section of the 

www.specmiata.com

 web site.   

   
Expect 6-8 hours the first time you do this yourself, sometimes longer depending on your
mechanical ability.    This time estimate is AFTER you level your floor.   
   
Tools and equipment needed to do setup at home:   
   
 

• Level surface (absolutely level, use shims to achieve if needed)   
 • Scales, camber gauge, toe plates, string 
 • Normal tools and jack stands 
 • Maybe some 8’ sections of clear tube needed to level the workspace   

   
   
Before you start, a few things need to be done to the car, a few assumptions have to be made
and a couple techniques explained.     
   

 

1.) The sway bars need to be disconnected on one side (I like the left side).   
2.) You need to find the center of the steering rack then lock down the column with a 

pair of vice grips and a bungee cord. This would be a good time to adjust the 
steering wheel adapter if it is off center from the rack’s center.    I use my steering 
wheel like a degree wheel to find the center.    Then, I removed the hub and adjust
the splines until the “T” on my steering wheel is square.   

3.) The tires need to be at “hot” pressures, 40 will do.   
4.) The driver’s weight needs to be in the car at all times, I prefer a real person to sit 

there the whole time.    If not, try to divide up body weight for torso, legs etc…   

5.) Do yourself a favor and make sure the suspension bolts, perch adjusters and 

other hardware you will be adjusting are free, ready to adjust but not loose.   

 

6.) In the rear sub-fame, driver’s side, just above the inboard lower bushing mounts 
you will see some holes cut by the factory.    These holes are on both sides of the 
sub-frame again just up from those lower bushings.    Find the two holes that are in 
alignment, one for the front of the sub-frame and one for the rear.      Install a 3-4” bolt, 
the size of the hole, with a jam nut holding it in place.    Have the bolts extent outward
(front to the front and rear to the rear).    These bolts establish the centerline of the car 
and will be used to square the car up in later steps (see Picture 1). 

Содержание Chassis Tuning

Страница 1: ...s need to be done to the car a few assumptions have to be made and a couple techniques explained 1 The sway bars need to be disconnected on one side I like the left side 2 You need to find the center of the steering rack then lock down the column with a pair of vice grips and a bungee cord This would be a good time to adjust the steering wheel adapter if it is off center from the rack s center I u...

Страница 2: ...ght It Begins Step 1 Ride Height Using the spring perches adjust the ride height to 5 1 4 at the pinch weld on the bottom of the car at the rocker panel see Picture 2 3 It is normal for the LR to have more threads showing on the bottom compensating for the driver s weight This will take sometime as you get used to how the car moves on one corner while you adjust another BE PATIENT keep going back ...

Страница 3: ... BUT after we get further along we will drop the string and use toe plates stay with me Move to the front left wheel measure from the string to the wheel lip front and rear of the wheel and inline with the string Since the rack is centered and locked down and you have that 1 gap on the rear you are looking at how far the toe is off verse the centerline of the car Adjust toe on the LF to zero Of co...

Страница 4: ...o be made so we will concentrate on Wedge cross weight while maintaining ride height NOTE If a car has 49 of CW cross weight it is considered de wedged If it has 51 CW it is considered wedged De wedge helps the car turn left while tightening up the balance on rights Vise versa with 51 wedge I ll explain it more later The fun begins You are either REAL lucky and have a 50 car it happens or you see ...

Страница 5: ...pletion Once you are finished either because it is right or because you just gave up we have more things to do First set the sway bars to full stiff up front and full soft in the rear NO PRELOAD Then remove the vise grips from the column and let the guy that has been sitting in the car this whole time get out or remove the weight you used to simulate your body weight The car will not look right wi...

Страница 6: ...Picture 1 ...

Страница 7: ...Picture 2 ...

Страница 8: ...Picture 3 ...

Страница 9: ...Picture 4 ...

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