Freestyle adjustable ARB's.
Discussion
Mmm..that sort of defeats the object of having an adjustable bar, if I have to swap over to a CC one for a softer setting. Isn't Orange the stiffest road ARB?
Do you have one or both of the Freestyle ones fitted?
I haven't specced the suspension yet, as I still have to collect more parts, so I don't have anything weighed.
I also wont have the weight bias worked out, untill the car is finished, and I can corner weight it, that's a long way off. Oh, and I don't know wheel frequencey yet either.
But I have been looking at some of the stuff Penske make.
Do you have one or both of the Freestyle ones fitted?
I haven't specced the suspension yet, as I still have to collect more parts, so I don't have anything weighed.
I also wont have the weight bias worked out, untill the car is finished, and I can corner weight it, that's a long way off. Oh, and I don't know wheel frequencey yet either.
But I have been looking at some of the stuff Penske make.
I've got the softer of the front ARBs fitted to mine and run it about halfway most of the time. I have played with it on track - softer in the wet but to be honest I can affect the cars handling more with the damper adjustment so rarely change the ARB. I previously had a green (18mm) front ARB which is way too stiff. This is on an S3 so it may be different on an SV.
Gary of Freestyle's usual advice was to get rid of the rear ARB all together. This was a few years ago so things may have changed of course but what's really changed on the chassis / suspension in that time?
I took mine off 8 years ago and have never felt the need to put it back on - better grip out of the corners instead of flatter and scrabbling.
I took mine off 8 years ago and have never felt the need to put it back on - better grip out of the corners instead of flatter and scrabbling.
Mmmm..... I'm not so sure about that.
Gary still sells an adjustable rear ARB though.
My R300 had a rear ARB, and it was still quite understeery on some surfaces over here.
I recon disconnecting, or having no rear ARB will have the same effect as having a front ARB which is too stiff. ie increasing the loading on the front outside tyre.
I think I'd rather have the option of adjustment, than nothing at all.
Just my oppinion of course. Although I've never driven an SV yet, so a new learning curve for me, therefore I stand to be corrected.
I was more concerned about how folks found the quality, and fit of the product.
Gary still sells an adjustable rear ARB though.
My R300 had a rear ARB, and it was still quite understeery on some surfaces over here.
I recon disconnecting, or having no rear ARB will have the same effect as having a front ARB which is too stiff. ie increasing the loading on the front outside tyre.
I think I'd rather have the option of adjustment, than nothing at all.
Just my oppinion of course. Although I've never driven an SV yet, so a new learning curve for me, therefore I stand to be corrected.
I was more concerned about how folks found the quality, and fit of the product.
Edited by mickrick on Saturday 19th December 16:10
I would be inclined to find all the rear grip you can and then hunt front grip & get a nice balance that way.
No point in having nice balance and skipping at both ends - It might feel ok but it is not quick.
It's a matter of taste. Of course track will allow a stiffer set up than what passes for tarmac'd roads these days.
There is money of course to be made in having a rear ARB - none in taking it off.
The front adjustable is excellent quality. There were some quality issues on the early ones - must be 10yrs ago now.
Mine has functioned perfectly since 2002.
No point in having nice balance and skipping at both ends - It might feel ok but it is not quick.
It's a matter of taste. Of course track will allow a stiffer set up than what passes for tarmac'd roads these days.
There is money of course to be made in having a rear ARB - none in taking it off.
The front adjustable is excellent quality. There were some quality issues on the early ones - must be 10yrs ago now.
Mine has functioned perfectly since 2002.
Edited by Yellow 7 on Saturday 19th December 17:17
what advantages will the freestyle one give you over the caterham adjustable one the car comes with ?(unless I'm mistaken I thought all acrs came with rear arb ?)
if you want to throw £200 away, simply send it in an envelope to me
I wouldnt bother with the Freestyle ones - I sold my front one as I found I never adjusted it and it is heavier then a non adjustable. The rear remains as I have a chassis that does not have the underslung arb mounts, the top mounts clash with the 8.5" rear wheels/tyres.
The arbs still use the crap plastic balls and the powder coat usually flakes off.
The nicer option is to make up one that fixes onto the wisbones with sliding mounts and rod ends instead of plastic balls ?.
dj
if you want to throw £200 away, simply send it in an envelope to me
I wouldnt bother with the Freestyle ones - I sold my front one as I found I never adjusted it and it is heavier then a non adjustable. The rear remains as I have a chassis that does not have the underslung arb mounts, the top mounts clash with the 8.5" rear wheels/tyres.
The arbs still use the crap plastic balls and the powder coat usually flakes off.
The nicer option is to make up one that fixes onto the wisbones with sliding mounts and rod ends instead of plastic balls ?.
dj
Not sure what advantage the rear has over the Caterham one Dave. I'm assuming it's a blade type one, the same as the front, if so, it would be easier to adjust, than disconnecting the arms on the CC one.
I probably wouldn't adjust it again after finding optimum setting for the road (Which will always be a compromise anyway), but if I fit a standard front CC one, how do I know if it's the right one? I would have to keep swapping the ARB's instead of just tweaking.
I don't know if all cars come with a rear ARB or not. I know my R300 had one.
Good tip about making one up with sliding mounts.
Something to think about when I start making my own rosejointed wishbones. For the moment though, I want to get the car built up, and through IVA. Then I can tinker.
I probably wouldn't adjust it again after finding optimum setting for the road (Which will always be a compromise anyway), but if I fit a standard front CC one, how do I know if it's the right one? I would have to keep swapping the ARB's instead of just tweaking.
I don't know if all cars come with a rear ARB or not. I know my R300 had one.
Good tip about making one up with sliding mounts.
Something to think about when I start making my own rosejointed wishbones. For the moment though, I want to get the car built up, and through IVA. Then I can tinker.
just fit a few extra mount balls to the arms of the caterham one and then its just as simple top alter as the caterham one.
you will probably end up with an orange or red bar on the front . Both of those are still less than half the price and lighter than the FS one.
you will probably end up with an orange or red bar on the front . Both of those are still less than half the price and lighter than the FS one.
Edited by Dave J on Sunday 20th December 18:14
Thanks for your input Dave.
I seem to remember my old car had the Orange one, but I can't remember what setting the rear was on.
Something for me to think about for a while!
Oh, the £200 quid I won't be posting to you I'm afraid, but if you're ever over here for Hol's, you can help me try to spend it on beer!
I seem to remember my old car had the Orange one, but I can't remember what setting the rear was on.
Something for me to think about for a while!
Oh, the £200 quid I won't be posting to you I'm afraid, but if you're ever over here for Hol's, you can help me try to spend it on beer!
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff