Steering feel

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Discussion

macky17

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

196 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Those of you with relevant experience, how does the steering feel on an m12/400 compare with say a lotus Elise or a caterham? At times my steering provides less information about road surfaces, etc than I would like. Perhaps it's just me. Are there ways to improve it - I.e particularly feelsome brands of tyre?

stevegto3

428 posts

144 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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I cant really comment on Noble Vs caterham/lotus. However I recently changed my suspension to Protechs. This massively improved steering feel, plus they are fully adjustable so can be tailored to suit.

Another point to consider, and im sure some of the time attack guys (tux, kevin) can give more insight is a good corner weighting/geo setup to begin with on standard setup as this would help feel. However considering my standard shocks were about 1/4 inch lower on the drivers side and rusted I would suggest, protechs plus geo.

Steve

macky17

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

196 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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I was reading up on the protech the other day - someone called Tuxman in an old thread was marketing them. I found it interesting that he recommended setting the ride harder than a 3R but 'not as hard as an M400'. Why? I find mine rides fine as a road car (and I hate a harsh ride).

Anyway, steering felt great again today. Probably just me - it usually is.

Adrian W

14,414 posts

235 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Biggest affect on steering feel is toe, have you had yours checked?

jl34

537 posts

244 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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I went from a VX220 to a Noble. Remember you are going from a non powered set up to a powered one. The steering feel on an elise based car is far superior to the power assisted Noble setup. The weighting of the Noble steering is not strong enough around centre for my liking , but doesnt give the feedback through the wheel an elise does. Having said that, the elise steering is probably the best on any car there is.

I dont think shocks will make much difference to the feel you get through the wheel personally, this is not about how well the car handles, as in my opinion the Noble is much better and far more balanced than an elise based car. Power assistance is the problem!

macky17

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

196 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
quotequote all
jl34 said:
I went from a VX220 to a Noble. Remember you are going from a non powered set up to a powered one. The steering feel on an elise based car is far superior to the power assisted Noble setup. The weighting of the Noble steering is not strong enough around centre for my liking , but doesnt give the feedback through the wheel an elise does. Having said that, the elise steering is probably the best on any car there is.

I dont think shocks will make much difference to the feel you get through the wheel personally, this is not about how well the car handles, as in my opinion the Noble is much better and far more balanced than an elise based car. Power assistance is the problem!
All makes good sense to me. Makes you wonder if a noble would work without power steering - it's not Elise light but still pretty light.

Yes, toe etc all adjusted (twice) by bespoke a few months ago.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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The std dampers are rubber bushed where as the Protechs have steel rose joints , you definitely feel more !!

sundance002

1,304 posts

171 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Im proba good guy to answere this one, on a like to like Caterham R500+ set up for track, and M400 set up by jetstream for track, though standard M400 Springs and suspension, but with Jetstreams rose joint conv, they are totally different, the Cat because its so light feels exactly like a kart, you feel everything through ur hands, bum, and feet, there is no point of vagness in the feel, complete involvment.
The M400, you may think there is less feel with the Noble as your not out in the elements, and you can feel the extra weight the Noble carries in the corner, (understear)
But that said, once you learn to listen to the feel of the Noble, if that makes sence, then the Noble has no vagness either just takes more learning to feel it. One thing i find with the Noble is the lighter you grip the wheel, the more feel you get.
Think Graham would tell you, who drives one at race pace, the feel is outstanding, so check ur set up, or relax more at the wheel. Thats not meant to be detremental to ur driving, just what i found i had to adjust more with the Nob than the Cat, as a comparison on steering input amd feel the Nob takes longer to learn




Edited by sundance002 on Sunday 2nd November 04:32

macky17

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

196 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
quotequote all
sundance002 said:
Im proba good guy to answere this one, on a like to like Caterham R500+ set up for track, and M400 set up by jetstream for track, though standard M400 Springs and suspension, but with Jetstreams rose joint conv, they are totally different, the Cat because its so light feels exactly like a kart, you feel everything through ur hands, bum, and feet, there is no point of vagness in the feel, complete involvment.
The M400, you may think there is less feel with the Noble as your not out in the elements, and you can feel the extra weight the Noble carries in the corner, (understear)
But that said, once you learn to listen to the feel of the Noble, if that makes sence, then the Noble has no vagness either just takes more learning to feel it. One thing i find with the Noble is the lighter you grip the wheel, the more feel you get.
Think Graham would tell you, who drives one at race pace, the feel is outstanding, so check ur set up, or relax more at the wheel. Thats not meant to be detremental to ur driving, just what i found i had to adjust more with the Nob than the Cat, as a comparison on steering input amd feel the Nob takes longer to learn

Edited by sundance002 on Sunday 2nd November 04:32
Good advice, thanks. I think the Noble is an interesting car in that it is extremely easy to drive quickly but there is also a lot more to learn with experience.

Tuxman - why do/did you recommend setting the Protechs softer than an M400? If it's comfortable enough for the road then surely harder is better?


TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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its is general felt that the M400 is a more track focussed setup and the softer setup is better for the road hence why the Original Protech,s were specked up between the two but with the damp and rebound adjustability you can pretty much set the car up any way you want . its worth noting that Protech now do a stiffer track setup spring rate if needed .
Its of course a very personal thing car setup and what suitable for 1 person will feel horrible to somebody else either way fitting any rose jointed damper should improve the steering feel .

macky17

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

196 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
quotequote all
TuxMan said:
its is general felt that the M400 is a more track focussed setup and the softer setup is better for the road hence why the Original Protech,s were specked up between the two but with the damp and rebound adjustability you can pretty much set the car up any way you want . its worth noting that Protech now do a stiffer track setup spring rate if needed .
Its of course a very personal thing car setup and what suitable for 1 person will feel horrible to somebody else either way fitting any rose jointed damper should improve the steering feel .
Noted. I'll check the piggy bank...

andygtt

8,345 posts

271 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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My protechs had the spring rates between the M400 and GT03 that Tux mentions... I found this fine for a while but as my cars progressed (and changed weight significantly) I found them way too soft even when wound up max shock settings,

Changed to firmer Eibach springs actually harder than M400 rates and as such is a lot firmer than before with miles less roll yet mid shock setting... now the car is MASSIVELLY better than before with better control even on bumpy roads even though Im running.... the transformation on track is night and day.

Shows how tuneable the Protechs are... they aren't plug and play, but if you take the time to set them up right they will transform your car over stock GT03.

rjo64

209 posts

192 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
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Just had mine checked just needed minor adjustment but made a huge difference to the drive.
Adrian W said:
Biggest affect on steering feel is toe, have you had yours checked?