If you know nothing, read this then you have a real basic understanding of what we are focusing on most to make our cars do what we want...drift!
ABS is NOT the same as PVC!...it's not even the same material
ABS is a styrene and softer than PVC
PVC is a vinyl and is harder than ABS
PE is an ethylene and is softer than ABS or PVC but has long life like ABS
Tape is best on uber smooth surfaces like carpet
Rubber is best when aiming for the high speed entries and tyre squealing...rubber is available in many types of compound/hardness
Foam is best on uber smooth surfaces like carpet...foam is available in many types of compound/hardness
Balance the cars handling with small stickon lead weights on the chassis from your local garage...add weight to the loose end
High turn motors have more torque but lower revs than low turn motors...use high turn for plastic tyres, low turn for rubber/high speed drifting
Setup the steering to have as much steering angle as possible...play with the different mounting holes in the steering components
Toe-in adds stability but slightly reduces top end speed (not important for us)
Diff locking is a great way to keep your car under control for those higher speed drifts...this can be done by different methods:
1. with thicker oil in geared diffs (or other substance like blutac, plasticine, paper....)
2. remove the balls in a ball diff and place composite washers either side of the diff gear
3. just crank on the diff screw to tighten it up
4. use a slipper diff (similar to 2. above)
5. buy solid axles, diff spools, diff lockers, call them what u will, they all lock the diff with a solid metal component, will not fail
Camber:
Plastic tyres (ABS,PE,PVC,Tape) need 0° all round
Rubber tyres work well with 2-4° all round and can be tuned just like grip racing
Caster:
Stock setup (around 4°)
Toe:
Toe-in front and rear help stabilise the car on ABS/PE/PVC/Tape, try 2-3° at the rear and 1° at the front
Suspension:
Oil isn't really important with ABS/PE/PVC/Tape so 30WT is ok; but spring tuning makes an amazing difference, very soft fronts and slightly stiffer rears
With rubber tyres however go down the grip racing route, 60WT and stiff springs
Throttle control:
VERY CAREFUL! - treat it like poking a balloon with a pin
I will amend this when other knowledgeble members post something to remind me this list is incomplete
[amended 18 march 2006]
[amended 22 june 2006]
Kev
