Much better with 2.4 quick rack!
craig1410 - 3/4/10 at 09:39 PM
Just had my car out for a spin this evening after fitting a 2.4 turn quick rack and adjusting my suspension for maximum caster. Feels really good in
the corners now - the steering weights up nicely as the lock is increased. I can also now negotiate most turns without having to change my grip on the
wheel - very important to allow me to catch the back end on the wet roundabouts... 
The old rack was 3.5 turns lock to lock so the difference is
quite noticeable. This rack came from Rally Design and is brand new rather than just remanufactured like the old one.
One thing I'm still not happy with though is the driving position. I think my steering needs to by higher or something because I feel as if my
elbows and forearms are catching my ribs and knees all the time.
Anyone got any advice on how to set up the ideal driving position? I've got Cobra Roadster seats and my car is 4" wider than standard so I
should have enough interior space. I'm only 5ft10 and 12 stone so I should be able to get comfortable. The rally guys seem to have the steering
column quite high, almost pointing at their neck. Is this what I need to do perhaps?
Thanks,
Craig.
macspeedy - 3/4/10 at 11:09 PM
Mango here ....on macspeedys login
Craig Ive lifted my steering column so the wheel is a lot higher and my elbows are now bent but not hitting my knees.
craig1410 - 3/4/10 at 11:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by macspeedy
Mango here ....on macspeedys login
Craig Ive lifted my steering column so the wheel is a lot higher and my elbows are now bent but not hitting my knees.
Any idea how high it needs to be? I've got some adjustment but only about 1.5 inches. I kept it low for SVA reasons to avoid line of sight issues
with the Sierra wheel. I'm now using a smaller Mountney wheel.
I'll probably need to modify the upper column mount to get it high enough.
Thanks,
Craig.
Paul TigerB6 - 4/4/10 at 09:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by craig1410
Any idea how high it needs to be? I've got some adjustment but only about 1.5 inches.
Surely only you can answer that one?? Just keep altering the position a little at a time until it feels right. All part of a new build - trial and
error. 1.5" at the mounting point is a huge amount up at the wheel
[Edited on 4/4/10 by Paul TigerB6]
Peteff - 4/4/10 at 09:16 AM
I altered mine so it was nearer to me and I changed the seating position so I was more upright which was much better. The fibreglass seats seemed to
make me almost lie down arms forward so I had no leverage.
blakep82 - 4/4/10 at 11:28 AM
i actually found lowering the seat made a much better difference. going to be effectively sitting on the floor
craig1410 - 4/4/10 at 04:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
quote:
Originally posted by craig1410
Any idea how high it needs to be? I've got some adjustment but only about 1.5 inches.
Surely only you can answer that one?? Just keep altering the position a little at a time until it feels right. All part of a new build - trial and
error. 1.5" at the mounting point is a huge amount up at the wheel
[Edited on 4/4/10 by Paul TigerB6]
Yeah but the reason I'm asking questions about it on here is to benefit from the experience of others rather than have to iteratively repeat the
learning experience myself. 
My adjustment available at the wheel is around 3 inches but to go much higher I am going to have to make adjustments to my dashboard and all the
support brackets holding the steering column. This isn't something I want to have to do more than once if I can help it.
I did find an article which said that the ideal race driving position was with elbows bent at around 120 degrees and as upright as the car will permit
you to be. It didn't mention how high the steering column should be.
Ideally I want to know where on my body the column should be "aiming" if you see what I mean. Does it aim at my stomach, chest, neck or
head. I think mine is currently aiming at my solar plexus but I need to raise it to aim at my windpipe or thereabouts. Does that sound about
right?
Edit: I just found this link: http://www.obutto.com/race%20driving%20position.html
It says to aim for the collarbone with the steering column centreline. And to be far enough from the wheel to that your out-stetched wrists can rest
on the top of the wheel with shoulders back in the seat.
[Edited on 4/4/2010 by craig1410]