Ask RYAN HAMPTON Something!

[djnarush]

bare with me... 4 link coil over question...
ok, does the length of the link effect weight transfer?
like lets say for instance, if i were to get longer links, which would change the pivot foward.. would that help balance out my truck?
since my truck is front heavy, and i install the link pivot point closer to the front, theoretically.. it should capture the front heavy weight to the rear
is this correct?
also, mounting the coil overs.. instead of mounting from the axel at an angle pointed to each other towards the center..
i wanted to mount them angled towards the rear of the vehicle.. i know if i angle them to low(vertical), that will change the charectaristics of spring rate, and dampening, BUT shouldnt the mounting point be as close to the rear of the vehicle?
being that since the coils will hold the rear weight of the vehicle, the closer to the rear would be the best to capture the best balance for weight..

i dunno, am is this making any sence? im i grasping the weight idea ok? or am i totally off...
any thoughts?
im just trying to set up my truck as best as i can...

with all this said.. would mounting a 16gal fuel cell just above the axel inside the bed be an ok location for weight?
ive really been racking my brain with this one for a while

[RyanHampton]

Dj,

The length of the four link does not change the weight transfer. It will change the geometry of the back such as the swing radis of the axle. It does not change the weight transfer in the manner in which you are looking for. As far as the rear shocks, angling them towards the back would not be a good idea. You could run into a binding problem, or creating a divergent characteristic in the shock and spring. Now the ideal scenario is you mount the shock straight up and down, although often times they are angled in towards the center of the car, this also creates a divergent situation, but that is usually favorable in those instances. You are grasping the weight idea, but I think of it more as black and white. As for the fuel cell I would put it in front of the rear axle down low. You want to get all the weight you can between the axles and as low as possible. That is what makes the car handle the best. Also Dj thanks for looking for the machine shop! The one that we found that did the work did an awsome job, and they worked great at Irwindale.

GT.
No problem, if you suck I will replace you.....Just kidding! No pressure. Look forward to next year!

Borodori,
I don't know if any of the Falken drivers are going to be there. I think we were running into some logistical issues with getting the cars there. We will have a better idea this week.

Drift Brick,
Thanks for the shots they kick A$$. the Camaro was working the best it ever has. We took a gamble and changed a bunch of things before the event, and they were all int he right direction. We will do some more testing over the next couple of months and hopefully going even more in the right direction.

Thanks!
Ryan

[djnarush]

Also Dj thanks for looking for the machine shop! The one that we found that did the work did an awsome job, and they worked great at Irwindale.

It was my pleasure, i love helping out. i really wish i could have helped more, but i had obligated myself to Jasper, which was how i got in on the first place

Also, your idea for the steering knuckle is great unfortunantly, my knuckle will not allow me to change the location of my steering rod.. but i have an other option that will help straight out the tie rod angle
and your saying it would be best to angle the coil overs to each other?

and with the fuel cell, i really wouldnt beable to mount it low, being that it will be inside of the bed. the purpose of the cell is to try to balance out the truck.. tacomas are factory driver side heavy. so for the lower center of gravity, i guess im just going to have to lower my truck some more :P

also, Ryan, i sent you a PM

[Hollywood]

I Know I have asked you this before, what spring rates are you running in the FC?

[Drift Brick]

thanks ryan.

Sounds good. if you want me to take some more pics of the car while testing or whatever, let me know.


you know what, let me know when youre testing in cali anyway. lol. I love that freaking car. It scares me every time I hear it start.

[RyanHampton]

DJ if you can avoid it you want the coilovers straight up and down. Any time you start to angle the shock it starts to go to a divergent rate. As far as the fuel cell, you want it as low as possible and towards the middle of the car. No problem with the help, I do appreciate the time and effort you spent in trying to find a machine shop.

Hollywood, I am running 9K front 7K rear in the FC. But I am going to 11K front 10K rear soon.

I am going to be testing the car on Dec 3rd for the XDL thingy. I need some good pics of the car as we have done some extensive body mods on it.

Thanks,

[TopicsSenior]

so tell me ryan....how did u get so damn sexy in AZ? is it direct sunlight? or maybe the dry air?


topics

[snowdrifter]

65 mustang

ryan love the old school camaro ! i want to drift my 64 1/2 mustang it's all i have what is deal with the rear the rear leafs i hear people talk about chater. i just want some respect at local drift events .no car no respect but i have been drifting in mich for 20 + years in the snow . right know i am drifting an 89 chevy van in the snow but want to slide the black top this summer !

[RyanHampton]

Topics,

I got so sexy from the dry desert air and constant sunshine. As you can tell from my tan in my avatar, Keeps you looking young and turns you into leather face in 6 years.

Snow drifter,
You should be able to very easily drift the mustang. It has better steering angle stock than the Camaro does. As far as the rear leafs, Just about anything will have axle hop unles you have four links locating the axle. My Camaro has axle hop, its kind of unavoidalbe. I have truck arms, and a pan hard rod. If I had a fourth member I could control it. Point is I trynot to use the e brake too much as that is the main cause.

Thanks!

[Drift Brick]

<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/einS13/D1/47f21ec5.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/einS13/D1/PICT0628.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

booyah.

thats sexy.

[Ted J]

Hey Ryan, what 4 speed tranny and clutch are you running in the '69 and what is your rear end ratio?

Ted

[GBC]

The tranny is a m-22 (wide ratio I believe) and the rearend is a 3.73. The clutch is a full metallic, I don't remember the brand.

[Snap Oversteer]

Ryan--

I know this is a drifting site, but knowing the extent of your experiences, I feel you'd be a good person to ask these questions:

I really wish to improve my grip driving techniques, yet am facing the obstacles the non-rich who love racing always face: budget. I'm trying to take my racing as far as I can get. I'm prepping a kart and improving my lap times to match (or in some cases beat) the recorded times of the locals (prior to entering my first race), participating autocross/gymkhana/track days when I can have some extra money, and, though it's often frowned upon, hitting my local windy roads. My NA6CE Miata is handling the abuse like a champ (With a little help from the local junkyards), my kart's feeling like a winner, but I feel like I'm hitting a dead end.

Now, for my questions:

-I have a bit of money saved up, and at this point could afford to attend a racing school like Skip Barber. Is the ~$4000 I'd be spending for a few days a waste of money, or would it be a useful tool in my progression?

-Although karting is a blast, and cheap in comparison, I'd much rather race with fenders. If I could scrounge up a decent budget and get a few local places to sponsor me, would converting my Miata to SCCA Spec Miata, participating, and showing results be any kind of foot in the door? Or would it be better to work my way through karting classes? I'm not getting ahead of myself and planning for nationals before I even show results locally, but I don't want to make sacrifices and dump the money I do have into something that won't offer any opportunities.

I'm going to post this in Alex's thread as well because I'm not sure how often you check back in here anymore (and he also has some grip experience). Thanks for any input you offer; you're an awesome driver!

[Hollywood]

hey ryan?

I have heard rumors that you might be comming to texas to teach driving at MSR, is there any truth to this?

-clint

[hillkill]

Hey Ryan,
Just a quick ?. What exhaust parts were used in the 180sx. It sounded way quiet and I'm looking for something somewhat under the radar you know. It would be great to know what size tubing, if there was a cat, and what kind of muffler. Thanks for you help. Hopefully the same type of setup will go on my ca18det powered s12.