RallyX and Ice Racing Suspension/Tires

[StarscreamS13]

So I'm thinking of setting up a car for both Rallycross and Ice Racing. Looking for some opinions/info on a few things.

Tires; I don't want to look into getting 2-sets of different tires, so looking at a studless snow tire to get through both ice racing and rallycross. Also, looking at 15" and I know that for ice racing narrow and tall is better. Example typically a 185/60-15 would be better suited than a 205/55-15. But how does tire sizing suit rallycross? I know Nokian has some of the best winter tires out there, but that comes w/ a price, which is a lil out of my budget. So what else out there is good and decently priced? I've only had personal experience w/ Blizzaks, WinterForce, and Hankook's (can't remember which ones).

Suspension; alignment settings what is good for camber, caster, toe, etc for dirt, snow, ice, etc conditions?

This is only for fun (for starters), so I'm not going all-out. Also this would be setting up a RWD car (probably a 240sx). Just have always loved ice racing and been in love w/ rally since I can remember, and now that there's some rallyX around my area (GravityPark). I would like to start trying this out. (Plus watching and then riding w/ Tom in the CRX really got me thinking).

That's all I can think of right now.

Later,

Jay

PS- I dunno if I should be happy or worried that I'm the 1st to post in this section, oh well, we're all here to have fun, share info, and learn. Thanks.

[Hille]

I'd just buy the cheapest snow tires I could find. I really like my Hankook I-Pikes. They are reasonably priced at www.discounttiredirect.com I'd probably get ones a little skinnier than stock and maybe a little taller.

On my 240 I just put on some 185-60r14's because that is what I got cheap. They worked great.

I wouldn't worry about car set up that much. On dirt and snow/ice it really doesn't matter.

[StarscreamS13]

What would work best for a diff?
-Open
-VLSD
-Welded

[Bump Stop]

this is what i would do, and works very well for me

for ice
1. run as close to zero camber as you can, if it's adjustable. (the wider the tire the more important this is) * I would buy the widest damn tire you can make fit on your rim!

2. run an lsd or open diff, you cannot drive fast on ice with a welded diff without studs!

3. take the anti-roll bars off, disconnect one end, whatever, you don't generate enough side force to need them.


for dirt
1. i would run your stock settings for camber.

2. an lsd or welded ( i would almost prefer a welded for predictability, open diffs suck on dirt!)

3. i would run a light anti-roll bar on on the rear and none on the front.

4. drive fast tear stuff up

[Bump Stop]

one thing i forgot, which i think is some what important on a 2wd and probably most important with a rwd, is to have the breaking system balanced.
i don't know if you can do anything to make the rears come in faster ( maybe a 2# residual valve might work for a car with rear discs) this would help to prevent the car from developing a push on corner entry, and let you drive through the corner without having to steer with the throttle.

[chuckracer442]

Looking into making some studded tires for this next ice race, if weather doesn't hate us, wondering on recommended stud patterns, I'm using post board screws, 1" long. So what do people run patterns and what works, doesn't work, should I avoid the outside, or get as close as I can, arrow pattern, block pattern (whatever that is)? looking for help I got about 1200 screws that I plan on using so let me know some advice?

[Hille]

Pattern doesn't matter. I'd stay away from the edges of the tire and put as many as you can on the flat (tread) part of the tire.

How far do the screws stick out of the tire?