Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Handling Question

A friend of mine has a 01 focus with eibach springs and struts, and falken tires. Other than that not much else. I have a 98 SVT Contour with KONI struts on all four corners, ground control coilovers, BFGoodrich g-force kdw tires, sub-frame connectors and the BAT rear sway bar. On the street it seems like its harder for his car to break loose than mine. Have I missed something, or are the focuses just designed better for handling. Thanks

Any number of factors could contribute to this "feeling" but more than likely it's in your head. Nothing personal it's just that like a Butt-Dyno you aren't an acurate measurement. A couple factors could be that the Contour weighs more and has more power. It's hard to break anything loose with 130 some odd HP.

-Andy

If you have Ground Controls have the 'X' weights checked and set up correctly.....then you can get him!!!!

Terry,
Who would likely have them? Alignment shop?

-Andy

Terry is right, with GC you need to do corner weights to dial the car in. Terry also noted some nice sites on this subject in the past.

see: http://www.grmotorsports.com/cornerweight.html

Terry's got that one right.

Although if the Left/Right balance is good (tape measure from fixed point on car down to center of wheel, or flat floor) the car should be pretty close to good, as far as a normal driver can percieve on street tires anyways.

I find Front/Rear balance is where the game is played. You can turn the Contour in anything from an understeering behemoth to something so tail-happy you'll shiz your pants if you ever have to make an emergency maneuver.

I found my balance with a little experimentation and my car is very neutral. Note that I removed my front sway bar, and am running the stock SVT one in the back.

I dare any Focus to follow me around a curvy track on street tires.

if you mean that your back end is breaking loose (AKA oversteer) you may try a SMALLER rear anti-sway bar.

You can also play with your tire pressures to fine tune the package.