Question For Time Attack (track Day) People

[ZENNON]

Hey guys,

Ive just bought an 1992 R32 GTSt and am planning to take it to track for a bit of fun. It has HICAS installed at the moment which as far as I can tell works fine. (HICAS light comes on sometimes due to a bad contact somewhere - which goes away when you spray contacts with contact cleaner).

Anyways real question is what do you guys think? Would I be better off removing the HICAS? I personally think its crap but have had a few friends (who have had 4WS cars but dont know anything about skylines) tell me that maybe it just takes some getting use to....

I think its fine for the road but dont like it when turning under speed - so whats the verdict?

Comments welcome

Edit: One friend even suggested trying it with HICAS atleast once which is also an option i suppose...

Edited October 3, 2006 by ZENNON

[ZENNON]

Can people who vote please justify (dont need pages one sentance will do ) why they vote the way they do (and include whether or not they have acyually been on track with HICAS and/or without)

Cheers!

[Squishy]

Remove the f**ker!!!!!!

Get an S13 rear cradle (non hicas one)

[ZENNON]

Remove the f**ker!!!!!!

Get an S13 rear cradle (non hicas one)

haha thanks for the advice but i was thinking of installing a lock bar instead... cheaper and less hasle i think

[predator]

You can keep it for a little while. I have been out with HICAS still on, didn't kill me..

The general consensus is remove it when you can for more predictable handling, but it's not mandatory if you are just out there to have some fun.

[shanef]

or do it if you have the engine out, like i did.

it's pretty easy. unless u did wat i did and didnt crack the 2 nuts before removing the 2 main bolts that hold it inplace

[ZENNON]

it's pretty easy. unless u did wat i did and didnt crack the 2 nuts before removing the 2 main bolts that hold it inplace

ah yeah ive heard people complain about that... you wouldn't be able to show me in a pic which nuts to crack before i undo which bolts...

would be very helpful

[Baysidebluebnr34]

I rekon leave it on, go to track day see how it goes, then if it feels funny take it off for the next track day. This way you will be able to feel exectly what the change does.

Sam

[Revhead]

Yeah what Gordo said. HICAS makes it a bit difficult to hold a precise line mid-corner (because the computer decides it wants to change the angle of the back wheels ) and can make it feel a bit nervous. That said, to the day I sold it my Skyline still had the HICAS connected and working, once I got used to it I just let the rear end wander a little, and made small steering adjustments to keep my line accurate. It does feel a bit wierd but you can drive around it.

Also consider though, the effect a lock bar may have on your insurance/wallet. This is second hand info so I'd be checking it yourself if you're concerned, but I'm told lock bars are illegal because they are a modification to the steering systems. You could be defected for it, and if you crash you may not be covered. I never followed this up myself because I had no need to, but it might be worth checking

[ZENNON]

thanks for the advice guys

Yeah what Gordo said. HICAS makes it a bit difficult to hold a precise line mid-corner (because the computer decides it wants to change the angle of the back wheels ) and can make it feel a bit nervous.

Yeah... I think Ill see how I go but Im inclined to remove it...

Also consider though, the effect a lock bar may have on your insurance/wallet. This is second hand info so I'd be checking it yourself if you're concerned, but I'm told lock bars are illegal because they are a modification to the steering systems. You could be defected for it, and if you crash you may not be covered. I never followed this up myself because I had no need to, but it might be worth checking

Nah itll be fine!

[R33S2]

I havent been to the track but I much prefer the non-hicas feel, at least I know what is happening.

[ZENNON]

I havent been to the track but I much prefer the non-hicas feel, at least I know what is happening.

*nod* which is exactly what im looking for

thanks

[r_speedfreak_r]

where do people get the lock bars from? I got an r33 and was going to take mine off but didnt really know where to get the lock bars made up. I've taken corners at high speeds before and i think the skyrice handles fine even with the hicas

[r33_racer]

i think gtr geoff has them.

[Duncan]

I had one on my 33 gtst for years of track days without any problem, no where near as "unpredictable" as some claim

Why not try it and see what you think?

[R33S2]

I really had no problems with the handling under hicas, I just didnt like a computer cutting in on my driving, I used the Tomei kit, which gives you the option of going back quite easily for the 33, with the 32s the Hicas is hydraulic and a weight saving can be had by its removal.

[Col-GTSX]

If you want full control then remove hicas...

If you want some help then leave it in...

I used to race go karts and hicas just messed with my driving style so i removed it quick smart... Im just used to not having it so it was an easy decision for me... Also it does scuff your tyres on the inside edge on the rear faster then with out hicas...

[_MRR33]

I'm going to sound like a d-head ..what is HICAS I have always wanted to know?

Edited October 3, 2006 by R33MidnightRacer

[Col-GTSX]

hicas is 4 wheel steer...

Well not really 4 wheel steer just more like the rear wheels moving slightlly a couple of degres to help through corners...

There are 2 types of hicas, there is the one where the whole rear suspension moves like found in the HR31's and then there are ones with an actually second steering rack just for the rear wheels like in the 32,33,34...

Personally i dont like hicas...

[Squishy]

My bf purchased a tomei lock out kit for his 33 off nengun.. as his car was actually CRAB WALKING as a result of of the hicas LOCKING ON in one direction..

It's all been installed now.. and car drives straight!

In 32's it is much easier to fix as the hicas is mehanical where as the 33's have an electrical one.

I drove my 32 with the hicas light on and it was gay to drift.. as the back wheels had a mind of their own!