R32 GT-R Castor rods

[djr81]

Whilst my car was on the hoist the other day I had a good look underneath & discovered it was fitted with adjustable castor rods.

My front tyres a looking a little sad after a day at Wanneroo, however I only have maxed out stock front camber & castor, ie approx 1 & 3 degrees respectively. Without making it too track biased I would like to use more castor at the front.

The question is two fold:

What other bushes etc do I need to take maximum advantage of the rods?

How many degrees castor is recommended for an R 32 GT-R?

[gtrken]

As much caster as you can wind on without wearing out the plastic inner guards.

Camber is non adjustable unless you have some bushes but if so, approx 1.5deg neg will give a good compromise between tyre wear/handling.

For track work with comp style tyres I run 2.5deg and for wanners 3deg neg.

Cheers

Ken

[djr81]

As much caster as you can wind on without wearing out the plastic inner guards.

Camber is non adjustable unless you have some bushes but if so, approx 1.5deg neg will give a good compromise between tyre wear/handling.

For track work with comp style tyres I run 2.5deg and for wanners 3deg neg.

Cheers

Ken

Thanks Ken, are you able to quote a typical figure?

Also do I need any other bushes to adjust the castor further (as opposed to camber)?

[gtrken]

No, you have rose jointed caster arms so there is no provision for extra adjustment bushes.

Typical figure on a good one is around 5 ish deg neg. Have seen up to 7 but that was with low profile tyres and special caster rods that extra thread machined in.

The more caster( within reason ) , the more the steering wheel will come back to self centre quickly and the *nervousness* that sometimes occurs on patchy roads is diminished.

Setting up a GTR for track is tricky and there are lots of variables involved including ride height, toe settings, spring rates, sway bar settings, tyre pressures etc but camber and caster are 2 of the more important angles needed for a well handling, quick to turn in and balance GTR.

Word for the wise is not to go too big on wheel size/wheel offset as the GTR's don't like having the big offsets that put wheels against the outer lip of the guards. They will tramline and steering wheel pull something terrible on rough bitumen or on wet and puddle filled roads.

Cheers

Ken

[predator]

I have always wondered why the adjustable rods have no form of bushings on them, like the stock items... Will this cause any damage to where they bolt in? they just kind of look like they are sitting "loose" in that space there.

Which is better, having adjustable bushes with offset adjustment to alter camber or the separate adjustable arms (like the above photos) ? There is about a $150 price difference..