Improve downforce....

[viper067]

So I was at Pocono over the weekend for Viper Days. What an incredible event and awesome track. Faster than VIR from what I the ACR-X drivers were saying.
So I was able to get up to 140 in my Gen 1, could have gone faster but the car didn't feel very planted above 130 so I had to slow down more than I should have to make the big banking turns. I hear the ACR-X guys were taking turn 2 at 150 ... I was at 90.
What can I do to make the car feel more solidly planted on the track at higher speeds, would canards help or are they to small?

 

[99 R/T 10]

Front splitter and a rear wing. Autoform has some great stuff:

Mopar wing is better looking though:

 

[dave6666]

The pics above are some good bolt on goodies, although fitment can take some skill as well as they will have to be painted. Almost DIY but pretty much all the engineering is done. I built my own aero package as I'm a DIY'er. Lots of engineering but I did not like the AF look. I've read many times on these cars to be sure and do a balanced setup. Front splitter needs a rear wing. I did a front splitter, side splitters and rear diffuser but skipped the wing. Subsequently I kept the front splitter profile somewhat small.

 

[DrumrBoy]

As noted above, splitter and wing will get even a measley 500HP car over 160 at Pocono! (pic is not Pocono, but was there at over 160 in July)

 

[viper067]

Thanks guys ... I also came to another thought. At 140, I'm pretty much tapped out in 4th, probably should have come out of turn 1 in 3rd instead of 4th to get from 90 to 120 quicker, but that is just time on the track.
I believe that adding the aero stuff will help me reach a higher speed into and through the turns (also agree with dave on keeping it balanced front and rear), but I don't know that I have enough power to get above 140....think the time spent shifting to 5th would be lost. As my sig mentions I have some GG heads coming that should help in the power arena, but would a gear swap (probably) to 3.55's help? I realize that would involve more shifting and I'd have to be in 5th to get to 140...
currently I'm stock gears
2nd ~70mph
3rd ~120mph
4th ~140mph
5th ???
what would 3.55's do to the speeds here?

 

[JonB]

VK:
Dont forget that there is DRAG associated with most aero mods, and some that are shown would NOT be what we would recommend for 140+ in a Gen 1.
To answer your direct questions YES front canards would improve a bit. YES, 355s would improve your lap times, due to faster corner-exits. LOWERING the Gen 1 will improve with no drag penalty!

 

[viper067]

Jon,

Thanks .... great talking with you. As usual, I probably have much more skill to gain that can cut significant lap time. Mostly shifting, I know that I should have been in 3rd in turn 1 instead of 4th, and through much of the road course portion probably should have used 2nd and 3rd as opposed to just 3rd. Something to work on for next time.
At least, I may not be the fastest out there, but I am among the loudest

 

[Vipuronr]

Hi Jon...you mention lowering, is that dones simply by using caps to lower or does it require major change to say coil over shocks for example - not sure this applies, just an example.

If lower caps do apply, are there different sizes for lowering different amounts or only one size?

Thanks.

 

[JonB]

Hi Jon...you mention lowering, is that dons simply by using caps to lower or does it require major change to say coil over shocks for example - not sure this applies, just an example.

If lower caps do apply, are there different sizes for lowering different amounts or only one size? Thanks.

On your 1998, you have at least 4 easy options to lower the C.G. and minimize the wedge of air trying to LIFT the car from underneath: Eibachs, Caps, Both, or adjustable shocks; The caps are basically 1-size-fits-all, about a .70" drop.

The author above has a GEN ONE....... The Year Matters in relationship to the answers for him, Gen 1 have fewer options

 

[Vipuronr]

Thanks Jon, knew you would have the answer. I'm assuming you sell the caps...roughly what does a set cost?

Thanks, as always!

Peter

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I probably have much more skill to gain that can cut significant lap time.

Then do that before pumping money into mods.