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S197 Dual Duty Setup

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  • S197 Dual Duty Setup

    This was something I was asked to author for a S197 group that had the same question come up over and over.

    Since I wrote this we've put more people on 11" wheels. Either a 315 tire on 18" wheels or a 305 tire on 19" wheels. More and more 305/30-19 tires are becoming available, some in good track tires.

    For a dual purpose street and track car:
    DO: have a set of 10" or wider wheels for track use and a 285+ tire
    DO: use relocation brackets on the rear axle
    DO: change the bushings in the front lower control arm (see the Energy Suspension bushing)
    DO: change out the lower rear arms for some with adjustment and better bushings
    DO: use camber plates
    DO: use adequate spring rates and good, monotube dampers to control them while still providing street compliance
    DO: address any cooling issues (through the engine tune, radiator, hood ducting, removing the Boss oil heater)
    DO: use adjustable swaybars to fine tune the balance
    DO: use either an adjustable panhard bar or axle mounted Watts link
    DO: try to stick to bushings in the lower parts of the suspension instead of spherical bearings
    DO: use a Torsen style differential and either 3.31:1 for the GT or 3.55:1 for the Boss
    DO: add brake ducting and use dedicated track pads at the track

    Don't: use aftermarket front A-arms, which usually require janky bump steer and ball joint correction
    Don't: add massive power, which is usually had at the expense of mid range torque and frequently overheats on track
    Don't: add ridiculous braces all over the car. The S197 is plenty stiff.
    Don't: use twin-tube shocks which have a high failure rate and are designed to run at stock height, or only with stock spring rates
    Don't: change out the upper arm on the rear axle (until the car is a dedicated track car)
    Don't: use a one-piece driveshaft until necessary (usually not necessary on a dual-purpose car)
    Don't: use an aftermarket K-member. Most are built to be flyweight drag parts and don't hold up to road course cornering.

    Brakes are important. Swapping the rear GT500 brakes on has helped with rear pad longevity. Free power can be had with long-tube headers, free flow exhaust and a good road-course tune (not a quick-throttle tune). Seats, harnesses and other safety equipment can help you be faster on track.
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