Ariel.Club Forum

Yes I will use the factory for servicing and big ticket items etc. for small stuff like tyres I will need to get it done locally because I live in Norfolk, quite a way from Somerset. Tom did tell me there is another chap up this way with an Atom so for servicing both cars could be done at the same time if poss to lower the transport costs.

Simon

[quote="simonrhart"]
How many miles on track do you get from the Kumhos? Do you have equipment to fit them yourself or do you take your car to a garage to fit.

cheers
Simon
[/quote]

I've done 3 track days and about 500 miles on the road and they are possibly only half worn. In comparison, I found that I was going through a set of rears on the A048's every 3 days. The Factory fitted them for me and I don't expect to need to renew them for at least another 3-4 track days, depending on where I go. No reason that any fitter couldn't do them though.
Often the Factory is cheapest for tyres anyway and I like supporting them. They give great service and lots of free advice should you need it, so it seems only reasonable to support those who support you.

Cheers,
Stu

How many miles on track do you get from the Kumhos? Do you have equipment to fit them yourself or do you take your car to a garage to fit.

cheers
Simon

[quote="Sir Nick"]
I just wondered is all. I'm on Avon ZZRs, mainly becuase I get a few extra miles, oh and I pick them up from the their factory in Melksham!
[/quote]
The zzr's are a good tyre for sure and I know lots of people who swear by them but I suspect that the Khumos are a little better on track. They also wear much much less than the A048's.
Cheers
Stu

I just wondered is all. I'm on Avon ZZRs, mainly becuase I get a few extra miles, oh and I pick them up from the their factory in Melksham! 

[quote="Sir Nick"]
What are you paying for the Khumos Stu?
[/quote]

Sorry Nick, no idea.
I had the tyres along with all of the other work earlier this year.  I would have paid whatever the Factory rate was.
I imagine that you went through a set on the sportugal trip though huh?

Are they proving difficult to get?

Cheers,
Stu

What are you paying for the Khumos Stu?

[quote="simonrhart"]
[quote="wasp"]

FWIW, I had this work carried out earlier this year plus putting the 3.5R settings onto my car. The difference on track is massive, you can really lean on the car through the corners. It does make it considerably more lively in damp/cool conditions on track but is absolutely fine as long as you are sensible on the road.
I've kept the standard 225 rear tyres but have changed to the Khumos which I think are a great tyre for the Atom.

Cheers,
Stu
[/quote]

Is the new rear spring softer than stock? I would imagine the car is less flat but more grip, is this how the car feels for you? I want to reduce the oversteer when I get my car and be able to push. How easy it is to change springs on the Bilsteins?
[/quote]

No, it's as per Henry's post above. The standards rear spring is 60nm and it's replaced with the 80nm one. The 60's are on the front of mine replacing a softer one. Tom suggested it and it was a spot on call.
It does feel a little stiffer of course but there's still a good degree of compliance in the whole setup. I like it a lot more than the standard setup but as mentioned in my last post, it's part of a package of changes that was made. All of mine was done at the Factory but they are very helpful and will put on whatever settings you want.
I'm not sure that you'll ever be able to dial out all of the oversteer from an Atom and tbh, I'd much rather have oversteer than understeer.
Henry really is your best man for advice on this (don't let the beard put you off )

Cheers,
Stu

[quote="wasp"]

FWIW, I had this work carried out earlier this year plus putting the 3.5R settings onto my car. The difference on track is massive, you can really lean on the car through the corners. It does make it considerably more lively in damp/cool conditions on track but is absolutely fine as long as you are sensible on the road.
I've kept the standard 225 rear tyres but have changed to the Khumos which I think are a great tyre for the Atom.

Cheers,
Stu
[/quote]

Is the new rear spring softer than stock? I would imagine the car is less flat but more grip, is this how the car feels for you? I want to reduce the oversteer when I get my car and be able to push. How easy it is to change springs on the Bilsteins?

[quote="HenryJS"]
Simon,

To change the spring rates you would fit the rear main springs to the front dampers, and fit an 80nm spring to the rear shocks (we have these on the shelf).


[/quote]

FWIW, I had this work carried out earlier this year plus putting the 3.5R settings onto my car. The difference on track is massive, you can really lean on the car through the corners. It does make it considerably more lively in damp/cool conditions on track but is absolutely fine as long as you are sensible on the road.
I've kept the standard 225 rear tyres but have changed to the Khumos which I think are a great tyre for the Atom.

Cheers,
Stu

Simon,

To change the spring rates you would fit the rear main springs to the front dampers, and fit an 80nm spring to the rear shocks (we have these on the shelf).

To increase compression damping you can simply increase the numbers on the adjuster (1 is soft 10 is hard) or we can send the shocks back to Bilstein and readjust for a harder Valve code, making the whole damper firmer overall. (1 being hard, 10 being harder)...

The rear mag wheels are all 16x8, the rear alloy wheels are 16x7. So yes - just tick the Mag wheel option and let us know you want a wider rear tyre and we can fit the appropriate mudguard. I would suggest a 245 tyre, to give a nice balance between road compliance and track grip.

Thanks Henry,

Yes I mean anti-roll bars. Sounds like I won't do this as I will use it for the road as well as track, more for the track at Snetterton. I've gone for the Bilstein shocks, changing the spring rate is as simple as changing the shock collar, is this correct. Changing the compression rate, I assume you would need to change oil and or pistons? Do you normally do this on the Atom or leave alone.

I like the idea of the wider rear tyre, this will give a wider track as well. I could not see the wide wheel option on the spec sheet. Would I just pick the more expensive magnesium wheel at 265 wide?

Cheers
Simon

Simon,

When you sway bars - do you mean an Anti-roll bar? If so, it has been tried and will help, but its a complicated thing to fit, and to make look nice too - and to be honest, i think it would be excellent on track, but ruin the car on the road.

To give more rear end grip you could fit a wider rear tyre, perhaps a 245 or 265 width. You would need to change the rear mudguards (we have wide, and extra wide widths to suit the 245 and 265 available). you would have to run either a custom wheel or a magnesium wheel as the standard alloy wheel is only a 7" wide. whereas the Mag wheels are 8" wide and will suit the wider tyre much better.

RE Anti squat - the only way to do this on an Atom is increase the spring rate and increase compression damping.

Thanks for the responses. I find part of the fun is changing the car settings to suit driving style or track conditions, it's also a learning thing for me. So rear camber and ride height are two things you change. The Atom doesn't appear to have sway bars, does it need them/or has anyone ever tried the car with them? The wing advice is good, alot of things I have read is it's for show, I do plan to get a front and rear wing at some point. Do you ever play with track width? for example increasing track width on the rear should give more grip on corner entry. This car seems to have enough steering at least from the videos I've seen. Also can you adjust the anti-squat on the rear easilly?

Cheers
Simon

I know this thread is old, but I'm new here and just reading through this interesting forum.

To get more rear grip, how adjustable is the car? can you increase rear toe? or roll centres? clearly you can soften the suspension. What about ride height and droop are these things you tend to change on the Atom?

Soon to be Atom owner, placed a order a few months back.

Cheers
Simon
[/quote]

Simon,

Set up wise the Atom is very adjustable. Leave the toe well alone, but increasing camber will give more grip, but also promote lift over-steer. The more aggressive the camber setting, the more you will feel the effects.

Reducing the rear ride height by 10mm also reduces roll through the corners.

The Aerofoils do produce down-force (tunnel tested! - sorry no I don't have the figures) - but its on the faster tracks that you will feel the difference. Having the wing set in a fairly 'neutral' setting is best, as if you give to much 'angle of attack' on the rear wing, it can press the rear of the car down into the road so much it can change the down-force to lift...