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LMark in Autocross

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Posted by: TofuDog

I'll be driving in my first Autocross this weekend with my 98 Lincoln Mark VIII. Does anybody have any suggestions about racing in autocross?

Earlier today, I was out running my car around things that I put in an empty parking lot. I left tire marks on the parking lot.

Posted by: vr4

stock tires?

air them up to max pressure if not a little above. they WILL roll over.

these cars are NOT stiff. in some of the pics of mine you can clearly see the flex in the chassis.

look at the gaps on the sides of the trunk. at rest they are equal and correct.

you will find more pics of my car here....

http://www.mauiscca.org/gallery/

june 25th PM heat and april 30th AM heat.

Posted by: Moes8

how do you know thats not just the trunk lid shifting over on its mounts?

i know these cars arent stiff,but to visually see it,i dont tihnk i believe that.

i just went out and with about 20-30 lbs of force was able to make my trunk lid gaps look like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vr4

stock tires?

air them up to max pressure if not a little above. they WILL roll over.

these cars are NOT stiff. in some of the pics of mine you can clearly see the flex in the chassis.

Posted by: JC1994

just like any sub-frame car, the Mark VIII is as flexable as a wet ramen noodle.

Posted by: 94m5

It's actually a combination of both.

And can get even worse. If you pull the back seat out of the car, and look at the X-brace, usually it's broke in half from torsional forces on it. There is a reason the MN10/12 platform was discontinued. There is ALOT to be said when tire balance affects a vehicle as much as ours.

On the other hand, subframe connectors and swaybars help ALOT!

Mike

Posted by: Calabrio

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94m5

It's actually a combination of both.

And can get even worse. If you pull the back seat out of the car, and look at the X-brace, usually it's broke in half from torsional forces on it. There is a reason the MN10/12 platform was discontinued. There is ALOT to be said when tire balance affects a vehicle as much as ours.

On the other hand, subframe connectors and swaybars help ALOT!

Mike

I still haven't found anyone selling subframe connectors.

There are some chasis parts, stiffening up the front end and reinforcing the rear, but no subframe connectors.

Posted by: Dr. Paul

Tips:

Focus more on your line and less on the throttle.
Let the chassis 'settle', if only instantaneously, before changing direction - this will help keep the car from getting 'wrapped up'.
Watch the lines of those people who seem to be the better drivers in the group, you may see something you hadn't noticed before.

Paul.

Posted by: JC1994

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calabrio

I still haven't found anyone selling subframe connectors.

There are some chasis parts, stiffening up the front end and reinforcing the rear, but no subframe connectors.

I'm going to have mine custom fabbed...

Posted by: my95mark8

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC1994

just like any sub-frame car, the Mark VIII is as flexable as a wet ramen noodle.

I don't think mine is THAT rigid....LOL

Posted by: Dern Humpus

Autox is a lot of fun. I had a really good time doing it in my integra, but Im afraid to take the mark, just doesnt quite feel right. I just need to accept the fact that this car will never handle very well.

Posted by: JC1994

If I can make an 83 Mustang GT handle, {.98-1g latteral acceleration.} I know I can make my Mark VIII handle too. it just takes money time and the right combo of parts. It can be done. just lowering my car 1.5 inches and trashing the air ride made a HUGE difference.

Posted by: Dern Humpus

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC1994

If I can make an 83 Mustang GT handle, {.98-1g latteral acceleration.}

That is really impressive. What tires did you have for that?

Posted by: Calabrio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dern Humpus

That is really impressive. What tires did you have for that?

Posted by: Frogman

I have to agree with these guys. The Mark VIII is not stiff at all.

And frankly, what do you expect when you are throwing ~4000lbs from side to side? These cars are NOT meant to be nimble. They are fairly nimble for their size, but by no means are they corvette class nimble. These cars are cruisers. period.

Posted by: vr4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogman

I have to agree with these guys. The Mark VIII is not stiff at all.

And frankly, what do you expect when you are throwing ~4000lbs from side to side? These cars are NOT meant to be nimble. They are fairly nimble for their size, but by no means are they corvette class nimble. These cars are cruisers. period.

my 3000gt was quite a bit stiffer than the mark is and it weighed 4k lbs.

im not talking suspension or steering response either.

Posted by: JC1994

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dern Humpus

That is really impressive. What tires did you have for that?

Bridgestone RE71R road race compound 245/45/16. super sticky tires.

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