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.

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.

http://www.mauiscca.org/photos/062506PMHeat/06250820_G.jpg

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.

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.















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.

http://www.mauiscca.org/photos/062506PMHeat/06250820_G.jpg

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.

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

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

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. :(

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.

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...:cool: :cool:

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

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.

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.:)

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

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

That is really impressive. What tires did you have for that?
http://www.railgear.com/Assets/images/rw1013images/1013newimages/Image019.jpg

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.

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.

That is really impressive. What tires did you have for that?
Bridgestone RE71R road race compound 245/45/16. super sticky tires.