Hoosier releases new RR tire for LM racing, and it's even wider.

[Henry Every]

so is the new rr gonna be the new equalizer rocket has been looking for?

I wouldn't think so since everybody will be running it... If it helps RKT, then it helps LH, more rubber on the track for everyone. But like MR said, the RR isn't where RKT has an issue.

[ftfiowa]

Probably not, since their front end is what sucks[/QUOTE]

why does the rocket front end suck? nobody seems to be able to explain the technical differences between the chassis that are used whether it be lazer, swartz, mastersbilt, warrior, black diamond, rocket, longhorn,bmf etc. plz explain and THANKS in advance!

[Henry Every]

why does the rocket front end suck? nobody seems to be able to explain the technical differences between the chassis that are used whether it be lazer, swartz, mastersbilt, warrior, black diamond, rocket, longhorn,bmf etc. plz explain and THANKS in advance!

Here are some details we discussed in another post about the differences between RKT & LH in the "rear":

1.Same RR tube on both. LR on a Rocket is 1" shorter but they run a 1/2" wheel spacer standard. So 1/2" shorter on XR1 when race ready.

2. Rocket is 20 5/8" J bar with a 3 1/2" offset pinion plate LH is 21ish" with a 4" offset pinion plate.

3. Both cars have adjustable shock angles.

I personally don't know the specs on the front end differences between RKT & LH, only that the RKT reportedly doesn't steer as well as the LH. Even if 2 brands have the exact same spindles(Height, inclination, pin height steering arm length, etc.), most likely the other areas in the front end wouldn't be the same and yield a different result, like control arm lengths, bump, castor gain, camber gain, etc. Hope this helps.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Probably not, since their front end is what sucks

why does the rocket front end suck? nobody seems to be able to explain the technical differences between the chassis that are used whether it be lazer, swartz, mastersbilt, warrior, black diamond, rocket, longhorn,bmf etc. plz explain and THANKS in advance![/QUOTE]

That's the 1 million dollar question. Everyone and their brother makes alternate spindles for it. Madden had one and that was why he was fast a few years ago with his. They definitely don't have enough Ackerman, IMO. I've only played with a Rocket clone a little bit and couldn't get the balance right until making some changes up front on it. Still not quite there, but it's much better.

[84wedge]

Are the front wheels "in the same place" compared to a LH. If you were to mark lines on the inside and outside of all four tires of both chassis as they sit on the ground, are they in the same place?

[EvelB7]

You all do realize that it is the car as a whole, not just the 'front' or the 'rear'? Balance, each end affects the other- and I know people will say 'it's just tubing welded together, the pickup points are what matter'. I will tell you that if you change material, how it is braced, how much bracing you have it will change the car. Give and take, want a whole bunch of traction well it is going to be harder to get the same balance on the nose-simple physics. Drivers either 'drive off the right front' or 'drive off the right rear'; that feel is why some prefer Longhorn and some Rocket. The good drivers can adapt and drive off either depending on what they need and what the track requires.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

You all do realize that it is the car as a whole, not just the 'front' or the 'rear'? Balance, each end affects the other- and I know people will say 'it's just tubing welded together, the pickup points are what matter'. I will tell you that if you change material, how it is braced, how much bracing you have it will change the car. Give and take, want a whole bunch of traction well it is going to be harder to get the same balance on the nose-simple physics. Drivers either 'drive off the right front' or 'drive off the right rear'; that feel is why some prefer Longhorn and some Rocket. The good drivers can adapt and drive off either depending on what they need and what the track requires.

A car that steers with the wheels that steer will always be faster than slipping the rear to steer. Yes, if you make a car into a dish rag, it changes the balance.

Steering with the front gets you a much more consistent car too. It doesn't overheat tires or drastically slow down when it loses a little grip.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

If adding a bunch of toe out makes your car faster, that's another sign the geometry is not good.

[KTMLew]

That's the 1 million dollar question. Everyone and their brother makes alternate spindles for it. Madden had one and that was why he was fast a few years ago with his. They definitely don't have enough Ackerman, IMO. I've only played with a Rocket clone a little bit and couldn't get the balance right until making some changes up front on it. Still not quite there, but it's much better.

Is Ackerman mostly affected by rack placement or spindles/steering arm or a combo of both?

[billetbirdcage]

Is Ackerman mostly affected by rack placement or spindles/steering arm or a combo of both?

Both (need 10 characters so did this)

[ftfiowa]

so LH drives off the right front, Rocket off the right rear? have also heard LH flexes more than Rocket to begin with , but Rockets last longer. so a few more ?'s then....
do all bare chassis weigh about the same or not? within 25lbs?
which chassis has more braces/welds? which has the least?
are all popular lm chassis still being made now considered well built and safety first designed?

[84wedge]

Steering with the front gets you a much more consistent car too. It doesn't overheat tires or drastically slow down when it loses a little grip.

Explains how LH manage to maintain pace as the track changes.

[KTMLew]

Both (need 10 characters so did this)

So that means RKT needs different spindles & rack relocation to steer better in/across center. Seems easy enough.

[billetbirdcage]

so LH drives off the right front, Rocket off the right rear? have also heard LH flexes more than Rocket to begin with , but Rockets last longer. so a few more ?'s then....


do all bare chassis weigh about the same or not? within 25lbs? Somewhat but probably a little more then 25# varience but can't speak for all chassis. Rocket is heaviest by a fair amount


which chassis has more braces/welds? which has the least? On rocket vs LH, Rocket has a lot more bars then a LH and made from different material


are all popular lm chassis still being made now considered well built and safety first designed? too be honest, for the speeds we run at some tracks the chassis is lacking for many of them. Raising the min wieght 50# would help so we could add some more structure to the frames but again it will effect performance and many will not do that for the sake of safety.

Again 10 charactor rely needed

[EvelB7]

A car that steers with the wheels that steer will always be faster than slipping the rear to steer. Yes, if you make a car into a dish rag, it changes the balance.

Steering with the front gets you a much more consistent car too. It doesn't overheat tires or drastically slow down when it loses a little grip.

I agree, but also realize they all steer. Getting the proper tire to work at the right time is the trick, not always the RF or RR for that matter- however to get off the corner you must first get in. I agree that a car the can use the RF on entry better than others has the advantage. Quite a few ways to skin the cat...