Project 2.Slow Mazda3

[D_Eclipse9916]

Interesting... I'm not a suspension guru guy right now. I'm just starting to understand it.

My spring rates are 10k F and 5k R. which creates and even lighter/moving rear end so wouldn't more camber help me in the rear? I'm also running a 32mm rear sway bar in the rear on the middle setting at 718 lbs/in. The stiffness of the stock Mazda3 RSB is about 230 lbs/in

No problem, we all learn and talking it out helps everyone.

I won't pretend to be a handling expert on a Mazda 3 but there are basic rules of thumb that will give you better handling than 99% of what the ricer forums will try to "inform you".

It sounds like in order to get the car to handle, you threw high spring rates on it for a street tire. Match the suspension to what you are doing. A tire works best when you let it do what it needs to do in an environment for it. Just like a winter tire is good in winter, and a summer tire is in summer. Some tires like more camber, some like less, some like more spring, some like less.

Use photos and any data (such as tire temps) to put the tire in the happiest place you can provided the circumstances.

A suspension controls the tire, but a tire does all the work. So you set up the suspension to put the tire as flat to the ground for when you need the work done. Too much static camber and under roll, the tire is "still" under camber and isnt flat to the ground. Too little camber..same thing, tire rolls and goes positive camber.

I wouldn't pretend to know exact ideal camber for a Mazda 3, but if you are looking for more grip in the rear, tune it so the tire is flat to the ground (under roll). At -3.2 on street tires (not even top tier street tires), it's fairly easy to see you why you might not be using it.

There is also "good handling" and "perceived good handling". A car can feel good, even if it isn't fast. Hence why most people instantly throw on unnecessarily high spring rates, and although it helps, it might be too much. I would say for now, till your driving becomes a bit more consistent, go by what you feel. If you feel it is loose in the rear, soften the rear sway bar (that bar is BIG), and a little less camber and see how it feels. It will understeer more, but only because you have more grip in the rear. THEN work on getting more grip up front :wink: