S3 understeer under power - how best to reduce it?

[duncanhancox]

I just bought a 2001 s3, and have had a revo upgrade [img]images/graemlins/jump_clap.gif[/img] but i noticed that the power-on understeer is quite dramatic - any effective ways to reduce this at all?
maybe wider tyres eg 255? or something?

[Scotty]

You could try this

[img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Sorry but technically I don't know. They above will help [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Bushy]

Seems like good advice, BTW welcome

The best bit of driver training I every received [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

[sitas3]

Welcome - OK technically, a possible way forward is to fit a bigger rear Anti-roll bar, but that will introduce 'Oversteer' - how much depends on the size of the bar.

Audi prefer understeer, and basically design this into the cars to a certain degree as it is safer than oversteer (unless you know what you are doing)

You won't remove understeer on the S3 due to the location of the engine/transmission etc - therefore too much weight directly over the front suspension..

[Riz_RS4]

What SPS boost and timing settings are you running? It seems like your running highboost maybe?

Riz

[VST]

Whats the spec of the rest of the car?

What wheels,tyres(size&make)suspension and setup are you running?
Its difficult to make suggestions not knowing what stage your car is at at the moment...

[TimJMS]

You could also try running say 2-4 psi lower pressure in the fronts. This should give you a relatively larger contact patch compared with the rears.

[duncanhancox]

thanks for the replies: heres eome more info

tyres are my favourite, Bridgestone SO3 at standard 17" size,

suspension is? standard or GmbH (how can i tell?) - i measured the distance between the floor and the arches as i saw in another post and mine are 650mm all round.

Revo was a fixed program for shell optimax - i forgot to ask what hi boost was set at.

dunk

[VST]

well you're using good rubber,which is a big plus
If you fancy spending money,go the H&R Coilovers/ Rear Tiebars/18in wheels route/anti roll bars(probably my next step),in that order,makes a big improvement.If you still want more,at that stage of the game you could consider the haldex controller(see seperate thread on this)play around with rear camber and toe settings(its all down to personal taste here,you can make the car very darty and eager to turn in,but high speed stability and 100mph plus sweeping bends get a bit hairy [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img],its all about finding what setup suits you.)
If you want to just extract the best from your std setup,start with a geometry check and reset,get someone who knows what they're at to do it,not some quick fit style operation,trying raising rear tyre pressures and/or lowering fronts,you could be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Cheers

Tom