The effects of the T-Bar

[Big Jimmy G]

Ok, so just how does the T-Bar have an effect on the handling of your Associated car?

I know that it flexes front to rear under acclelration and can twist in cornering, so how does having the thicker (stiffer?) bar change the handling?

Also, I have heard that the Corally boys often use shims to raise the front of their T-Bars (change the rake?). What is the effect of doing this in an Associated car, and what happens if the whole of the bar is raised off the deck, not just the front?

Any thoughts and suggeations appreciated,

James

[Starkey]

Afraid I don't have the answer as new to 12th Racing, but I race a sp12m and was told about the low roll centre mod for the T bar, apparently gives better rear end traction.

Model Tech didn't have to upgrade (faulty batch), so I thought I would have a go myself. Basically I filed 1 to 2mm off the bottom of the two metal ball studs and then reshimed the T bar mounting brackets.

Don't know at the moment whether it will have an effect.

[PUASHP]

Raising the roll centre (higher t bar) will give less grip so lowering gives more grip at the rear.

On the RC12L3 the thinner t bar will give more flex so slightly more rear end grip. This does give you more grip in the corner.

Running the thicker t bar makes the car sharper on turn in and more balanced steering throughout the turn. It is however slightly worse over bumps (although with 1/12th scale there shouldn't be any)

Personally I always run the thick t bar as I like a car with a lot of initial turn in.

Paul

[Big Jimmy G]

Thanks guys, that all sounds good and is more or less what I thought.

However, what happens if you change the angle of the T-Bar with more or fewer shims under one end, rather than just raising the whole piece?

Lastly, can anyone tell me why (according the the manual) using the third centre screw to join the T-Bar to the rear pod gives more rear traction than just using the outer two?

James