Road Racing Road Course | Autocross

WATTS LINK set up

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2022 | 02:43 PM
  #1  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default WATTS LINK set up

I just installed a MWC watts link on my TA. I autox my car so I figured it would be a good upgrade for it. I have searched the forum for specific set up and specs but haven't really found anything. I know at ride height the 2 bars connected to the diff should be as parallel to the ground as possible which I made sure to do. I loaded the rear on the lift to what it is at ride height and set the clamps and bars so that the 2 bars are parallel and the diff is centered.

What I am looking for it how do I know when to raise or lower the center support and what turning the 2 bars in or out would do. What inputs from the car am I wanting to feel so I know what to do to correct it.

Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 11:20 PM
  #2  
gm02ceta's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 533
Likes: 13
From: The 3rd world of SFV,California
Default

I've also have been trying to properly set up the same MWC watts link with little info.

Like how much tension should be applied to the horizontal bars that mount to the propeller?
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 07:00 AM
  #3  
rentedmule's Avatar
On The Tree
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 26
Default

To level the bars, you need to move the propeller mount up or down to a new mounting hole on the main frame. I can't tell from that pic if the MWC has multiple mounting holes, but it probably should. That's how you adjust your roll center as well. I haven't set up my Fays2 Watts yet but I suspect you don't want much tension on the bars to avoid binding.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2022 | 10:19 AM
  #4  
mikedamageinc's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 723
Likes: 25
From: go get your shine box tommy
Default

Set the propeller around the middle or a little lower. Go autox or test somewhere safe that you can push it. If it oversteers move prop lower, if understeer move higher. Each time the prop is moved you have to make the bars parallel again. This is also assuming front is already set the way you want with caster/camber/alignment and ride height all around.

Last edited by mikedamageinc; Oct 12, 2022 at 10:33 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2022 | 06:08 PM
  #5  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default

Originally Posted by rentedmule
To level the bars, you need to move the propeller mount up or down to a new mounting hole on the main frame. I can't tell from that pic if the MWC has multiple mounting holes, but it probably should. That's how you adjust your roll center as well. I haven't set up my Fays2 Watts yet but I suspect you don't want much tension on the bars to avoid binding.
I put the rear at ride height while on the lift then adjusted the diff clamps and tension arms till they were level. Put it on the ground and the diff was centered. The middle adjuster is set on the second hole from the bottom
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2022 | 06:10 PM
  #6  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default

Originally Posted by mikedamageinc
Set the propeller around the middle or a little lower. Go autox or test somewhere safe that you can push it. If oversteers move prop lower, if understeer move higher. Each time the prop is moved you have to make the bars parallel again. This is also assuming front is already set the way you want with caster/camber/alignment and ride height all around.
It's set on the second to bottom hole. I have an event at the end of the month. I will test it then and see how it feels. This is the information I was looking for as far as adjusting. Thanks
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2022 | 11:21 PM
  #7  
JoshHefnerX's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 336
Likes: 85
From: Glendale, AZ
Default

Report back how it goes. Been thinking about one.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2022 | 09:36 AM
  #8  
00PewterSS's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 854
Likes: 25
From: Hartland, MI
Default

Originally Posted by mikedamageinc
Set the propeller around the middle or a little lower. Go autox or test somewhere safe that you can push it. If it oversteers move prop lower, if understeer move higher. Each time the prop is moved you have to make the bars parallel again. This is also assuming front is already set the way you want with caster/camber/alignment and ride height all around.
Correct me if I didn't understand what you said. If you set the bars level at your ride height, lets say the pivot in the middle, the bars will remain parallel regardless of where you move the pivot, just as they remain parallel through wheel travel. You do not need to re-level the bars. Therefore, you can change the pivot at the track, even in between runs.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2022 | 03:02 PM
  #9  
gjohnsonws6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 150
From: Litchfield Park AZ
Default

Have you tried getting in touch with Midwest to ask? Eric is pretty good about giving set up advice.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 07:33 PM
  #10  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default

Finally had the autox to see how the new tires and watts link performed. Got to say, it felt a lot better then before. I'm sure the tires had more to do with. Had little to no understeer. When I turned the wheel it griped and went. Rear was alitte lose if I got on the gas too much in a turn but definitely felt more planted. On my last run went a 49.5. my other runs were in the 52-53 second times. Pushed it harder on the last run to see what I could do. Very pleased with the time.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2022 | 07:39 AM
  #11  
mikedamageinc's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 723
Likes: 25
From: go get your shine box tommy
Default

Originally Posted by 00PewterSS
Correct me if I didn't understand what you said. If you set the bars level at your ride height, lets say the pivot in the middle, the bars will remain parallel regardless of where you move the pivot, just as they remain parallel through wheel travel. You do not need to re-level the bars. Therefore, you can change the pivot at the track, even in between runs.
Yes you want the bars parallel to each other but also parallel to the ground so they are in the middle of travel. If you tweek the pivot a little at the track for fine tuning it should be fine but I would then adjust the axle mounts just to make it right but may not be completely necessary
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:13 PM.