Topic: F/Xt chassis offset, Why is?

[snydas1987]

Hey guys, I'm new to the sport of racing lawn mowers, I'm in the planning stage of building my greenfields ride on into the outlaw or f/XT class( depends wat country ur from I think but they seem very similar on specs) and iv noticed they run upto 4" of offset in the axle/ tire positioning compared to the body. My question is why do they run the mowers with that offset? What benefits n reasoning is behind this type of setup? And is this setup only designed to be used in a left turn only track or do they run them in tracks with both right and left turns??     Thsnks for your input guys.                                                                                                                             Chad

[fx28]

LTO    to get as much left side weight possible. if you are not running ovals you would want it centered

[EUBANK RACING]

not trying to be offensive or mean, but if you had to ask that question, you really shouldn't try to build a F/xt yet, really just trying to help you out. Sorry

[snydas1987]

actually mate that was my first thought n was just wanting to check if my idea of that was correct without looking a fool. The main reason was that it seems no other classes have this offset so i wasnt sure if there may have been some other reason..
Thanks guys anyway. N P.s. iv spent alot of time around modifying cars bikes gokarts n many home made n custom built parts. I know i might be abit young but i do know a fair bit n jus wanted to add to my correct knowledge.
snyds

[mcollins]

Just food for thought, if you want to unload your left rear wheel to make it turn better......why put all kinds of weight on the left side? I personally don't think 4" offset is the way to go! IMPO.

[George Herrin]

HMMMM Maybe why my new one is gonna be straight up!!! MAYBE!!! Just saying!!!

[Hitch]

Build it centered no offset I got mowers built that way in 7 states no complaints.

[JB863]

WHOA.... hold on here... I'm not trying to hijack this post but I'm right in the middle of a FXT build and have a ton of money invested. Everyone where I race is running offset, would someone with experience on both please explain? I have raced karts, sportsman cars, and dirt cars offset is key. what gives? more drift? any help would be insanely appreciated! I will need all the help I can get against these rockets. (clay oval)

[chavez]

All I can say is we used to switch wheels like crazy keeping up with the track on stock cars. Different back spacing depending what the track was doing. When it was dry slick we moved the effective offset right to get more weight on the right rear, more offset to the left when really tacky.

[cycloneracer]

2"

[Cromwell C4]

The first super mod machine i built back in 2008/2009 was built with the 4" offset. Problem was as Mike stated above. With a solid axle and no suspension you have to unload the left rear tire so it will turn. Adding that weight to the left side was great for keeping it from turning over, but it can cause the machine to push through the corner. I ended up reducing the offset in the front and rear after a few races. All of the super mod chassis i have built since were built with no offset in the chassis itself, and what offset we did use was done by moving the tires. 

[Gui961]

i also build my first chassis with 4in offset back in 2010 because everyone was building them like that . since that the old chassis got down to less than 3 in... i have learn from the years making a few chassis for others that less offset on the loose track work much better and i'm building the new one with almost no ofset

[JB863]

understood, thank you guys.
now let me ask you guys about engine placement, further forward or backwards? im assuming further forward would add weight to the front causing the front end to hook better?

[chavez]

That is something you will have to play with during your build.  Not always can you get it "perfect" as a person moves around enough to change the weight distribution drastically, but if you mock up your chassis and get it on the scales it will tell you what you need to know to get close. Seat position plays a big role in this, especially if you aren't a traction challenged individual....

[rotten ron]

If you have enough power and the engine is too far to the rear you will not be able to steer going down the straits or the tires might be off the track