Micro Sprint Setup Sheet: The Complete Chassis Alignment Guide
Dialing in your micro sprint chassis is essential for performance, consistency, and driver confidence. This step-by-step guide helps you align and balance your car properly—whether you're prepping for a local race or chasing a podium finish.
🧰 Required Tools & Materials
Before you start, gather the following tools:
- Level car stands
- W-Link (Jacobs Ladder)
- 12'–25' steel tape measure
- Combination square
- 2" and 4" wood blocks or Moose Blocks (adjustable)
- Stagger tape
- 3' of 7/16" steel rod
- Torpedo level or angle finder
🔧 Step 1: Square the Rear Axle
Rear axle alignment is your baseline.
- Left Rear Arm: Set to 12½” (measured center of splines to center of rod end).
- Install arms to torsion bars and run the 7/16" steel rod through rod ends. Support the rod with 2" blocks.
- Measure from the rod to the front of the rear torsion tubes: target is 10-3/16" to 10-1/4".
- Adjust the right rear arm to match for a square rear.
🛠️ Step 2: Install the Rear Axle
With rear squared:
- Install the axle using spacers in place of wheels to lock components.
- Set axle on 4" square-up blocks.
- Use the flat face on front of birdcages to level each side via radius rods.
-
Use a combination square to measure from the back edge of the axle to the back of the rear torsion tube: target is 12-3/16" to 12-1/4".
- Note: Right side will be 1/16" longer on short-spline axles. Universal spline = even.
⚙️ Rear Radius Rod Configuration
- Left Rear: Bottom hole (just above brake rod spud)
- Right Rear: Top hole
- W-Link: Bottom in outside hole, top in inside hole
- Center torsion arm rod ends in the birdcage brackets. Adjust ladder rod ends as needed.
📏 Step 3: Setup Block Guidelines
Start with 2" blocks front and rear. Adjust block height based on:
- Driver weight
- Track surface
- Handling preferences
🔩 Torsion Bar Adjustment Guide
Based on your front suspension type:
- Coil Front: Add 2 turns to left front
- Torsion Front: Add 1 turn to left front bar
- Split Bar Front: Add 1½ turns to left front
Rear Torsion Bars (Based on Split):
| Bar Split | Left Rear Turns |
|---|---|
| 50 pts | 1½ turns |
| 25 pts | 1 turn |
| Even bars | ½ turn |
| Reverse split | 0 turns |
🧮 Step 4: Square the Front Axle
- Car on 2" blocks
- Measure from front of upright tubes to back of front axle:
| Chassis Year | Measurement (both sides) |
|---|---|
| Current Chassis | 6" – 6-1/8" |
| 2006 & Older | 5" – 5-1/8" |
Target wheelbase: ~60½" (59½" for 2006 and older)
🧲 Caster Setup
- Adjust right front rods to set caster.
- Measure from top of steering arm (right side).
-
Minimum: 8°, Ideal: up to 12°
- More caster = better high-speed tracking, less oversteer.
➕ Lead Configuration
After car is on the ground:
- Set lead at 0" to ¼" max.
- A little lead helps the car turn easier into corners.
🧭 Front Axle Offset
- Measure from left side frame rail to inside of left front axle bracket
- Target: 2-3/4" to 2-7/8" for proper weight distribution.
🪛 Torsion Bar & Spring Specs
Front Suspension
| Side | Spring (lbs) | Torsion Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Left Front | 120–125 | .550 solid or .725 hollow (2006–) |
| Right Front | 140–150 | .575 solid |
Rear Suspension
| Side | 2009 Restricted | Stock/Multi | 2007 & Older |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left Rear | .725 solid | .725 hollow | .725 solid |
| Right Rear | .725 solid | .750 hollow | .725 solid |
🛞 Recommended Shocks
Front
| Position | Recommended Shocks |
|---|---|
| Left Front | QA1 8262, ARS 1062 |
| Right Front | QA1 8262-1, ARS 1061/2 |
Rear
| Position | Recommended Shocks |
|---|---|
| Left Rear | QA1 8262-4, ARS 1064/2, Adjustable 2-8/2 |
| Right Rear | QA1 8264, ARS 1064 |
🪶 Wing Setup Tips
Wing Angle:
| Track Type | Wing Angle |
|---|---|
| Short Track | 12°–15° |
| Long Track | 8°–11° |
Positioning:
Start with the trailing edge 4"–6" ahead of rear axle. Adjust based on handling.
📐 Ride Height Specs
Measured without driver, with 2 gallons of fuel, on a flat surface.
| Location | Target Height |
|---|---|
| Left Front (coil) | 3.50"–3.75" |
| Left Front (bar) | 10.50" |
| Right Front (coil) | 4.25"–4.50" |
| Right Front (bar) | 11.25"–11.50" |
| Left Rear (bar) | 7.50"–7.75" |
| Right Rear (bar) | 8.75"–9.00" |
🔍 Note: These are baseline values without bolt-on lead.
🛠️ Handling Adjustments Cheat Sheet
To Tighten Corner Entry–Apex:
- Lower right rear tire pressure
- Move RR wheel in ½"–1"
- Decrease stagger
- Shift wing back 1"–2"
- Use RR shock #3 valving
- Jacobs ladder: inside top & bottom or outside top & bottom
- Reduce LR shock rebound
To Tighten Corner Exit:
- Raise front: 4 turns on coils, 1 turn on torsion
- Decrease stagger
- Move wing back
- Add LR weight
- RF shock: #0.5 rebound
- LF shock: #1 rebound
✅ Final Thoughts
Your setup is your foundation—don't rush it. Use this guide as a starting point but always test and tune for your driver and track conditions. Keep records, make small changes, and stay consistent.
A well-set micro sprint won’t win the race alone, but a poorly set one will definitely lose it.