Putting the S away properly
10-29-2007, 04:19 PM
#21
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AND .. hee hee, while on that same subject of "technology", a certain car, made by Ford, name begins with a M------ still uses a solid rear axle. 
But at least not for the suped up versions.
But at least not for the suped up versions.
10-30-2007, 06:44 PM
#23
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Actually just popped into the thread now...
As far as leafs in the 'vette go, don't let the thoughts of 1 ton truck chassis fool you into thinking it's a primitive design. All production Corvettes currently use a transversely mounted leaf spring in the rear suspension.
It actually has a few very notable benefits over a traditional macphearson or dual-a-arm coil spring setup like the S2000 has. The composite leaf is way lighter than the pair of springs and also moves that weight lower in the chassis. They are relatively expensive compared to a coil spring and incompatible with cars not designed with the suspension in mind or else I suspect we'd see them used more.
I think the technology has a resemblance to to the pushrod debate. Sure, pushrods are "old technology" and have been around almost as long as the modern combustion engine, but that's not a valid argument against their use. GM has shown with the LSx series of engines (and with the leaf springs in the Corvette) that pushrod engines are compact, lightweight, bottom-heavy (keeps weight low in the chassis as opposed to OHC designs) and can CERTAINLY keep up with the power and efficiency demands of modern cars or sports cars.
It all boils down to how you want to accomplish something. There are no absolutes in this stuff, everything has it's own tradeoffs. It just sometimes takes a bit of a deeper look to understand the benefits of what seems to be an old technology that should have been left behind in the 70s.
As far as leafs in the 'vette go, don't let the thoughts of 1 ton truck chassis fool you into thinking it's a primitive design. All production Corvettes currently use a transversely mounted leaf spring in the rear suspension.
It actually has a few very notable benefits over a traditional macphearson or dual-a-arm coil spring setup like the S2000 has. The composite leaf is way lighter than the pair of springs and also moves that weight lower in the chassis. They are relatively expensive compared to a coil spring and incompatible with cars not designed with the suspension in mind or else I suspect we'd see them used more.
I think the technology has a resemblance to to the pushrod debate. Sure, pushrods are "old technology" and have been around almost as long as the modern combustion engine, but that's not a valid argument against their use. GM has shown with the LSx series of engines (and with the leaf springs in the Corvette) that pushrod engines are compact, lightweight, bottom-heavy (keeps weight low in the chassis as opposed to OHC designs) and can CERTAINLY keep up with the power and efficiency demands of modern cars or sports cars.
It all boils down to how you want to accomplish something. There are no absolutes in this stuff, everything has it's own tradeoffs. It just sometimes takes a bit of a deeper look to understand the benefits of what seems to be an old technology that should have been left behind in the 70s.
10-30-2007, 06:48 PM
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Even solid axles have their place. Mostly not in performance cars, but take a look at most (if not all) Caterham/Lotus 7/Locost builds. Every one I've seen uses a solid rear axle and they're about top-notch as far as a small, nimble, lightweight "street' car goes. It's amazing how much you can do with so little!
10-31-2007, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by hondata1,Oct 29 2007, 02:45 PM
I have to drive my S .. I can't seem to sell my motorcycle to buy another car !!! Someone buy my 04 suzuki gsxr 750 so I dont have to drive the s2k lol
lol
10-31-2007, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Double "O",Oct 31 2007, 09:11 AM
C5 / C6 configuration vette's have transverse single leaf springs both fore and aft similar to horse driven "BUCKBOARDS" of the late 1800's......ain't new technology wonderful.....unlike the archaic '70's .......... 
