mx5

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rlaifatt

rlaifatt

Had a long discussion with Cary Eisenlohr of E.R.P. Suspension Engineering (very reputable supension tuner of Porsche race cars) and he convinced me that the correct goal is equal diagonal weights, not equal F:R ratios for left and right sides, for all cars. He is well aware of the conflicting practices (and he knows the authors of both articles I referenced earlier). Simplest way I can translate what he said is that the cornering forces/weight transfer act through the car's center of gravity, and you want those to be equal in right and left turns (I could be losing a lot in this translation ). He has done the experiment comparing both ways, and crossweight balancing produces same steering characteristics in right vs. left turns, as opposed to understeer vs. oversteer or visa versa (or one of the two to different degrees) in left vs. right turns when the car is not crossweight balanced.

Prolene

Thanks for that last post, rlaifatt. It does seem, though, that equal F:R ratios left and right would acheive equal F:R 'balance' left and right on left and right turns. I am, however, a fan and user of the equal diagonal weight measurements.

SEVNT4

I just had my new suspension installed and had the car cornerweighted and aligned.

Results are:

LF: 739 RF: 692
LR: 769 RR: 722

That comes out to 1461 diagonal each so we hit 50/50 diagonally.

Total weight of car with me in it (2922). Completely forgot about the half gas tank rule!

Left 51.6% ....... Right 48.4%

Front 49% ........ Rear 51%

I already run a lighter exhaust (half the weight of stock approx) but I can probably take out the spare to drop a little more weight.

Mind you, this was on 3 bars of gas so it wasn't much. I'm sure the front to rear ratio is drastically changed with a full tank but would you guys happen to know how much approx?

I also forgot to get the alignment figures (was a long day and was ready to get out of there to hit the canyons) but it's an aggressive street/canyon setup with some light track use.

Just as a reference, I'm running an aftermarket front and rear sway bar (32/30mm respectively) and the suspension is 15 way adjustable with the setup at 9 front and 6 in the rear (high #= stiff) and the car is carving the canyons incredibly well. Tires are 225/35/18 front and 245/30/18 rear (Toyo T1-S). I guess with the weight of the car being biased to the rear, and some understeer dialed in, the car seems to have balanced out very well. I liked the stock suspension (especially with the sway bars) but it had certain quirks that I didn't like at higher speeds. My goal was to rid the rear suspension from wobbling too much in higher speed turns and transitions. The springs are definitely stiffer at 10k or 560lbs approx front and rear (default rates from Buddy Club) but the car is reasonably livable. Not for everyone though.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

PENROD

My spacers provided with my Saner bar are a very similar design, but the 'black spacers' in mine are not as thick as the pictures posted above. I have crushed the spacer which leads me to believe it may have been aluminum, but it may just be a light gauge steel too.

BTW: Those are entirely too pretty to be mounting UNDER the car. I'd buy another set to frame and hang on the garage wall!!

PENROD

I'm lost. That was a reply to one of the very first posts.

Just disregard. I can't delete it.

Sorry.