Corner Weight Tuning (coilovers rq'd)

[ThrillSHO]

In preparation for the next autocross, I decided to lower the backend another inch to improve the car's balance. After setting the ride height at about 3-3/4" front and 4" rear, I rolled the car onto the scales. The right side of the car was actually about 1/4" lower than the left. The goal is to get the sum of the diagonal weights equal, the front ride heights equal, the rear ride heights equal and the rear only slightly higher than the front.. With driver, these were the corner weights:

LF LR RR RF LF+RR LR+RF Delta
1056 730 666 1072 1722 1802 80
Raised RR spring perch 1 turn
1098 720 670 1100 1768 1820 52
Raised RR spring perch 1 turn
1116 714 676 1106 1792 1820 28
Raised RR spring perch 1 turn
1130 708 690 1110 1820 1818 2 (went a little to far)
Lowered RR spring perch 1/4 turn
1129 709 689 1111 1818 1820 2

Total Weight (with driver & 1/2 tank of gas) - 3638lbs
Weight distribution - 62/38 Front/Back

Final ride height (measured at front & rear of rocker panel):
LF: 3-11/16" LR: 3-7/8" RR: 3-15/16" RF: 3-3/4"
Front ride heights within 1/16", rear ride heights within 1/16" and rear 3/16" higher than front.

We'll find out tomorrow if it is an improvement. Off to the grippy concrete runway! thumbs_u

<small>[ October 05, 2002, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: ThrillSHO ]</small>

 

[ThrillSHO]

The difference was more dramatic than I expected. The backend stuck very well … almost no oversteer. It was most noticeable on a 50mph sweeper. At the limit, a little more throttle started a push, lifting the throttle slightly started it loose. For the adjustability in ride height and corner weights, you gotta love coilovers … not to mention the availability of various spring rates.

How did we finish? It was a fairly long course (about 70sec) with a couple fast sections (80+mph). The ThrillSHO Taurus was the 4th quickest car in class behind an M3, an AWD turbo Eclipse, and a very well prepared and driven Z28. Overall, there were 105 cars and the SHO had the 25th fastest raw time. Not bad when you compare power/weight ratios of almost every other car. The SHO needs a diet!