ride height effecting the i/c

Sorry bruno for taking what some would believe a simple question (original post) and dissecting it with a microscope, but the skinny of it all is a bit more than skin deep! I do believe after all has written, dilly and I are near the same page.

Dave.

LivermoreDave wrote:Sorry bruno for taking what some would believe a simple question (original post) and dissecting it with a microscope, but the skinny of it all is a bit more than skin deep! I do believe after all has written, dilly and I are near the same page.

Dave.

and we all learned something too!

The first half of Nick's original question does have some simple answers.

..."will lowering the rear of the car (ladder bar with coilovers) decrease the i/c ?"...

Assuming we're talking I/C height only & the front rod-ends stays in the same hole as before........

Height in relation to the ground.................................................yes.

Height in relation to the slick contact patch.................................yes.

Height in relation to "fixed" un sprung chassis points/landmarks........no.

Height in relation to the car's C/G...............................................no.

Is the C/G height also lower in relation to the ground.....................yes.



But unfortunately there is no "one" simple answer to the second half of Nick's original question ...... "therefore dercreasing the intial hit ?"...... there's just too many other variables that also play a part. It also kinda depends on a person's definition of "initial hit"

If "initial hit" refers only to the suspension's first initial action/reaction leverage, (downward force at the housing centerline and upward force at the I/C point) & the resulting suspension separation & compression of the slick into the track surface..............then theoretically yes.

If "initial hit" is used as a reference to the slick's physical amount of initial traction.....then that's an unknown until tried because of too many other variables.


To be honest Nick, a racer shouldn't even be thinking about moving the I/C around anyway (using whatever method) until he has FIRST done some shock valving testing over a number of passes & adjusted through the entire "usable" shock adjustment window (every "click") . It makes no sense to blindly swing a bat at I/C choices until you first use the shock valving to help shine a light on the direction the car might want/need the I/C to be placed. The fact is your current I/C setting might actually be dead-nuts perfect for the car, but just requiring some fine tuning with the shock valving adjustment. Only more testing will tell.

Very informative thread Dave .