Nohachi's suspension ramblings thread

[drako323]

I am a mechanical engineer (Patras uni) and did an MSc in motorsport vehicle dynamics in England (Kingston uni and Lotus).

Well if you take the midpoint between the panhard mounting points at around 300mm the slope is 100*(Rear RCH-Front RCH)/Wheelbase= 100*(300-180)/2400=5% (drops towards the front), which is at ride height let's say. during bump however you get an opposite slope and with it UNDERSTEER!! It should be very noticeable in stock suspension (for instance when you go over a crosswise bump in a corner), but can be dealt with if you soften fast rebound damping and shorten the stroke while maintaining static RCH (in other words lower it and put on RCAs).

A today's passenger car like the focus cannot compare easily to the hachi. There are so many parameters affecting ride and handling that are so much different. Wider tracks, bigger wheels, more weight and higher, longer wheelbase to name the most apparent, but also more difficult to analyse things like damper settings and silent block spring coefficients. And don't let me start with things like higher driver position, different seat cushions, or even soundproofing! Many of you may laugh, but if you think about it they do affect handling...

Ride and handling is sooooo lovely! We can keep discussing it forever...