Originally posted by paulluciano
To anyone:
I'm not one tochange subjects, but has anyone posted about working w/ suspension, or downforce?
I've got Black Box Syndrome over touching suspension. Just because I don't understand it. Yes yes I've read up about it. Just not a gearhead.
I get the basics: drop the car low, you get more aerodynamics and somewhat better handling due to lower center of gravity BUT you can bottom out.
Same with downforce (vaguely) in that more downforce keeps your ends down, but I'm assuming it affects acceleration or top speed?
Usually I just get a car, upgrade the brakes, tranny, exhaust, lighten, then go and shovel the gear ratio to max (or wide) and then smoke most competition.
But that "get my car to ride like it's on rails" intrigued me. Figuring u guys probably know more about this stuff than I do.
HELP?
PLEASE?
Thanks in advance.
well, if you increase downforce, then the car 'sticks' to the ground better.
increased downforce adds 'weight' to the car, making it more stable.
the downside is that it reduces top speed.
if you decrease downforce, then the car is capable of higher top speeds.
the downside of this is that the car is more unstable. it can get all kitty-wompus if you hit a big bump.
lower ride height decreases the amount of air flowing under the car, but the car can bottom out on inclines or bumps.
air flowing under the car creates lift, which counteracts downforce, causing the same effects as low downforce.