Weight: to reduce or not to reduce?

[evoboy]

Weight reduction would at first seem a great idea to improve acceleration, but I personally don't like the feel of anorexic cars. I believe that they reduce the downforce on your tires and therefore compromise grip on the road. What do y'ally think?

 

[Der Alta]

Well, yes, it would reduce the downforce, but it also means less sideways pressure on your tires when cornering. So the reduced grip is offset by less force needed to turn.

The big improvements will be noted in acceleration. Less weight means faster acceleration. I'll take that over downforce.

Additionally, less weight means less tire wear.

In any case, lessening the weight is a good thing.

AO

 

[Dave A]

Extra weight is not aerodynamic downforce, it's just the weight of the car pressing down on the wheels more, this has a knock on effect, the tyres wear faster, the car accelerates and decelerates slower and also it decreases cornering efficiency. The reduced weight on the tyres does not reduce the tyres grip in as large a way as the increased weight affects the handling, acceleration and deceleration.

 

[98cobra]

I know what you mean about the anorexic feel, but if you properly tune your car it'll feel just right.

 

[Gil]

If it's a car that is likely to be used in the PD cup, then no wt redux.
Otherwise, take all the fat out of that car!!
Proper tuning will overcome the "light" feel of the car. Plus some cars, Skylines and Mustangs, for instance are too durn heavy to begin with.

 

[evoboy]

Words of wisdom guys. Didn't think about half the things brought up in this thread so far, so I guess I'll just tweak the suspension more until it feels right. Thx!

 

[MasterGT]

Newton's 3 Laws of Motion

Maybe this will help understand why lighter is better.

Cheers,

MasterGT