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Reducing the rear track of the locost
steve m - 6/3/13 at 09:31 AM

My car, is built as per the first book, and has 300mm wide rear arches, that cover the 13X7 wheels, and also has 30mm spacers each side, to get the best "look" and fill the archs

I am contemplating reducing the rear arches, by 30mm each side, and getting rid of the spacers,
This would then mean my rear and front wheels, would be the same distance across the axles, it would also mean my tyre tracking should be in line, as currently the back is 600mm more than the front

Firstly, my wheels/tyres do fit the current setup, with out spacers, and no fouling of anything,
My rear arches will need to be modified, and that is not an issue

Before i commit to the saw, and start cutting, anything else i should think of? also would/could the modifications make for a better handling car?


regards

Steve

mark chandler - 6/3/13 at 09:53 AM

Only if you have Disc's at the rear as spacers can allow the callipers to fit.

When you cut use a wavy line to increase the joining surface and to preclude having an obvious line.

Regards Mark

designer - 6/3/13 at 01:11 PM

What are your reasons for narrowing it? Why would you want to?

It's a lot of work to do the arches properly and you are not going to gain anything.

nick205 - 6/3/13 at 01:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by designer
What are your reasons for narrowing it? Why would you want to?

It's a lot of work to do the arches properly and you are not going to gain anything.



If it's working as is I'd leave it and spend the time driving it

DavidM - 6/3/13 at 01:23 PM

You've probably already done it but check the tyres don't rub against the trailing arms when the spacers are removed.

David

coyoteboy - 6/3/13 at 03:10 PM

Would have thought, on a cursory glance, that reducing your rear track will tend to promote overseer. Not sure these cars need that?

Sam_68 - 6/3/13 at 04:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Would have thought, on a cursory glance, that reducing your rear track will tend to promote oversteer.


Yes, all other things being equal, reducing the rear track relative to the front will promote oversteer.

You can potentially tune out this tendency by other means (increasing the roll stiffness at the front, for example), but it's probably not a move in the right direction.

Also bear in mind that, even if you manage to re-balance the oversteer/understeer front:rear balance, by reducing the average track, you'll be increasing the total lateral weight transfer and thereby reducing the total grip available when cornering.

daniel mason - 6/3/13 at 06:44 PM

id take the spacers off and run it for a while before cutting the arches. this way if you dont like it you can putt them back on with no work to arches

theduck - 6/3/13 at 07:09 PM

Agree with Daniel on this. Try before you cut!

steve m - 6/3/13 at 07:09 PM

"id take the spacers off and run it for a while before cutting the arches. this way if you dont like it you can putt them back on with no work to arches "

Now that is a VERY good idea, and i will try it

Steve