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Track Width... Front to Rear

kango - 8/10/05 at 04:36 PM

How will 20 mm per side narrower Track at the front influence the handling.

In other words my front track width 40 mm less than at the back?

miserableoldgit - 8/10/05 at 07:31 PM

If I remember my theory correctly, most normal road cars have narrower front tracks to give more stable conditions under brakeing. Old Jag's and other early sporting cars had narrower rear tracks to assist in stability at speed.

As for handling, the Morgan managed quite well with three wheels, so shouldn't be a problem.

Ben_Copeland - 8/10/05 at 08:44 PM

There are a few people that'll explain in great lengths why its not a good idea. But if your not seriously going to race it then i wouldnt worry. Mines wider at the back, due to the spacers i had to fit. Sure it'll be just fine

gustavo_brum - 9/10/05 at 03:08 AM

all other things being equal, a narrower track will increase load transfer to the outer wheel in turns, thus inducing understeer. Since locosts (as all 7type cars) have 50/50 wheight distribution and rear wheel drive, they tend to oversteer. Increasing the front end´s tendency to understeer compesates this and offers a more balanced handling. That´s also why the front roll center is also lower than at the rear. But 20mm per side won´t make much of a difference. It will only contribute to a whole lot of factors into inducing understeer (spring stiffness, shock compression damping, tires, etc). I hope I am right, ´cause I am widenig my rear track by 30mm on each side...

britishtrident - 9/10/05 at 09:19 AM

Won't make any real difference the effect will be minor compar to he effect of spring stiffness.

britishtrident - 9/10/05 at 09:24 AM

quote:
Originally posted by gustavo_brum
snip
Increasing the front end´s tendency to understeer compesates this and offers a more balanced handling. That´s also why the front roll center is also lower than at the rear. snip snip ..

other way around Lowering the front roll centre is very roughly equivalent to fitting softer springs or anti-roll bar ie it reduces front roll stiffness and increases front end grip at the expense of the rear

JB - 9/10/05 at 08:00 PM

If you want to see what a small effect has on someting take it to extremes.

Think of a very narrow front track (ie a 3 wheeler) and now try turning quickly, it will fall over.

If ultimate lap times are the goal you would have a front track wider than the rear.

I also believe that if the car has 50/50 wieght distribution you should be able to get the car to handle as you wish (re: over / under steer) by playing with springs and bars.

Ultimately a rear will drive car will oversteer if given a bootfull but then that is more a matter of driving style!

John