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Old 01-26-2014, 04:28 PM   #3
Racecomp Engineering
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: 2016 BRZ, 2012 Paris Di2 & 2018 STI
Location: Severn, MD
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One thing I see all the time and is incorrect is people assume a BRZ with 5 kg/mm rates front and rear will have the same exact balance (but different limits) as a car with 10 kg/mm rates front and rear. Increasing both ends by the same amount may alter the balance of the car. Like all cars, the front and rear are very different obviously so things change in different ways at both ends.

For us on the softer side of things we like to keep the rates even. We want to keep the car off the bumpstops up front especially to keep handling natural and linear as well as avoid sudden loss of grip. This also helps keep the rear end in check. Additionally, keeping the front end happy geometry-wise means you still have enough front grip to keep the car from understeering. It can be fun, fast, and easy to drive.

For very firm set-ups with fewer compromises we sometimes go with a firmer rear, but it depends on the system. Cars at this level are usually less bumpstop-active and may run with smaller swaybars. Roll is limited enough that large dynamic changes are less of a concern (for a well set-up car). There is still some room for driver preference for balance.

There are still other variables affecting balance...alignment of course but ride height is an often overlooked factor.

- Andy
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