Quote:
Originally Posted by Calum
Wait, side to side weight transfer isn't affected by roll angle? I thought stiffer springs would help manage roll which will help manage weight transferring to the outside tires.
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Total weight transfer for a given corner at a given speed is down to COG, track width, and total weight of the car.
What we're doing with springs/rollbars/dampers is trying to control the rate at which it occurs, the distribution of that weight transfer, and minimize the changes in suspension geometry due to body roll.
With regards to distribution of weight transfer and I think where you might be getting mixed up...we can stiffen the rear which means more weight transfer at the rear. Since total must remain the same, this means there must be less weight transfer at the front. Less weight transfer at the front means more evenly loaded front tires. More evenly loaded front tires means more grip up front. That's why stiffer rear = less understeer. There may be additional affects from a stiffer rear like keeping the rear from rolling too much, reducing positive camber gain, and thereby keeping the tire nice and square on the road for a little more rear grip too, but it depends.
- Andy