Quote:
Originally Posted by jeebus
I fail to see how installing stiffer suspension with the stock tires will induce understeer. Sure, if you mess with the F/R spring rate ratio, increasing the front drastically more than the rear, then I could see this happening. But if you increase the rates such that the F/R balance stays the same, or even makes the rear more aggressive than it is now, than why would it understeer more?
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The front of the FRS/BRZ like any car, needs to dive, to increase the front weight distribution upon deceleration, allowing the car to grab at the front, and loosen at the rear for the car to get a firm grip of the road with the steering tire. This has a lot to do with, and depends on the ability for the tire to GRIP and CREATE the G forces that allow this dive. With stock tires, there isn't enough traction to decelerate the car enough, and thereby reducing this ability. When you increase the suspension stiffness, it takes even MORE grip to make it dive, and without this grip, the tires will not get enough weight on it to steer.
This is just an example in ONE vector and direction, but this holds true for all axis of the motion, and the car needs to transfer weight back and forth, and side to side to make this happen. The FRS/BRZ is a very light and centered car with low center of gravity, thus making this very difficult since there isn't a huge overhanging weight like most cars. While this is a trait that allows physically, a very acute and responsive car, it is also very sensitive to changes like this.
This is why, overly stiff suspension on the FRS/BRZ tends to create less ability to motion the car correctly when changing vector of travel, and also the direction of the car, and wheels, if the tires can't hold the G-forces necessary to do it efficiently and readily.
Tada's design of equipping it in such way and balancing the car, with mild grip tires is exactly this, to challenge the driver to develop the skills to do this, and to give gratifications to those who can drive it well, and be rewarded the speed that comes along with it. That is what a true sports car should provide.