Best way to adjust rear coil overs for proper height on my SPF

[Jerry Clayton]

D-Cel

First off----what defines a lower level of involvement when someone wants 600 hp in a lightweight 90 inch car??In case you haven't ever heard, these cars had the quickest accelerate /brake 0-100-0 out there--

It is totally insane that someone would want a 600 hp dyno sheet but wouldn't think they need to balance there car out , not fot the highest level of performance, but just to have a preditable and concsistant level of response for any driving manuever that resulted from even the slightest to most extreme movement of any pedal or steering wheel or gearshift.

Your own deal is a glaring example of a very minor nature all the way up to those that have lost their lives----

Other responses clearly state examples of erratic handling and I have also received several emails requesting info as these people want a straight answer about basic handling pricipals and needed corrections without going thru the drivel that guys like you put out on the forum---

I asked ScottJ to respond to this corner weight issue as I believe he is probably the very best one on here(or anywhere else) to clearly guy guys thru this process--
My main thing has been drag racing altho I have been deeply involved in earlier circle track up to stock block IRL cars--and one thing that is a very necessary thing is for the car to be predictable to any instant reflex action taken by a driver as a primary move or a defensive/recover action--sometimes both feet in doesn't get you out of a hell hole

Isn't a Poser and a replica about the same thing???

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

D-Cel

First off----what defines a lower level of involvement...?

I think what Jason was alluding to -- and Jason can certainly correct me if I'm wrong -- but we had at least one person on this thread who took the position that "I do not want to know what my weight distribution is, nor am I inclined to adjust it, even if the existing danger is exacerbated by having a passenger; I simply do not believe it makes a difference." It is certainly that person's right to have that level of involvement (or uninvolvement), and I think that is what Jason meant. While it may not make a lick of sense to anyone else, it is what it is. Most thinking Cobra owners will now at least think about having the corner weights measured so they can at least eyeball the numbers.

[G-Pete]

I like to make it clear ones more (for the last time)

Not to corner weight and adjust make your car NOT more dangerous, it just optimize the behavior of turns.

With other words,(for an example) you're on the track and your right turns are fine and the neutral at the acceleration point but your left turns you have a under-steer and you lose time.

In many cases (after checking/adjusting - springs, shocks anti-roll bar) it leads to excessive cross weight.

My 911 was 52% on the high rate and still placed many 1st. Just like to glue in the rights and drift a little in the left.

Anyhow, it is pretty irresponsible to spread the idea a car is not safe until it's corner weight and balanced.
AGAIN all your calculations, measurements and adjustments are OUT THE WINDOW when you have a passenger on board (or you gain 10 pounds over winter, or both).


...and Jerry, call me totally insane. C-ya on the track

[ACademic]

I wonder how many of those 700hp '13 Mustangs will Ford corner-weight before they let them loose on the streets? Same for Chevrolet's ZR-1s, the Camaro ZL-1s, etc., etc.? Do the ownership manuals in these cars specify that the driver must check their corner-weighting before they drive their new toys?

The defense rests, Your Honor.

[JBCOBRA]

I am not sure of the manufacturing process in Detroit, but I would bet they at least get a baseline reading.
All the serious Cobra, Stang and Vette guys around me just take their cars straight over to
Phoenix Performance
They know their ****e ;-)

Originally Posted by ACademic

I wonder how many of those 700hp '13 Mustangs will Ford corner-weight before they let them loose on the streets? Same for Chevrolet's ZR-1s, the Camaro ZL-1s, etc., etc.? Do the ownership manuals in these cars specify that the driver must check their corner-weighting before they drive their new toys?

The defense rests, Your Honor.

[G-Pete]

To stand corrected mine will have not 700HP more like 475 to 500 at the wheels and will weigh below a ton (weight distribution 50/50)

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

... and will weigh below a ton (weight distribution 50/50)

OK, I gotta ask... "How will you know that?"

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

AGAIN all your calculations, measurements and adjustments are OUT THE WINDOW when you have a passenger on board (or you gain 10 pounds over winter, or both).

I might as well clear this up, since it is absolutely false. My cross weight percentage with me out of my Cobra is 49.9%. With me in my Cobra it is 50.1% -- a passenger that weighs less than I do (195 lbs.) only brings the values closer to the perfect 50.0% number. How is this possible? Because when I sit behind the wheel of my Cobra, my weight is distributed as follows: 47% goes to the left rear wheel, 29% goes to the left front wheel, 24% goes to the right rear wheel, and less than 1% goes to the right front wheel. The difference in cross weight by adding me behind the wheel is less than ten pounds. It is that difference that affects the cross weight percentages. I just didn't want anyone not adjusting their car because of the belief that adding a few pounds around the waistline, or even adding a passenger, would negate it. If you want to play with exact numbers, here's a nice on-line Corner Weight calculator Corner Weight Calculator