the shaolin wrote:MZAVARIN wrote:squidrope wrote:
It's not the same as adding 20lbs. to your torso. The wheels and tires are rotating weight. Rotating weight has much more effect on acceleration/ decal. than static weight. Lighter wheels and tires are easier on the suspension too
Hmmm...I guess you are probably correct.....probably has something to do with cetrifugal and centipetal forces and such?....I was never great at Physics and I probably forgot most of the stuff I learned in my "Physics for Bone Heads" in college...there is probably an obvious explanation to some automotive engineer or race car tuner/engineer...
To clarify, each pound of unsprung weight is worth 3 pounds of sprung weight. That 5# per wheel is the approximate equivalent of adding 60# to your gut.
OK...I could stand to lose 10-20 lbs. off my rusty old body, but 60 lbs. ain't happening..
Anyways, very interesting...."Unsprung Weight"....interesting concept added to my auto education....
But I needed to start surfing the internet to understand...
Hmmm:
Examples:
Car 1) Car weighs 3300 pounds, 300 of which is in the wheels (75 pounds each)
Car 2) Car weighs 3300 pounds, 100 of which is in the wheels (25 pounds each)
Car 2 will accelerate faster?
Or:
In racing we try to minmize unsprung weight because it hurts handling. When the weight isn't supported by the springs, the shocks and tires control that weight. On bumpier tracks, a large amount of unsprung weight can become difficult to control, and reduce tire contact to the racing surface, which will reduce grip. Also, since the tires are controlling the unspung weight it can, in certain situations, cause heat build up, affecting tire perfomance. Also, really light race cars (mine is 2500 pounds, so it's considered light), are very sensitive to unsprung weight, so we attempt to minimize it whenever possible
Or:
Turn a bike upside down, take the back tire/tube off & put the bare rim back on.
Turn the pedals.
Now put the tire & tube back on, & do the same thing.
See how much harder it was to turn the pedals?
So:
I am not sure how, in the real Lemons world, this would really affect a beat up old Prelude, driven by some inexperienced loony maniac, who in his own mind drives like a stream lined F1 racer. Besides, not too many tire options, and wheel options are very limited by $$.
I'm thiking: I just need more grip on the turns to make up for my lack in talent, and to avoid getting black flags for "4 offs"...although acceleration out of the turns would also help....I give up...probably just time to sign up for some driving lessons....
Let me know if you have any good YouTube video for my education!
Thanks!
Z
MarioKart Driving School: 1987 Honda Prelude Si (Opus #28)
Loudon, NH 2014 - Millville, NJ, Lightening 2019 (RIP)
New and improved: 1987 Honda Prelude Si (Opus #11) Pittsburgh, PA 2021 - ??
and finally won something, Class C Win: Loudon, NH 2022