Suspension Talks: Understeer & Oversteer

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Kia ora,

I do not understand your reasoning. In no way did I suggest that the suspension should be stiffened. An anti roll device does not alter the verticle compliance of the suspension.

Oh sorry Trev, maybe it was a typo from your side. You mentioned above "In this situation the front requires roll stiffness rather than the rear."

Probably should have been softness instead?

Originally Posted by Trevor

What I have suggested tends to go against standard theories in respect of the basics for all cars, and is based on what occurs in practice in respect of the car in question, i.e. one which is decidedly front heavy. Theory as practiced by a driver.

My bad, I misread it... what you said is what I am looking for.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Oh sorry Trev, maybe it was a typo from your side. You mentioned above "In this situation the front requires roll stiffness rather than the rear."

Probably should have been softness instead?

No typo from my side. I meant what I posted, --- "the front requires roll stiffness", i.e it should be arranged so as to resist roll. It certainly should not have roll softness.

Check out some photos of saloon cars racing and cornering. You will find that the quick ones often have the inside front wheel slightly off the deck!

[sicksubie]

Originally Posted by Trevor

No typo from my side. I meant what I posted, --- "the front requires roll stiffness", i.e it should be arranged so as to resist roll. It certainly should not have roll softness.

Check out some photos of saloon cars racing and cornering. You will find that the quick ones often have the inside front wheel slightly off the deck!

Trevor is exactly correct. With the LGT's it has been found that a larger front bar helps correct the understeer. Unfortunately we still cant get one made for the SVX..

[sowise]

I placed the Rallitek sway bar set up on my 2000 Legacy L sedan. It increased the front sway bar to 22mm and the difference was night and day in handling. The front end doesn't roll like it used to at all. I enjoy high speed cornering and now the car will go where I am steering too until the tires break free in a sideways power slide but I still feel in control. Before I could be steering into a corner and the car would continue in a straight line as the weight shifted forward even though my wheels were turned, there isn't always room or time to throttle it back under control so it was part of the reason for the need to improve it. This was based on just my driving impressions of it before and after, nothing to technical involved.

[SilverSpear]

Have we looked into other subaru swaybars that might fit our SVXi?

[sicksubie]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Have we looked into other subaru swaybars that might fit our SVXi?

For the front? Nothing will fit.

[sowise]

I looked at what I believe was a 3 piece design based on the NASCAR design. I think they were saying it was a general vehicle application but may have mentioned Mustangs. I didn't look further into whether or not the dimensions would work for the SVX length wise but the arms may need some modification or refabrication, someone on the network has done a custom front bar that looked very similar. They had issues with it bending and breaking things at first.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by sowise

I placed the Rallitek sway bar set up on my 2000 Legacy L sedan. It increased the front sway bar to 22mm and the difference was night and day in handling. The front end doesn't roll like it used to at all. I enjoy high speed cornering and now the car will go where I am steering too until the tires break free in a sideways power slide but I still feel in control. Before I could be steering into a corner and the car would continue in a straight line as the weight shifted forward even though my wheels were turned, there isn't always room or time to throttle it back under control so it was part of the reason for the need to improve it. This was based on just my driving impressions of it before and after, nothing to technical involved.

Everything technical was/is involved and from the driving seat.

The armchair theory experts writing in magazines etc. will not agree, and push for a rear sway bar. On the basis of what has been going on lately, I expected flack within this thread. It is refreshing to have someone post with authority, based on common sense and real experience rather than heresay.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by Trevor

based on common sense and real experience rather than heresay.

This is what I want Trev, check my first post, this topic requires people with experience rather than people with theories.

I do not believe that what works on other cars will be the same for the SVX.

So now when people are upgrading to Nevin's rear bar, would that affect the car to have more understeer than oversteer?

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

This is what I want Trev, check my first post, this topic requires people with experience rather than people with theories.

I do not believe that what works on other cars will be the same for the SVX.

So now when people are upgrading to Nevin's rear bar, would that affect the car to have more understeer than oversteer?

Changing the rear roll resistance is a downgrade. It is the front which must be stiffened.

In all of this, the SVX is no different from any car which is front heavy.

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Changing the rear roll resistance is a downgrade. It is the front which must be stiffened.

In all of this, the SVX is no different from any car which is front heavy.

So the rear sway bar is a bad idea? Everyone who has driven with one installed says they notice the cars handling has much improved.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by Freeman

So the rear sway bar is a bad idea? Everyone who has driven with one installed says they notice the cars handling has much improved.

Placebo effect. You in particular will require a dictionary.

[Freeman]

Nah I know what it is, smartass. Have you driven in an svx with one installed though? I'm very curious because I was going to shell out the cash. I don't want it to be for nothing.

[sabin]

Originally Posted by Freeman

Nah I know what it is, smartass. Have you driven in an svx with one installed though? I'm very curious because I was going to shell out the cash. I don't want it to be for nothing.

i wouldn't be for nothing, you get a nice shiny bar and endlinks


a stiffer font sway bar would do wonders for the svx

[sowise]

I think there would be improvement with a rear sway bar which is why I bought one. It would be greatly improved with a change to the front but I would think a stable @ss end would be beneficial. I think our stock is too small as it is.