Just how critical is a Corner Balance? - REVISED WITH TOTALS (POST 44)
02-08-2011, 06:41 PM
#16
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02-08-2011, 07:18 PM
#17
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02-08-2011, 07:27 PM
#18
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02-08-2011, 07:28 PM
#19
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You say you have never had a corner balance but your corner weights were close to equal once ? So was it on the scales but just not balanced ?
02-08-2011, 07:31 PM
#20
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I think it's important to note that corner imbalance is a bigger problem as spring rates go up. A truly stock car can have a 1/4" differential and with 200# springs, that's 50 lbs of cross weight. But if you have 800# springs, that 1/4" becomes a 200# cross weight.
And with infinite spring rates, then you are like a chair with a short leg.
And with infinite spring rates, then you are like a chair with a short leg.
thats why the advice is to just check it. if you are within 100lbs a corner, go have fun. Now, you are going to a time trial and want that last .25 of a second, then yes, get it dead nuts on. make sure the driver is up to the challenge, and so are the tires, brakes, and 1000 other more important things too!
02-08-2011, 07:46 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
I had it on the scales to get the corner weights, and the L/R was pretty close - well close enough for me. As I recall, with ~1/2 tank of gas and no driver, L/R was just about 1500/1550 [give or take a few lbs] - with a total weight of 3050. Front to Rear was about 1200/1850.
Since I often has passengers and the gas wasn't full, I figured no balancing was needed.
-td
[edit: this was withing a few months after I got the car, so it may have been corner balanced by the previous owner, but I never asked]
02-08-2011, 07:52 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Its not the left to right that matters most or the front to rear, but the cross weights. what were the diagnols. that is what is important.
Right. But just to clarify, the weights at each corner were not equal.
I had it on the scales to get the corner weights, and the L/R was pretty close - well close enough for me. As I recall, with ~1/2 tank of gas and no driver, L/R was just about 1500/1550 [give or take a few lbs] - with a total weight of 3050. Front to Rear was about 1200/1850.
Since I often has passengers and the gas wasn't full, I figured no balancing was needed.
-td
[edit: this was withing a few months after I got the car, so it may have been corner balanced by the previous owner, but I never asked]
I had it on the scales to get the corner weights, and the L/R was pretty close - well close enough for me. As I recall, with ~1/2 tank of gas and no driver, L/R was just about 1500/1550 [give or take a few lbs] - with a total weight of 3050. Front to Rear was about 1200/1850.
Since I often has passengers and the gas wasn't full, I figured no balancing was needed.
-td
[edit: this was withing a few months after I got the car, so it may have been corner balanced by the previous owner, but I never asked]
02-08-2011, 09:13 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
What should the diagonals be?
Something I neglected mention, the corner weights were for my previous stock setup and not the stiff springs. Which is the main reason I asked the question about how critical a corner balance is.
-td
02-08-2011, 09:31 PM
#24
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Why, when there are so many variables that are out of your control. like washing your car during a rain storm. whats the point? (unless it is WAY off)
thats why the advice is to just check it. if you are within 100lbs a corner, go have fun. Now, you are going to a time trial and want that last .25 of a second, then yes, get it dead nuts on. make sure the driver is up to the challenge, and so are the tires, brakes, and 1000 other more important things too!
thats why the advice is to just check it. if you are within 100lbs a corner, go have fun. Now, you are going to a time trial and want that last .25 of a second, then yes, get it dead nuts on. make sure the driver is up to the challenge, and so are the tires, brakes, and 1000 other more important things too!
02-08-2011, 09:57 PM
#25
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TD, as I said..... 
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
02-08-2011, 11:20 PM
#27
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Wow I guess I should go check my cross weights. I balanced my 6-cup, but never this lightweight 996 and I'm almost as fast as my cup, almost. I just set ride height (90/105) with new springs (900/1100 from 700/900) so maybe I'll put it on the scales tomorrow. Year's opening race this weekend at WS....
02-08-2011, 11:49 PM
#28
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Thread Starter
Alright, now I have a stupid question*: At the track one weekend I raised the front ride height 1/2" due to tire rubbing issues. (both LF and RF equally 1/2")
Assuming I had exactly a 40/60 front-to-rear split before, does raising front change the front number higher (up from 40) or lower (down from 40)? That is, am I getting more weight on the front (e.g. 42/58) or less (38/62)?
-td
[*my dad used to say, there are NO stupid questions, just stupid people trying to ask good ones.]
Assuming I had exactly a 40/60 front-to-rear split before, does raising front change the front number higher (up from 40) or lower (down from 40)? That is, am I getting more weight on the front (e.g. 42/58) or less (38/62)?
-td
[*my dad used to say, there are NO stupid questions, just stupid people trying to ask good ones.]
02-09-2011, 12:15 AM
#29
Rennlist Member
Interestingly no it does not shift the weight measurably. That's why you focus in cross weights typically. To change the front to rear or side to side you actually have to move weight in the car by shifting ballast...
And as mentioned corner balancing does not have to change height measurably. Think of it this way, stand evenly on both feet, then push down slightly with one foot. You can dramatically change pressure (weight) without height...
A jacked chassis can lead to some irregular handling and different turn in left to right which you may not think is an issue with the car but assume it is a tendency of the track...
And as mentioned corner balancing does not have to change height measurably. Think of it this way, stand evenly on both feet, then push down slightly with one foot. You can dramatically change pressure (weight) without height...
A jacked chassis can lead to some irregular handling and different turn in left to right which you may not think is an issue with the car but assume it is a tendency of the track...
02-09-2011, 01:06 AM
#30
Rennlist Member
TD, please post up your before and after corner/cross weights.