Super Suspension vs. Standard Weight

#1 February 3rd 2005, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattfaulkner

Isn't this a downforce issue? Is there a way to get enough downforce on these cars to take the floatiness away...

Lowered suspension (to bring the body's center of gravity down) and a front spoiler (to stop the air from getting under the car).

vujade · #2 February 3rd 2005, 09:24

a roof spoiler will also help the rear of the car from getting light at
speeds

mattfaulkner · #3 February 3rd 2005, 12:51

Hey everybody. (especially Zen) What are the chances of setting up a little challenge between the two cars? Could we get a stock standard and a stock super, do the above mentioned mods, and see what they'll do? Or are there already two members who have cars that would work? Maybe topline or red9design (sp?) would even sponsor the event by letting us use or borrow some parts. It's just a thought, but it sure would be a neat thing to see. It would certainly make my mind up on what to start with for my GL.

Matt F.

Che Castro · #4 February 4th 2005, 02:01

The macpherson strut suspension is superior to the parallel trailing arms. The problem isnt really with the torsion bars itself (they are still used on a lot of european small cars in the rear) but the way the wheel moves.

Thats not to say a beam front end can't handle well and go fast, it'll just never be as good as a strut setup.

oasis · #5 February 4th 2005, 04:02

Meanwhile back at the unladen weights ... according to the 1975 owner's manual, a standard weighs 1,973 lbs. and a Super weighs 2,072 lbs. -- a 99 lb. difference.

The 1971 owner's manual lists the weights as 1,807 and 1,918, respectively -- a 111 lb. difference.

A 1967 standard weighs 1,764 lbs. according to its owner's manual.

The only way there could be a 500 lb. difference would be if one compares a 1952 split window to a 1975 Super -- and that would be assuming the '52 was a svelt 1,572 lbs. Under those apples and oranges comparisons, a '71 Super weighs 55 lbs. less than a '75 standard.

And now back to the never-ending debate and the challenge to begin all challenges ...

#6 February 4th 2005, 04:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by oasis

The only way there could be a 500 lb. difference would be if one compares a 1952 split window to a 1975 Super

I think it's (for a weight increase of that amount) more if...

one compares a 1952 split window to a 1975 Super convertible

Supa Ninja · #7 February 4th 2005, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

I think it's (for a weight increase of that amount) more if...

one compares a 1952 split window to a 1975 Super convertible

Ha, ha...Here's my opinion, back when my 1302's suspension was bone stock, I owned for a short period of time a '73 beetle (bone stock). I remember how scary that beetle felt in some twisties that the supa had no problems with. I also remember the first time I drove a buddies cal looked '66 around some mild corners. I thought for sure I was going to wad it up, that thing was scary as hell to drive in the twisties.
About the contest, if your going to beef up the front sway bar you'll HAVE to install a rear sway bar, or you'll have some serious understeer. I don't know how many of you'all read in VWTrends about the BFGoodrich G-Force challenge, but the contest should be like that. Try to keep the tires equal, and see what suspension will come up on top. All I know is when my Supa was road worthy it could out corner my 914 (former autoX car). My money is on the Supa.

Nick

ECBug · #8 February 7th 2005, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by vujade

a roof spoiler will also help the rear of the car from getting light at
speeds

Are you talking about the small one that goes over the rear window?

vujade · #9 February 7th 2005, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECBug

Are you talking about the small one that goes over the rear window?

thats the one

zen · #10 February 7th 2005, 22:22

like this one...

mattfaulkner · #11 February 8th 2005, 00:20

I hate to be the technical guy again...but it would cool to get some real aero numbers on all the available spoilers. We'd just need to rent a wind tunnel, and have an assortment of spoilers (front ones too) anad find out just how much better they are from stock and from each other. Wow...I'm getting excited already. Well, there's something to ponder at least.

**NO_H2O** · #12 February 8th 2005, 07:15

Just get in touch with Lockheed here in town. See if they can fit it in after all the NASSCAR boys.

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