Re: [DML] DeLorean Floatation Device

[mike.griese@xxxx]

Most mass-produced cars built for the street are designed
to understeer. This is the safest way for cars to handle
for the average driver, because the natural reaction for
the general public is to remove their foot from the 
accelerator and grenade the brake pedal whenever their
car starts to get out of shape. This transfers weight
to the front of the car, cancelling out some of the 
understeer. If the car did not understeer initially, pressing
the brake would cause snap oversteer, which is much more
difficult to control - now you are talking about opposite 
steering lock and/or steering with the throttle which is 
way beyond the average driver. 

A contributing factor to the DeLorean's high speed understeer 
(and it is there) is the front ride height. The nose up attitude 
allows air underneath the car at the front, causing lift, lightening 
it even further.

Tacking on extra weight is not the way to go about tuning a suspension. 
In fact, it's about the worst thing to do because now you have that
much more mass you have to turn. The first step for tuning the DeLorean 
is to get the nose down to reduce front end lift. This will also
have a minor effect on the weight distribution of the car.
Understeer can be reduced further by running wider tires than
stock on the front of the car. You can start playing around with
the alignment specifications, but this will require adjustable
links up front, a feature that DeLoreans don't have without
replacing parts. There are several good books on suspension design
and tuning. You can find them at most libraries, Amazon, and some
of the bigger Borders or Barnes & Noble book sellers. 

And I really doubt anyone has done any quantitative testing
regarding the bouyancy characteristics of the average motor
vehicle. It's hard enough to get automakers to do crash testing.

--
Mike
> So far I may have the topic set in an akward idea. However, What I 
> am about to suggest is in idle curiosity. I've heard rumor about 
> how a DeLorean has a hard time of steering at a high rate of speed 
> and I am curious.
> Daemon Wolf
>