Re: [DML] Upgraded Front Suspension

[Michael Griese <mike.griese@xxxxxxx>]

The fore/aft motion of the LCA is designed to control bump-steer.  This is the 
tendency of the car to steer itself in response to hitting bumps on one side of 
the car or the other.  Without the compliance in the system to allow the wheel 
encountering the bump to move slightly backwards as it rises, the car would pull 
offline.

The goal of the suspension design is to keep the car under control in as many 
conditions as possible.  The basic design of the DeLorean (and most other street 
cars) is to have the car tend towards understeer in panic situations, as most 
drivers initial reactions to an emergency situation put the car into oversteer.  
Braking while turning, lifting off the accelerator in a turn, etc.  That 
compliance is there for a reason.  As long as your suspension components are in 
good shape, that "sloppiness" provides predictable responses to driver inputs.

As far as Bill's claims that his modifications are an upgrade, I would have to 
say the jury is still out.  I would venture to say noone has "done the math" to 
model just what the new components are doing as far as range of motion, spring 
rates, rates of change to toe, camber and caster, roll resistance etc.  His 
changes automatically come with a bunch of new suspension components like 
bushings and ball joints, which will automatically provide improved feel and 
response, somewhat independent of the other changes.  Comparing old stuff to 
different new stuff is not a valid comparison.  You need to compare the new 
components to a properly set up original suspension with new bushings and ball 
joints all around.  And then the cars need to be subjected to identical driving 
conditions in controlled environments.

A test is worth a thousand opinions.

 --
Mike




________________________________
From: Tom Niemczewski <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx>
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, October 28, 2011 9:11:32 AM
Subject: Re: [DML] Upgraded Front Suspension

From: "Martin Gutkowski"

> Ed's setup attempts to restrain the fore/aft movement of the arm 
> altogether when there is a reason for it in the first place.
> Martin

Martin,
What is the intended fore/aft movement in the LCA? What's the reason for it 
and what good does that movement do?

I can't see any advantage in having LCAs so sloppy. To me this setup is 
nothing short of a disaster. Under braking when the arms move back they 
compress the springs unevenly, put unnecessary strain on the shocks and the 
most important thing it destroys the entire geometry of the suspension 
system - caster becomes positive, camber becomes positive, toe goes way in. 
If the goal here is to loose grip and destroy the tires then this setup is 
perfect.

Am I missing something? Please put me on the right track.

Thank you

Greetings from Poland!
Tom Niemczewski
Vin 6149 plus 2418, 3633, 5030, 16473, 17086
Google earth: 52°25'17.66"N, 21° 1'58.40"E 



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