Pontiac Solstice Forum - View Single Post

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack B

No flame intended, but, there are too many comments like yours that tend to look like they are absolute and coming from fact, which is not the case. Let me start out by asking how many FTD's you have accumulated. Most FAST sports cars (viper, vette, porsche, Ferrari, lamborghini) have larger tires on the rear and they will never hit the drag strip. It all has to do with the car and where maximum traction and neutral handling meet. Enough is said, please refrain from comments that are not based on sound engineering principles or race experience.

Once again - no flame intended, please stick to hard true facts and engineering principles, otherwise it will mislead those looking for the right answer.

OK, no flame.

How many FTDs? When I'm alone, every one.

This thread is talking about a Solstice being used on the streets. Nothing I've written in this thread has been about drag racing.

Comments based on sound engineering principles? You'll have to trust me, that's all I do. I'm an engineer pushing thirty years experience, multiple degrees and a state license.

I'll agree on the black and white, "absolute" feeling of my comments. Being "the boss" for so many years has unfortunately instilled a rather authoritarian quality to my writing. I recognize this. I'm rather new to on-line discussions (Sept of this year). Prior to becoming involved here, most of my e-mail writing was to people asking my professional opinion, my employees or as a customer of others. In all those circumstances, I'm the authority. It's a hard habit to break. A moment of inattention and suddenly everything is black and white and sounding like a new commandment.

Here's the basis of my comments.
I believe increasing weight of the back end of a rear wheel drive car that's already pretty much evenly balanced will make it under perform in the twisties due to the combined effect of increased moment and increased unsprung weight.

The extra unsprung weight will reduce road grip of the tires. Please remember my comments are in regard to often uneven streets, not smooth professional courses. The increased moment coupled with the loss of traction will send the rear out sooner and possibly unexpectantly, depending on the condition of the road in the turn.

I welcome your counterpoint. Nothing I say is absolute. If you have a differing opinion and can back it up, as you say, with sound engineering principles, I'll drop mine in a heartbeat and call yours my own. None of my opinions are sacred with me.

	Maika'i GXP Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY... a sister island to the Hawaiian chain. ;-)	Quote: Originally Posted by Jack B No flame intended, but, there are too many comments like yours that tend to look like they are absolute and coming from fact, which is not the case. Let me start out by asking how many FTD's you have accumulated. Most FAST sports cars (viper, vette, porsche, Ferrari, lamborghini) have larger tires on the rear and they will never hit the drag strip. It all has to do with the car and where maximum traction and neutral handling meet. Enough is said, please refrain from comments that are not based on sound engineering principles or race experience. Once again - no flame intended, please stick to hard true facts and engineering principles, otherwise it will mislead those looking for the right answer. OK, no flame. How many FTDs? When I'm alone, every one. This thread is talking about a Solstice being used on the streets. Nothing I've written in this thread has been about drag racing. Comments based on sound engineering principles? You'll have to trust me, that's all I do. I'm an engineer pushing thirty years experience, multiple degrees and a state license. I'll agree on the black and white, "absolute" feeling of my comments. Being "the boss" for so many years has unfortunately instilled a rather authoritarian quality to my writing. I recognize this. I'm rather new to on-line discussions (Sept of this year). Prior to becoming involved here, most of my e-mail writing was to people asking my professional opinion, my employees or as a customer of others. In all those circumstances, I'm the authority. It's a hard habit to break. A moment of inattention and suddenly everything is black and white and sounding like a new commandment. Here's the basis of my comments. I believe increasing weight of the back end of a rear wheel drive car that's already pretty much evenly balanced will make it under perform in the twisties due to the combined effect of increased moment and increased unsprung weight. The extra unsprung weight will reduce road grip of the tires. Please remember my comments are in regard to often uneven streets, not smooth professional courses. The increased moment coupled with the loss of traction will send the rear out sooner and possibly unexpectantly, depending on the condition of the road in the turn. I welcome your counterpoint. Nothing I say is absolute. If you have a differing opinion and can back it up, as you say, with sound engineering principles, I'll drop mine in a heartbeat and call yours my own. None of my opinions are sacred with me.