WilF's angle method: include driver's weight?

Jdub · 12-23-2003, 08:17 AM

Using Thom and Wil's angle measurement calculator for the rear spring plate.

I have the '78 SC Targa at 1210kg, which is 2668lbs. Should I add my weight to this figure to find the exact height I will want?

Also, does anyone know of a torsion bar provider called "US"? I found a set of red tbars in the rear of my car with this moniker and I don't see any other manufacturer name on them. Anyone heard of US 'bars?

Many thanks,
John

Wil Ferch · 12-23-2003, 08:48 AM

In my opinion, you have the option to add ( or not add) your weight. Remember, the calculator works best if you know the other variables rather well ( vehicle weight and individual wheel weights, for example), ...and most people take a "stab" at the vehicle weight and get close.

If you want to be real anal about it, you can:
-- add your weight...but you'd have to figure how much of this the rear of the car sees. For a 150-152 lb driver.... it affects the four corners of the car this way ( looking down on car):
+62 +11
+50 +28
.... so the rear of the car would ( in total) weigh 78 lbs more than thought...with 50 of that on the left-rear and 28 of that on the right-rear ( USA type seating...not UK).

--- and...you can fudge the numbers to account for the slight left-side bias these cars show..and set your spring angles for this slight variation, too. It depends how accurate you'd like to get... balanced against how "good" the more basic numbers are to begin with ( individual wheel weights).

---Wil Ferch

Jdub · 12-23-2003, 09:45 AM

Thanks much Wil!

My old setting show about a 33 degree angle with the 24.1. Moving to the 26, I am getting 28/9 degrees from your calculator. I am also wondering if I ought to disperse my weight on the four corner points.

I do wish I had taken my car to scales prior to this exercise. Plus, I will be moving from 6"/7" to 7"/9".

John

Wil Ferch · 12-23-2003, 11:34 AM

The calculator works better with better "input" numbers ( big surprise here, huh?....garbage in= garbage out). The more accurate your rear weights are , the better. Toss-up if you wish to distribute your own body weight as part of the calcs. If you do....feel free to use greater or lesser proportions of the 150 lb "sample guy" numbers I gave before....
--Wil

dickster · 12-23-2003, 10:19 PM

just done my rears. i used approx. weight 2800lbs. no driver.

both sides came out the same - 23.5" although i was shooting for 24". the front is still very high at 26.5", so when i lower to 24.5" the rear should rise a tad to 24" - i hope.

wil, can i expect the rear to raise a little when dropping the front do you think?