Blunt edges, limited cooling, extreme bumper moment (weight x arm from CG)
prompted me to experiment.
I made a front end for the car that extends from the stock headlight panel
and bumpers, continuing the same lines so the car is not as nose heavy, can
recieve better cooling from more generous intakes, and reduce drag of the 1"
exposed edge of the panel/fenders. I did the upper 66% of the nose so that
it looks 'factory' using high quality fiberglass. I hope to race my car,
and suppose the downforce on the chin spoiler could be significant, hence I
would want that lower 33% in carbon or else glass that is heavily
reinforced.
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Phil Martin" <pmartin_vacation@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: "Phil Martin" <pmartin_vacation@hotmail.com>
To: Bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Front-heaviness
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 17:25:06 +0000
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Mitwelt" <mitwelt@bellsouth.net>
As for weight distribution, it seems MUCH more front heavy than that. But
then, maybe the stock muffler weighs more than I thought. Worse, the
amount of weight in FRONT of the front axle appears considerable. The
effects of this weight are exponential.
====
I expect that the feeling of front-heaviness is probably contributed to by
the conservative AMC suspension geometry which favored straight-line
stability over sharp-edged resonse in transitional moves. Also, you've got
that HEAVY bumper hanging WAY out in front of the axle. Its contribution to
the weight distribution is probably significant, but also probably dwarfed
by its contribution to the car's moment of inertia...
Both of the bumpers on my car will be replaced by something a lot lighter.
I don't list driving into walls as one of my hobbies. :)
--
Phil Martin
"I don't know what I'm to say,
But I'll say it anyway."
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