Evangelos, you have opened Pandora's box. A delight, rewarding,
fun etc, but you cannot stop once you start. You become an automaton
forever chasing the next modification to go better, faster for longer.
Seriously though, on rough roads, I'd probably just go for some (2-3
degrees)
negative camber, progressively wound springs and a telescopic damper
conversion. Many of the things that can be done are not appropriate for
rough roads. Don't be tempted to lower the ride height - while it does
improve front-end cornering power, you flinch over every large bump or
pothole. It won't be as much fun as it should be.
Neg camber can be achieved by replacement trunnions (with a different
offset between the kingpin and the lever arm bolt - this is what I use
to give me 2.5 degrees), offset a-arm (inner) bushes or a spacer under
the lever arms. I don't like the later - it does give some static negative
camber
but at the expense of inferior (dynamic) geometry. negative camber will
improve
turn-in and front-end cornering power for modern radial tyres. Don't use it
if you
plan to use cross-ply tyres!
the idea behind progressively wound springs is to be supple over the little
bumps
but stiffer as the bumps (or roll) gets larger. It is a nice solution for
bumpy roads
because you aren't losing suspension travel (droop).
Telescopic shocks can transform the handling at the front. Improved turn-in
and
much better control over bumps.
Also, while you are at it, check all the bushes in the front end!
cheers, Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Evangelos G. Makris <emakris@hol.gr>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, June 12, 1998 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: anti-roll bar
>Thanks to all the people who helped with their replies.
>
>My car is a 1966 Mk3 Sprite (HAN8L) and does not have
>the holes on the wishbones.
>
>THat and our roads being not that smooth (far from it
>actually) I guess I shouldn't bother drilling and fitting one.
>
>I asked the original question because my cars understeers
>a lot and there is a general (evident) feeling of
>wiggle-ness in the front whenever it goes over anomalies,
>which is to say, most of the times.
>
>Perhaps I should turn my attention to other parts of
>the steering-suspension system....such as?
>
>Evangelos
>
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